Prologue

PROLOGUE

I found myself gazing at the crowd, bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings. How did I land in a place like this? Each person was adorned in exquisite dresses and sharp suits, radiating an innate elegance. It seemed as if grace and sophistication were second nature to everyone present.

I wore a light blue backless dress, with my hair up in a tight bun and just a bit of makeup. It made me feel like a completely different person. My parents were busy chatting with some important people, not paying attention to me at all. I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place in the fancy crowd.

"I see you've got a beautiful lady right here," an old man remarked, a smile playing on his face as his gaze rested on me. Uncomfortable, I couldn't help but avert my eyes. The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine, yet my parents remained oblivious, seemingly turning a blind eye to the situation.

"Ah, yes, of course. This is our daughter, Annizah," my dad chimed in, placing a hand on my back, a gesture that offered both reassurance and a subtle nudge for me to play along.

I nodded politely and offered a small smile to the old gentleman. "Good evening."

His grin widened. "Well, if I may ask, do you have a boyfriend already, young woman?"

My mother chuckled and took it upon herself to respond on my behalf. "Oh, my. No, she hasn't, but soon enough. We've already planned out a suitable husband for her. As a matter of fact, we're meeting him tonight. Right, darling?"

She shot a quick look in my direction, and a sudden lump formed in my throat as thoughts of a future I never desired filled my mind. The prospect of my impending arranged marriage loomed, and the realization dawned that my freedom was never truly mine to grasp.

"Y-Yes, mom," I stuttered.

The man nodded, his face contoured with disappointment. “Really? Who could be this lucky man, then?”

"Who else? There is only one person befitting to be my daughter’s husband," my mom stated, almost arrogantly. "Mr. Vicenzo Romanov is interested in getting to know our daughter, and he has agreed to marry her after this meeting."

The mere mention of that man's name sent a shiver down my spine. I hadn't met or seen him before, but for some reason, it brought chills to my bones.

On the other hand, the old man appeared to be taken aback.

The conversation continued to orbit around my future marriage. This explained why they rarely brought me along to events like these. My encounters with this world were limited, but I understood enough to recognize that individuals like them seldom tasted the sweetness of freedom. Their cravings were for power and connections, going to extreme lengths such as enforcing marriages for mutual benefit.

Regrettably, I found myself ensnared in their heartless schemes. What made it worse? The bitter realization that there was nothing I could do to change my fate.

They were so engrossed in their conversation while I kept standing there like a statue behind their back. A wave of misery enveloped me. Soon, I'd be marrying a complete stranger, and the uncertainty of my future weighed heavily on my shoulders. This life felt suffocating, and I couldn't help but wonder if things would be different if my real parents were alive. Undoubtedly, a stark contrast. Yet, the harsh reality remained – they were long gone, and I had been adopted by another couple just before my fifth birthday.

Spotting an opportunity to slip away, I quietly distanced myself from their conversation and headed toward the garden. The air outside felt like a reprieve from the stifling atmosphere inside. I couldn't bear to stay any longer; the weight of their expectations and the impending arranged marriage threatened to suffocate me long before I could meet the man my parents wished me to marry.

However, just when I was about to slip away completely, seeking refuge in the garden's cool breeze, I inadvertently collided with a hard chest. The unexpected impact jolted me, and I looked up to see a tall figure before me, its features was momentarily blurred due to the dimly lit hallway.

I hadn't noticed his arms encircling my waist to steady me, too caught off guard. It only dawned on me when his arms gently squeezed, as if he found me something crushable. My eyes widened, and embarrassment washed over me, setting my cheeks ablaze.

"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered, unable to meet his gaze. For some reason, even though I couldn't see his face, it felt as though his gaze bore into me with an intensity that almost rendered me speechless.

Slowly and almost reluctantly, the man released his hold on me. The absence of his touch left an odd emptiness, and for some reason, I couldn't shake off the unexpected feeling of disappointment. I couldn't comprehend why I felt that way; something must be wrong with me.

"Fuck," the man hissed under his breath, prompting me to lift my gaze and meet his eyes. However, what I saw next left me utterly stunned. As my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, his face gradually came into view.

Piercing blue eyes, like the depths of an endless ocean, stared into mine. The man's features were utterly divine, surpassing any males I had encountered in my entire life. His presence exuded the air of a Greek god, standing tall with a commanding yet enchanting aura. His chiseled jawline and well-defined cheekbones painted a portrait of captivating handsomeness, but beneath the surface, there was an undeniable chill in his expression, adding a mystery to his striking appearance.

