ISABELLA'S POV

It felt weird. I couldn't come here with any weapons. Neither could I come here with an earpiece. Security had gotten tight at the Romanos Villa after the shooting last week. We had been searched thoroughly before being let in and there were guards watching us right now.

I was on my own for at least a week.

Shit.

I needed Intel and I wasn't going to get it by sitting in the darkest corner at dinner. I had successfully avoided everyone at the garden in the afternoon. Not like anyone wanted to talk to me anyways. They kept sending me glares and I could tell no one liked the other. They all wanted a goal. Him. And they were ready to tear themselves apart for it.

I smoothed the crease on the silk of my dress and reminded myself I didn’t care. The other girls could tear themselves to bits for him. I was here for one thing—information.

The dinner was in the inner villa, a grand, beautiful hall lined with golden mirrors and chandeliers that looked like they cost more than my entire hometown.

The food was an assortment that would have made my mouth water but I could only toy with it with my fork. This was going to take a while to get used to. And the women. So many women, dressed like sin and seduction itself, clinging to every word that fell from Matteo Romano’s lips.

He sat at the head of the table, looking cool and relaxed like every inch of the dickhead he was, with a few of his people flanking him—his consigliere, a few of his captains, and some dignitaries who were clearly there to make sure everything was going smoothly. Fucking bastards.

The girl next to me leaned in, whispering something about how good he looked in black but I didn’t reply. I think we all knew that he was like a walking sex god but whatever.

I kept my eyes down and drank slowly, playing my role which was unbothered, unremarkable, invisible.

But then the blonde one—Victoria, I think—shifted in her seat and tilted her body in Matteo’s direction, her voice silky and soft.

“Matteo,” she purred, licking the rim of her glass like she was starving for something else. “If your future wife disobeys… will you punish her in private or make it a public lesson?”

Everyone burst into a ridiculous high pitched laughter that sounded forced.

I nearly choked on my drink.

What the hell?

He chuckled lowly, raising his brow. “That depends… on how creative her disobedience is.”

More laughter. Flirty eyes thrown at him. Fake smiles. Like hyenas begging to be devoured.

I didn’t get what was funny. I really didn’t. I forced a smile, sipped water, and counted the exits.

Two guards stood at the side doors, another at the far end of the room. The main house was still a mystery. I needed to move. Dinner would end soon, and we would all be escorted back to our assigned quarters and I wouldn't be able to look around the place for future reference.

Then I saw my opportunity. One of the ladies, someone in red, stood up, excused herself to the bathroom. A guard pointed the way, then returned to his post.

I waited three seconds then I slipped my napkin down and rose slowly, smoothing my gown as I whispered a polite, “Excuse me.”

No one noticed, they were still too busy fawning over him.

I followed the hallway, catching sight of the red dress as the girl exited the bathroom, heels clacking as she passed me with a scowl like I had just insulted her very existence with my presence there. No one liked a pretty competition.

Jeez.

I gave her a polite smile. She looked me up and down, unimpressed, and walked off.

Good. Less distractions.

I glanced around. No one in the corridor. I slipped past the bathroom and slipped deeper into the villa. The walls were dark, adorned with paintings and I heard muffled voices from distant rooms, too far to hear.

My heels were silent on the rug as I moved quickly, carefully, mapping out the halls so I could make a map of it as soon as I got to my quarters.

Then I heard it. Footsteps.

Shit.

I ducked behind a large pillar, holding my breath.

The steps paused… then passed.

I exhaled and straightened only to feel a hand clamp down on my shoulder.

Reacting on instinct, I spun, my elbow jabbing toward the throat only to have it caught midair. My other hand went for the nose—also blocked.

Fuck!

A second later, my back hit the wall with a soft thud and I realized I was pinned. What the hell?

I looked up. Hazel eyes.

No. Not him.

Matteo Romano stared down at me, a strange flicker of interest in his eyes, his breath was calm and his hands were steady.

I felt sick as I realized who I had just walked right into.

His voice was amused. “Do you always attack people who tap you gently?”

I said nothing, my eyes wide.

He stepped back, giving me space. I immediately adjusted my dress and cleared my throat. “I was startled,” I said, schooling my features into practiced innocence. “Reflexes. I didn’t know it was you or anyone else. Just fear. I… I’ll go back to dinner now.”

I turned to leave but he stopped me.

“Wait.” His voice was soft as he stepped closer. “Who are you?”

I turned back to him, my smile never wavering while I tried to slow my heart rate racing. “Oh, it's Emilia Cattaneo from Verona.” I lied.

He stared at me, his gaze unwavering. “Funny because last week… you said your name was Juliette”

My blood froze. He remembered? No way.

My mouth opened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must have mistaken me for someone else.”

