His Collateral

Chapter 14

Bella's POV:

It was some minutes past eight o'clock and we had just arrived at the venue for the event. The place was filled with a lot of reporters, camera men and women as well as other guests arriving.

"The Royal Oak." I read the hotels name aloud in my head. The building was brightly lit and stood about 20 story's tall. There were so many people outside, and I felt reluctant, coming out. I never attended the parties back at home, not to talk of big events like these. The thought of it made my body tense up.

"They are paparazzi's and they're going to ask a lot of questions. Pay no attention to them." Alessandro spoke suddenly before getting down from the car. The security guard came down from the passengers side of the car and opened the door for me. I stepped out, and my hands immediately flew to cover my eyes from the cameras bright flashes. In an instant, I felt a hand hold mine and another hand go around my waist, making me self conscious. Looking up I found Alessandro's eyes on me.

"Relax." He whispered in my ear and turned back to look at the cameras. He maintained a straight face like he was used to this while the camera men took pictures after which we were escorted to a red carpet right in front of the hotel, where we stood for more pictures.

"Mr. Rossi, we see a ring on her finger. Is she your Mystery bride?" One of the reporters asked.

"When did the wedding take place?" Another one asked. Alessandro's grip on my waist only became firmer as he leaned his head into my neck and intertwined our fingers.

He was giving them the answers they wanted without saying a word.

After that, a few security men led Alessandro and I into the hotel and then into a beautifully decorated hall with a considerably large amount of people. There were round tables and chairs neatly arranged on each side of the hall with an exception for the middle part which had a long carpet leading onto the stage. There were foot tall windows that had dark red curtains draped on them as well as huge chandeliers that hung all across the room.

I walked hand in hand with Alessandro as he greeted a few people, introducing me as his wife. My face ached from smiling way too much. We got a table at the very front of the hall and soon the event began. It was only then I realized, that it was a fundraiser to support all cancer patients across the country. A few people went on stage and gave opening remarks after which people began to donate money, including Alessandro and the man seated with us.

I could've sworn my mouth dropped at the amount of money he had donated. I had never been in a room where so much money was being mentioned.

Soom, the sound of music filled the room and a man had announced that the dance floor was now open. A few couples took to the floor, twirling and swaying to the music and me? I stood there, watching them, unsure of what to do.

Then, Alessandro approached me, his hands held out.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. I was a terrible dancer, and I knew it. But I couldn't turn him down, not in front of everyone.

"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I placed my hands in his, and he led me out onto the dance floor. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, and I was terrified of making a fool of myself.

Alessandro took my hand in his, and we began to move to the music. We started off slow, and then began drifting across the floor, our bodies dangerously close. I could feel his breath on my neck, and I tried to relax, to let the music guide me. But I couldn't help but feel nervous and awkward.

Alessandro's hand rested lightly on my lower back, just below my zipper, and I felt a tingle of electricity run through me at his touch. His other hand was intertwined with mine, and I could feel my pulse quickening as we moved together. I felt strangely safe and vulnerable at the same time, and I didn't know what to do with the feelings coursing through me.

I tried to focus on the music, to move with the beat and allow myself to be guided by the rhythm. But I kept thinking about the way Alessandro's hand was resting on my back, and I couldn't seem to push the thoughts away.

As the music continued, I began to lose myself in the rhythm. My body moved of its own accord. I could hear the sound of the violin, the thrum of the cello, the steady beat of the piano. Alessandro's hand on my back moved, slowly trailing up my spine. His fingers were light and feather-like, and I shivered at the sensation.

And then, his hand moved up further, his fingers grazing the nape of my neck. I gasped, as his eyes met mine, and I saw a spark of something there, something dangerous and thrilling. I couldn't move and couldn't break away from his gaze.

In that moment, everything seemed to stop, and all I could feel was the heat of his hand on my neck, the pulse of the music, the pounding of my heart. I felt like I was falling, caught in a moment I couldn't escape.

I closed my eyes and tried to block out everything around me. I wanted to be in the moment. It was my first time ever feeling something like this and I didn't want it to end. And then his hands leave my neck and he wraps it around my waist. I opened my eyes to find him looking at me, a tenderness in his gaze that I hadn't seen before.

He pulled me closer, and I allowed myself to be drawn into his embrace. I felt his heart beating against my chest, and I realized that my own heart had calmed. I felt safe.

