CLAUDIA

"Now spill," I demanded to my sister once we arrived home. Half of the time during the Opera I was aware of the devil who kept on annoying me throughout the night. He kept on making me uncomfortable or with I was pointedly ignoring him he would make sure that I would be aware of his presence.

"I don't know what you mean, Claudia," Gianna replied, avoiding my gaze. I knew when she was lying she couldn't look straight into my eyes.

I took a deep breath, tucking my arms in my middle while cornering my devious sister. "Don't play an innocent act on me, woman. It wouldn't work on me. Who gave you those tickets?"

"Why are you so interested in that?" She muttered, unable to meet my eyes. "The play is over and you did enjoy it, right?"

I couldn't help but sneer at that. "Did I enjoy it? Partly, yes, but how can I fully enjoy my very first Opera when those Orsini men didn't leave our side? It seems that they were our dates for the event. Have you seen the curious expression the other people thrown in our direction during the performance?"

Gianna pouted her mouth like a child, still avoiding my accusing glare. "How can people assume that when Piero and his cousin were only our seatmates during the Opera?"

"Don't play dumb, woman," I informed her dryly. "I knew it wasn't just a mere coincidence that they happened to be sitting next to us the size of that hall. What are the odds?"

She took a deep breath. "So suspicious, Claudia."

"Tell me, was it Piero Orsini who gave you those tickets?" I asked though I have had this suspicion since the play started I want this woman to admit out loud that the whole thing was planned. Gianna remained silent, biting her bottom lip. My eyes narrowed at her. "I am waiting, Gianna..."

"So what if he gave me those tickets?" She finally spilled the truth, looking at me with annoyance on her face. "Nothing would change if you learned that those tickets came from Piero. You did enjoy the Opera, after all."

I knew that this was Alfonso's doing. He wanted to either bribe me or corner me because I was avoiding him and at the same time, I was furious at myself. But how on earth did he know that I like that play so much?

"It's your man's doing," Gianna stated as if reading my thoughts. "According to Piero, you are avoiding the poor man that's why he's making an effort to see you."

"Oh, please..." I snorted, shaking my head in disbelief. "...clearly, you fell on the devil's lie again. I am not avoiding that man I am angry at him. And for the record, he's not my man."

My sister rolled her eyes at me. "Oh, come on, from what I have heard you're spending a lot of time with Piero's cousin every weekend according to your roommate."

That snitch... My mouth twisted with distaste. I never knew that Anna would disclose such information to my sister. I specifically told her to keep this secret between us, I guess she couldn't be trusted.

"Are you dating him?"

"No!" I answered almost violently because I was caught off-guard by her question. Why would she automatically assume that I am dating that awful man? "Never!"

Gianna blinked, clearly taken aback by my fierce reaction. She smiled knowingly in my direction. "There's no need to react violently, Claudia." And then she added under her breath. "You are being too obvious."

"Gianna..." I started.

She held up her hands. "All right, fine. Whatever. But just a reminder that Orsini men can be a charmer when they want to."

Now that she mentioned it, I couldn't help but narrow my eyes on her. "Remind me again since when did you become close to the man who broke your heart not so long ago? He even used his cousin's name when you met him."

She pretended to look at her wristwatch. "Oh, just look at the time, Claudia. It's already late, time for bed. Goodnight, sis. See you tomorrow."

"Gianna!" I called after her exasperatingly while watching her run on the stairs. I shook my head, if Piero Orsini hurt my sister again he would never see another sunrise.

The following day, I had a busy day at the office. I barely had time to think about the event last night when the office hours were about to end my female colleagues were once again pressing their noses on the glass window.

"Claudia," some called my attention. I looked up from my paper and I saw everyone looking out the window grinning at me. "Your handsome suitor is here again."

My eyebrows drew together. "Who?"

"The handsome heir." One of them answered. "Alfonso Orsini."

It took me a moment before my brain could comprehend who they were talking about. I scowl formed on my forehead when I realized who that man was. Of course, they were about that certain devious devil I have spent my weekends lately with our fake dates. What does he want now after our well-planned encounter later?

I shook my head and went back to my work. "Let him be."

"Oh, trouble at the paradise?" Someone inquired. I glanced at them briefly when I saw that they all looked so interested in my love life. So I did not give them the pleasure of having something they will gossip about tomorrow morning here at the office.

I glanced at my wristwatch, thirty minutes more before the office hours ended. I focused my attention on my work, not on the man who was waiting for me.

I hope he gets bored and leaves already.

It didn't take long before the day at the office ended. One by one, people started to leave our department. I took my time cleaning my table usually I was the first one to leave but today was a little bit different.