His smile vanished and I could make out the tick in his jaw. “Don’t lie to me in my house.”

I held my breath, every exit plan disintegrating in my mind.

He wasn’t flustered. He wasn’t angry. He was calm, too calm, and it terrified me.

I thought of running then he said it. “The competition will last two weeks,” he murmured, like he was thinking out loud. “But… it’s a good thing I’ve already made up my mind.”

My brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”

He smiled slightly. “You. You’re the one.”

I blinked. What?

“No,” I said quickly. “I think you're confusing me with someone else. I’m not even—”

“—Emilia,” he said, cutting me off, using the fake name. “If that’s who you are, then consider this my early proposal.”

I stared at him, heart hammering.

“Marry me,” he said. “At the end of two weeks.”

Excuse me?

ISABELLA'S POV.

“Was he losing his mind now coupled with the fact that he was a dickhead?”

Of course, I didn't say it out loud.

I stayed silent. “Didn't you hear me?” he uttered, and as usual, the tone of his voice indicated how stern and strict he was.

My heart hammered rapidly and violently as he moved closer to where I stood.

I was so sure that he could hear my heart race beneath my silk dress.

He lifted his right hand and brought it closer to my face.

“Oh no.”

I muttered in a very low voice.

No–No–No.

Was he going to kiss me now?

I gulped down saliva.

I closed my eyes in fear.

I soon felt his fingers move my hair that covered my face behind my ears.

“Now, I can see your face better.”

“Now, I'm sure you're the girl from the other day who saved my life.” His hot breath brushed my face as he spoke.

Suddenly, my heart stopped pounding.

I was sure now that he wasn't going to kiss me.

He moved backwards and away from me. My eyes were now opened and I couldn't help not to notice the devilish smirk he had across his cheeks.

“So the badass woman who slit a human’s throat can be this shy?”

He asked.

I just looked away and ignored his question, “I only just met you, Matteo, how are you so sure that I am the one?”

“I'm nothing compared to the other women on the table.”

He stood there in silence. Well, it wasn't the usual silence even though he was quiet and said nothing, his facial expression said a lot.

I just wondered what was going through his head.

Since he wasn't talking, I guess now was the best time to slip away from him.

I swallowed down the anxiety I felt and bolstered up and walked past him.

When I thought I had finally got rid of him–At least for now, I felt a warm masculine hand grab my soft palm from behind.

I already knew who it was because there was no other person here apart from Matteo and me and I obviously wasn't the one who grabbed my own palm.

I stopped walking and just stood there wondering what was going to happen next.

I didn't even turn around yet to see what he wanted because I was in shock.

He in turn put his other hand on my waist and turned me around.

“I wasn't joking when I said you're the one I am going to marry Emilia.”

When he mentioned Emilia I was startled at first, I wanted to say my name wasn't Emilia but I remembered I had given him a fake name.

Actually two fake names now, I just had to find a way to convince him that my name isn't Juliet.

In fact, since I never told him my name was Juliet, he probably heard it wrongly since he was under tension and being attacked. That was more than a perfect lie. I just hope that he bought it when the time comes.

“I was only saying it was almost impossible because we just met,” I replied to him with a low-toned voice.

“I guess we will see at the end of two weeks Emilia.” He responded and smiled.

He finally released me from his grip and turned his back towards me.

This was an indirect way to say that I was free to go. He just used his body language to communicate with me.

I guess he didn't like to talk too much then.

I walked back to the table and the atmosphere felt uneasy.

As I came closer to where the other women were, silence filled the room. Although I refused to look them eye to eye, I could feel their eyes pierce through my skin.

I guess they had noticed my absence and most especially Matteo’s.

I pulled my hair out silently and sat back next to the woman with blonde, blonde and silky hair. Uhm—What was her name again?

Oh yes, Victoria.

“Why were you gone so long,” Victoria asked and of course loudly.

I looked up to her to see jealousy and rage.

I guess she wanted to be the one that Matteo spoke to for that long so badly.

“Did our darling Matteo give you special attention already?”

Before I could even say a word the table erupted with fake laughter.

“Hey. Stop it right this minute! I won't have you all disrespect her.”

I heard Matteo say.

They all kept shut.

“You know what, this is over. I have my bride already. Thank you all for showing up but you can now live.”

The women muttered inaudible words but Victoria was the one who was confident enough to ask, “Who is she then? Who is she that she's better than me Matteo?”

Matteo didn't say a word to her…Like I said, he didn't like to talk too much.

Instead, he moved closer to where I sat and played a slight perk on my lips.

I gasped in shock.

“But I hadn't agreed to be his wife.”

I said to myself. Well, the moment I walked into this place I already knew what was going to happen if he picked me, I have no other choice now.

