Chapter One. Amelia

Growing up, father always told me that one day I'll get to live the perfect life. A life where I would have everything I want, and would never have to go hungry again. A life where I would have maids at my beck and call, and the world at my feet.

What he did not tell me however, was the fact that in order to live that life, I'll pay a price. Like giving up my simple and personal routine for more extravagant and irrelevant things such as dressing up like I'm attending a high class event when in fact it's just a simple family dinner.

Well, I guess it's not regarded as a simple family dinner if I have to wear all this jewelry and makeup.

I stare at the stranger in the mirror and sigh. I am a far cry from how I looked weeks ago. Nadia somehow managed to arrange my wild, curly dark hair into a bun. The dress I have on is way too tight, I can barely breathe in it. How I was able to fit myself and my curves into it is a miracle.

Well not all my curves. An outrageous amount of my breasts are left exposed, and the dress is way too short, I have to stop myself from pulling it down with each step I take.

My outfit is completed with a set of red crystals; A necklace, two bracelets and a pair of earrings. Apart from the gloss I applied on my lips, Nadia didn't make me wear any makeup, and I'm grateful for that.

Deciding I was good to go, I stand up, pick up my phone from the counter and head out of the room. I make my way to the dining room,my feet screaming in the four inches pumps I have on.

When I get to the dining room, everyone turns to me and I shrink mentally. I've always hated being the center of attention. I love living in the shadows, and watching things happen from the sidelines.

However,ever since I stepped into the Romano mansion, I've been the creator of everyone's attention.

“Remember why you are here. Do this for Elsie.”

I take a deep breath, and head to my seat. Dominic glares daggers at me, and while I used to get scared of him when I first got here, I glare right back. “You do enjoy making everyone wait for you, don't you?” He demands angrily.

“Oh shut up. Don't preach to me simply because you managed to

arrive earlier today. What happened, Dom? No women available to get your cock wet tonight?” I replied in my most innocent tone ever. His glare hardens and I smirk.

Asshole!

“It's Dominic to you, whore,” he bites out. He means it as an insult but I couldn't care less. I barely roll my eyes and glance around the table, taking a mental note of everyone present. I've been called worse in the past.

Alberto, my fiance glares at his son and the little cunt squirms in his seat. “You will not call my fianceè a whore in my presence, Dominic.”

“Chillax, old man,” Trevor, Alberto's second son looks up from his phone. “Bet Milly doesn't mind. I mean, she used to work in the club before you got engaged.”

“I'll stab you in the dick if you dare call me Milly one more time,” I threaten, and Trevor laughs, winking at me. He looks cute with a boyish charm surrounding him. His dark hair is messed up with some strands falling to his face. His clothes look like he just got out of bed.

He's the only one who doesn't put any effort into looking presentable. Even during family lunches and dinners.

“Now that Amelia is here, I think we should go ahead with our meal,” Alessio announces.

We instantly dig in. I reach directly for the rice and turkey. I put a small quantity on my plate and pour myself some water. The table is filled with several varieties, ranging from Italian dishes to American dishes. Trevor being the pig he is instantly loads his plate with a bit of almost everything on the table. Rice, turkey, spaghetti bolognese, meatball subs and several other things that make me want to gag.

Jesus! How could he fit all that down his throat? Just even putting a sandwich in my mouth makes me want to run to the toilet and empty my entire stomach in the toilet pot.

I take a spoon of my food but almost choke when I feel hands on my bare thighs. I look to my left and freeze when I'm met with molten yellow eyes staring right into mine. “You are not eating, Mel,” the owner of the voice speaks.

When did he get here? Had I been so in my head that I didn't notice him arrive at the table? And more precisely why was he sitting so close to me, with his hand on my thigh?

“You show up for dinner after almost four months and the first thing you do is trouble uncle's fianceè?” Alessio shakes his head at his brother.

“Where were you, Rafè?” My fiance asks cutting a piece of beef and stuffing it into his mouth.

The man removes his hand from my thigh and I fight the urge to sigh in relief. He straightens out in his chair and takes a sip of the whiskey in his glass. “Work, uncle. Had to put some things together and ensure the shipments were received and the goods stored away safely.”

Alberto nods, his eyes shining with pride. It doesn't take a genius to know he adores Rafael, more than he does his own sons. He stares at him like he's the answer to his prayers.

I focus my attention on trying to finish the food on my plate. The men discuss business in Italian while Silver and Mia chat on about the latest fashion trends.

I let my mind travel to Elsie. How is she doing? Has she eaten anything? Is she being taken care of? I get to see her tomorrow and I can't wait. Wednesday and Saturday are the only days in the week I look forward to. These are the days Alberto lets me visit, and spend time with my sister. Every other day we chat on the phone and catch up on our lives.

I smile imagining her reaction when she finds out I got engaged to Alberto Romano. She'd freak out and lecture me like she's my mother when infact I'm older than she is.

“What do you think, Amy?” Mia's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn my attention towards her. She holds up her phone, showing me a unique green evening gown. “Silver says she'll wear this for her birthday party next month.”

“Valentino says his favorite color is green so I figured I'd wear a green dress on my birthday.” Silver's cheeks are tinted bright pink. They are always that way when she's speaking about Valentino. I don't know the full gist of their involvement, but she's hooked.

I shake my head and smile. “The possibility that he will care about the color of your dress once he sees your face is probably zero.” She blushes even harder. “When are you leaving?”

