"IF ONLY"

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 13

"Yes, well I shall keep it in mind." Ace replied to the old man before us. But something about him made me feel uneasy, the way he stared at me was as if he wanted to eat me.

He shook hands with Ace, smiling. Then turned to me. I hesitated, only to feel Ace's stare. Silently telling me not be disrespectful, at least not in a room filled with so much wealth.

Extending my hand, the old man smiled awfully. Placing his lips to the back of my hand. His eyes not once leaving me.

"Such a beautiful woman you have Ace, a prize indeed." He spoke, only for Ace to frown. 

"This woman is Alina Santarino." He frowned, causing the old man's eyes to widen in shock.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Santarino. If I knew it was-" 

"If it was me? Then maybe you'd not have place those cracked lips on my hand, while your eyes roamed over me disgustingly." I said coldly, staring down at him as he started to shift from foot to foot.

"I apologise, please. Let me-" 

"Leave." Was all I said, interrupting his rant.

"Miss.."

"If you're really sorry, then you'd remove yourself from my eye view. I'm sure your wife is worried sick looking for you." The man only gulped, nodding his head as he scurried away.

Ace only chuckled, grabbing 2 glasses of champagne from the waiter walking around handing out drinks.

"You're to amusing, little sister." Ace said, handing me a glass.

I only rolled my eyes, letting a small smile play over me. 

"So, why did you really invite me here." I asked, taking a sip from from my wine. Raising a brow at Ace questionably.

He only smirked. 

"Must I have a bad motive for wanting you here?" He asked, faking hurt. But I only rolled my eyes at the act.

"If you must know, dear sister. The time you've been gone has brought rumors of your death." He replied.

"So, this was a way of letting everyone know I was still alive." 

He only nodded.

"Its like telling everyone simultaneously, without worrying others will question if its fake or not." He explained, placing his empty glass on the small plate the waiter was carrying with other glasses.

That's when one of our men came up, whispering something into Ace's ear. Causing a frown to form over his lips.

"Excuse me, little sister. But there's matters that need my attention." He spoke up, leaving me as our men followed behind him.

I only slumped my shoulders, turning to the balcony for escape. There was just too many people in one room, even if the room was massive, it still felt like I was suffocating. 

"Well, funny seeing you here. Alina Santarino." I froze from his words, not daring to face him. My heart dropped, as I starting feeling sick in the stomach.

Turning to face him, I saw Enzo glare at me.

"Makes sense, now. No one could be capable of so much, unless they-"

"Were a Santarino." I finished, but he only chuckled shaking his head. 

Walking up to me as he took my glass out of my hand, drinking the rest before placing it on the brick wall. His head slumping low as he leaned both hands on the balcony.

"So, that's why." He spoke up in a defeated tone.

"You left me, because you were a Santarino."  Now I was just angry. I shoved him, making him have no choice but to face me.

"Being a Santarino doesn't mean s**t, Enzo." I glared at him.

"Oh, so you decided to leave on your own merits then, huh." He mocked at me. Which didn't help since he was taller as well.

"f**k you." I cursed shoving him again.

But he only chuckled.

But this time when I went to shove at his chest, he gripped my wrist. Pulling me closer to him.

"You made me love you, amore. And you knew you was going to leave." He whispered coldly in my ear.

"That's just cruel, Miss Santarino."

"Alina?" Ace smiled dangerously at me. "Its  time to go now, dear sister." 

I only snatched my wrist back, not daring to look up and meet Enzo's eyes. I left the balcony first as Ace stayed back for a few moments, studying Enzo's body language.

"Enzo." He smiled, before leaving. Following behind with our men following close by.

Before walking out of the hall, my eyes laid onto Dante. His face held shock, staring at me and Ace.

I guess he finally figured out who I was. 

I only lowered my eyes, not feeling confident enough to look at him.