Sophie’s POV
Sophie’s POV
I was dreading the night of the gala. Not because of the people, but because of the dressing prior.
I had not been joking with Dominic when I had said the focus had always been on Serena when an event was coming up.
She was so needy and dramatic for attention, that I was unsure if she intentionally stole the majority of our “primping team’s” time so I would have practically no time of theirs, or if she was just that high maintenance and into perfection.
I wouldn’t doubt if it had been both reasons.
I stopped being invited to events over the past two years, and to be honest, it didn’t bother me in the least. All that poking, prodding, yanking, and pulling with the end result always being, “At least you look presentable.” And it was always said with disdain by my father.
My mother would smile proudly at me, but would not say a word against my father.
I honestly gave up on my mother’s support years ago.
It was truly sad, but she made her bed and accepted it.
When Valentina arrived at the mansion in a flourish, I expected negativity and criticism. I got none. I actually got the complete opposite.
He spoke with his hands, even when he wasn’t literally speaking.
“Bellissima.”
I looked around the room, then back at him. “Pardon?”
He had a saucy smile. “You my darlin’. Bellissima. You will make my work very easy, Bella.”
I frowned, slightly put out. “Ummmm…..my name is Sophie. Not Bella.”
He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “No no darlin’. You are my new Isabella Rossellini.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Well, the 80s and 90s version of the goddess anyway.” He smiled big at me.
I could feel myself blushing. Isabella Rossellini was a beautiful cinema goddess back in her day. To be compared to her was the best honor a woman could be given. Either that, or it was a very cruel joke.
I retorted defiantly, “I am nowhere near in league with her. She is the most beautiful woman of all time. Well, next to Elizabeth Taylor.”
Valentina’s eyes sparkled. “Ah yes. Liz. Famous for being one of the most beautiful women in the world. Ever. It was the eyes, really. But no, no cara, you are definitely a runner-up to our magnifica Bella.”
Valentina was not what I would have expected. He was not dry, uptight, or cruel. In fact, I enjoyed his personality.
“Ummm, I hate to be blunt, but why do you go by the name Valentina? Wouldn’t it be easier to be Valentine?”
His hands moved in a flourish wave. “Ah my dear beautiful woman. I am as gay as they come. I have no time for hiding who I truly am. If people do not like it, I move on. Besides, I have proven myself many times over. I may be no Bernardi,” he rolled his eyes over dramatically and whipped his head like he was swinging his hair away from his face.
His hair was cropped short. He brushed a strand of his short bangs to the side.
“But I do well enough.” He gave me a mischievous smile.
“Now, bellissima, let’s get you going. In the shower while I get my people ready for you.” He clapped his hands loudly, jolting me. “Chop chop. Let’s make this a night to remember. If only so all eyes are on you.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but jumped in the shower quickly. When I got out, Valentina was holding the dress up, admiring it. I did not like the color. But apparently Dominic enlisted Ms. Fancelli to find me a dress so I could appreciate her taste.
“This will look magnificent on you cara. It will show off your beautiful curves and complexion.”
I would beg to differ, but I wasn’t about to argue with the stylist. Valentina’s team consisted of three people, including himself.
While I was being primped, I took more time to observe Valentina.
He was an impeccably dressed man, in white slacks, a silky light blue button downed shirt, and slip-on dress shoes.
His dark black hair was buzzed short in the back, a little longer in the front, giving him some bangs.
Most people couldn’t pull off that look, but he did it well.
He was slim, but agile looking, and had medium brown skin that made him look even more beautiful. He was a very beautiful gay man.
Once I was primped and dressed, Valentina had me stand and pose for a picture that he took with his phone.
He had what looked like tears in his eyes, a hand to his mouth.
He said he wanted the picture for his portfolio, but I had a feeling there was another reason, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
In a breathy voice, while still looking me over, he said, “Bellissima.”
I couldn’t help but smile and blush. “Thank you Valentina.” I turned to his team of two and thanked them as well with a big smile.
I knew what it was like dealing with the society’s riches and their arrogance, so I felt they deserved a real, heartfelt thank you.
Even if I wasn’t thrilled with why they were doing their job.
Both women also said I looked beautiful and that I would “have eyes on” me for the night. That made my stomach uneasy, but I also didn’t believe their compliments. I was the hidden, invisible daughter after all. I had accepted that identity, and I would not be swayed differently.
When I met Dominic in the car, he gave no notice to me.
He was being rude, but to be fair I was certain he was on edge about having to finally take me out in public as his “wife.” I could feel the tension rolling off of him as I made all efforts to keep myself as physically far away from him as possible.
I was dreading a run-in with my sister, which apparently he heard me voice out so he reminded me of my bodyguard, Gregor.
Poor guy got the shit job of babysitting the fake wife.
I gazed out of the window in an attempt to avoid looking at him.
I knew he would look devastatingly handsome in his suit, but I couldn’t focus on that.
He was an arrangement. I was just a pawn in a scheme.
I wasn’t sure yet what that scheme was, but it didn’t matter. I was still a pawn.
Once the car pulled up to the curb, I took a deep breath, and put my facial mask on. Showtime.
A staff member helped me out of the car. Before I could turn to Dominic, he grabbed my arm roughly and turned me sharply to him when I heard him say, “What the hell are you wearing?”
