CHAPTER 5

Alex poured sparkling water into a glass and took a sip, continuing to gaze at Bianca. She fidgeted, showing signs of nervousness and anxiety.

"How old is Dad's future wife? Is she my age or Dario's age?" Alex asked, curious.

"She's Dario's age," Peter replied.

"29?"

"Yes," Peter confirmed.

Alex smiled meaningfully. "Welcome to the Milan family then," he said, winking at Bianca.

Bianca summoned the courage to look at Alex. She knew that the man in front of her was a threat. He seemed to be deliberately intimidating her, and she had never seen such a terrifying smile from a man before. He looked like a cold-blooded psychopath ready to kill.

Bianca felt as though she had lost her voice after hearing the arrogant man's words. She had not recovered from her shock, and her heart was still racing uncontrollably, as if she had suddenly developed anxiety.

"How long have you known Bianca, Dad?" Alex inquired further.

"About three months," Peter replied.

"Wow, that quickly, and now you want to marry her?"

"Sometimes it's all about destiny, and no one knows for sure," Peter replied.

"To be honest, though, Bianca seems more suitable to be Dario's girlfriend than yours, Dad," Alex quipped, followed by laughter. "Sorry, just kidding."

Damn it! Bianca cursed silently. The man in front of her seemed determined to disrupt the plans she had made earlier. The once-cool restaurant atmosphere now felt scorching hot. She needed a moment to breathe. Bianca got up from her seat and stood.

"I'll be right back," she told Peter as she excused herself.

Bianca left the table and made her way to the women's restroom. When she entered, she held her chest, leaning against the wall while trying to calm her racing heart. She regulated her breathing slowly. She had never experienced anxiety before, and she didn't understand why she was so anxious. Her first encounter with the man named Alexander had left her emotionally unsettled. It felt as though he was mocking her. To make matters worse, her residence and Alexander's were both in the same area. She knew that the Langham apartment was a luxurious one, with a fantastic price tag. She would obtain that place if she managed to marry Peter. That was her initial goal.

The one thing that troubled her was Alexander. She didn't like his presence interfering in her budding relationship with Peter. She couldn't comprehend why her thoughts were so chaotic.

Bianca looked at her reflection in the mirror and adjusted her hair, then washed her hands. She stood there for a moment, and after a few minutes, her heart had calmed somewhat.

With a calm demeanor, Bianca exited the restroom and returned to the table where Peter and Alex were seated. Since she was already deep into this plan, she had no choice but to continue. In her view, what could Alexander do if her father had already fallen for her? The man couldn't break the strong bond she had already established.

"Do you have plans for dinner at home, Dad?" Alex asked after Bianca had retaken her seat.

"I'll arrange a dinner for us once Dario and Malvyn return to Jakarta. It'll be next week, and I'll introduce Bianca to them as well."

"They'll surely be delighted to meet their future stepmother."

Alex resumed his meal in silence, occasionally glancing at Bianca as he whispered something in his father's ear. In all honesty, she was far from suitable to be his stepmother. He observed her with a critical eye. Even though she was wearing a loose-fitting shirt, he could tell that she had a tempting figure. She had beautiful legs and a well-endowed chest.

"Alex, your father and Bianca will take their leave now. Are you okay being on your own?"

Alex raised an eyebrow and then smiled meaningfully as he looked at Bianca, openly challenging her.

"Sure, Dad. Go ahead, see you later, Aunt Bianca."

Alex watched as his father and Bianca moved away from the table, leaving him alone. He reached for his phone and began to gather as much information as possible about the woman named Bianca. It was clear to him that she could tarnish the family name.

****

Bianca opened her eyes slowly and found herself sitting up in bed. She covered her face with her hands. Oh, Jesus! She had a dream, and it was still vivid in her memory. It began with her taking a shower, getting dressed, and doing her hair. When she opened the front door, she saw a man of the same age standing outside. The man smiled warmly and reached for her hand. They walked together, and he talked animatedly about his activities, although she couldn't recall what he was talking about. She just remembered laughing, probably at something funny. They followed a path that led to a large, white door, which turned out to be the entrance to a magnificent house. The man let go of her hand, looked at her intently, and she focused her gaze. She furrowed her brows, and her heart raced as she realized that the man was Alexander.

"I'll wait for you here," he said with a dazzling smile. Strangely, she followed him into the house, and that's where the dream ended.

Bianca shook her head, finding the dream absurd and unsettling. It was the first time she had a dream so vivid and clear. She couldn't believe she had dreamed about Alexander, especially since they had only met yesterday, and his face had been etched into her memory.

Bianca pushed the bedcovers aside, got out of bed, and poured herself a glass of bottled water. She felt like the dream was a bad omen. Throughout her life, she had never dreamed so distinctly about a man. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, unplugged the charger, as it was fully charged, and checked the digital clock, which read 06:20. She looked toward the window, which was already bright.

She entered the bathroom, tying her hair back before splashing her face with water. She couldn't stop thinking about her dream. Why had she dreamed about Alexander? Luckily, the dream was innocent, just a walk and some laughter. She shuddered to think what it would have been like if it had taken a wilder turn, like sharing a bed with him.