“Oh ew, Matteo. You are going to regret this.” Victoria picked up her red glitter purse and stormed off.”

The other women followed suit without arguing any further. They knew they were in no place to exchange words with Matteo—The heir to the Romano Empire.

Soon, the huge table was empty.

It was just the guards and servants who were there with Matteo and me.

I didn't know what to say to him.

“The maids would take you to your room, get enough rest. We have a lot to do together soon. My wife.”

My heart dropped when I heard him call me his wife.

ISABELL’S POV.

“You look so sexy with that look on your face.” He said before walking away.

I guess my facial expression was obvious enough.

I soon noticed a maid move closer to where I sat.

“Ma’am, please, this way.” She uttered politely using her index finger on her right hand to point towards the entrance of a hallway.

“Are you taking me to my room just as Matteo asked?”

“Yes, Ma.” She replied before bowing her head.

I stood up almost immediately and reached for my bag.

“You don't have to worry about carrying your bag, we are all here to help you.”

I looked at her and smiled.

“I can take care of myself and of course, my belongings as well.”

“These aren't my instructions but Mr. Matteo’s, ma’am.”

I just didn't argue with her anymore. I left the purse and just walked behind her.

Guards soon followed suit.

There were two by my right, two by my left, three right in front of me and I wondered how many were behind me.

I was too anxious to even turn and count.

The guards just shadowed my every step, the same suffocating presence as before.

Soon, the guards in front of me stopped walking, the maid passed through their middle, and brought out a key. She unlocked the door and said, “Here is your room, ma’am.”

“All you need is right in there.” She added.

I moved away from the guards that stood beside me and walked towards where the maid was, standing next to the room.

I looked and I couldn't help but notice how big and luxurious the room was.

It had huge and long white curtains that had gold strips on them. A chandelier and a huge velvet rug are situated in the middle of the room.

“We would all be leaving now, ma’am. If you need anything, there's a remote control right next to your bed, just press the red button.” She explained diligently.

They all turned and left.

I immediately shut the door.

“Ah, at least some peace,” I said out loud before sighing loudly.

I threw my ass on the bed.

Oh, it was soft and huge. Just how I liked it.

I lay on the bed next and just buried my eyes in the ceiling.

At first, nothing was going through my head, not until I snapped myself back to reality.

The reason why I was here in the first place.

To take revenge! And not to have fun or feel relaxed just because he provided me with luxury and comfort.

I sat up on the bed and asked myself what I've achieved since I got here.

Did I have any information that would be useful?

The only answer I had in my head was that I knew my way around here to an extent but I needed to write it down, or maybe sketch the villa layout on paper.

Now, where could I find a paper and a pencil? I began to think.

Oh yes, I brought a jotter here, it should be in my purse.

I recalled that the maid had dropped my purse on the bed.

I checked my purse and found it there.

As I tried to brainstorm so that I could remember every single detail and inch of this mansion I had been in, the memory of Matteo standing so close to me replayed in my head.

When I thought that he was going to kiss me.

How I felt helpless then!

I was supposed to be the hunter and not the prey!

I was soon distracted by a loud knock on my door.

I stood up from the bed immediately to see who was there.

Before I could get close enough to the door to open up, I heard the person knock again.

This time around it wasn't only a knock, but the person also slipped a brown envelope through the tiny space under the door.

I bent and picked up the envelope.

“What could be in it?” I asked myself.

Of course, I didn't have the answer to my question. The only way I could find out about it was to ask the person who delivered it or maybe check what was inside myself.

I opened the door to see that it was and the hallway was empty. The person had run off.

I just shut the door worried.

I leaned on the door and immediately began to remove the seal of the brown envelope.

It was a letter and as I read it, my eyes widened in shock.

“He knows you lied.” was written boldly.

Matteo? I murmured.

Does he know my real identity?

Or was this some sort of game to scare me off? Maybe one of the women paid the maids to send me this.

Oh shit! I just didn't know.

I just hoped deep down that the worst hadn't happened.

I heard another knock on the door. This time around, I didn't hesitate to open up.

Maybe I could get to know who this letter was from.

When I eventually opened the door, I saw that it was a maid, she had a brown box decorated with gold petals all over it in her hand.

“May I come in, ma’am?” She asked.

“Uh yes,” I responded before moving aside.

I watched her walk towards my bed and drop the box on it.

“What is that?” I questioned her moving closer.

“A dinner dress and perfume. The heir asked me to give it to you.”

“A dinner dress and perfume?” I asked her.

“I only did what he asked me to do, ma’am.” She replied before she began to walk away.

When she got to the door, she stopped and turned to face me.

“Please don't tell anyone I said this but Signora don't resist him.”

Before I could even ask her what she meant, she left the room.

Don't resist him?

What did she even mean?