Chapter Four

Mariana.

I had spent a long time in the bath and, at some point, I think I even fell asleep. I rushed out of the bathroom after receiving a text on my phone. Wrapping a towel around myself, I walked to my room to check who had messaged me.

Maybe it was Father.

My hope was crushed when I picked up my phone. It was a message from one of my father’s guards, telling me to get ready for dinner.

I frowned as I stared at the screen. What dinner date was he talking about? It was late. I tried calling Father, but he didn’t answer, so I left it at that and began searching my wardrobe for something to wear. Even though I had no idea what kind of dinner this was, I knew I had to get ready since I was certain Father had instructed him to message me.

There was a knock on my door, and I dropped the dress I was examining to go answer it. It was Emilia, who stared at me with a curious smile.

“What are you doing?” she asked. I shrugged and opened the door wider to let her in.

She took in the mess on my bed and then looked at me. “What’s going on?”

I shook my head; I had no idea either.

“Are you going on a date?” she teased, and I shot her a quick ‘are you serious?’ look before returning to my search for a dress.

I had never dated anyone before—not that I wouldn’t want to experience being with someone other than my family—but I was too scared to do so. Father made it clear that he would harm anyone who dared to touch us.

So yes, I was saving whoever that boy might be from getting killed by my father.

“I know you don’t have a boyfriend, so no, a date is out of the question. So tell me, what are you looking for?” she asked, standing beside me.

“A dress,” I sighed.

“For what?”

“I don’t know. Father just texted me to get ready,” I replied without further explanation.

She frowned and glanced at her wristwatch. “It’s late, Mari. Why would Father want to take you to a party at this time?”

It was a question I didn’t have an answer to. Father had never done this before, so it was indeed surprising.

“I don’t know, and I don’t have much time. Can you help me pick a dress?” I asked, and she nodded.

She was skilled at shopping and finding dresses. With Emilia’s help, it didn’t take long for me to get ready. I stared at myself in the mirror and smiled; I looked pretty. The dress was long-sleeved with a deep V-cut at the front, revealing a hint of cleavage.

“You look so pretty, Mari,” Emilia said. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

We both looked at it, and she offered to check who was there. Julia appeared in the doorway, and when she saw me, a smile spread across her face.

“You look beautiful, Mariana,” she said, and I smiled back, thanking her.

“The car is here to pick you up, and from how urgent your father sounded, I think you shouldn’t waste any more time here.” My throat constricted at her words. He had spoken to her, yet he couldn’t pick up when I called.

I forced a smile as I stepped outside, bidding Emilia goodbye and kissing her forehead before getting into the car. My heart raced as we drove through the busy highway, and my mind swirled with thoughts, the most pressing being that I had no idea what this meeting was about.

I looked around and gripped the car seat tightly. I had always had a strange fear of sitting in cars, something I couldn’t quite identify or explain. No matter how often I asked, Father waved it off as something I would eventually overcome.

“We’re here, ma’am,” the driver said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What’s going on?” I wondered.

“Ma’am, we’re here,” he repeated. I blinked and nodded.

Right.

I opened the door and stepped out, taking in the beautiful exterior of the restaurant in front of me. I looked at the driver and wanted to ask him questions but hesitated, realizing he likely wouldn’t understand what I might sign.

Turning around, I walked toward the door, hoping I was indeed meeting my father. I exhaled in relief when I spotted one of my father’s men standing at the front door waiting for me.

“Boss asked me to walk you in,” he said. I clutched my purse tightly and nodded.

Nothing was going to happen to me, I reassured myself, taking a deep breath as we entered the restaurant. The atmosphere was lively, with several people seated, enjoying dinner with partners and families. I didn’t let my frown show when he led me to a different room and stopped at a door.

I waited as he knocked softly, identifying himself with the word “boss” before gesturing for me to enter. I smiled softly at him as the door opened from the inside. I walked in expecting to see only my father, but to my surprise, he was accompanied by someone else.

My breath seized when I locked eyes with him; he appeared different from Father’s men. I took in his attractive features as my gaze traveled down to his legs. His attire suggested he wasn’t here for a job. From where I stood, I could see tattoos peeking out from his suit, and as if he sensed my scrutiny, he flashed a mocking grin.

Feeling my face flush, I quickly shifted my gaze to my father, who seemed to be watching me intently.

“Cariño,” Father began, and I gulped.

The intensity of his stare made me fear that whatever he was about to say might not be good.

“Please, sit down,” he said politely. I gulped again before moving to take the chair beside him, dropping my purse onto the table as I waited. The atmosphere in the room was so tense it felt palpable.

“Is she the one?” the man suddenly spoke up, causing me to jump.

His voice was as charming as his appearance.

I tried to avoid looking at him, but I couldn’t resist; his eyes were already on me. Quickly, I averted my gaze and focused on my father, who remained silent.

“She is,” Father confirmed.

“She’s pretty,” the man remarked, and my heart raced.

What was happening? Why were they discussing me as if I weren’t even there?

“What’s going on, Father?” I signed, unable to tolerate the uncertainty any longer.

“Mariana, I would like you to meet your fiancé, Luciano Rossi.” I froze in my seat.