CLAUDIA

Since Alfonso arrived, I couldn't concentrate on what Dante had been saying to me. I was only aware of how Anna and him whispering and laughing in the kitchen. I couldn't help the frown forming on my face.

What could they have possibly been talking about?

I scowled in the direction of Anna when I noticed her whisper something in Alfonso's ear while throwing a glance in my direction. I bet that she's gossiping about me and Dante. I shouldn't be affected by her words whatever lies she's spouting with that man but that wasn't the case because I am!

I couldn't help but be curious about what she was saying about me to that man. What if she's talking nonsense to him? I shook my head slightly, there's no need to get vexed with such a trivial matter. What I need to do for now is focus on Dante and think of a way how to send him away as soon as possible and then I would deal with those two in the kitchen.

"...are you alright, Claudia?"

I blinked when I realized that Dante had been staring at me for a quiet while now. I smiled in his direction reassuringly. "Of course."

"You seem in deep thought," he remarked, looking at me intently. "I think you haven't heard a word I was saying."

I shook my head immediately. Now I feel bad for thinking of anything other than him I should focus my attention on him since it's been a while since the last time I saw him. "No. I am listening to you."

He smiled slightly in my direction. "I don't think so. From the moment that guy arrived, you kept on glancing in their direction. Who is that guy, by the way?"

Trust him to be this observant, the smile on my face slightly falters. "Oh, that guy...?"

"Is he your friend's new suitor?" he queried gently before I had the chance to formulate my reply to him.

I was lost for words for a moment. How could I explain to him that it's me that he's courting and not Anna? Or at least pretending to court in public, I corrected myself silently.

Dante glanced in the direction of the kitchen briefly. Before he settled his gaze back on me and then added. "He's not the type of person I would associate with your friend's suitor but seeing them together now I think they're not a bad match."

There was something about his words that made something inside me rebel at the idea. Can't he see that they're mismatched? Alfonso Orsini wasn't the type of man I would for Anna he's just too cunning for my friend. Besides, the man in question already has the actress that he likes and he would not spare Anna a second glance.

"The truth is..." I started and then paused. Wait, why do I even bother with the need to explain why Anna isn't the best match for that guy? I don't have to explain anything! I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "...never mind."

Dante was giving me an odd look. He was probably thinking that I had been acting weird tonight. Who can blame me when he suddenly shows up when I am about to have a date with Alfonso? I need to explain to him why that guy was here. I don't want miscommunication in the future since I also want Dante to feel a little bit of competition so he can pursue me even better. Who knows this may be the chance I was waiting for so I would be sure about his feelings for me.

"Dante, about that guy." I took his hands on mine and squeezed them tightly. I was aware of how my heart was pounding so hard in my chest but I ignored it and focused my attention on his handsome face. "The truth is..."

I abruptly stopped when there was a loud knock on our door. I bit back the curse that wanted to escape my mouth. Oh, for the love of God! Who could this be? How many visitors do we need to entertain tonight? As far as I am concerned, we were not expecting anyone tonight.

"Excuse me, will you?" I asked with a tight smile on my face. "I will just see who the newcomer is."

With a nod from Dante, I stood on the sofa and answered the door. My eyes widened when I saw burly men standing in the doorway. My heart hammered in my chest they look like bad guys in movies. "Yes?"

They looked at me with intense gazes and then glanced over my shoulder. The one in the middle acknowledged someone behind me. "Sir."

I automatically turned back to see who he's been talking to. My eyes went wide when I saw Dante's displeased expression. I opened my mouth to say something but no words wanted to come out so I decided to shut it again and look at Dante with questioning eyes.

One of the men cleared his throat. He glanced at me briefly and then looked at Dante with a worried face. "We're sorry to interrupt but uh...we have a situation, sir."

I saw the deadly look on Dante's face before clearing his facial expression when he noticed that I was staring at him. Without a word, he went to the doorway to speak to the men who just arrived. I wanted to know what was going on and how on earth he knew these scary men but I needed to give them privacy so I went back to the sofa.

I was aware that Dante was angry but I couldn't understand a word they were saying since they speak in a Sicilian dialect if I am not mistaken.

"Basta!" I nearly jumped on my seat when I heard the angry tone of Dante's voice. I never caught him this mad before. Usually, he was a kind and gentle-natured man so whatever this was it upset him so much.

Even though I want to know what's happening I pretend not to be interested in his conversation with those burly men and just sip my coffee leisurely. Few more exchanged rapid Sicilian and Dante took a deep breath. He went to my side still slightly limping and looked at me with regretful eyes. He kissed both of my hands and held them closely. "I'm sorry but I have to go."

"Is there something wrong?"

He looked at me with pleading eyes. He took a deep breath and then averted his gaze. A clear sign that he's about to lie. "There is an emergency..." he paused for a moment. "...in our famiglia. I need to fly to Sicily."

Now I am more curious than ever. This was the first time he ever mentioned his family I wanted to know more about it but clearly, he wasn't ready yet to share such information with me. So what else could I do but pretend that I understand? "You're leaving again?"

I didn't mean to make it sound as if I am accusing him but that must be the way how he sees it. There was a remorseful expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Claudia. I know I just got back but I promise you that I will make it up once I sort this mess."

"Mess?" I frowned at him. "Be honest with me, Dante. Are you in trouble or something?"

He cursed roughly under his breath. He was annoyed with himself for the slip. He tried to smile comfortingly at me. "There's nothing to worry about. It's just a small matter but it still needs my attention. It's about our family business."

