My palms are shaking and I can't take my eyes off Leo's father. He seemed to be the perfect example of a big, bad powerful man with a screaming aura of danger.

His son sensed something is very wrong with me.

"Padre," He cleared his throat. "My date is not well. I was planning to take her outside, get her some fresh air right now but you interrupted us."

That terrifying smile on his face vanished in a second, his eyes fixed on me. "Your date does look... pale. Have you not given her anything to drink, mio figlio?"

"I have, padre." Leo gritted his teeth. It was clear he didn't like what his father called him. My son. It was a form of mocking.

The man in red mask twisted his lips. "Then you should get her something to drink again. We must not leave any single guest without a glass of champagne. The announcement will be soon."

Thousands of questions were lingering in my mind for this so-called old carbon copy version of Leonardo Agostini. Even though his face was half covered till his nose with his mask, I could point it out that his son indeed looks his father. Same black hair with grey streaks here and there, hazel eyes, built body despite his age, he was definitely not what I assumed to be a half bald man with potbelly and yellow teeth. My fear was getting replaced by anger.

"Of course I will, padre. Come with me, signorina." He grabbed my hand and we turned around but his father stopped us.

"No need to take your date with you. Be a gentleman I taught you to be and bring her something to drink here."

His eyes flickered to me. "But padre, there are many people here. I do not wish for my date to be lost in the crowd."

Bad move, mister. A very bad move. Why in the world did he not make any other excuse because I know what his father will say now!

"I will keep her company. Besides," He put forth his hand for me to take, his eyes showing victory in this little verbal battle between him and his son. "Your date does owe me a dance."

Fuck. Busted.

I took a deep breath, finally deciding to speak for myself and placed my hand on his strange cold ones. "Of course, signore. It would be an honour to dance with another host."

I'm gonna stamp this bastard's feet with my shiny heels.

"If... If that is what my date wishes then I'll go and get some drinks for all of us."

Isn't that a nice image? All three of us, lying on the beach, drinks in our hand and chatting as if we are old friends. Ew. No. That's gross.

Purposefully, I slid my hand on Leo's arm, reached out his hand and squeezed it for a mere second. I'll be fine. Then kept it on his father's shoulder as we began to move slowly.

"Interesting party, isn't it?"

"I asked you for your help and you brought me here!" I hissed, glaring at him.

His eyes glimmered in amusement. "Ahh, finally. I thought you were too drugged to remember, signorina Jones."

I wanted to gnaw those eyes out of his sockets. "Why? You could have just dropped me back to my home instead of bringing me here but you didn't. You ruined my life."

"Consider me generous because it was either me or some Chinese gangster who wanted to feel un americano teenager in bed." He said casually.

"So I am supposed to thank you?" I spat.

"No. You are supposed to return me the favour. I do not help random strangers for free."

"I don't owe you anything, you sick psychotic son of a bitch." I growled.

"If you think you do not owe me anything so be it. Another month and it will be eight years. I find it as a waste of my time to hold some payback from... a mere housekeeper of my house."

"I think somewhere, deep down..." I got dangerously close to his face. "We both know I am more than that, signore Agostini. I always have been."

His jaw clenched. "You are too fiero of yourself. I do not like it."

I scoffed. "Your son said the same thing when I first met him. I won't be surprised if you say something else about me. I've heard it all."

He gave me a slow spin and I came face to face with him again. "It has come to my attention that my son has developed certain feelings of... affection towards you." It sounded like those words are leaving a very bad taste in his mouth. Good.

"How did that come to your attention?" I thought out loud. "By hiding behind a door and listening to our conversation?"

"No." My eyes narrowed after hearing his answer. "My son, my own blood never pays me a visit nor sits with me when it is time for me to have breakfast but that was until you, Amelia Jones, came to serve me. He never did in years. One single act gave me the biggest hint I had ever got about my son's private life."

I couldn't utter a single word. He knew from the beginning.

He smirked at my reaction. "I am a very observant man, donna. I see everything that happens under my nose and I do see both of my sons watching our every move, trying to figure out what I am saying to you."

I looked over his shoulder and saw the brothers, a drink on their hand and staring at us.

"I assumed something was going on the moment he entered my office. I found it very amusing to watch both of my sons to be wary of me as if I were an enemy to them." This time, he leaned dangerously close to my ear. "After all, I taught them to be. Nobody can outsmart the teacher."

