Chapter 13

Giovanni

I don’t know what I was thinking. The moment Emiliana stepped towards the car, the sinking feeling in my heart fell deeper. She looked gorgeous in her golden gown. It glimmered and glittered on each graceful step she took. She strode towards me like she was on a mission and I fought to hide the word I had muttered. “Wow.”

“You scrub up well.” She mocked me, glancing at the matching golden handkerchief her mother had gifted me. She stepped into the car elegantly and I had to prepare myself mentally for the night ahead. 

All eyes were on her as we walked through the ballroom and she was too naive to see it. She wasn’t mine, but over the past few months, I had seen a side to her I never knew she had. She was dedicated, meticulous and versatile. Whatever was thrown in her direction, she overcame it with zeal. It forced me to rethink everything I thought about her. She wasn’t the spoiled brat I had initially judged her to be - no, she was far from that. She was fiercely independent and slightly adventurous, her personality shone through everything she did and left me in constant awe. While our conversations were only ever one sided, it made me appreciate her thoughts and feelings towards her surroundings. It was the moments where she thought I wasn’t listening that I valued the most. 

I had spotted the greasy kiss ass Mr Russo a mile away, his eyes had locked on Emiliana as soon as we entered the room. I couldn’t blame him, she was captivating in every aspect and it made me want to protect her even more. I recognised his face, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. 

I clenched my jaw tightly as Emiliana took hold of Mr Russo’s hand and was led to the dance floor. I downed both mine and Emiliana’s drinks; not caring that I was on the job. I needed to wash away the jealousy that festered in my mind. I observed every move they both made with careful resolve while I trailed through the library of my mind, trying to figure out where I had seen his face before. 

They were laughing away in light conversation causing my envy to overtake my reasoning. Mr Russo gripped her chin and I could see exactly what he was planning before he did it. His moves were calculated, I had seen men like him before. Touching property that wasn’t theirs without a care in the world about hurting anyone else.

I marched over, interrupting their staring contest and pulling Emiliana close to me protectively. Having her in my arms calmed me to some extent. I didn’t want another man touching her and as selfish as my reasons were, I didn’t care. I would have to explain later and probably have a lot to answer for but I wasn’t going to deny it felt good to interrupt his advances. 

“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me why you pulled me away?” She asked, gazing up at me expectantly. What did she want me to say? I wasn’t going to divulge the hidden feelings I had buried deep down in my soul, tucked away in the folds of the abyss in my mind. I had sworn to myself not to speak at all. It was safer this way. If we didn’t converse she would never know much more about me other than my name. She couldn’t know much more about me, it wasn’t safe for her to. “Giovanni?” She called my name once more and I had to turn away. Her hazel eyes were burning into mine and I would spill my guts for her if I wasn’t careful.

She tore her body away from me without hesitation, charging out of the room before she could draw attention to us. I followed closely and silently behind her, I had to, it wasn’t just my job but my instinct to keep her safe. 

“I need to be alone!” 

I heard her words but I ignored them, I wasn’t about to let her out of my sight for one second.

The cold air was like ice as I followed her onto the patio. The doors slammed shut behind us as I gripped her arm. “Let go of me!” She roared at me. 

She was angry, whatever I hadn’t said, it had pissed her off. I never wanted to upset her but speaking to her would reveal too much. 

I pressed my body against hers, forcing her to look at me as she backed up against the solid brick behind her. I tried to control my breaths but her scent was so intoxicating, her body close to mine was sending mine into overdrive. “What are you doing?” She whispered. 

A whimper left her lips as my finger trailed the soft curves of her face before tucking a stray hair behind her ear. My eyes absorbed every beautiful feature of hers, from her soft skin, molten eyes and her plump lips that were begging me to kiss them. The gods were in her favour when she was created. Every curve and crevice of her body was made for me, yet I knew I could never have her.

The pad of my thumb stroked over her red cushion lips and I found myself leaning further into them. Her quiet breaths contrasted with my deep ones, creating a wild thunder of puffs of air to dance between us. She closed her eyes and I quickly pulled my resolve back in, I couldn’t do be so stupid and careless, not with her. I stepped away and straightened my tie, trying to keep my hands busy to avoid them straying too far again.

“What the fuck?” She shouted at me. 

I can’t say I was surprised at her outburst, but I had rarely heard her curse before, let alone at me. She stared at me with those deep brown eyes and I couldn’t look at them anymore. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

Emiliana huffed at me exasperatedly before shoving past me. I turned on my heel, chasing her back towards the ballroom where her father was about to make a toast. Picking up two champagne glasses from the bar, I swiftly kept up with Emiliana’s fast paces.

“Welcome everyone.” Emilio began his speech, stopping Emiliana dead in her tracks. She was only a couple of metres in front of me, so I stepped up to her side and handed her one of the drinks. She refused to make eye contact with me and instead, stole both drinks with her hand, downing one of them before returning the empty glass to me. 

“It is great to have you all here this evening. The staff have been wonderful tonight!” Everyone clapped for the staff immediately and Emilio waited for the applause to die down. “When I first started at Magnone’s I was just a young boy. My father guided me to be the man I am today so it’s thanks to him that the business has thrived to become what it is now.” I placed my hand on Emiliana’s back, hoping it would provide some comfort for her after what had happened outside, but she only shrugged me off. “Now where is my daughter?” The crowd turned around, each set of eyes were searching for Emiliana. 

“Here father!” She waved her hand in the air.

“Come here, Mimmo.” He called out to her and she made her way onto the small stage. “When Emiliana was only eight she told me she only ever wanted to travel the world, to see the beautiful continents and broaden her horizons.” The room exploded into laughter as Emilio draped his arm over her shoulders. Emiliana sank under his weight and embarrassment, clearly not enjoying being under the limelight. “Yes, those were her words.” Emilio squeezed her gently and laughed heartily. “But now, Emiliana will be broadening her horizons as the next CEO of Magnone’s. So raise your glasses everyone! This might be the end of my venture, but it is the start of Emiliana’s.” Emilio raised his almost empty glass into the air. “Cheers!” He saluted and the entire room followed in unison.

Emiliana stepped down from the intense gazes of the room, passing by smiles and handshakes as everyone congratulated her. She strolled straight past me without a simple glance my way. My eyes followed her as her path stopped in front of Mr Russo. I guess I deserved it, after almost seducing her out on the patio - I had probably left her confused. Even I was confused and torn up by the situation. But having Emiliana’s lips on mine was only going to lead to disaster further down the line. 

Emiliana let out a loud giggle at something Russo had said and it had my jaw clenching all over again. 

“Giovanni!” Emilio called my name and I turned around swiftly. 

“Sir,” I shook his hand. 

“I told you, it’s Emilio.” 

“Sorry, force of habit.” I smiled politely back at the silver haired man. 

“I hope you’re taking good care of my daughter.” He jested. I could see his eyes flicker behind me, to where she was standing with the greasy kiss ass.

“As best I can.” I countered. It wasn’t a lie, I was doing everything I could to make sure she was safe, but I hadn’t planned for me to like her so much. It was making my job extremely difficult and I wasn’t sure how I could continue to be just her guard.

“Your best is all I can ask for.” Emilio smiled at me with credence.