Fated to the Enemy.

Chapter 8

I S A B E L L A

"Allow me to introduce our son, the future of the Verossi family. Angelo Verossi," he announces, his voice steady as he signals for Angelo to step forward. With that, Angelo slyly adjusts his suit before striding forward. Angelo's grey eyes lock onto mine. The closer he gets to me, the more I can feel the coldness of his gaze.

As he stands in front of me, I can't help but notice his gaze lingering. Angelo's lips curl up into a soft, yet genuine smile as he takes my hand, a gentle gesture that defies the hostilities that have divided our families for generations. My skin tingles as it makes contact with his, and he brings my hand to his lips, pressing a fleeting, chaste kiss upon my knuckles.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Isabella," he finally speaks, his voice deep and smooth, my name rolling off his tongue with ease. My heart flutters as Angelo's lips brush against my skin, and he speaks my name so perfectly, his touch is unexpectedly tender. I no longer find myself feeling so anxious; in fact, he has put me at ease, allowing me to relax as I stare back at him in awe.

“Likewise, Angelo…” I trail off, allowing him to finally let go of my hand delicately, just as he maintains the distance between us, both our attention now turning to our fathers as we wait to hear their final say.

The exchange doesn't go unnoticed by the Dons, who exchange subtle nods of approval. The potential for unity, for a truce to be forged through our union, hangs in the air. My father's expression remains guarded, his scrutiny clear, while Don Marco's satisfaction is evident in the slight curve of his lips...

"Don Marco, are you truly willing to accept this union as a means to bring an end to our feud?" My father questions.

Don Marco's gaze meets his wife's for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them. With a composed yet resolute expression, he turns back to my father.

"Yes, Don Giovanni, we are willing to put our differences aside for the sake of this alliance," he answers, his voice steady as he articulates the Verossi family's commitment to the arrangement.

"As am I," Donna Sophia adds, her voice carrying a sense of unity that reflected the shared decision between husband and wife.

"In the spirit of this union, we shall agree to cease all hostilities between our families. Violence shall have no place within the boundaries of our new alliance. Instead, we shall be keeping each other’s best interests, at heart." Don Marco continues, his gaze sweeping across the room as his words resonate with finality. The Verossi family's stance is clear, and it’s not something I was expecting at all..

With a nod of agreement from his family, his Capo and Consigliera, even Angelo himself, Don Marco looks back to Don Giovanni. "Do you agree to these terms, Don Giovanni?" he inquires.

My father's gaze remains fixed on Don Marco, his silence lingering for a moment before he finally speaks. "We agree to these terms," he concedes, his voice measured as he acknowledges the conditions of the alliance.

In the midst of this agreement, I find myself looking at Angelo once again, finding him staring back at me, just as a ghost of a smile forms on his lips.

I then quickly shift my gaze away from him and instead turn to his father.

I watch as Don Marco's lips curl into a diplomatic smile. "To celebrate the beginning of this alliance, I propose that we join together for a dinner tomorrow evening. A chance for our families to share a meal and begin the process of rebuilding our relationship."

My father hesitates before turning to my mother, watching her nod in agreement to the offer, making him turn back to Don Marco and nod his head as well.

"Very well, we shall join you for dinner," he answers, his voice holding a touch of reservation.

As the final details are settled, the tension that had pervaded the room began to subside. The path forward was uncertain, but the commitment to change had been made...

I am to wed Angelo, tomorrow we are meant to be having dinner with them… and once again, I have no idea how it is all going to go…

. . . .

After the meeting, I stand with my family, beside Cat and my mother, while my father discusses matters with my uncles Marino and Sal, all of us having a word outside the Domenicali hotel before we decide to leave.

"I'm so proud of you, my darling. You conducted yourself very well. You showed the Verossies that you come from a family of class and nobility..." my mother says to me with a smile and holds my face in her hands.

"Thank you, Mamma..." I answer.

"Those Verossies are snakes... just because they've accepted our alliance, doesn't mean we should be so welcoming towards them. Remember that..." Her tone changes, becoming much more serious as she looks down at me.

"I will..." I let out before I turn my attention to Verossies, who are standing much farther away from us, also preparing to leave. My eyes land on Angelo as he speaks to his parents, and at least he can't tell that I'm looking right at him.

My mother then nods once at me before she turns and walks away to join my father, just as Cat steps in front of me.

"How are you feeling?" Cat asks curiously.

"I didn't expect it to go like that... they were accepting... and Angelo..." I trail off, thinking about my future husband and finding myself blushing again...

"Angelo..." I start to daydream. Crazy to think a day ago I was crying my eyes out over an arranged marriage, and here I am not being able to stop thinking about the man I don't even know...

"You didn't expect him to be that hot, did you?" Cat teases, a smile appearing on her lips as she looks at me.

"Caterina..." I mumble before looking around quickly, my eyes landing on my family and watching them continue to converse with each other, not paying Cat and I any attention. Thank God they didn't hear that.

"You want my parents to hear you...?" I whisper-yell at Cat just as I step closer to her. Instead of taking me seriously, she begins to laugh and shake her head at me.

"It's true... didn't you see the way he was looking at you?" Cat asks with a teasing grin, and my blush deepens, and I really don't want to admit to how handsome I think Angelo is...

"He was just being polite, Cat," I say, trying to dismiss the topic, but I know Cat better than to let go of this..

Cat leans in, lowering her voice. "No, Isabella. There was something there. I saw it. It's like there's a story in his eyes, and you've got the leading role." She says cryptically, and I roll my eyes, not wanting to indulge in her romantic fantasies of Angelo and I.

"Stop it. This is not some fairy tale. It's a political alliance, a marriage for the sake of our families." I answer, and that's when I turn back to look in Angelo's direction, and this time, I find him staring back. Not just that, but he is also now walking towards me…

"And what if it turns into more?" Cat insists, her gaze following mine as we both watch Angelo stride in our direction.

"Cat, he's coming this way..." I say nervously, tapping her forearm as I feel a flutter of anxiety in my chest.

"Don't worry, you look hot," Cat tries to brush it off calmly, but I turn to her with a frown, expecting her to take this more seriously, but it’s Cat after all.

"Cat..." I complain, my voice trailing off as Angelo draws closer. I watch him as he powerfully strides towards us, each step layered with confidence and class. His eyes are locked on me, and I feel myself shrink in my own skin…

"Excuse me, ladies..." Angelo says once he reaches us, his voice smooth and composed as he stands right opposite me, his height effortlessly towering over me, his cologne reaching my nose and immediately blurring my senses, making it difficult to think clearly.

"Angelo..." I answer him softly, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice as I stare up at him. His grey eyes scan me for a second before his expression suddenly softens.

"Isabella..." He responds to me, and the way my name rolls off his tongue is enough to send shivers running through my body.

"May I have a word with you in private...?" He asks, and my heart suddenly drops to my feet. He wants to speak to me... alone...