Alessia's Pov She tilted her head slightly, a glint of amusement in her tone as she said, "Oh, don’t look so surprised. Of course, I heard your conversation in the bathroom. In this house, every call, every word, is as clear to me as the stars in the night sky."A chill ran down my spine, but I forced myself to stay composed. "I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised," I said, masking my unease with a polite smile. "The Claudia family is known for its... thoroughness."Her lips curled into a faint smirk, as if she were pleased by my response. "Thoroughness is essential when dealing with power, Alessia. I trust you’re beginning to understand that."The meal continued in tense silence for a while. I could feel her studying me, dissecting my every move, every expression. It was unnerving, like being under a microscope, but I refused to let her see me falter.Just as I began to think the evening couldn’t get any more unsettling, the doors to the dining room opened, and a man stepped in. The at
Alessia's Pov Madam Claudia’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it was far from warm. "Unfortunately, she’s chosen to stoop quite low in her ambitions."I froze, my breath catching as she turned to Andrea, her tone cutting. "She’s marrying Matteo. One of my lapdogs."Andrea’s charming demeanor faltered for a moment, his smile fading as he glanced at me. "Matteo?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "That’s... unfortunate."The room fell into a tense silence. I could feel Madam Claudia’s gaze on me, sharp and unyielding, while Andrea’s expression softened, almost apologetic."I didn’t realize things were so complicated," Andrea finally said, his voice quieter but still kind."You have no idea," I replied, forcing a small smile despite the knot tightening in my chest.Madam Claudia’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. "Complicated is one word for it. Foolish is another."Andrea shot her a warning look. "Claudia, that’s enough. You don’t have to approve, but you
Alessia's Pov "Every detail matters," she said firmly. "Your dress will say as much about you as your words. Choose wisely."Andrea groaned. "Claudia, you’re exhausting her. Let the poor girl breathe.""I’m preparing her," she replied coolly. "If she’s going to marry Matteo, she needs to understand what’s at stake."Andrea turned to me, his smile warm and reassuring. "Ignore her. Just wear something that makes you happy, Alessia."I smiled faintly, grateful for his kindness amidst Madam Claudia’s relentless questioning. As the evening wore on, Andrea continued to tease both his sister and me, his charm providing a much-needed balance to Madam Claudia’s intensity. But even his lighthearted comments couldn’t fully ease the tension that hung over the dinner. Madam Claudia’s approval, while given, felt conditional, her every word a reminder of the weight that came with marrying into the Claudia family.The soft clinking of silverware echoed in the grand dining room as the dinner began wi
Alessia's Pov Luca carried me to the car without saying a word. His grip was firm yet gentle, a mix of reassurance and urgency that I wasn’t used to. I wanted to protest—I wasn’t some helpless damsel—but the way his arms enveloped me made me feel safe. For now, I let myself lean into his strength. The cool night air brushed against my skin, and I shivered, not from the chill, but from the lingering tension of the dinner at Madam Claudia’s mansion.The car ride home was quiet. Luca’s jaw was set, his eyes fixed on the road, and the air between us was thick with unspoken words. I glanced at him a few times, wondering if he’d say something about what had transpired, but he remained silent. It was only when we pulled up to the house that he finally spoke."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low but filled with concern as he parked the car."I think so," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "I just… I don’t know how to feel about everything that happened tonight."He nodded, stepping o
Alessia's Pov "Straight to the point," he chuckled. "I like that about you. But I couldn’t resist calling. I wanted to hear your voice again." I shifted uncomfortably on the bed, unsure how to respond. "Well, you’ve heard it. Is there anything else?" "Ouch," he said, his tone playful yet laced with something deeper. "I thought we could have a little chat, just you and me. After all, it’s not every day I get to dine with someone so captivating." I sighed, feeling the heat rise to my face again. "Andrea, you’re flirting, and it’s inappropriate." "Inappropriate?" he echoed, feigning innocence. "Surely you can’t blame me for appreciating beauty when I see it. Besides," his voice dipped, taking on a more intimate tone, "I can’t help but wonder if Matteo truly deserves you." His words sent a shiver down my spine. I stood and began pacing the room, the unease in his tone far outweighing the flattery. "Andrea, whatever issue you have with Matteo, leave me out of it. I’m marrying h