And then, as the music reached a crescendo, I felt something shift.

The music faded away, the warmth of Alessandro's embrace had disappeared. Everything changed!

I opened my eyes to find myself standing a good distance away from Alessandro. The dance had ended and the crowd was cheering. I blinked my eyes trying to understand what had happened.

It was a dream. I had imagined it all.

He held my hand and lead me back to our seats.

"Did you enjoy the dance?" He asked

I couldn't answer. I was still trying to process everything that had happened. The dance, the music, the way I had felt in his arms and why.

"I..it was beautiful." I finally managed to say. We both took our seats with one of the couples Alessandro had introduced me to, and they began serving the food.

********************

It was already 9pm and the evening was going better than I expected. Alessandro had gone to talk with a few people while I sat alone on our table with the lady from earlier. She introduced herself as Stella and was the wife of the man hosting the Fundraiser. She looked to be in her late fourties' or even early fifties. We talked about a lot of things, including the event. She explained that she had been a survivor of stage 3 breast cancer with no relapse and her, together with her husband had started this program to help cancer patients who couldn't afford treatment.

Listening to her story was really inspiring ....

We were still talking when I noticed Alessandro from across the room. He had his eyes fixed on me while talking with some random man. I shifted uncomfortably in my sit as I tried to avoid his gaze by paying more attention to Mrs. Stella, but one could say I was trying a tad bit too much as she seemed to notice it.

"I know an arranged marriage when I see one." She stated now fully drawing my attention.

"W..what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean dear. You both aren't married for love."

"How did you know?"

She smiled, standing up to take a walk around the hall and I joined her. "The signs dear. Robert and I didn't marry for love either. It was an arranged marriage, by both our families. More or less like a business deal. But oh I still remember how it felt."

"The awkward moments, the cold and distant conversations..."

My thoughts got the better of me.

The insults, the rules, the punishments... the list is endless.

She continued. "But then if you're lucky, you find something along the way."

"Find something like what?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Love..." she lingered for a while

"You find love."

Love? Alessandro and I are both incapable of falling in love with each other. He detests me to such an extent and I... I just wasn't meant to be loved.

After listening to her, I turned to look back in Alessandro's direction but instead of having his usual chitchat with some of the guests, he was now on the phone with someone and he did not look happy. I tensed up just by watching the way his free palm balled into a tight fist and the other one gripping his phone, almost to tightly.

I wonder who it was at the receiving end of his anger tonight.

Immediately, he ended the call and his eyes began scanning the hall.

He was looking for me.

I quickly looked back at Mrs. Stella, pretending to smile at whatever it is she was saying.

"I've known that boy since he was just a little kid. He and his brother, they were never the ones for relationships and so when Robert told me that Alessandro would be attending this event with his wife, I was beyond surprised."

Brother? Mary said he was an only child.

"Did you say brother?"

"Yes dear, Alessandro's younger brother, Vin—"

Suddenly, Alessandro appeared in front of us. She smiled widely at him and he smiled back, giving her a curt nod.

"If you don't mind Mrs. Stella, my wife and I would be taking our leave." He said.

I glanced at the watch on my hand, it was some minutes to 11pm. It was late. I was so caught up in the evening and my conversation with Mrs. Stella that I had forgotten to check the time.

"That happened fast."

She looked at me. "It was nice getting to know you Bella. I hope we'll meet again soon." Then she turned to Alessandro.

"You have a lovely wife here boy, keep her." She smiled before walking off.

Alessandro and I stood there for a few seconds, as if thinking about the same thing and then he nodded in the direction of the door and we both exited the place. Luckily, all the... what did Alessandro call them again?

Partpa?

Pazart?

Papa...p—paparazzi!

Yes the paparazzi's were no longer outside as we stood at the entrance to the hotel where the driver was already parked. He came down and opened the door for me. He was going to close it when I stopped him, while staring at Alessandro who just stood there, still looking tensed.

"A..aren't you coming?" I asked nervously. He was pissed and so I was careful with my words as I definitely didn't want to throw myself in the line of fire.

"No. I'll be back later." He stated, putting his phone in his pocket and turning to walk back into the hotel. The driver immediately shut the door and got into the car before zooming off.

I wonder what got him so angry?

**********************