Chapter 10: Dinner plans I

Sophia's phone buzzed softly on the bedside table, drawing her attention away from the turbulent thoughts swirling in her mind. With a heavy sigh, she reached for the device, her heart sinking as she saw Fabio's name illuminated on the screen.

Reluctantly, she tapped on the message, her eyes scanning the contents with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. What she read made her heart sink even further.

"Your dress will be sent to you and a chauffeur to pick you up at 6 pm tomorrow."

Sophia's lips curled into a scowl as she read the message, her frustration bubbling to the surface like a simmering volcano. How dare he presume to dictate her schedule and make decisions on her behalf without so much as a word of consultation? The audacity of the man infuriated her to no end.

"How can I marry such a guy?" she thought bitterly, her mind reeling with indignation. "He has no manners, doesn't know how to treat a lady."

With a flick of her thumb, she composed a terse reply, her fingers flying across the screen with practiced precision.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I can dress myself and find my way, thank you very much."

With a sense of satisfaction, she hit send and tossed her phone aside, the weight of her anger momentarily easing the burden on her heart. But even as she tried to push aside her feelings of resentment, she couldn't shake the sense of unease that lingered just beneath the surface.

As she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dim light of her room, Sophia couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong. When she had first met Fabio, she had been captivated by his charm and charisma, drawn to him like a moth to a flame. But now, faced with the reality of their impending marriage, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disillusionment creeping in.

Was this what she had signed up for? A lifetime of being told what to do and how to act by a man who seemed to care more about appearances than genuine connection? It was a prospect that filled her with dread, and yet, she couldn't deny the nagging voice in the back of her mind that whispered of duty and obligation.

With a heavy heart, Sophia rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes, willing herself to push aside her doubts and fears. Tomorrow was another day, another opportunity to confront the choices that lay before her and find the courage to forge her path.

But deep down, she knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainty. As she drifted off into an uneasy sleep, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find the strength to break free from the chains that bound her to a fate she had never asked for.

In the dimly lit hallway of Sophia's apartment building, the muffled sound of knocking echoed through the air, accompanied by the shrill ring of the doorbell. Sophia, who had been lost in thought, was jolted from her reverie by the unexpected disturbance.

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice tinged with irritation. She wasn't in the mood for visitors, especially not at this hour.

As she approached the door, her senses on high alert, Sophia felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her chest. She had a bad feeling about this, a nagging sense of unease that refused to be ignored.

With a hesitant hand, she reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open a crack, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at the figure standing on the other side.

To her surprise, she was met with the sight of a tall, impeccably dressed man with dark hair and olive skin, his features unmistakably Italian in origin. He offered her a charming smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he greeted her in a thick accent.

"Ciao, Bella," he said, his voice smooth and melodious. "I'm here to do your hair. Signore Fabio sent me."

Sophia's brow furrowed in confusion at the man's words, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. What did Fabio have to do with her hair, and why would he send a stranger to her doorstep without so much as a warning?

"I'm sorry, but I didn't ask for a hairdresser," she replied, her voice tinged with suspicion. "And I certainly didn't invite anyone over for that."

The man's smile faltered slightly at Sophia's words, his charm giving way to a look of mild confusion. "But Signore Fabio insisted," he protested, his tone tinged with urgency. "He said it was of the utmost importance that you look your best for tomorrow's dinner."

Sophia's heart sank at the mention of tomorrow's dinner, the weight of her impending meeting with Fabio pressing down on her like a lead weight. She had hoped to avoid any further entanglements with him, at least for the time being, but it seemed that fate had other plans.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Please go back and tell Signore Fabio that I'm not interested."

With that, Sophia slammed the door shut, the sound reverberating through the empty hallway like a thunderclap. She leaned against the door, her chest heaving with the effort of holding back her frustration and anger.

What was Fabio playing at, sending a stranger to her doorstep without so much as a warning? Did he truly believe that she would be swayed by such blatant attempts to manipulate her?

As Sophia stood there, lost in thought, a surge of defiance washed over her, steeling her resolve to stand firm against Fabio's machinations. She may have been caught in the tangled web of their families' feud, but she refused to be a pawn in his game.

With a determined set to her jaw, Sophia marched back to her living room and retrieved her phone from the coffee table. She would send Fabio a message, an unequivocal message that she would not be swayed by his attempts to control her.

As she composed her words, her fingers flying across the screen with a newfound sense of purpose, Sophia couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope stirring within her. Perhaps, just perhaps, she could find a way to break free from the chains that bound her to a fate she had never asked for.