16. Aria
Chapter sixteen
Aria
I turn the package over in my hands, wondering what Elio Donatelli is up to this time around.
I’ve been sitting at this oak desk for the past hour, wondering if the politician I have been onto since my dad told me Mario was mugged is even responsible for my brother’s death. How on earth can every single lead I thought I had be a dead end?
I rub my fingers on my eyes. This package has arrived at the right time, serving as a worthy distraction against this frustration that has hacked into my mental health, trying to ruin my day.
The package is wrapped in black paper and tied with a golden bow. My name is written in bold, cursive writing on a crisp white card slipped beneath the ribbon.
Ha! Who thought a mafia don knew what it meant to be romantic?
A small smile touches my lips as I tug on the ribbon, unraveling the bow. The lid of the box is sealed, but I can see that the name of one of the most high-end fashion brands is scribbled in gold across the cover of the box.
When I open the box, the first thing I see is a pair of silver shoes lying on a gift bag. They are the most stunning pair I’ve seen ?even more beautiful than the previous pair he had gifted me? and as I slide my foot into the right shoe, it fits perfectly.
I am almost beside myself with glee, but the sudden thought of the last dress Elio sent returns to mind, so I calm myself. I am hoping that he hasn’t sent an outrageously revealing dress again this time.
As my fingers hurriedly undo the gift bag, my lips part in a loud gasp.
The dress beneath is a shimmering black, strapless gown. It is the particular dress that I recently read had been put on sale as an exclusive release. I almost can’t believe my eyes.
The delicate fabric contrasts beautifully against my skin and as I begin to unzip it, it occurs to me that I don’t know what exactly this dress is for.
Seeing that he got an exclusive release dress for me, the occasion must be truly important.
I rummage through the box for the small white card I spied earlier.
Get dressed. Charity Gala by 7 p.m.
I scrunch my nose in distaste at the cockish write-up. I swear I can smell his damn ego all over the card. With an eye roll and a bit of sass, I toss the card to the side, and slowly, it dawns on me.
This charity gala is the same one we had been briefed about at the firm today during the general meeting. Is he a sponsor?
A groan escapes my lips as the realization of what I’ve just been roped into dawns on me. My bosses and the rest of the interns will be in attendance. I may likely be the only person turning up with a fiancé. And I never even mentioned to them that I have one.
“God! This is annoying,” I mutter to myself as I dump the dress on my bed, staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror just by my dressing table.
How, in God’s name, will I ever have fun with my senior colleagues from the office when he’ll have his eyes on me the whole time?
I reach to pick up the small velvet box which had been placed at the bottom of the box. My eyes widen at the sight; they’re earrings… breathtaking diamond earrings. Each large stone in the setting is perfectly cut, sparkling with a cold, calculated beauty.
Elio must have gone through a lot of trouble to make sure I doll up. I can’t afford to disappoint him, especially since I’m still trying to gain his trust.
That issue with that Mendez guy has made him see that I’m ready to hold up my own end of the bargain but that’s not enough to make him place his complete trust in me.
I have to show him that I am ready to stand by him, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do tonight.
Placing the jewelry box on the dressing table, I hurry into the bathroom to have a quick shower, then proceed to get dressed. I heard at the office that the gala is starting at 7 p.m., meaning that I have only a few minutes until Elio sends someone to fetch me.
The dress sits perfectly on my body, snatching my already slender waist and flowing around my ankles. Ah…such perfection. I never knew I could look this… good, I admit to myself.
The diamond earrings are perfect complementary jewelry, and so are the stiletto heels.
There’s a strawberry-flavored lip gloss in my purse, which always accentuates the shape of my lips. I fetch it and drag it across my lips, smacking them together.
Satisfied, I pick up my matching silver purse and head down the stairs to look for Elio. I run into Cortez midway.
He holds my gaze, allowing his eyes to travel down my body in a quick glance before dipping his eyes. “I was just coming to get you,” he says, his head bowed slightly. I nod, giving him my hand when he offers it to help me down the stairs.