My lips parted, ready to say something, when the man's gaze shifted past me and a curse slipped from his lips. Before I could inquire about anything, he firmly grasped my arm and swiftly pulled me along with him.

"H-Hey," I called out, my heart racing.

However, he continued walking, paying no heed to my protest, and didn't bother to stop.

"W-Wait! Where are you taking me?" I asked in panic as he led me into a peculiar room. The space was dimly lit, almost as if it were a secret enclave. The man eventually released his grip on my arm, turning to face me. His breathing was heavy and uneven, and he loomed over me like a predator closing in on its prey. I instinctively took a step back, caught off guard. However, my retreat only led me to a cold wall.

I was cornered, with no way out.

“Where is he? We have to find him immediately!” a hushed voice said outside the room, followed by footsteps running towards the different path from our place. Eventually, their voices disappeared.

“Damn those coward dogs…” the man cussed.

A gasp left my lips when he suddenly spoke, making his attention to shift on me.

In the dimly lit room, our eyes suddenly locked. Despite the subdued lighting, I could discern the glistening intensity in his piercing cold blue eyes as they scanned over me. My heart pounded rapidly against my chest, as if it might burst at any given moment.

We locked eyes, engrossed in each other's gaze, as if in that moment, nothing else existed but us.

All of a sudden, my mom's voice echoed, calling my name.

"Annizah?" she called. My eyes widened. "I heard your voice. Are you here, my dear?"

Panic surged within me as I glanced up at the man. He appeared to be in trouble as if he was being chased by those voices we heard earlier, and I found myself torn between answering my mom or not.

"Answer her," the man in front of me suddenly commanded, causing my heart to leap out of my chest. His voice was low and cold, sending shivers down my spine.

I gulped as I avoided his intense gaze. “M-Mom?”

“Where are you?” asked mom who was probably on the other side of the door.

The man took a deep breath, standing tall, and my eyes tracked his movements as he adjusted his suit. His height forced me to stretch my neck just to meet his gaze, and he stared back at me.

My lips parted in surprise as he turned around and walked toward a desk, confidently settling into a swivel chair as if he owned the place.

“Annizah, dear?” my mother's voice continued to call, making me jump in surprise. I tore my gaze away from the man as I turned to open the door, only to find my mom looking at me with the same astonished expression.

“There you are! W-Why… are you here?” she questioned.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words emerged. How could I explain it? That I was dragged here against my will by a stranger? What would she think of me, then? She will probably scold me.

“I invited her in,” the man declared from the desk where he was seated. I bit my lower lip as my fists clenched.

My mother gasped, her eyes widening. She slightly pushed me aside as she swung the door open. I closed my eyes, preparing for a scolding from her. However, I was surprised by what she said next.

“M-Mr. Romanov!”

In that moment, it felt like time itself had frozen. My entire being stiffened, and his name reverberated through my mind like a malfunctioning radio.

Romanov...

The name echoed in my mind, and a nagging feeling tugged at the edges of my memory, suggesting that this wasn't the first time I had encountered it. Yet, deep down, I couldn't deny the truth.

I mean, who am I kidding? I came here precisely for this reason.

To meet my soon-to-be husband. The name rang through my ears like a broken radio. Vincenzo Romanov—the name that I dread. He is the man my parents want me to marry, the very man who’s going to take my freedom away completely.

A sudden wave of bitterness swept over me, bringing with it the realization of the orchestrated fate that awaited me.

“Come on in, Mrs. Martin,” Mr. Romanov said.

I slowly turned around and looked at him. For some reason, I could feel my body getting cold as our eyes locked.

So, it was him…

My mother chuckled nervously as she stepped inside the room. She cast a quick, stern glance at me as she closed the door behind.

“It’s a surprise to see my daughter here, as we are yet to make our way to your office. But I guess you two have already met, am I right?” she asked, smiling. The man gave her a quick nod, making her smile widen. “Very well.”

“Have a seat.” He gestured for us to sit on the visitor’s chairs. He seemed to own the place, the way he was acting, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he was being chased in his very own office.

My mom gave me a stern look when she noticed me not moving. I flinched as I realized it, and through trembling knees, I made my way toward the seat. My heart sank into the abyss of my chest as I watched his lips tug up and a cunning smirk make its way to his face.

He then spoke through his low, cold voice. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you… bellezza.”