As Vincent moves away, I lean down to Vittoria's ear. "Well done," I murmur. "He was testing us."
She glances up at me, something unreadable in her expression. "I know exactly what he was doing, Cesare."
Of course she does. This woman continues to surprise me.
The evening wears on, and I find myself both impressed by her performance and increasingly wary of what lies beneath it. Vittoria Costa is proving far more complex than I initially thought. Her mother keeps a close watch, as do her brothers. It's clear she's close to her family. Her father, however, is a different story. The man doesn't seem to give a shit what happens to his daughter.
Fucking prick.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lorenzo's voice cuts through the chatter as he raises his champagne flute. I guide Vittoria to stand beside me, my hand resting possessively on her lower back.
"We're gathered tonight to celebrate the engagement of my father, Cesare Mariano, to the lovely Vittoria Costa," Lorenzo begins, his voice carrying across the hushed room.
I feel Vittoria tense under my hand, but her smile remains firmly in place as Lorenzo continues.
"This union represents not just the joining of two people, but the strengthening of ties between our families," he says, tone carefully neutral. "To my father and his bride-to-be, may your future be filled with... happiness."
The slight pause before 'happiness' is almost imperceptible, but I catch it. I narrow my eyes at Lorenzo, silently warning him to tread carefully.
"To Cesare and Vittoria," Lorenzo concludes, raising his glass.
The room echoes the sentiment, a sea of raised glasses and polite applause. As I take a sip of champagne, I notice Vittoria hasn't touched hers. Her eyes are fixed on Lorenzo with curiosity and what might be sympathy.
I make a mental note to watch their interactions more closely.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of small talk and posed photographs. Vittoria remains by my side, the perfect fiancée, but I feel her growing weariness as the night drags on.
As the last guests begin to depart, I guide Vittoria to a quiet corner. "You did well tonight," I murmur, hand still possessively on her lower back.
She looks up at me, fatigue evident despite her smile. "Thank you, Cesare. I'm glad I could meet your expectations."
There's a hint of sarcasm in her tone that I choose to ignore. Instead, I lean closer, my lips brushing her ear. "I have one more task for you tonight," I say. "Meet me in my study in fifteen minutes. There's something we need to discuss."
She stiffens slightly but nods. "Of course. I'll be there."
As she walks away to say goodbye to her parents, I catch sight of Lorenzo watching us, expression unreadable. I'll need to have a word with him soon about his attitude.
But for now, I have more pressing matters.
I make my way to my study and pour myself a scotch while I wait. The engagement party went better than expected, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to Vittoria than meets the eye. Tonight, I intend to find out what she's hiding.
The soft knock comes exactly fifteen minutes later. "Enter," I call out, settling behind my desk.
Vittoria steps in and closes the door quietly. She's removed her jewelry, and her hair is starting to come loose from its elaborate updo. Even slightly disheveled, she's breathtaking.
And mine. Soon.
"You wanted to see me?" she says, voice steady despite the wariness in her eyes.
I gesture to the chair across from me. "Sit. We have things to discuss."
She hesitates before taking the seat, posture rigid, hands folded neatly. The perfect picture of obedience. But I can see defiance simmering beneath the surface.
"You played your part well tonight," I begin, sipping my scotch. "The guests were impressed."
"Thank you," she replies, tone carefully neutral. "I'm glad I could meet your expectations."
I lean forward, studying her face. "But that's just it, isn't it? It was all an act. The perfect, obedient fiancée. I wonder, Vittoria, who you really are beneath that carefully constructed facade."