My face was getting red and redder in anger. "Since you know everything, why don't you tell me what you want from me? And don't pull that favour shit on me cause you are not getting any."

"You are a distraction to my son." He stated. "A weakness my famiglia cannot afford. The future of my famiglia is now in my son's hands and you, donna, are in between it. Generations of business and power will not be ruined by some donna my son is getting attached to and make him weak."

A short laugh escaped from my lips. "That's it, isn't it? You want me out of your son's life. Leave him alone. So typical."

"Tell me, donna, are you my son's current bed warmer?"

"B-Bed warmer?" I chuckled. "That's so old school. And no, I am not but your son likes to cuddle. He just won't admit it. Don't tell him I told you that."

"I had no interest to know about that." He eyed me dryly. "Having affection for others is a sign of weakness. I will not tolerate that. One mistake of getting emotionally attached to a person and all will be gone."

"Say whatever you want to say, signore, because I won't leave Leo's side. No matter how many cheap ass tricks you pull to keep us apart."

"How's your famiglia?"

"How's your wife?" I retorted and stamped on his shoes. Smack! He remained unfazed.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Adrian spit the contents of his drink back to its glass and Leo was patting his back.

"My failed marriage is none of your business." He said coolly.

"So is interfering between Leo and I." I gritted. "You stick your nose in my life, I do the same in yours. By the way, where is your wife? I didn't see her tonight."

I stamped on his shoes again and again. Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

People were giving us weird looks but it didn't matter.

"Like I said before, it is none of your business." His jaw ticked in irritation.

"That's why you forced her out of this place, right? She was your weakness, your distraction which you couldn't afford." The look on his face clearly told me that I was right. "I was told by someone that the men of this family keep their women protected but look at you. You are a puny when it comes to that. At least your son is much better than you and I know he will be much, much more better in future. You wanna know why? Because unlike you, he has me to keep him away from becoming a monster which you already are. He is not you and he'll never be on my watch."

"Be careful of what you speak so proudly, donna, because you speak too much." He warned.

Smack! Smack!

"I have heard this from your son before. It's nothing new." I grinned, anger burning in my eyes. "Giving threats won't work on me. I have nothing to lose except for your son and I know you will not harm your own son for your own shitty personal reasons because you need him to run your family business. You need him, he needs me and I need him. It's simple so stay the hell out of our lives and we shall do the same."

He gave me another twirl and this time, I accidentally stepped on his feet. I am not sorry though. "Interesting. Strong. Brave. Proud. Courageous. Fearless. You almost made me change my mind. Too bad it did not work. You have grown from that scared, helpless, semi-drugged, weak teenager I once helped long back. I regret it now. You should have been sold to that Chinese gangster. At least I would not have faced this ungrateful night."

"If that's the case, then thank you for helping me." I smiled genuinely, my eyes prickling with mixed tears of joy, pain and sadness. "It was hell in the beginning, but I got through it and I am standing here tonight, away from my family and friends, in a foreign country, between all these strangers, wearing a 980,000 euro dress excluding taxes, dancing with you because I fell for your son and you don't like it. He can be an ass at times but yeah, I have been managing just fine if you ever bother to ask."

He remained silent for quite a long time then looked down at his not-so polished leather shoes. "I had bought this pair last week."

"I don't care." I deadpanned.

"Enjoy the party, signorina Jones." He said monotonously and we stopped dancing. "I hope this is the last time we ever meet."

This man... Ugh! He definitely has something up in his sleeves now. One lesson I have learnt from this family: Always listen to what they say very carefully and think of every possibility.

He turned around, but I stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Mi scusi, signore?" I batted my eyelashes and smiled sickly sweetly. "I forgot one more thing."

He looked over his shoulder and asked. "What is it now, donna? I am a busy man."

My lips pursued. "You know what? Never mind. I'm done with you for tonight. See ya later, padre."

"You do not get to call me that, donna." He growled in his thick Italian accent.

"Don't worry." I laughed it off. "I'll think of something when we meet next time."

The minute his father was out of my sight, I released a shaky breath I didn't know I was holding. Leonardo's father made his intentions very clear. He doesn't like me and wants me out of the picture.

