The Deceived Heiress

Chapter 4

"Pleasure to meet you, Signora Ametrine."

Gazing at him once again, I felt drawn to him.

His eyes did something for my heart to skip a beat, and I felt my hands sweat because of the look he was giving me right then.

And it's weird because I didn't feel anything towards him earlier.

My mind or heart is probably playing tricks on me?

"Excuse me. I shall go inside now."

I gave him a tight-lipped smile, not bothering to make pleasantries with him.

He wasn't the one I needed tonight.

And will never be.

He's already married and with a child, for God's sake!

"Why don't you be my date tonight?" He looked at me.

While looking at him, it was like he was pulling me in to say yes to what he was proposing.

He is so absurd right now, but harmless at the same time.

Yes, as long as I give no negative thought to this!

Just being his date for one night with lots of people surrounding us will prevent me from doing something embarrassing and stupid.

But then I remembered our scene from the restaurant earlier when I bumped into him.

"Oof, I'm sorry—"

I dropped my phone on the ground, causing it to crack. Worried about my mobile, I immediately dropped down to pick it up.

Raising myself immediately, the air in my lungs got knocked out as I recognized the familiar blue striking eyes that I once gushed over as a teenager.

And recently, from the mall earlier.

But unlike before, my heart wasn't beating fast.

I was shocked.

The man, too, looked clueless and raised a brow at me.

Deciding to greet him, I held my hand out and opened my mouth to speak.

"H-hi, I'm Ametrine—"

Damn it.

I stuttered.

"Daddy, let's go! Mommy is probably waiting for her fries."

A cute little voice chimed in.

I looked down and saw a boy, maybe around four or five years old. He was a striking resemblance to his father, and then I thought to myself.

How funny that my thoughts were correct last night. He is genuinely married now.

What, are you hoping that he'll wait for you more than a decade?

Alejandro Romano, I can't believe you're married and with kids now.

"I'm sorry, miss, can I get your number? I know a good electronics guy who can fix your phone?" He offered and gave me a warm smile.

I nodded as I observed the cute little guy clutching at his knee as if his life depended on it.

Giving him my phone, he took the number and texted me, then picked his son up.

"Sorry for the bother. I hope to see you soon."

He gave me a simple small smile and walked away, leaving me standing by the entrance of Miller's Dishes. Though his features matured, I know for a fact that that guy was the one whom I promised to love forever when I was still a stupid and naive teenager.

How fun could fate be?

My first love fell in love with another woman.

"Y-you have a wife and kids, right?" I recalled, then his face showed no emotion before breaking out a grin on his face with a devil's glint in his eyes.

I stared into his deep blue eyes, my heart beating at a fast pace. Eyes that I once loved to look and stare at, but now I've learned my lesson from heartbreak.

The funny thing about that was it also came from an Italian man. Gosh.

Maybe this is God's sign that I should not date Italians?

What, Americans?

Count me out.

"Just accompany me for this night, signora."

He pressed on the word accompany.

I am taking a deep breath mentally.

Okay, I think he loves his family, and being his companion for tonight meant no harm.

"But why didn't you bring your wife with you?"

Before I could stop asking that question, my mouth had already uttered out the question.

I was prying into his personal affairs, and he might think that I am a gossipy person.

"You can just say no, signora."

Then he placed a lingering kiss on my hand before walking inside.

I closed my eyes.

I'm in disbelief right now.

Come on, Ametrine, be professional!

It's just for a night.

Why are you even overthinking this?

Why are you even holding back?

It's not like he's showing any interest in me.

Plus, he already has a family!

Starting with a walk, then running to him, I clasped onto his arm.

"Glad to be with you tonight, signora." He whispered right in my ears. I don't know if it was my imagination or not when I felt him kiss my ears.

NO!

Blushing to myself while closing my eyes and savoring the moment, I opened them again and smiled at him before we walked near the stage and took a seat on the table near it.

Remembering Blue, I looked around and spotted her arguing with a man again. I couldn't tell who he was since he had his back on me, but judging by the familiar build of his body, I could tell.

