5§. Love, Loss and Lies

Amelia’s POV

I exited Alessandro's room after he dismissed me, I couldn't help but feel turned after what had happened earlier between us. His words kept echoing in my mind.

"You’ll beg me to take you."

I felt anger surging through me, but it wasn't only that. Different emotions overwhelmed me and it scared me.

“I hate him, he's a murderer, you can never have feelings for a Rossi, they are monsters.” I reminded myself.

As I walked down the stairs, I almost collided with Isabelle when I turned around the corner. Her eyes roamed my figure, a smirk forming on her face.

"Well, well," she began, crossing her arms across her chest. "You’re looking a little flushed, Amelia. Did something... interesting happen?"

I straightened, forcing myself to appear calm. "Nothing happened."

Her smirk widened. "Nothing? You look like you just walked out of a storm. Did Alessandro say something to you?"

I avoided her eyes. Isabelle had been here longer than I had, and she knew more about the Rossi family dynamics than me. She was sharp, observant, and not someone I wanted prying into my business.

"Just work," I said nonchalantly. "Nothing worth talking about."

Her expression softened, though her curiosity still evident. "Listen, Amelia," she said, stepping closer. "Be careful around him. Alessandro... he’s not the kind of man you can get attached to. Not without consequences."

I blinked, surprised by her warning. "I’m not attached to him," I said quickly.

She tilted her head, studying me like she didn’t quite believe me. "Good. Keep it that way. Men like Alessandro, they chew you up and spit you out before you even realize what’s happening."

I nodded, though my throat felt tight. "I’ll be careful."

Isabelle gave me a long look before walking past me. "You’d better be," she muttered over her shoulder.

I watched her walk down the hall, her words lingering in the back of my mind.

Shrugging it off, I walked towards my room, opening the door and shutting it behind me. I leaned my back against the door frame exhaling shakily.

I glanced at the small calendar on the desk, and my stomach sank. Tomorrow.

It would be the anniversary of their deaths, my parents.

Tears filled my eyes as I recalled those bittersweet moments. My father’s warm laugh. My mother’s gentle hands brushing my hair. The way everything had been stolen from me in one violent, bloody night.

And Alessandro...

He was the reason they were gone. The reason I was trapped here, pretending to be under a disguise.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat as I closed my eyes. Focus, Amelia. You need to be strong, you can't give up now.

*****************

The evening came by quickly and I was jolted awake by knocks on the door. Madam Serena barged in, her usual briskness pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Dining hall," she said. "You’re serving tonight."

I nodded, heading to mirror, taking one last look at myself before following her down the hall. I groaned mentally at the thought of having to face Alessandro again, but I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on what's important.

The dining hall was crowded with guests by the time I arrived, the table already filled with different delicacies. Men and women dressed in suits and gowns sat around the table, quietly enjoying each other conversations while their laughter filled the air.

And there he was. Alessandro sat at the head table, dressed in a black suit which made him gorgeous. My face shifted to the woman stroking beside him.

She was beautiful; long, dark hair, flawless skin, and a confident smile that made my chest tighten. Alessandro leaned toward her slightly, murmuring something that made her laugh softly.

I quickly averted my eyes, focusing on the tray in my hands. I felt angry and couldn't understand why. I told myself to see him as the monster he was, but seeing him with her….

I chuckled, shaking my head slightly. You’re here to do a job, nothing more.

As I approached the table, Alessandro’s father, Gabriel Rossi, caught my attention. His sharp eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to the group.

“Alessandro,” Gabriel said, his deep voice cutting through the room. “It’s time we discuss your future.”

Alessandro leaned back in his chair, running his temples, his gaze locking on me. “My future?”

I felt my breath hitch at the contact but I steadied myself as I served drinks on the table.

“Yes,” Gabriel said, his tone firm. “ I believe you’ve wasted enough time, partying around, avoiding your main responsibilities. It’s time for you to settle down.”

The air in the room grew changed. I paused, holding my breath as I poured wine into Gabriel’s glass.

“And what does that mean?” Alessandro asked, his voice cool.

Gabriel gestured toward the woman beside Alessandro. “It means you’ll marry Sofia. She’s everything this family needs, intelligent, beautiful, and from a powerful lineage. It’s a perfect match.”

My heart stopped. The room suddenly felt hot, I felt sweat trickling down my face as I gripped the tray tightly to prevent my hands further from shaking.

Alessandro didn’t react immediately. He simply studied his father, his expression confused as ever.

Sofia, on the other hand, smiled brightly. “It would be an honor, Mr. Rossi,” she said sweetly, her hand rubbing circles on Alessandro's.

My heart burned as I watched the encounter. I wanted to run far away from here, to throw the tray across the room and sprint. I forced a smile on my face as I served the next guest.

“Don’t I get a say in this?” Alessandro finally asked, his tone calm but sharp.

Gabriel’s expression hardened. “This isn’t a request, Alessandro. It’s an expectation.”

My heart pounded as I glanced at Alessandro from the corner of my eye. For the first time, he looked tense, his fists clenching as his sides.

Sofia intertwined her hand with Alessandro's. “We’d make a great team, right babe?” she asked, her voice cherry.

Alessandro offered a forced smile in return, taking a sip of his drink.

I stared at their hands, feeling my emotions overwhelming me. Hate, anger, sadness and jealousy surged through me at once.

How could I feel jealous? I was supposed to hate him. And yet...

Bowing my head, I turned around and strolled towards the far end of the hall. I could hear Gabrielle's voice behind me.

“You’ll announce the engagement at next week’s gala,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Alessandro’s gaze flicked to me briefly, so quick I almost missed it. Then he leaned back in his chair, his lips curving into a cold smile.

“Whatever you say, Father,” he said smoothly.

The conversation shifted to other matters, but I barely heard it. I excused myself and walked out of the hall heading to my room.

The moment I arrived, I pressed my back against the wall taking deep breaths. My hands were shaking again and it wasn't from anger.

My parents death anniversary was tomorrow and tonight I learnt that Alessandro Rossi, the man I was meant to destroy was about to get married.

I closed my eyes, trying hard not to remember the sounds of Sofia’s laughter and the way she gently embraced him.

Alessandro had to be stopped.

Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now.

Before he destroyed me first.