The Price Of His Desire

The Gala

Alfonso has been a little nicer to me for two days now since the kiss. It was more than just a kiss because we slept in each other’s arms that night. The thought of it still makes my cheeks flush and my stomach tingle uncontrollably.

Even though I cannot get over the fact that Lucia slapped me or that Alfonso still has not given me enough clarity on what exactly this is between us, I still find myself yearning for that moment we shared. I have been wanting something like that ever since I first met him at the club. The attraction sparked instantly, and even though the possibility of us ever becoming something real feels very small, I like what we have right now. I like the way things week seem to be going.

He has been calm, less controlling, more affectionate with me, and I am hoping it lasts longer before he switches again.

Currently I am dressing up for a business gala he invited me to attend with him. He said he wanted everyone to finally know that he had a wife. His words should not have made me feel warmth because this is not a real marriage, but they did. I do not know what is happening to me these past few days.

Sarah brought in stylists for my hair and makeup. It feels so different having a personal assistant and a stylist. If anyone had told me this two months ago I would not have believed it.

I wore a black silk dress with thin straps, hugging my waist perfectly. It was simple but elegant, paired with a white pearl necklace and matching earrings. My makeup was soft glam with a red lipstick, not too heavy. She curled my hair gently and by the time they were done, I was set.

Alfonso stood by the door already suited up, waiting for me. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, barely visible. He reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips.

“You look gorgeous, Diana,” he whispered close to my ear just as the guard opened the door for us.

“You look good too, Mr. Billionaire,” I replied before I could stop myself.

His eyebrow lifted at my choice of words, but he said nothing. His silence made my heart beat a little faster.

We stepped into the car and settled into our seats as the driver pulled out of the estate, heading toward the gala.

The crowd at the gala was bigger than I imagined. There were so many cars parked outside and elegantly dressed guests walking in. I tensed the moment we reached the entrance, even though my arm was linked with Alfonso’s.

People around us nodded toward him with respect. Camera flashes and reporters were everywhere. I knew he was popular in the business world, but I did not know it was this intense. I had to check his net worth when Sarah mentioned he would still remain powerful even after receiving such a small portion of his father’s shares.

He is worth over fifteen billion dollars.

Earlier he told me the gala was being held to celebrate a successful partnership he had recently secured. And little by little we had been making small conversations throughout the ride, easing some of the tension between us.

Inside, he introduced me to some of his colleagues and their wives as his wife. We exchanged pleasantries. They looked genuinely surprised when they heard he was married.

The women excused themselves to allow the men to talk business, so we moved to the side. I felt a little out of place at first because I did not speak Italian, but fortunately a few of them either spoke English or were foreigners like me.

“Excuse me, I might sound a bit intrusive, but how did you do it?” Marionette, one of the ladies, suddenly asked.

One of the women leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So… how did you do it?” she asked, like she was trying to hide something behind her smile.

“I do not think I understand what you just asked,” I said gently.

Another woman tilted her head, almost impatiently.

“She means how you two actually got together. No one knew Alfonso was married. It was a shock to all of us.”

They all nodded, too quickly.

It almost felt rehearsed.

Marionette smiled but there was something sharp in it.

“It is Alfonso. Most women here have tried to get his attention at least once. So… how exactly did you win him over?”

I froze for a moment. Their tone was polite, but the jealousy beneath it was obvious.

I forced a small smile, even though my stomach tightened.

Maybe they did not mean harm… but the way they asked made it feel like I had stolen something that belonged to them.

Just when I was about to answer, my phone started vibrating. Collins was calling. Perfect timing to escape that awkward conversation. I excused myself politely and moved through the crowd until I reached outside where it was quieter.

“Di, you will not believe what I just found out,” he said immediately the moment I answered.

“What is it? Have you finally heard from Aria?” I asked quickly, already tensing up.

“She is not missing, Di. She just does not want to be found. She blocked me on everything,” he said. His tone was frustrated.

My stomach tightened.

“I do not even know how you are going to take this. What I found out… it is going to affect you really badly,” he added.

“Just tell me. I can handle it,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest.

“You remember when I told you she moved cities?” he asked.

“Yes, yes,” I answered impatiently.

“Turns out she did it because of her boyfriend. And get this… they are married now. They bought a mansion. Staff and everything.”

He paused.

My heart skipped a beat. It felt like the ground underneath me shifted.

“Do… do you know who he is?” I asked, my voice already breaking.

Collins exhaled slowly on the other end. “It is him, Diana. I might not be one hundred percent sure, but everything is pointing to it. It is Alfonso’s nephew.”

My entire chest tightened. I froze in place. My breath stopped for a second.

What did I just hear?

No. No… this cannot be real.

I closed my eyes as panic rushed through me.

Please God… let it not be true.

Before I could take a full breath and step back inside, the door behind me opened again.

Heavy footsteps approached and my body went rigid.

“Diana.”

His voice was low, controlled, almost too calm.

I turned and saw Alfonso walking toward me. He had his phone in his hand, and his jaw was clenched so tight the muscles were visibly ticking along the side.

I swallowed hard.

“Why are you out here alone?” he asked. His eyes scanned my face. “You look pale.”

I couldn’t speak. My throat tightened and nothing came out. I only shook my head slowly.

“Is there something I should know?” he pressed, stepping closer. “You look… disturbed.”

I stared into his eyes and realized something had shifted.

The warmth I had seen in him the last two days — gone.

Completely gone.

“I… I…” I tried to speak but the words would not form.

He unlocked his phone and held the screen up to my face.

“I knew you would know something about this.”

It was a picture.

Aria.

On a yacht.

Laughing.

With his nephew’s arm around her waist.

My breath hitched. My heart sank.

Alfonso’s eyes narrowed.

“What do you have to say about this?” he asked, voice chillingly calm.

“I… I didn’t know. I swear,” I whispered, stumbling over my words.

“You didn’t?” He scoffed quietly. “That is not what your face is telling me.”

His voice dropped even lower.

“I am not stupid, Diana.”

“I know nothing about this, I promise, Alfonso. I just found out right now from a friend,” I pleaded, clutching his arm.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. “I don’t know what to believe,” he said, his features darkening. Fury simmered beneath his words.

“Remember I told you that if I ever find out she contacts him again I will deal with her…” He paused, and the memory of that promise replayed in my head ,how he swore he would burn Aria’s future to ashes.

I nodded slowly.

“Well, since you say you know nothing about it, I’m going to do exactly that. And don’t you dare come between me this time,” he said. My heart sank.

“Let’s go home. We have a flight in an hour.” With that he walked away.