"Is that Blue Sapphire, the one you're looking at?" He asked.

I nodded my head without looking at him.

Deciding not to gaze at my sister anymore, I looked back at him and widened at how close our faces were. They were only inches apart, and we could kiss.

Danger zone.

Danger zone!

Smiling awkwardly again, I put some distance between us and listened to his father on the stage, Alberico Romano.

"Good Evening. Thank you to each of you for being here with us today. We are very pleased to thank those who have been with us for a long time and those who are new to the Romano Group of Companies. It is still a pleasure to share our products across the globe, and before we forget, how can I forget? The sister and one of the major shareholders, Holmstrom Trading! Two of his daughters have graced us with their presence, Ametrine Via and Blue Sapphire Holmstrom."

I heard a round of applause around the place. A faint blush crept up to my cheeks. Though I am not new to this kind of event, it still warms my heart for people to clap for me even though some don't mean it.

They clapped.

I stood up and looked around to smile at them, taking a back seat.

I felt his hand on my thigh before he leaned in to whisper something in my ear.

"Don't think that I have forgotten all about you, mi signora."

And just like that, he left my presence and joined his father on stage.

Once he was there, he threw a wink at me and began his part of the speech.

"Standing here before you as one of the many sons of my papa," laughter then cracked from his joke. There was a rumor that Alberico had fathered many sons.

But it was never confirmed as he was excellent at hiding information, especially from the press and general public.

It's also one of the many reasons why I don't recognize their faces anymore, especially the Romano Siblings. I get to see Alberico's face from time to time because we conduct via zoom meetings.

Since he hasn't handed his fortune to his sons yet, he is still the face of his company.

Their family is mysterious, and I don't even know why I've never seen Alejandro's mother before.

I didn't ask years ago as I sensed that it would probably be a sensitive topic because Alejandro never mentioned her to me even once, even a slip of the tongue, nada!

But my father didn't do what Alberico did.

He didn't care about what people would say about us, he just flaunted us to the whole world.

"-Augustino, a brother of mine, has also been a big help despite him being a family man now to his pregnant wife. Please let us applaud him even though he is currently not in the room."

Augustino?

A brother of his?

People inside the room cheered, and with that, he thanked them all again before walking back.

"Let's cut all these formalities and get this party started!" Alberico announced, and then the music began to play.

Looking around, one by one, the other people at the table began to head to the dance floor to dance with their partners.

I smiled and remained seated, particularly looking at an old couple.

So sweet, when I grow old, and my hair turns gray, I want to have a husband to dance with 'till we die.

"Vuoi ballare, signora?" Looking up at him, then at his hand, I nodded and placed my hand in his.

He pulled me to the dance floor and wrapped my waist with his arm while pulling me close.

I placed my hand behind his neck as my other held his.

Electricity ran all over my body while I was getting edgy and nervous being close to him like that.

It was as if he was feeling the same thing because when he looked at me, his pupils dilated while looking at me, making my heart drum harder inside.

I might die tonight with these strong palpitations.

The presence of this man, gosh, it's just so powerful.

It's affecting me a lot tonight.

"Why so silent?" He asked as he swayed me carefully, not bumping into the other people dancing beside us.

"Just nervous," I truthfully said.

I silently gasped when he pulled me closer.

"Do I make you nervous, amor?" He whispered in my ears, and just like that, I felt like I died from the complex and continuous palpitations I experienced while being in his arms tonight.

===

Entering the washroom, I glanced at my reflection and saw how red my face was. Taking my lipstick from my envelope-like clutch, I reapplied some and pressed my lips together to make them look plumper.

"Alejandro Romano, hm?"

I looked behind me and saw Lien by the bathroom door with her arms crossed. I laughed and placed my lipstick back inside the bag.

"I remember when his eyes made me smitten with him."

She started and applied powder to her face, and I looked at her, giving her a look.

"Sadly, his eyes remained on a beauty named Allison Tionquiao. Ever heard of her?"

Of course, how could I not?

That was his girlfriend when we were younger; they were on and off.

I don't even know if they were in a relationship.