My head whipped up to meet his eyes. His voice sounded irritated. Did I look that horrible? Valentina did lie, that little ass! I still liked him, but I did not appreciate him lying to me.
“Ouch, Dominic. You’re hurting me.” He eased off my arm and actually looked apologetic. He slid my hand on to his arm, and proceeded to guide me to the entrance. One of Dominic’s men, Marco, was chuckling behind us. I didn’t understand what was happening, but chose to ignore it.
Once at the entrance, we paused, allowing me to take another couple deep breaths and plastered my fake half-smile on my face. Let’s get this over with.
Dominic brought me around to meet some of the players in the room.
I didn’t want to tell him, at least not now, that I had a pretty good idea already who the players were.
It was part of what I was good at. I observed and took mental notes around my father’s “business.” You never knew when that information could become useful.
After some time, he guided me to a single table near a corner of the room.
He said he needed to go talk to Maximo Ruiz about some business and would leave me to rest. I sat for about five minutes, but felt agitated being in this room dressed up like I was, so I headed to the food table.
Along the way, I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing staff member.
It was more about having something to hold in my hand before I began to fidget.
There were too many people in this room I didn’t care for.
As I was picking at some stuzzichini, I felt a presence near me.
“Hello Mrs. Gutierrez.” To be honest, that title still threw me, but it was the voice that set me on edge.
Aria Dominguez. Oh, I meant, Aria Ruiz.
I turned slowly and calmly, trying to gain my composure as best I could.
This woman scared the toughest men in our world.
Hell, word was she even scared her own husband.
But he probably deserved it. Maximo was considered the scariest and hardest man to deal with in our world.
Which was likely why he was the number one Don across the nation.
“Mrs. Ruiz. Nice to meet you. Please, do call me Sophie.” I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to call me that, but it was the respectable thing to do.
I may have reached a point of giving up on whether my life was worth fighting for, but dying by the hands of one Aria Ruiz nee Dominguez was not top on my to-do list tonight.
And from what I’ve heard of the woman, she probably wouldn’t hesitate to kill me here, in front of all of these party guests, without a second thought.
Her face was composed, if a bit pinched at my tone.
I was trying to keep my tone flat and even, but I suddenly wasn’t sure if I was pulling it off.
I had no trouble with everyone else in the room, including my own husband, but this woman’s presence unnerved me to no end. Guess I could be dying tonight. Yay me.
In a controlled voice she responded back, “Of course. And do call me Aria.”
I was wondering if she didn’t really want me to call her that any more than I wanted her to call me by my first name so casually, but here we were.
She continued, “I haven’t seen you at a gathering in some time. Why is that?”
I shifted uneasily.
But then I heard a soft, but sweet tone come up beside her. “Back off cuz. She’s good people.”
I turned to the man who had approached us.
He was extremely handsome, but looked like a player.
He had beautifully tanned skin, sparkling green eyes, which looked unusual for an Italian like us.
His hair was longer on top, and was slicked back tonight, perfectly.
A little too perfect. He had a smirk on his face as he draped his arm across Aria’s shoulders.
Wow, this man was brave. Putting his hands on Maximo Ruiz’s wife so casually in public.
Though Maximo probably wouldn’t bother to try to say anything if Aria was anything like the rumors said of her.
“I’m Lorenzo Dominguez. Aria’s cousin. Nice to finally meet you in person, Sophie.” He smiled warmly at me, and nodded ever so slightly.
He turned and leaned in to whisper something to Aria, making her eyes begin to gleam at me.
Oh good grief. Here we go. She’s going to kill me. Well, it's been nice to be alive. Wait. No it hasn’t.
Aria spoke up next. “Ah. You are the one behind the Soulsecrets username.”
My eyes widened as I looked from her to Lorenzo. How did they know about my second, secret social media persona?
Lorenzo leaned in close and dropped his voice, “Nice to finally meet you in person ‘Soulsecrets’. I’m Geronimo.”
Oh my goodness! He is the hacker that I had been engaging with and helping me with my social media security for my second account. He walked around from Aria and came up to me, putting his arm around my shoulders, and squeezed.
Aria had a big grin on her face. “You’re right Lorenzo. She is definitely good people.”
Next thing I know, my sister is standing off to the side facing Aria, with her back slightly to me and Lorenzo.
She attempted to greet Aria, but Aria shut that down real quick.
Not only did she proceed to publicly call her out for sleeping with her husband, but told her in no uncertain terms not to approach me again.
I was grateful for meeting Aria Ruiz tonight.
After my sister walked away, like her ass was on fire, I told Aria and Lorenzo about some of the basics of what I had experienced with my father and sister. None of the beatings, per se, but the behavior of me being the unwanted and unseen daughter.
Lorenzo had grunted and muttered, “I know there’s more to your story then you’re telling us, but we’ll leave it at that.”
I had looked at him, as he looked down at me, and smiled softly. “You are in our circle now, Sophie. No one will hurt you again.”
I felt myself flush.
Aria grinned wickedly. “I wouldn’t mind if they tried. Would give me something to do.” She winked at me, causing a laugh to bubble up out of me.
Lorenzo spoke up softly before Maximo and Dominic reached us. “Welcome to the family, Sophie.”
And for the first time in a very long time, I felt like I belonged.