I went out of the office quarter past the time hoping that Alfonso had already given up and left but so much for being hopeful I saw him leaning on his car casually looking every inch of a reckless troublemaker. He was busy ignoring the longing glances of female passersby. I shook my head regretfully maybe these foolish women were attracted to bad boys. Associating yourself with the likes of him only asking for headaches and grief.

When he caught the sight of me, he threw the half-finished cigarette on the floor and flattened it with his feet.

I threw a disapproving look in his direction, making sure that he knew that I was not pleased with his presence. "What are you doing here?"

"To pick you up," he said simply with an innocent smile on his face.

"Why?"

He sighed deeply, looking at me as if I was being difficult. "Isn't that what a good suitor always does? Fetching the woman he's courting after her work?"

I glared at him hotly. "Pretend courtship. Please remember that we should emphasize the word 'pretend', Signore."

"Ah, yes, of course." This obnoxious man replied in a mocking tone.

I didn't have time to argue with him, taking a deep breath. I stared at him with disdain. "You just waste your time. I have another appointment tonight. Goodbye."

I was about to leave when he blocked my way. "Oh, no, we're not yet done talking, sweetheart. You can't leave yet."

I stared at him coldly. "Move, Signore."

He smiled maddeningly in my direction which made me feel more irritated because it made him look more handsome than he already was. Why does he need to look so good? He should look ugly in my eyes but it's the opposite. "I thought you would appreciate the gesture, Claudia Mia. I am being a tentative suitor here."

"For the last time..." I warned through my gritted teeth.

"I guess you'll leave me no choice but to opt for the drastic measure." He was smiling in my direction like the very devil.

Uneasiness spread through my spine and before I had the chance to ask what he meant by that statement. I loud gasp escaped my mouth when he swung me to his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and transferred me to the shotgun seat of his car.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I demanded indecorously, watching him slide to the driver's side.

Alfonso gave me a winsome smile, flashing me the perfect set of his white teeth. "You leave me no choice but to kidnap you."

"What?!" I asked in disbelief. "Have you gone mad? What is this nonsense? I don't want to go anywhere with you. I want to go out of this car."

"Ah, that's the thing," he replied with a chuckle. He started the engine of his car and drove away to the highway. "You have no choice but to come with me since I am kidnapping you tonight. I have enough of playing a good gentleman so you can give me a chance to apologize properly. I want to use a different method this time."

I pinched the bridge of my nose due to my stress because of this man. It feels like I am getting older than my actual age when dealing with him. Who would have thought that a man from one of the wealthiest families here in Italy would do something like this? Abducting a woman at sunset. "Fine. Let's talk, stop the car."

He clicked his tongue, never sparing me a glance. He was busy looking at the road. "Too late for that, amore. I think this is the best way so we can talk without someone bothering us." He threw me a glance with a goading smile. "Relax. You are safe with me."

"Are you trying to be funny?" I asked ridiculously. "What kind of person would be safe in the company of his or her captor?"

"The kind of you." He quipped.

I shook my head, how I wanted to smash his head into the steering wheel at the moment but I feared that I also die in the process due to a car accident. So I held my temper in check, for now, I will just let him.

I repeat for now.

"Will you stop the car and let's talk like some civilized human being that we are?" I tried to reason with him. "Let's stop this nonsense. Take me home."

"Sorry, can't do that." The aggravating man replied calmly. Judging from his manner I think he enjoyed this whole thing more than he should have. I think there was something wrong in his brain today.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked in exasperation, looking at the street we were passing. "I want to go home I have work tomorrow."

"Tomorrow is Saturday, sweetheart." He reminded me with laughter in his voice. "You have no work so I might as well take you somewhere without hindrance."

I stared at him in bafflement. "If I don't come home tonight my roommate will be worried and will inform my parents about my disappearance. If you don't want Papa to put you in jail you better turn this car around and drive me home."

He chortled at the thought, rubbing his jaw while driving leisurely. "Don't worry, when we arrived at our destination. We will call your roommate and inform her about our sudden trip outside the city."

"Trip?" I echoed crudely. "Are you forgetting that took me against my will?"

"Oh, of course." Alfonso glanced at me with laughter dancing in his eyes. "My apologies for the slip, Signorina."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction. "What about my father?" I challenged him. "Aren't you going to tell him that you kidnap his daughter?"

"Sweetheart," he stated with amusement in his voice. He wasn't a bit scared with the thought that he might be thrown in jail if he was caught. "I have no problem telling your father about this if that's what you want," he paused for a moment and then added with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "But I am afraid that you need to prepare because we'll be marching the aisle sooner than you thought."

I opened my mouth to say something but then decided to shut it because he was partly correct if Papa finds this out this means marriage and I can't let that happen.

No way in hell.

"Speechless, are you?" Alfonso taunted me when I remained silent. I wanted to retort back at him but I just kept my mouth shut already planning inside my head how to get even with this sneaky bastard.