Family business. I thought that he claimed that just an average guy and needed to work to support his family now he's saying that they have a family business. I glanced at the expensive chocolate he brought for me in Paris. Well, an average-earning man couldn't possibly afford such a gift for the woman he's courting.

I looked at him for a moment. I don't want to think anything bad about him but I am starting to believe that this man wasn't fully honest with me. He's too secretive for my liking. It seems that I don't know anything about him only the tip of the iceberg.

"...Claudia?" I noticed that he was looking at me with questioning eyes.

I glanced at the men patiently waiting for him in the hallway that's when I realized that they wouldn't go anywhere unless Dante came with him. Very well, for now, I would just pretend that everything was okay. But I intend to make sure that I would know everything about him in the future. There's no way I would date someone with a sketchy background. For now, I would play this naïve lady. I smiled brightly in his direction. "Alright. Just be careful, okay?"

There was a grateful smile fitted on his lips as he kissed my hand once more. "I promise, my love. I'll see you very soon."

I nodded and watched him leave with those scary-looking men. I stood on the sofa and closed the door firmly now I couldn't help but be bothered about the real identity of my suitor. Speaking of suitor, my eyes narrowed in the direction of the kitchen. With a determined stride, I went to the kitchen and confronted that man.

"You!" I said to the unsuspecting man. "It's time for you to go home."

Anna and Alfonso looked at me at the same time but my attention was only solely focused on the man in question. He was halfway from drinking his wine. "Aren't you a little bit harsh, Signorina? I'm still having fun with your friend."

My eyebrows drew together. I'm already in a bad mood because of Dante and this man doesn't want to be at the receiving end of my wrath. "It doesn't matter. It's already late so you should go home now."

He emptied his wine glass and raised an eyebrow in my direction. "Why should I? I mean, it's not my fault if your suitor suddenly left you, you know."

Anna giggled but she abruptly stopped when I threw a warning look at her. She was drunk seeing the empty bottles of wine on the table. What the hell has she been thinking about having a drinking contest with this man?

"You're correct," my friend told Alfonso in a slurred voice. "Her suitor may once again back on his disappearing act."

"You are probably right," Alfonso replied.

I rolled my eyes when I saw them, high-fiving each other. I think I knew what these two have in common. They share their intense dislike for poor Dante. "Stop badmouthing about him. I will not forgive the two of you if I hear another insult to him."

"Which part of him made you like him?" Alfonso asked casually, resting his face with his closed fist while his elbow was leaning on the table. "He looks shady if you'll ask me."

I glared at him insolently. "Of course, you will say that because you're jealous of him!"

He chuckled sexily. The hair on my nape raised at the sound of it. "Woman, why would I be jealous of him? He's not even worth to my level."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Talking to him was useless not especially when he was full of himself just like tonight. "It doesn't matter. Go home already."

"Why do you keep on sending me away?" He tilted his head to the side. "You should be nice to me since you're the reason why I need to cancel our trip tonight."

"Excuse me?!" I exclaimed indecorously, eyeing him with an acid look. "Why are you blaming me? I didn't expect that Dante would suddenly show up here."

"I am not blaming you."

We were busy focusing on each other and our growing debate when a loud noise sounded nearby. Alfonso and I both turned in the direction of Anna who just banged her head on the wooden table due to intoxication. I slid a gaze on Alfonso and I caught him staring at me with an amused look. I sighed deeply. "Maybe we should put this woman in her bed."

There were faint lines in the corners of his eyes, an indication that he was genuinely entertained. "Right."

We helped the unconscious Anna to her bed. Due to her drunken state, she didn't even stir even after we laid her to bed. I silently led Alfonso out of Anna's room. Once we were outside I glowered in his direction. "You shouldn't make her so drunk like that. I almost think that she's in a coma."

Alfonso shrugged nonchalantly. "She's the one who suggested that we should drink. I am not aware that she's a lightweight drinker."

I rubbed my forehead due to growing frustration. "It doesn't matter, the damage had been done. You should just go home it's getting late. Oh, and I'm sorry for the little mishap tonight."

The change in him was instant. He was just fine moments ago and when I am sending him away, he suddenly acts so drunk. "You can't be serious, Claudia Mia," he slurred, his eyes were obscured behind his thick long lashes and it was hard for me to decipher what he was thinking right now. "What if I get charged with drunk driving? My father will not appreciate it."

"I don't care!"

"Are you sure?" He asked in a bored tone, looking at me with challenging eyes. "If I get caught the authorities will know that I've been here in your apartment drinking with you guys. I am sure you will not appreciate it when this news reaches your father's ears."

My eyes narrowed in his direction. "Are you blackmailing me?"

"Of course not," he answered with a straight face. "How can I do such a thing to you, my lovely lady?"

I shook my head, arguing with him hurt my head. "Fine. Do whatever you want. You can sleep on the sofa if you like but you're not welcome on my bed."

There was a triumphant smile flashed in his eyes before he blinked them away. He gave me a disapproving look. "Now, that's no way to treat the man who is courting you wholeheartedly and not keeping secrets from you."

The nerve of this guy to subtly insult Dante in the process. I gave him my darkest look. "If you don't want to sleep on the sofa feel free to sleep in the hallways or better yet just go home."

He glanced at the sofa with much enthusiasm in his demeanor. "I think that small sofa is perfect for my big frame."

I heard the sarcasm in his voice but I pretended not to. I smiled brightly in his direction. "I think so too. Have a good night's sleep, Signore."

I hid my smile when I saw the disbelief look on his face before I went to my room to call it a night. I closed the door firmly behind me, I leaned my back on the door for a moment with a grin on my face.

Serves you right for flirting with Anna while I'm nearby.