Alessia's Pov The shrill ring of my phone shattered the fragile peace of the morning. I groaned, fumbling for it on my nightstand. The name “Madam Claudia” flashed on the screen, and my stomach immediately knotted.“Good morning,” I mumbled, still groggy.“Be ready in thirty minutes,” her voice was sharp, no room for argument. “The car will take you to the boutique. We have a gown to find, and I don’t like wasting time.”Before I could reply, she hung up. I stared at the phone, a sense of dread curling in my chest. Spending the day with Madam Claudia was the last thing I wanted, but I knew I had no choice.Forty minutes later, I stood outside a boutique so grand it looked like it belonged in a movie. Its sleek black facade exuded exclusivity, and the golden letters spelling out its name glinted under the morning sun.Inside, the boutique was a world of opulence. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow on the rows of gowns displayed like treasures. Each dress seem
Alessia's Pov “This one,” she said simply, her voice softer than I’d heard it before.I turned to the mirror, my breath catching at the sight. It was beautiful, elegant, and somehow… me.Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Madam Claudia stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the reflection. Her smile widened, but it felt wrong, like there was something hidden behind it.“The bride must always look the part,” she said lightly, her tone almost conversational. “Even if the marriage doesn’t last.”Her words cut through the moment like a blade. I froze, staring at her through the mirror.“What do you mean by that?” I asked, my voice unsteady.She tilted her head, her masked face unreadable. “Oh, nothing, dear. Just a thought.”I turned back to the mirror, but the gown didn’t feel the same anymore. The excitement I’d felt was gone, replaced by a cold unease.What did she know that I didn’t?The boutique assistant returned with accessories, but I barely registered her words. Madam Cla
Alessia's Pov As I returned to my room in Luca’s mansion, the familiar mix of exhaustion and unease weighed on me. The events of the day had left me emotionally drained, from Madam Claudia’s sharp critiques to Luca’s unsettling warning about Andrea. I closed the door behind me and exhaled deeply, letting the quiet of the room soothe my frayed nerves.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts. I picked it up, the name on the screen making my heart skip a beat.Andrea.I hesitated for a moment before opening the message."How did the gown hunt go, princess? Let me guess—Claudia had a lot to say about your choices, didn’t she?"I could almost hear his teasing tone, the playful edge in his words contrasting sharply with the tension that had followed me all day. My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I debated whether to respond. Something about him always left me feeling off-balance."It went…fine," I finally typed. "Madam Claudia is very particular, as you can imag
Andrea's Pov The flashbang’s blinding light faded slowly, leaving the room steeped in disorienting darkness and a heavy silence that draped over us like a shroud. I could barely see anything, but I could feel the adrenaline surging in my veins and the pounding in my head from the attack. For several long seconds, the only sound was my own ragged breathing and the echo of the shattered window where our masked attacker had escaped. When my vision cleared enough, I saw Sophia crouched near the desk, her gun still raised but trembling; I could feel my arm throbbing from the deep wound, blood seeping through my sleeves. The room reeked of smoke, sweat, and fear.“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice low and urgent as I stepped toward Sophia. She nodded, swallowing hard, her eyes wide and alert.“This was no random attack,” she murmured, her tone edged with grim determination. “They knew exactly what they were doing.”I scanned the room, feeling the eerie emptiness in the corners. My min
Andrea's Pov I stormed out of Alessia’s room, my heart pounding with frustration and something heavier—guilt. She had every right to be angry, every right to feel betrayed. But damn it, I had never lied to her, not truly. Keeping a secret wasn’t the same as deception. Or maybe, just maybe, I was only fooling myself.I raked a hand through my hair as I made my way down the dimly lit hallway toward my room. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts, but something else nagged at the edges of my senses. A strange, creeping unease slithered into my gut. It felt like a storm rolling in—silent, inevitable, charged with something unseen.As I reached my door, I hesitated. The air was off. It smelled different—thicker, colder. There was a faint metallic scent lingering in the air, like rust… or blood.My body tensed instinctively. I pressed my hand against the door, feeling its surface. Cool. Too cool.Slowly, I turned the knob and stepped inside.The first thing I noticed was the silence—t
Alessia's Pov The moment I stepped into my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning against it as I struggled to breathe. My chest felt tight, my mind spinning.Sophia.Sophia was Madam Claudia.How? How?I let out a harsh, shaky breath, pacing the length of my room. My fists clenched at my sides as I tried to piece together the impossible truth. It didn’t make sense. It didn’t align with anything I knew about her.Sophia—my Sophia—had been poor. She had come to me desperate for a job, practically begging at Marcello’s bar. She had been struggling, scraping by. And now I was supposed to believe she was the woman who had been pulling all the strings from behind a mask? The woman who had orchestrated everything, controlled everyone?I let out a bitter laugh, but it was hollow.I wanted to believe that I was mistaken, that I was seeing things. Maybe I was still drunk, still disoriented from everything that had happened. Maybe the chaos in the hall had clouded my judgment.
