Chapter 10: Carrying The Crown

Amber’s pov:

I feel a strong pair of arms picking me up, bridal style. My eyelids are too heavy to lift, so I just stay still in his warmth. As my body touches the soft mattress, it is hesitant to let go of the warm embrace. I grip his bare arms strongly and request, “Don’t let go.” His warmth lingers around me until I fall asleep.

“Good morning, Tesoro,” he gently kisses my forehead. I caress his cheek with my hand and speak through my yawn, “Good morning.” I open my eyes and realize that I was daydreaming. I can’t wrap anything around my head ever since he kissed me. I felt the need to rip his shirt off him that very minute, but I controlled myself. I shake those thoughts off me as I dress up in a short wrap skirt and a lace top, both black. 

“Lilly,” I greet her with fake cheerful energy, “Let’s go, shall we?” I ask her. She drags her feet across the room, and out the door, her eyes stuck on my man. I mean, Alessandro. “Lilly, are the invitations set to go out?” I ask her. “Yeah,” she says scrolling through her phone, mindlessly in the car. “Alessandro has asked me to add a couple of people to the list, would you like to review it?” She asks, his name rolling off her dirty tongue sets me off, but I keep calm. 

“No, thank you,” I say. We enter my half-finished gallery and get to work. Dinner time arrives sooner than expected, I do tend to get engrossed in my work because it is based on my hobby. Alessandro texts me and tells me that a car will be sent for me. A chauffeur arrives at the venue. “Mrs. Bianchi, I have been assigned your driver for the ride to Golden Paradise Hotel,” the woman says as I enter the vehicle. 

My eyes are stuck on the marvels of the hotel chain. There were five tall buildings next to one another each with its unique style. “Have a nice day,” I tell the chauffeur. As I exit the vehicle, four bodyguards walk in sync with me. Wow, I feel so powerful right now. As I enter the hotel, everyone treats me like a queen. “Mrs. Bianchi, Mr. Bianchi is seated here,” the manager guides me to an exquisite restaurant in the hotel. 

“Tesoro,” his eyes light up when he sees me. My heart flutters as I see him, standing tall above everyone, his authoritative voice echoing through the empty hall, and his eyes set on me as though I’m the only one in the room. Mhm, I could get used to this. We wait for our food to deck the marble-topped table. “Amber, you can’t skip meals,” he says. “It was just lunch, besides, I don’t always do it,” I tell him. His eyes are glued to me as he says, “You’ve done it every single day since we signed the contract.”

“Stop staring at me,” I tell him, but he doesn't budge. I lower my already low-cut lace top and notice his eyes narrow, and his face frown. “Better?” I ask, slowly lowering it even more. He gulps, and says, “Behave yourself.” 

“I am, Alessandro,” I say seductively. He shoots me a devilish smirk sparking my dirty thoughts. “Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi, here’s your order,” the waiter serves us. I smirk at Alessandro as we begin the meal. “What’s the story behind your love for art?” He asked. “Haven’t you asked me this before?” I ask. “You weren’t sober that day,” he says looking at the steak. “My mother was an artist, I am a basic canvas painter, but she had mastered all the skills that could be listed under the term ‘art’ and I was inspired by her,” I say clicking my heels on the floor. 

“I found out that you have had failed attempts at opening an art gallery…Why did you never ask Pietro Williams for assistance?” He asked. “Assistance?” I scoffed, “The man never asked me how I was holding up after my mother died. I can’t expect anything more from him. Besides, even if the circumstances were different, I’ve always wanted this to be an independent venture.” 

Alessandro munched on his steak with a pleasant etiquette after which he questioned me again, “But you’re okay with my assistance?” I finished eating my fries and said, “You’re my investor. So, I’ll be giving you a share of the profits that I accumulate from the place. Hence, my answer is yes.” 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, what happens if I back out from the deal?” I ask, holding my burger in place. “Then, your art gallery will be seized,” he says strictly. I take a big bite of my burger, and say, “The contract doesn't say that.” He smirks and says, “But I do, and what I say goes.” I roll my eyes. “Look, Alessandro, I never fault at a task, but cut me some slack, you need to set some rules to safeguard my art gallery,” I say with puppy eyes.

He says, “Stop making eyes at me, it doesn't work.” I chuckle as I finish the last of my delicious burger. “The food here is great!” I exclaim. “We’re splitting the bill,” I state. He begins, “No-” I cut him off with, “Yes, I won’t take no for an answer.” 

He stands up and holds out his arm. I clutch onto it and he says, “I own this place.” I say, “How convenient.” He keeps an intimidating gaze on his face as we walk out of the restaurant. I move my hand back to myself as he talks to the manager. As we enter the elevator, my clumsy self decides to trip over the air and my head hits his hard chest. “I’m so sorry!” I squeak aware of the scar on him.

He doesn't move an inch. “Ouch, that hurt so much, Amber,” he says sarcastically. I laugh, hysterically, I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or the hormones. He keeps a straight face on. “Come on, why don’t you ever laugh?” I ask. “Amber,” he groans, “Stay within your limits.” 

I repeat his words imitating him. He is annoyed. “Has Alessandro Bianchi never had someone to defy him? Aww…How cute! Did I hurt your ego?” I ask pointing my fingers at him. “Amber,” he says, lowly, as the doors of the elevator open, “Don’t make me bend you over in front of all my employees.”

I gulp as I imagine him…Bending me over...

I break out of it as he places his hand on my lower hip. We walk towards a crowd. His hazel eyes pierce through everyone’s souls, but his enchanting demeanor shields those tactful eyes. He has a charm on men and women alike. He never lets go of my lower hip as he speaks to all the members of the crowd. 

A man in his thirties greets Alessandro and speaks non-stop until he reads his expressions. “How does one talk so much?” I whisper in Alessandro’s ear. He chuckles for a split second until he goes back to being the cold-hearted mafia man. The moon peaks out of the clouds, and I lose myself in its beauty. I move Alessandro’s hand away, walk away, and sit down on the stairway parallel to the moon. I pull out my mini-notebook and work with watercolors to replicate the beautiful view. 

I take a picture, but I use the natural view for as long as I can. People trod down the stairs keeping a large distance from me. If I weren't Mrs. Bianchi, the staff would’ve moved me out of here a long time ago, but with the title, I can stay here, for however long I wish. The clouds get smudged, but I keep it as it is to add details of imperfection as well. 

I feel an intense gaze set on me. I peek up just for a second to catch Alessandro’s alluring eyes devouring me. I wink at him, and he looks away. Now that that’s out of the way, I bury my head in my book, and at times, look up at the moon through the window. After one long hour, I finish. I look to my side and see Alessandro seated right next to me. “How is it?” I ask him. “Beautiful, just like you,” he whispers in my ear sending shivers all over my body.