I closed my eyes upon learning that he had deceived me. He told me he liked me before I went back to Greece years ago, but now I know he went back with her when I left.

"She's now married with children, gosh. It was a twist of fate." Fanning her hand on her face, she smiled at me.

Allison?

Married?

Don't tell me that she is his wife-

"Well, how did you move on?" I curiously asked.

Lien gave me a big smile as if it reminded her of the most fantastic thing in her life.

"I met the man of my dreams, of course. At first, it was hard to trust him because I was used to men dumping me and not liking me. But he showed perseverance and even managed to pop my cherry before we got married. Don't tell anyone that."

She placed a finger on top of her lips, telling me to be quiet about it.

Laughing, I nodded.

"Have a good evening, Ametrine."

She then left the powder room.

After taking deep breaths, I walked outside and decided to look for my sister.

"Goodness, I spotted you before I went crazy. Let's go home!" Blue then proceeded to drag me to the exit.

I immediately halted and pulled my arm away from her.

She looked at me with raised brows, "Come on, sister, work with me here."

"Blue, please don't forget that we have someone to impress here, not escape from," I said, reminding her.

She groaned in protest, but I only pulled her back inside.

Spotting our goal for tonight, I eyed Georgiano Wagner.

From what I remember, his son is a friend of Blue.

They are also descendants of the famous composer Richard Wagner. Walking towards him while dragging Blue with me, I reached him.

Stretching my right hand out with my palm facing the left, I introduced myself. Georgiano Wagner stood up from his chair upon seeing me. He accepted my handshake and gave it a firm grip before releasing it.

"Ametrine Via, such a beauty as always."

I smiled at him.

"Mr. Wagner, why are you getting older but still looking so young?" Laughing at me while waving his hands in the air.

"Silly girl, for what reason have I been graced with?"

Pulling Blue to sit down, I took a seat next to Georgiano Wagner. And that's when I noticed in the corner of my eyes that he was with his eldest son, Gavino Wagner.

Yes, that's Blue's friend.

"I see you have brought your handsome product as well?" I complimented.

Gavino Wagner looked at me and greeted me back.

But when he saw Blue, his eyes held a glint in them, like admiration?

"Blue, care for a dance?"

Elbowing my sister by her side, she grunted before approving.

Looking back at senior Wagner, "Shall we start?" he gestured his hand, and that was my go-signal.

===

Back on the veranda again, from up here, I spotted those business people one by one entering their fancy cars.

I closed my eyes, my energy all drained.

But I couldn't leave yet since I was waiting to speak with Alberico.

Blue escaped from me and went ahead to the hotel room.

Tomorrow morning was her flight to South Carolina because two brides were asking her to make a magnificent wedding gown for them along with their bridesmaid gowns, so she'd be pretty occupied for the next few months.

Wrapping an arm around myself, I shivered from the cold wind of Italy hitting my skin.

Just then, someone placed a coat around my shoulder to protect me from the cold, harsh wind.

Looking behind, I mentally sighed, seeing Alejandro Romano once again.

"Prefer to be alone?" He asked.

I wasn't surprised when he lit a cigarette beside me. I didn't answer him and just enjoyed the peaceful silence.

I do not wish to speak to a man I escaped from when I was younger.

You're lying, and you didn't escape. You just had to leave.

Good thing I didn't push to stay back here in Italy.

If I had done so, that would be my first heartbreak, and that really would be traumatizing since I was so young back then and knew nothing about love.

You still knew nothing about it when you met Paulo.

"Come on, Via, don't pretend like we shared nothing in the past."

He threw his cigarette on the floor and stepped on it.

"Yes, we didn't share any."

Forgetting our friendship, I took his coat off of me and gave it back. "Thank you for the temporary warmth."

I remembered what Lien had told me once again, pressing on the word temporary.

Walking away, I felt the tug on my arm.

Once I faced him again, I gasped at how darkly he looked at me.

"Unfortunately for you, Miss Heiress, I don't forget promises."

And on that cold night, I felt his warm lips press onto mine, giving me warmth all over again.

Is this also temporary?