The sound of my heels against the marble floor is sharp, dragging the attention of Elio, whose back is turned towards us.
The living room looks like an intentional showcase of wealth with its vaulted ceilings designed with intricate molding, a huge crystal chandelier dripping light like liquid gold, and state-of-the-art furniture.
Elio’s lips part quietly as Cortez bows to us and exits the room. His eyes narrow to slits, holding my figure in his gaze like his life depends on it. They travel from my face to my shoulders, following the way the strapless dress clings to my breasts and falls to the pool at my feet.
I absolutely love his navy blue tux and black shoes. His black hair has been slicked back away from his face, and his goatee has been trimmed, giving him the air of a perfect gentleman.
“You look…” he struggles with opening his mouth and closing it again for a short time before saying, “ravishing.”
A chuckle escapes my lips as I wave his compliment away with a wave of my hands. “Don’t try to be charming or anything.”
His lips turn into a smile as he says, “I don’t try, baby. It’s all natural.”
My head falls back as my chest explodes with laughter. “I mean, this isn’t really my thing…so…”
“Well, it is now.”
My smile wipes off my face as my eyes lock with his. My fingers brush lightly against the fabric of the dress out of reflex, as if I can shield myself from his gaze just by that gesture.
He takes intentional steps towards me, tightening the invisible thread between us. When he stops right in front of me, my hands are sweaty and trembling.
For a moment, neither of us speaks. We just hold each other’s gaze, the tension in the air around us nearly suffocating the life out of me.
“Shall we?” he says, finally breaking the silence with a tight-lipped smile. I hesitate for a second but eventually reach out to take the arm he is offering and walk out to face the world, Elio in tow.
***
The Belladon Grand Hotel, one of Elio’s hotels, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Elio Donatelli has definitely made a good name for himself.
My eyes dart from one end of the unbelievably large ballroom to the next, examining its towering chandeliers spilling light across the marble floors. Gold accents gleam from every surface of the intricate carvings on the walls and the gilded edges of the tables.
The place is filled with the chatter and laughter of acquaintances, accompanied by the clinking of glasses and the soft music from a live orchestra.
Wealth is displayed all over this room; the ladies are well-clad in designer gowns, while the men are in expensive, tailored suits and have the poise that comes with a lot of money.
I would never have represented well if Elio didn’t get me my entire look.
“It’s beautiful,” I admit in a whisper, completely unaware that Elio is staring at my lips.
“This is nothing compared to my other hotels.” His voice knocks me out of my reverie causing me to blink furiously with embarrassment.
This may mean nothing to him, but to me, it’s extremely impressive, and I’m both glad and overwhelmed that I’m here amidst all this opulence.
The entire extravagance makes me feel small, like I’m playing dress-up in a fantasy world. A familiar figure catches my eye, and my heart sinks immediately. Edmund Henderson, one of the department heads I work with at the DA’s office, is walking straight towards me, a small smile on his face.
“Anita!”
“It’s Aria,” I correct him, acknowledging his polite nod with a small nod. His bald head catches the light from the chandelier. I suck in a sharp breath to prevent myself from laughing. What a sight.
“Yes, yes, that’s what I said.”
“Well, look who’s here,” Friedrich Canter, the ADA’s secretary, who is one of the representatives from my office, calls out from behind Henderson. I didn’t notice that he had been standing somewhere behind the older man all along.
“Hi, Friedrich.” He takes my hand in his sturdy palm, gazing into my eyes with those hazel eyes of his, and brings it up to his lips, allowing his kiss to linger.
His blonde hair has been slicked back away from his face, a dashing contrast against his pale alabaster skin.
“You look beautiful as usual, Aria.”
Before I can concoct a response to ease myself away from them, Henderson nods again at the both of us. “Alright then, I’ll see you both around later,” then he walks away, leaving Friedrich and me in the middle of the room.
