The Requiem's Bride

Chapter five

Mateo's eyes glittered like strokes of light as he slowly strolled down Camellia's body, over each visible curve. Her gown accentuated her perfect shape, the marine blue complementing the diamonds on her neck. She looked beautiful, so beautiful that he wished she were his.

Immediately, he realized the severity of his thoughts and looked away. The Requiem was the most powerful mafia in New York. They were ruthless and bloodthirsty. He knew it would be stupidity to go against them.

He dropped his glass on the tray, making to leave the gathering. He needed to get some air; the night felt too hot.

Camellia moved taking her last step on the stairs. Alejandro helped her down, his hands wrapped around her waist. Slowly, his mouth brushed against her earlobe.

"I said black." he whispered, his words like a silent threat.

Camellia's lips curled into a smile, her eyes glowing with excitement. "Really? I thought I heard you say marine blue. Clearly, I did... or perhaps, did I mishear your instructions?" She could hardly hide her smile as it spread across her face.

Alejandro held her tighter, his fingers digging into her waistline. She felt his steamy eyes travel down her body, and she couldn't tell what was going on in his head as his eyes scanned her thoroughly, like he was weighing a piece of meat.

Alejandro took in the sight of her body, tightly wrapped in the body-hugging gown. She had put on blue when he instructed her to wear black. He knew she was challenging him. He could see the fire in her eyes, the one that appeared anytime she was behaving disobediently.

He wished he could rip the gown off her body, push her against the walls, punish her for refuting his orders. However, he couldn't. Not now, at least.

He leaned in closer, his voice a deadly whisper. "Careful, Camellia. I hate disobedience... and worse, lies. I am aware you're trying to get me provoked... but I doubt that you can handle the consequences."

Camellia turned her face away from him, her voice arrogant. "I don't care. I don't give a single damn about your stupid consequences, Alejandro. Toss me away if you find my behavior appalling."

She whispered slowly, making sure she had a wide smile on her face. Alejandro laughed madly, his grip tightening around her waist. Even though anger exploded in his veins, a little part of him felt intrigued, fascinated by her resistance.

"Camellia, Camellia, Camellia," he chanted her name like a deadly song. "Earlier, you said you'll play the part of an obedient fiancée... let's give our audience a great show."

Alejandro pulled her body closer to him, her soft breasts pressed against his firm chest. Her hips brushed against his as they moved together, dancing. Camellia rested her head against his chest. Each step they took pulled them closer.

As she looked up into his dark, tempting eyes, they sent heat down to her cheeks. Camellia felt hot all of a sudden. It wasn't the dance that made her heart beat or how steamy his eyes looked from below, but it was... the loud bangs his heart made against his ribs. She could hear them as her ears pressed against his wide chest.

He wanted her. His lips brushed against her cheeks, the heat from his breath lingering. "You are doing perfect, acting like my obedient fiancée."

Camellia laughed softly, making sure to slap him hard on his chest. "I'll never be yours, Andrew."

His dark eyes fell on her lips, a sly smile clinging to his cheeks. "Keep deceiving yourself, Camellia... you are already mine."

"Only in your freaking dreams." she challenged.

"And in my bedroom, if you keep talking like that." he smirked.

Then, slowly, he pulled away from her. The anger in her eyes tripled. How dare he?

At the worst time, her father, Luca Moretti, walked towards them with a smile pasted on his face. He looked the same, like the cruel man he always was.

"Alejandro!" Luca called out. Slowly, his eyes darted to Camellia, his smile instantly dying off. "You despicable brat... you almost caused me my fortune."

Camellia smiled brightly. "Yes, Papa... happy to see you too."

Alejandro chuckled softly, his eyes flicked to her, watching her roll her eyes in annoyance. How did such a little creature have so much attitude?

"You are a Moretti, you have duties..."

"Duties?" she laughed out. "Tell me more about them, Papa."

"Camellia, you are nothing like your mother. Your mother was well aware of..."

Camellia took steps further away from him, not caring about what he was saying. But she couldn't take any more steps as...

Her father grabbed her hands, his sharp nails digging into her wrist. His wrinkled eyes stared, watching her squint her eyes in pain, his fingers dug deeper into her wrist, reminding her who had the power, who held the strings of control.

Camellia felt pain beneath his hurtful fingers. "You are not going to disrespect me, Camellia Moretti." he warned.

Camellia didn't say a word, but she felt the tears seeping out of her eyes. Alejandro moved slowly, his eyes dark with danger as he gently but firmly brushed Luca's hand off Camellia.

"She's my fiancée," Alejandro's voice was low with a danger that chilled Luca's bones. "Don't you ever touch her again, or I'll make sure you never forget who she belongs to."

Camellia looked up at Alejandro, his eyes warned Luca fiercely. Then her eyes flicked to Luca, he laughed gently, though she could see the anger rising in his eyes, though he had tried to mask it.

"I'm sorry, Alejandro... but a father must discipline his disrespectful daughter." Alejandro didn't respond, instead his eyes glared, casting a cold chill over Luca's body. Luca smiled again, this time he decided to pacify Alejandro.

Camellia watched in disbelief, her own father was behaving like an underdog just to please Alejandro. That Requiem truly held a lot of power.

Camellia decided to take a walk outside, clear her head, and enjoy the night breeze. Her eyes explored around, her heels hitting the marble floor. Soon she stopped, standing by the balcony.

"If it isn't Camellia Moretti..." Mateo's voice rang from the side.

Camellia's eyes fell on him, "How could you, Mateo? How could you betray me? After I gave you my virginity..."

Her voice broke before she could say any other thing, his cold words stabbed into her chest.

"You were just another desperate girl, Camellia."