Alessia's Pov The air in the grand hall was thick with tension, the hushed whispers of the guests rippling like an incoming storm. Elena’s dramatic outburst had already shaken the foundation of the event, but just as I thought things might settle, another disturbance was brewing.From the center of the crowd, a man—tall, with streaks of silver in his hair and a sharp, authoritative gaze—stood abruptly. His voice carried through the hall, commanding immediate attention."This farce has gone on long enough!" he declared, his tone laced with anger and conviction. "Madam Claudia is no longer fit to lead. This entire operation has turned into chaos under her rule!"Murmurs of agreement spread like wildfire. The guests, who had been silently processing the recent turn of events, now had something to latch onto—something tangible.The man took a few steps forward, his confidence unwavering. "Think about it—under Madam Claudia’s reign, we’ve suffered unnecessary losses. Betrayal has fest
Alessia's Pov The ceremony was nearing its final moments, each word of the priest’s blessing washing over me like a distant hum. My hands felt clammy in Andrea’s grip, my heart hammering so loudly I was sure the guests could hear it.I wasn’t even listening anymore.I was drowning in a sea of thoughts—of Luca, of last night, of the strange way Sophia had whispered that she needed to step out for fresh air just moments ago.Something was wrong.The air around me felt too still, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break.And then it did.A loud crash from the back of the hall shattered the silence.Heads turned. Murmurs erupted.And then, a voice—sharp and laced with rage—cut through the air like a blade."You!"I barely had time to process what was happening before a woman stormed into the venue, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor. Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, her expensive gown wrinkled as if she had been runn
Alessia's Pov The first thing I felt was a dull, pounding headache.I groaned, turning over in the bed, my body still heavy with sleep. My mouth was dry, and my limbs felt weak, but something felt… off.I blinked a few times, my vision adjusting to the dim light filtering through the curtains. My mind was slow to catch up, memories scattered like puzzle pieces waiting to be put back together.And then it hit me.Luca.The bar. The drunken rambling. Vomiting on him. Him carrying me back to my room. The warmth of his arms. The way he had helped me wash up, dressed me, tucked me in. And then—I sat up abruptly, my heart hammering.Dis we really have sex?I touched my body instinctively, heat rushing to my face. It had felt real—too real. But now, with the morning light casting shadows over the room, doubt crept in.Had it been the alcohol playing tricks on me?I looked around the room, expecting to see him somewhere, maybe sitting in the chair across from the bed or leaning ag
Alessia's Pov It feels so good, I instinctively squeeze my eyes shut to focus as much as I can on it. he continues on for another minute, slowly licking and sucking. Suddenly, I feel his mouth open wide, sucking as much of my breast into his mouth as he can. My hips start to buck, pushing up against his, and I feel his hand move down between my legs.Oh my god, it hadn’t occurred to me he’d do this. I’d only imagined simple things, kissing and touching, in the very brief fantasy that had entered my brain as I walked away from the bar. Logically, of course, this shouldn’t be a surprise, but somehow it is, and now the idea that his hand is going to be on my pussy is overwhelming. Hands, and what else? Tongue? Mouth? His dick? The very notion has my lower body aching, and I can feel myself squirming, moving, pushing my hips up to meet his hand.he lifts his head from my breast then, his lips wet and pink, and he watches my face as his hand presses between my legs.“You like it, don’t
Alessia's Pov “You smell like whiskey and vomit,” he interrupted. “And if you think I’m letting you pass out like that, you’re dumber than I thought. I scowled at him. “You’re a jerk.” “And you’re a mess,” he shot back.Before I could protest further, he helped me out of my soiled clothes, guiding me into the warm water.I let out a small sigh as the heat washed over me, his hands moved in ways that sent chills down my spine, he washed beneath my breast, and then over them. His hands moved to back as he washed all the way down to my lower chicks, I could feel his hands linger. He looked at me as if amused by my body.Then he stopped, I looked at him "what—what happened?"If I continue I may not be able hold back" he said as he walked away. A part of me wanted him to stay, wanted his touch. But I held back and watched him leave.Luca stayed just outside the shower, arms crossed, making sure I didn’t collapse.After what felt like an eternity, I stepped out, and to my shock—Luca was hold
Alessia's Pov The bartender gave me a look—one of those patient, knowing looks that bartenders are probably trained to give. He didn’t say anything, just poured me another drink.I exhaled sharply. “But this isn’t about Luca. No, no, no, it’s about this island and how nothing makes sense. Do you know how many people have died since I got here?” I squinted, trying to count, but the numbers blurred in my head. “It’s a lot. And it’s all connected. Madam Claudia, the missing boats, the whispers in the dark—” I paused, leaning in dramatically. “And now people are leaving threats under doors. Under doors! Can you believe that?”The bartender’s lips twitched like he was trying not to smile. “Not funny,” I grumbled. He nodded, as if agreeing, though I doubted he was even fully listening. I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Andrea’s hiding something, too. “That made me pause.Andrea.I shook my head, downing the rest of my drink. “He acts like he’s protecting me, and maybe he is, but he knows s