She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Hopefully after your engagement. Nikolai wants me back home this weekend, but I'll convince Rafè to let me stay till the engagement.”

“It must be nice,* Mia says wistfully. “I mean being the only girl with three brothers and two male cousins.”

“It's not as amazing as you make it sound, trust me.” She flips her hair back and rolls her eyes. She and Mia keep discussing about fashion trends and famous designers. I, however, begin to feel sick,so I excuse myself and rush upstairs. I dash into my room, straight to my bathroom and proceed to throw everything up.

The smell and sight of so many dishes at the table had a bad effect on my stomach. I attempt to stand up, but stumble a good couple of times before reaching my room. I throw myself on the bed and shut my eyes.

Jesus!

I feel like shit.

“What's the point of eating if you eventually throw everything back in the toilet?” That familiar, husky voice that always sets me on high alert comes from inside my freaking room! I sit up with a shriek, and stare around. Without doubt, there's a pair of molten orbs staring right back at me from the couch in my room.

He sits relaxed like he owns the place. The dim light, coming from the lamp on the bedside table gives his olive skin a kind of golden hue which perfectly matches his eyes. His glossy dark hair is tied up in a small ponytail, and he's still in the suit he wore for dinner. The only exception is, he's taken the jacket off, and his shirt is halfway unbuttoned. I struggle not to drool at his perfectly tatted torso. It's a far cry from Alberto's pot belly.

“If you want me naked, all you have to do is ask, baby.”

I roll my eyes and fold my hands beneath my breasts. “Do you make it a habit to flirt with engaged women, Mr Romano?”

“Not really. But I can't help myself if an engaged woman keeps undressing me with her eyes every time we meet.”

“I don't undress you with my eyes every time we meet,” I defend and the corner of his lips pull up in a sexy smirk. The type I'm sure makes women drop on their knees willingly for him.

“Are you saying you weren't imagining what my cock would feel like when it's pounding that sweet virgin pussy.”

My eyes widen, and my lips part in horror. I know Rafael Romano to be a flirt, but I never would have imagined he'd speak to me in such a manner. Not when I'm his uncle's fianceè. “Because I sure do imagine how those pretty lips would feel like wrapped around my cock,” he finishes with a wink.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why heat immediately rushes to my cheeks and core at his words. Maybe it's because I've had so many men flirt with me before , but no one has ever spoken so dirty to me.

Not even Lucas.

Wanting him away from me, I ask, “ Why are you here, Mr Romano? I'm not sure your uncle will be pleased to know you are in my room fantasizing about fucking my mouth.”

“I love it when you talk dirty, baby,” his smirk grows, and I resist the urge to punch him. “And trust me, my uncle wouldn’t give two fucks what I do to you, as long as I don't mess up your little cherry. But, he will care to know that you have poor feeding habits.”

“He doesn't take note of what I have at the table,” I reply calmly despite my heart raging in my chest.

He gives a subtle shake of his head. “He doesn't, does he? But then it won't take much for him to start paying attention. All I need to do is put in my complaint. Make it sound like I'm worried about the fact that you stick to some particular types of food, don't drink anything which is not water, and also rush to the toilet to empty everything right after dinner. Then he'll be concerned.”

Panic rushes to my veins. Alberto can't know about my food disorder. He'll waste no time in hurting Elsie as payback for lying to him. He accepted to marry me as payment for whatever my mother owed him on the condition that I was a virgin, and of perfect health. If he finds out about my food disorder, he'll get to know my other health issues.

“You can't tell him.* My eyes are pleading as I stare up at Rafael. The asshole smiles.

“Of course I can.”

“Please, don't! I will do anything you want.”

His smirk falls and his eyes darken. “Are you sure you want to word it that way? Anything I want can be a number of things that are frowned upon by the general public.”

I know I shouldn't give him such liberty, but I can't have him telling his uncle about my secret. I can't risk Elsie's life, so I nod. “Yes, anything you want.”

His lips lift a little and his eyes seem a bit far away, like he's thinking about something. My heart thumps so loudly in my chest, I can hear it in my ears. My palms feel sweaty all of a sudden and I wipe them on my dress. The nervousness eats it's way through me as I await his response.

A man like Rafael could want anything from me. He could want me to spy on someone or worse to spread my legs for him.

‘He can't have sex with you. Alberto will be pissed if he finds out he took your virginity.’

I relax a little now that I know sex is off the table.

Now let's hope whatever he wants isn't something outrageous and likely to get me killed.

“Come here, Picola.” His order slices through my thoughts and I find myself rising to my feet and walking towards the couch. I manage to stop myself when I'm just few inches away from him.

He motions me forward with his fingers and I move forward till I'm standing between his legs. “On your knees.”

My eyes widen at the command. I'm not sure I heard correctly. He did not just ask me to get down on my knees did he?

“On your knees, Mel. Or do you want me to change my mind ?” I shake my head and reluctantly lower myself to the ground before him. I don't break eye contact no matter how hard I want to avert my gaze from his.

Something dark shines in his eyes. Something I can't really put my finger on. Something akin to lust, or maybe sexual hunger.

Whatever it is, I don't like it.

“Now,” he drawls, running his hands over my bottom lip. A jolt of electricity runs through me as his rough fingers travel over my bottom lip. “What I want in exchange for keeping your dirty little secret,is those pretty lips around my cock.”