Chapter Three
1443 Words
By morning, the city belonged to them. Alina hadn't even finished her coffee when the headlines exploded.
RUSSO ENGAGED
BILLIONAIRE CEO TO WED MYSTERY WOMAN
WHO IS ALINA MORETTI???!!!
Her name trended before she could even process the whole thing. She stood in the breakfast room of the estate, sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling glass, her fingers tightening around a porcelain cup.
Across the table, Dante read the financial papers as if nothing extraordinary was happening.
"You move quickly", she said quietly
"I move efficiently", he gave her a brief glance before returning his attention to the papers in his hands
"Isn't it too early though? You announced it at 6am!"
"Markets open at 9", was his nonchalant response.
Her gaze lifted, "This affects the market?"
"Everything affects the market"
His calm was unnerving her. Her face was on every business blog. It was a single picture taken the night before by an unknown person.
The picture was of her stepping into Dante's car, with steady eyes and a pretty face, despite the humiliation. She looked stronger in the photo than she actually felt.
"You didn't warn me though", she complained
"You signed the contract"
"So what? You just love control huh?"
"I enjoy preparedness"
She rolled her eyes as a faint irritation sparked in her.
"You're a hypocrite then because if you wanted me prepared, you'd have warned me. You could have even pretended to consult me, at least"
His eyes finally lifted to hers as he studied her for a few seconds.
"If I intended to disregard you, I wouldn't have amended the contract"
That shut her up for a moment because he was right. But still…
"This is my life", she pressed, wanting to be right desperately.
"Well, it's our life now"
The word lingered between them but she did not acknowledge it.
By noon, a press conference had already been scheduled.
"You will stand beside me", Dante said to her as stylists moved around her like worker bees and silent machinery.
"And smile?", she asked, already smiling.
"Yes"
"And say nothing?"
"Unless I indicate"
She met his gaze in the mirror, "And if I don't follow the script?"
"You will, or there will be consequences"
The heat rose to her cheeks even before she understood what he was implying. There was no threat in his voice but it sure sounded like one.
He seemed so sure and confident so she wasn't sure whether to be offended or intrigued.
They arrived at Russo Holdings headquarters later that day.
It wasn't the first time Alina had seen the magnificent structure, but it would be the first time she was going to be inside.
The tower of glass and steel dominates the whole financial district.
When they stepped out of the car, cameras erupted. Flashes, shouts and speculation from all corners.
Alina felt the weight of a thousand eyes and her steps hesitated for a bit. Dante must have noticed her resistance because he rested his hand lightly on her lower back.
It was gentle, guiding, possessive… They walked into the building where the microphones waited eagerly.
Dante stepped forward first.
"My fiancée and I appreciate your interest", he said smoothly. "Our engagement is a private matter, but we look forward to a future built on mutual respect"
'Mutual respect indeed. Interesting choice of words', Alina almost rolled her eyes as the thought crossed her mind.
Just then, a reporter called out, "Miss Moretti, how did you meet Mr Russo?"
Dante glanced at her and she knew it was an unspoken permission. The two were surprisingly in sync.
She stepped forward slightly.
"We were introduced by mutual friends and professional circles. Some connections are simply inevitable", she said evenly.
A murmur rippled through the room because the next question was inevitable and everyone knew what it was going to be.
"Is this sudden engagement related to last night's incident with Marcus Hale?"
The air shifted and Dante's expression cooled a thousand degrees.
The room went silent, one could hear a pin drop.
Although Dante had allowed the press into his company, everyone knew he was ruthless…
Alina noticed this and to avoid further damage, she answered before he could.
"No, last night clarified what I too deserve", she replied calmly. Her response was short, measured, controlled and unapologetic.
There was another wave of silence and then a wave of approval followed.
Dante studied her profile. She knew he was proud of her response but hell would freeze before he ever admitted anything of such.
She was better at this than he had anticipated, probably better than he was.
The press conference ended quickly and they were back in the car.
"You deviated from the plan", he cautioned her half-heartedly.
"But you approved", she smiled triumphantly. "Don't you have to be at work?"
"I own the company, Alina", he replied flatly
"Was I wrong?"
"No", the word came out slower than usual. Something flickered in the air, something unfamiliar.
Across the city, a certain someone was restless.
Marcus Hale stared at his phone in disbelief.
Engaged? To Dante Russo? Impossible!!!
He'd read the headlines twice and then three times. His chest tightened. He knew the Russos' reputation. They were untouchable, powerful and extremely dangerous.
There was no way this was a coincidence.
Marcus had replayed the previous night in his head. Her calm when he had broken the news to her, she didn't even show any sign of pain or heartbreak...
Had she known? Did she plan this?
The idea unsettled him and jealousy began to creep in.
No, he did not love her, he never did. But he was becoming angry because this meant he might have misjudged her value and lost an opportunity for multiple connections through her.
And Marcus hated miscalculations...
Back at the estate, the engagement ring arrived. It was in a secret black case delivered by an escort.
Alina opened it slowly and gasped. The diamond was flawless and large.
She'd always imagined her husband would propose to her in a beautiful place, with lights and flowers, on his knees, professing his love.
She slapped her cheek. This wasn't love. She was just doing it… It was a contract so she shouldn't feel bad because none of this was real.
She looked at the ring again. It was elegant and very difficult to ignore.
She'd almost forgotten Dante was in the room with her… She was in his office rather…
"Its excessive", she murmured.
"Its appropriate", he replied
"For whom?"
"For my wife"
The word settled differently this time. She felt sm unfamiliar warmth in her chest.
He took the ring from her hands and slipped it onto her finger. It fit perfectly, like a glove.
"You measured me?", she asked, surprised.
"Yes"
"When?"
"I just observed"
She laughed softly, "You're terrifying"
"Ive been called worse"
She looked at him carefully this time. "Youre not worried I'll run?"
"No"
"Why not?"
He inhaled deeply. His hand on hers was still there even though he'd slid the ring minutes ago.
"You don't run from challenges", he finally answered
"And you're certain this is one?"
"Yes"
"Can you stop giving me short replies when we talk?" she laughed
That evening, the estate felt different. It was no longer temporary or hypothetical.
Staff referred to her as Mrs Russo now without any hesitation.
A wardrobe had magically appeared in her closet. It was filled with the most beautiful outfits she'd ever set her eyes on or donned.
"You replaced my clothes?", she asked Dante when she went back to his study.
"I upgraded them"
Her jaw flexed. She'd been living with Marcus and after the breakup, she never went back for any of her stuff.
It was kind and sweet of Dante to notice this… If only he came from another world… if only they'd met under different and better circumstances, she thought.
"You don't get to erase who I am, Dante"
Her name on her lips was like a melody he'd never heard.
"Im not erasing you. I'm elevating you"
"Well, I did not ask for elevation!"
"But you accepted it"
The tension became thick. Alina refused to back down.
They stood staring at each other, one ruffled and almost red with anger, the other, very unbothered but something personal sure was flared between them.
Just then, a phone call interrupted whatever was happening.
Dante stepped aside, lowering his voice. She caught fragments of his conversation.
Shipment delayed… Border interference… Handle it…
When he returned, his expression was colder.
"Youre not just a CEO then?", she asked but he did not answer. That was still an answer though, his silence.
- Writer