“Let me get you something to drink. You must be thirsty.” Friedrich reaches out to a waiter walking past us and grabs two glasses of champagne from his tray.
The glass is snatched out of my hand before I can lift it to my lips.
“She will not be drinking tonight, Friedrich,” Elio says dangerously. I roll my eyes and shake my head at him, silently asking him not to be rude, but he completely ignores me.
“You must be Elio Donatelli. I’ve heard so much about your accomplishments as a reputable businessman.” Friedrich reaches out for a handshake and, surprisingly, Elio indulges him.
“Then you must have also heard that Aria is my fiancée,” he growls.
My cheeks flush, heat spreading down my neck. Friedrich lowers his eyes to their joint hands, trying to wiggle his hand away from Elio’s grip. The menacing look on Elio’s face explains why the other man is uncomfortable.
Fuck. Elio is squeezing this man’s hand, and I swear I hear a crack. Out of instinct, I lift my hand to reach out for Elio’s arm so he will let go of Friedreich, but his gaze, dark and deadly, stops me in my tracks.
“Oh…” Friedrich casts me a nervous glance and turns his face back to Elio. “No wonder...” His face has turned a deep shade of red, and he’s now dancing from foot to foot, obviously in severe pain.
“Elio, meet Friedrich. He’s the secretary to the ADA and doubles as his personal assistant,” I say, in the hopes of helping the whole situation.
Elio lifts his lips in a thin smile. “Since you already know who I am, we will be taking our leave now.”
Friedrich groans in relief as Elio breaks the grip, his hand falling to his side limply. Then he scampers out of our presence. The poor man definitely had his fingers snapped. The color rises further in my cheeks, and I turn to Elio.
A shiver runs down my spine as Elio places his hand on the small of my back and leads me away from Friedrich, dropping the glass of champagne on a tray in the hands of a passing waiter.
“What the hell was that?” I turn to him the moment we’re out of Friedrich’s earshot.
“I was just introducing myself,” he shrugs.
I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief, “That wasn’t an introduction. It was harassment! You probably broke his fingers.”
His eyes darken, a predatory glint reflecting in them as he slowly comes to a halt in an empty hallway.
“Listen, Princess,” he starts in a low voice, slowly backing me up against the wall. “The only reason I didn’t snap his neck is that he works with you in the DA's office. If you knew how much fucking restraint that took, you’d understand that breaking his finger was doing him a favor.”
His lips are hovering above mine, and I can’t help but be aware of how his eyes are fixed on my cleavage.
I open my mouth and close it again. “You could have let him go, walk away. Anything but snapping his fingers.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when he releases a groan and slams a heavy fist on the wall beside my head.
“Shut up, Aria.”
“No,” I square my shoulders at him, and I see his brow arch slightly. “I will not. Work official or not, you cannot behave this way to anyone. Imagine if h–”
In the blink of an eye, he raises his hand and clamps it against my chin, his hot, jagged fingers seizing the words in my throat. His grip isn’t too tight, but it’s enough to secure me and make me aware of the raw anger bouncing off his irises. It’s enough to make my heart race in exciting fear…
“I said, shut the fuck up, Aria, before I make you suck my fucking cock right in this hallway,” he rasps.
My mind blanks at his words, and before I can say anything, I’m lifted up and thrown over his shoulder. What the fuck does he think he’s doing?
“Put me down,” I squeak and assault his back with my punches when a heavy slap on my ass echoes through the hallway. I’m ashamed to admit that my ass, along with other…parts, tingle at the force with a certain yearning. Damn!
“We’re going home,” he grunts, heading toward the entrance of the main hall. No, don’t tell me…
“Wait… wait… Please, you can’t take me out there like this. I’ll walk…I’ll behave. Please just put me down.”
Another slap tingles my flesh as his palms connect with my ass cheeks. “One more word, and I swear I’ll spank you right in front of everyone.”