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But as the minutes drag along and as the whiskey in my glass dwindles, I know that it’s all a lie.
I’m already far too entangled with this girl.
There’s no looking back now.
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.