Blood and Vows

EPISODE 4

Emilia's POV

Staring around, I couldn't find Alessio. I had his bodyguard following me around like a lapdog; it really pissed me off. All of a sudden, I was his property. My life was snatched from me like I didn't have a choice. Now in the midst of these people. I kept on wondering what the use of this party was.

At every angle I walked, they seemed to have wandering eyes for me. Keep on whispering. I was exhausted. Just then I bumped into someone who poured some wine on my dress. Red wine, to be precise

"Don't you watch where you are going?"

The lady who poured the wine on me asked me. I paused and stared at her.

"I'm really sorry; I'll watch where I'm going."

I hurriedly apologized. The last thing I wanted people to think was that I was a t**t. Staring at her, something about her felt familiar. The eyes, the shape of her face, her nose—everything was too familiar, and that was when I heard her speak.

"Do you know who I am?"

She threw those words at me, and that was when the realization had fully dawned on me.

"I am the sister to the man who saved you from poverty."

She mocked me as she gave off a smirk from the side of her cheek. She was mine other than Gianna Lombardi. I heard the maids whisper about her, and I know for sure she feared she was among the staff.

I stared at her and tried to stay humble. The last thing I wanted was to escalate the scene.

"I'm really sorry."

I muttered; I didn't want people to think I wanted to create a scene. She looked at me with such disgust. It made me feel so dirty. I mean, how could she look like a worthless soul?

"You should be."

She turned to her entourage behind, and they laughed at me. It wasn't only humiliating, but it was also triggering. I tried to walk out to avoid any more taunting, but she held onto my arm as I tried to walk out.

"Where do you think you're going off to?"

She snapped at me. This time I was sure I was going to give her a reply. The type that was befitting.

"Let go of my hand."

I snatched my hand back and glazed my fists on her dress that was heavily studded with diamonds. Immediately, I felt the pain of the blade cut through my fingers.

"Ahh."

I screamed out of pain. She stood there looking at me. I turned around, and I met Alessio. He was looking at me eye-to-eye. Another electrifying shock went through my body. Why is this always happening? I asked myself.

"Why did you scream? What happened?"

I tried not to make a scene, so I told him

"It's nothing; it's just a cut."

He held my hand and looked at the cut around my fist. Looking at it. I could see a strange fire burning in his eyes. It wasn't just anger; it was guilt.

"Who did this to you?"

I could hear the aggression in his voice.

"I told you there's no one. I was just clumsy."

He didn't even buy it one bit. I noticed his glance shift from my fists to his sister. As if he knew they exchanged glances. He was hateful, hers was nonchalant.

"Gianna, what is the meaning of this?"

He raises my fist up and everyone at the party gives me their full attention. I turned to look around, but I felt too embarrassed. It felt like the floor should open up and let me jump in it.

"She is my fiance."

Alessio says loudly with his authoritative voice. It drags all the attention on us. All of a sudden, the bone of contention is the diamond ring on my hand. Why did I even put it on? I thought to myself.

I finally have the courage to look up and see and hear murmurs. Thoroughly scanning everyone, I turned to look at Gianna, who had a faint smile on her face. She didn't even hide it.

"Oh, I see you've got another toy here to play with?"

Another toy? What did she mean by that statement? So I'm not the first woman he's done this to. I turn to look at Alessio, who is distracted by Gianna and the drama we're circled in. Then I remember when ALESSIO gave me the ring.

*********

"I don't want to"

"Who says you have a choice, you're mine and I'll do with you as I please"

He handed me a studded diamond ring. The edges were beautifully cut. It was so big, any girl would die to have this on their finger, but not me. I refused to be a puppet. It was the way he spoke to me. The way he glanced into my eyes and pierced into my heart. I hated the way he made me feel.

"I don't want it."

I dismissed it. He dragged my hand out, and as I tried to fight him off, he forcefully put the ring on my finger. I fell to the ground and turned away from him. He bent down, held my chin, looked into my eyes, and said.

"You're mine, Emilia Conti, and you will wear that ring to prove to everyone that you're mine. Do you understand?"

I looked at him with so much disgust, but then again, it made me want to kiss him passionately, especially the way he held my chin. His strength made me want him, but I had to deny myself of it. The last thing I wanted was actually falling in love with Alessio Lombardi.

At the corner of the room stood Luciano, looking at me with a wicked glare in his eyes. I wondered what I had ever done to him that made him hate me so much. Alessio walked out of the room, signaling his bodyguard to follow me.

**********

I wondered what would have happened if I had refused to put in the ring. I wouldn't be here in the middle of this mess. How did I get into this situation?