My feet aching with those heels, I limped my way back to the brothers and sat on the barstool, both of them patiently watching me remove my heels and sigh in relief.

"Your dear daddy is really something." I snickered.

"What happened? What did he say?" Adrian asked.

I took capo's lemonade and finished it in one go. He didn't protest. "Why don't you tell me? You were watching us."

"We couldn't figure out much. We were facing his back."

"That's because he knew." I panted. "He's after me and that's final."

"Why?" Leonardo asked.

"Let's just say your father happens to be a very generous man."

I heard groans and curses from both of my sides.

"I don't know much, but I do know that you guys can't do anything about him." I revealed. "He knows everything."

Adrian scoffed bitterly. "And why would you say that?"

"Nobody outsmarts the teacher." I quoted his father's words. "He said that straight on my face. You guys learnt everything from him. He knows how you work because he taught you how to work."

"We will think of something. We always do." Leonardo assured.

Adrian pulled out his phone from his pocket. "It's padre. Time for the big announcement."

"It won't work. He thinks of me as a weakness to you and your family. Just like your mother, Leo." I paused, my mind working in full speed as realisation slowly settled in and his father's words began to ring in my ears. "I think we both know what he is planning to do to me."

An eerie silence passed through us.

Adrian's mouth parted open in shock. "You mean... you are saying that... he can... again?"

I rubbed my arms, feeling the chills only thinking about it. "I don't know, Adrian. It's just an guess but I have to keep my eyes open to all possibilities."

"You're right about that." He muttered and our attention went to his younger brother.

I gulped when I saw the murderous expression on his face and gently touched his arm. "Capo?"

"Let's go outside. It's time for announcement."

Oh great.

******

The announcement was big. Like really big with all that stage and mic stuff. Once again, I was surprised by the vastness of this mansion, but I was shell shocked when I saw my favourite trio of men smiling, talking and laughing with each other as if they have the best father-son-son relationship ever. Talk about public appearances here.

These people sure know how to cover up the entire truth.

Their father announced his retirement and his son, Leonardo talking over their family company while Adrian will be there for him as his mentor and legal advisor as long as he wants to. Everybody raised a toast for old version of Leonardo Agostini, wishing him a long and happy retirement, and for current version of Leonardo Agostini, wishing him a happy twenty sixth birthday and a very successful future of the company in his hands. I was happy for him. At least he got his plans for life just the way he wanted.

After the announcement, some people started heading to the dining room where many round tables covered in white sheets along with flower vases and paper napkins were now arranged in a manner so that they could have dinner while some headed to the main hall where musicians began to play slow music and my poor self was confused to choose between food and Leonardo because he was talking to somebody alongside his father and brother near the stairwell.

Screw him. I'm hungry.

I licked my lips as I sat down with a plate full of different food items and picked up my spoon and fork to dig in. At the exact same moment, my knight in shining silver mask appeared in front of me out of nowhere and held out his hand for me take.

"Oh, come on." I groaned in annoyance. "One bite?"

He gave me an incredulous look.

"Food. Mood. Let me have some food then I'll be in mood."

"Amelia." Shit.

Of course, I had to take his hand and walk with him to the main hall.

Surprisingly, I found myself wrapping my arms around his neck as he does the same with my waist after he gave a silent nod to the musicians in the corner and we began to move slowly.

"What's wrong?" I asked, referring to his awfully silent mood.

"Nothing." He answered. "Just thinking why my date is asking me useless questions when I'm finally having a proper dance with her."

"And I will continue to ask because we are the only ones dancing while everybody is watching us." I whispered, eyeing people around us.

"Then let them. If they do not wish to dance anymore, it is not my problem."

I gulped. "Okay. I don't mind that at all. Besides, it's just for tonight. Nobody knows my name."

He chuckled in ear. "Adrian took care of it. Apparently, everybody here knows your name except you."

"Oh, my God." I lowered my head in embarrassment. "That's even worse."

"I think you can manage. You have been on your own all the time."

"And what about you?" I asked in concern. "You haven't said anything much ever since I came back dancing with your father. We know what he is capable of doing again."

"But we also know that he won't do anything tonight, Amelia. I'll personally take care of him tomorrow and you know that. He won't get anywhere near you. Topic closed." He assured in a soothing voice. "Besides, I have much more pressing matters in mind that require urgent attention."

