Chapter four

DANTE’S POV

Sitting in my study while partially skimming through some documents I was barely interested in, I watched the cigar burning between my cousin Rico's fingers.

Old me would have asked him to pass for a light puff, but my frail heart couldn't take that these days.

Rico stood near the shelves, pretending to read something. He’d been doing that for ten minutes.

He’s waiting for me to speak. I didn't have anything important to tell him. So I didn't.

Eventually, he broke the silence.

“Are you actually gonna go through with it?”

I didn't look up. “I said I was.”

Rico scoffed. “So, you bought a girl at an auction and your first thought is: ‘Yes. I want this one to give me a child.’ Dante, what the hell?”

My jaw ticked. “She’s the best option I have right now. I felt a connection with her.”

“Yeah right, more like someone to control.”

I lifted my eyes to him. He didn’t flinch.

“You need an heir,” he continued. “A real one, your blood. Not adopted, again your blood. Your legacy. You can't just choose anyone.”

I inhaled slowly. “Exactly.”

“And you think she can give you that? Loyalty? And respect?”

I pictured her now–Elara. How she didn’t break on that stage, even when men shouted, even when they reached for their wallets like she was meat.

“Yes,” I answered simply.

“And what's so special about her?” He asked again.

“She's humble, and…obedient and strong,” I said, not believing the words that came out from my own mouth.

Rico crossed his arms. “Alicia is going to lose her mind.”

“She should,” I said coldly. “She already has. She just hides it behind perfumes and expensive shoppings.”

“And you know she wanted to choose the surrogate herself,” he muttered. “She’ll take it personally.”

“That’s not my problem.”

Rico rubbed the bridge of his nose. “And the girl? Does she even understand what being your surrogate means?”

“She does, if she still doesn't. She will eventually.”

He huffs out a laugh. “What did she say about it?”

“Nothing. So I gave her one day.” I closed the file I was skimming through. “By the end of today, she will give me an answer.”

Before Rico could respond, there’s a soft knock.

I look up.

Elara steps inside slowly.

Her hair is up in a ponytail now. She's wearing a simple, flowery gown that cupped her breasts just fine.

I noticed how she kept her hands clasped in front of her and her gaze dropped.

“Sir,” she said quietly. “One of the maids…. said you asked for me to.”

I nodded at once. “Bring the food in.”

She walked in with a tray in her hands, her steps small and careful. I could see the way her fingers shook just a little, but she kept her posture straight. She placed the tray on the low table and waited.

Rico lifted an eyebrow. “You made her bring your food?”

“Cook actually, did you cook this?” I said flatly.

Elara lowered her head more.

“Y-yes, sir. I cooked it myself. I followed the instructions the chef gave me.”

Rico muttered under his breath, “Interesting.”

She stepped back once she finished, careful not to meet my eyes unless I asked her to.

“I'll bring the main food in a few minutes sir” she said to me.

“Leave the tray here then,” I ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

She then turns to leave. I watched as she unintentionally swayed her waist away. I shouldn’t watch her walk out but I did.

The door closed behind her, and Rico whistled low.

“Boss… I get it now.”

“Exactly,” I said confidently.

“And if she runs?”

“She won’t.”

Not after the conversation we had. Not after what I told her I needed from her. Not after what she needs from me her sister's protection.

Before Rico could respond, the door burst open without knocking.

Of course.

Alicia.

She always entered like she owned the house, heels clicking sharply on the floor. Her tight dress was screaming for my attention. I rolled my eyes in disgust already.

“Dante,” she said sweetly–a fake sweet. “I just saw some girl walk out of here. Who is she?”

I exhaled slowly. “Alicia.”

“No. Don’t ‘Alicia’ me. Who. Is. She?”

Rico muttered, “Here we go.”

“A guest of mine,” I answered, leaning back in my chair.

“A guest?” Alicia snapped. “In this wing of the house? Dressed like..like.. that.”

She waved her manicured hand in frustration.

“She’s not your business, if you stop getting paranoid.” I said calmly.

She stepped closer to me, arms folded. “Everything involving you is my business. We’re engaged.”

“We’re arranged,” I corrected her. Yes, this whole thing has been an arrangement between our parents ever since we were kids. And she knows that I don't love her a bit.

She blinked, hurt for half a second before anger layers over it. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Alicia,” I said, voice lowering, “why are you here to cause drama?”

She hesitated… then her tone drops into something softer.

“I missed you, Bambino.”

She walked behind my chair and slid her hands down my shoulders. Rico instantly turned away.

“Yeah, boss… I’ll go check something outside.”

He disappeared before the door closed.

Alicia threw herself onto my lap without asking. She never does. She presses her chest to me, lowering her voice.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’ve been busy, Alicia.” I said, trying to get her off me already.

“You always say that.” She trailed her nails over my jaw. “And now you have some… girl in your house? Why? Why her? Why didn't you let me choose who”

I gripped her waist firmly and she gasped, mistaking the hold for desire.

“How about you trust me?”I said.

“Wel..I do.” She leaned in, lips inches from mine. “You need an heir, Dante. I know I can’t give you one…but she doesn't look trustworthy c'mon. She looks weak.”

“Alicia please”

“Do you think she's better than me?”

Before I could answer

The door opened

Elara stepped inside again.

Her head is down instantly. “Sir… I forgot to– I mean, one of the maids said I should check if you needed anything else. Well uhm..I’m sorry… I didn’t know she was–”

Alicia twisted around on my lap, eyes wide with disgust.

“Are you blind? Get out!”

Elara flinched. “I’m sorry”

“Shut up,” Alicia snapped. “You don’t speak unless spoken to!”

My jaw tightened. “Alicia, behave!” I said to her

Alicia stopped and looked at me in disbelief..

I looked at Elara and nodded. “Bring it to me.” I said looking

Elara hurried forward, taking the plate with both shaking hands, setting it in front of me carefully.

Alicia rolled her eyes. “Pathetic.”

I ignored her, picked up the fork, and took a bite.

Then the taste hit instantly.

My throat burned badly now.

I cough once—sharp.

Alicia looks at me abruptly. “What’s wrong?”

My chest tightened badly. My lungs felt like they were closing.

Alicia’s eyes widened.

“Did you… Did you put peanut oil in this?!”

Elara goes pale. “I..It was a recipe ma'am. I swear…I didn’t know… I didn’t”

“You idiot!” Alicia screamed, her voice cracking. “He’s allergic! Severely allergic!”

My lungs were burning now.

I cough once, twice hard.

“Rico! Matteo!!! I saw Alicia lunge toward my desk, digging frantically for the injection.

Rico immediately rushed in and grabbed my arm to keep me steady. “Boss, stay with me”

In a blur, I saw Elara take one shaky steptowards me… she looked scared to the bone.

Then almost immediately, everything goes black.