"What matters?"

"Certain events that happened this morning." He answered formally.

He still hasn't let go of that. What am I going to do of this man?

"I did say I'll think about it, right?"

"I'm afraid that I am running out of time, little girl." He said calmly. "Remember what I said earlier. Time. Place. Moment. We are at the place, but the time and moment will not come if you do not think quickly."

My breath left my body when I realised what he actually means.

"If you can help me change my mind since you are in a hurry..." I meekly whispered.

That smile on his face made my heart skip a beat. "Over the past few months, I have come to learn a lot of things from you. Things that I had not known to be in existence in my life."

He is not... is he? No. He has to be not...

"But when I saw you tonight, I already knew I was wrong about everything I thought I had learnt from you because that was not learning at all. It was a feeling and I fell for that so fucking hard that I won't mind you falling on my back over and over again." Was it just me or the air around us had grown hotter and hotter that I couldn't breathe in it? "I felt it again tonight, Amy. You know what it is, don't you? You felt it too. Tell me you still feel it."

"I-I do," I suppressed a moan, feeling his lips on my forehead for a second before they pulled back and lowered down to my ear.

"And you sound so fucking sexy when you speak in my language." I blushed at his words and averted my gaze from him. Beautiful, yes. Gorgeous, yes. Desirable, yes. Sexy, never. He had never spoken such dirty words to me so freely before and a shameless part of me liked it very much, but a naughty part of me wanted to hear more from him. "Let me hear it one more time, amor. Will you say it again for me, per favore? I wish to hear it again from you."

"You will run away again. I don't want that." I murmured, pressing our foreheads together.

"I won't. Just say it once. I will not ask again."

"I... Mi... I don't know," I mumbled, shaking my head. I wanted to say it, but it lacked confidence, the same confidence which I had this morning and instead, it filled with insecurities in my mind all day. I gritted my teeth in frustration. "Why don't you say it, huh? I don't see why I should be the one who says it first because when I took the initiative, you fled."

"We both know that it's not your birthday. I don't see why I should wish you a happy birthday." He said with a smug look on his face.

"And we both know I am not talking about birthday wishes." I said boldly.

Our feet stopped moving but the musicians didn't stop playing.

"I say it every night and morning," He defended himself. "I said it only a few seconds ago so you should say it first."

"I didn't know," My lips quivered. "And I still don't. I don't know what it means so why don't you tell me?"

"This is irrelevant. I will not say it if you do not say it again."

"If you say it first, I'll forgive you for your actions earlier this morning."

I grasped his shoulders tightly as he began to gently nibble my ear, my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for him to say those three words, but when I heard him speak in a hushed whisper, it ticked me off and I stepped away from him.

"You know, I am so sick and tired of you saying things in your country language that I don't understand at all even after I made an effort to learn some words and surprise you! You are an incorrigible, insolent, cruel man who still likes to play stupid mind games with me after all these months. After everything we have been through and had together, this is how you—"

My lips sealed off with his on mine. Maybe from a far different world, I heard some loud gasps and murmurs. The kiss poured everything we feel for each other and my mind shut down only by feeling such a beautiful thing between us. From one corner of my eye, I saw bitch language speaking ladies turning into green monsters.

Yeah, that's right! Back off bitches, he's mine. Oh wait, no. I can't just declare a living person as mine. He's not a toy or a piece of clothing. He wasn't bought by someone with actual money but screw that! Screw everything! People in his world own other people so I will too. Leonardo Agostini is mine to keep, mine to cherish and mine to possess!

We moaned in unison, the entire world around us faded away and it was just me and him, together, bonded by our strong feelings for each other.

"I love you, Am—"

I clamped his mouth shut, my eyes reflecting his emotions back to him.

"Not here. Not here. Not here." I whispered, shaking my head slowly.

Not here. Not in front of these jealous ladies. Not publicly. Not where his father doesn't want us to be together.

Just like mine, his mind got shut off too as he watched my hands travel from his shoulders then down to his stomach where his tie ended and tugged it harsh, yanking him down to my height by wrapping it around my hand.

"Let's get out of here."

With his tie firm around my hand, I began to climb up the stairs with Leonardo behind me, both of us leaving behind the party, the people and the whole damn world.

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