CLAUDIA

I walked out of that room as fast as I entered and made a fool out of myself due to my impulsiveness. I groaned silently thinking how I made such a threat to the wrong man! What was I thinking barging in here without making sure I was accusing the right man?

Claudia, you are a moron!

"Wait for me, Claudia!" I heard my best friend, Anna, called after me as I flagged for a taxi.

I turned my head slightly to look at her who was grinning ear-to-ear. I knew she was up to no good the way she was smiling at me. I knew she would tease me mercilessly about my mishap so I ignored her and desperately flagged for the available taxi. "Where's my sister?"

"She said she'll talk to Piero Orsini first."

"You shouldn't leave her alone inside!"

Anna rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Your sister is already a grown woman stop treating her like a child. She can take good care of herself. If it's not for her you will not be in this hot mess right now."

I remained silent because arguing with this woman was only pointless.

"What's the rush?" My best friend asked casually.

I glared at her sideways. "I don't want to talk about it. I want to get away from here as soon as possible before those gentlemen decide to come out also and mock me for my mistake!"

Anna chuckled hysterically. "Well, I must admit that's quite something else, Claudia dear. Going inside a Gentleman's club and start accusing things of an innocent guy. That was epic!"

"Are you done mocking me?" I asked her flatly. Desperately, looking back over my shoulder in case Mr. Alfonso Orsini decided to come after me and file charges against me. Thankfully, a taxi stopped in front of me. I didn't hesitate to get inside. The sooner I leave this place the better. "What are you doing?" I asked Anna when she also climbed to the back of the taxi sitting next to me.

She had the nerve to raise an eyebrow in my direction. "I will come with you, dearest. Who knows what kind of another mishap you are going to get yourself in today?"

Before I had the chance to retort the cab driver asked. "Where to, miss?"

I gave him a serene smile and muttered the address of my parents' house. Once the taxi sped away on the streets of Rome I took a deep breath trying to forget my humiliating moment a while ago. I didn't have the time to chat with this woman sitting beside me since I was still trying to forget my most embarrassing moments. I leaned on the car window closing my eyes forgetting what just happened back at that club.

"Have you noticed...?" Anna broke the silence inside the car ride. So much for the peace of mind I was hoping for.

"What?" I abruptly opened my eyes and looked at my best friend with a guarded look.

She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling. "That Orsini guy..."

"Which one?" I asked tartly. I was in the process of forgetting that unfortunate encounter now Anna was once again reminding me. "There are two Orsini men remember?"

She smirked knowingly in my direction. "Why so bothered?"

I took a deep breath and stared at her straight in the eyes. "Because I'd rather forget the whole thing, especially those Orsini men."

"But you must admit that they are rather gorgeous men that kind of gorgeous that often makes women follow them with their eyes longingly."

"No. They're not." I snorted and denied it fiercely.

Anna raised an eyebrow. "Liar. I don't believe you. Claudia, you are not blind not to notice how insanely gorgeous Alfonso Orsini is, right?"

"No, he is not," I informed her in a matter-of-fact tone. "He is just..." I paused for a moment. What is the right word to describe that man again? Smoking hot? No. Of course not. He's not smoking hot--that's absurd. He's just... Out loud I stated to my waiting friend. "He's just an average kind of guy you usually meet on the street daily."

My good friend snickered. "Average? Alfonso Orsini?" She echoed in disbelief. "You need glasses, my dear friend. Because that man is anything but average!"

"Oh, come on," I told her irritably. "I didn't realize that you are now part of his fans club. Don't tell me you get charmed easily by his emphatic dark eyes. I thought you were better than that, Anna."

"See? You are getting creative in describing his eyes now, are we? I know you noticed that too since you were standing far too close to him a while ago." She wiggled her eyes brow suggestively. "He's hot, right."

Yeah. But I will not admit that to my friend. I scowled at her vehemently. Why she's pushing this subject now? Why can't we just drop this and move on with our lives? I am sure as hell I will not see that infuriating Alfonso Orsini or his equally irksome cousin Piero Orsini ever again. One humiliating experience with their company was enough for me to last a lifetime.

I took a deep breath. "Look. I don't wish to get associated with those Orsini men ever again. This is all Gianna's fault. Why does she need to meet that evil bastard, Piero Orsini?!"

With that unladylike curse, I stated the cab driver threw a scandalized look from the rear-view mirror of the car. I looked away and blushed slightly.

"Gianna is a beautiful young woman like the two of us. Of course, men would flock to her at every opportunity. But unlike me, I am used to the flattery men throw at me daily and their sugary words do not affect me whatsoever."

I looked at her dryly. "Dio. That is some confidence you have there. You have no chills."

Anna flipped her hair dramatically. "What can I say I am a pretty and very accomplished woman who needs no man in her life?"

I rubbed my forehead warily. "Can we hide this whole fiasco from Dante?"

I hate lying to him. I love Dante, don't get me wrong. He's my long-term suitor and I am ready to become his girlfriend but I waiting for the perfect moment for us to be official and memorable moment.

"Why?"

I shot Anna a glance with her sharp tone. "What's with your tone? I get you still don't like Dante until now?"

She snorted, shaking her head in the process. "Well, that's an understatement."

I frowned at her. "He's a good man, Anna. Maybe you guys don't just see each other eye-to-eye most of the time but if you will just give him a chance to get to know you more. I am sure you will like him."

"I am not so sure about that, my dear friend," Anna replied flatly. "I'm sure our dislike for one another is mutual."

"He's a good guy."

Anna grunted under her breath while flashing me a big fake smile. "If you say so. Don't worry, I will not tell him that you met a dashing heir today who is very much interested in you."

"Anna!" I warned her severely. "You will not tell him such things besides that's a complete falsehood."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" My friend stated. "Stop denying it. I noticed the way Alfonso Orsini looks at you. He's quite interested in you, you know."

I shook my head immediately. What a repulsive thing to suggest. "What a horrible thing to say that man is the complete opposite of Dante who is gentle and proper."

"Whatever. I will not argue with you anymore." She looked at me with knowing eyes. "But I am just saying what I saw a while ago that handsome heir is attracted to you."

I looked at her dryly. "That man will flirt with every lady he would lay his eyes on don't patronize him so much."

Anna shrugged indifferently. "If you say so."

I didn't bother to answer and silence filled the car ride until we reached the house of my parents in the suburban part of Rome.

Once I paid the cab driver and got out of the taxi I noticed my father's car parked outside. "Papa is early."

I went inside my childhood home with Anna trailing behind me. I rang the doorbell and it didn't take long before Mama opened the door with a ready smile on her face. "Claudia mia. What a surprise! I'm so glad you came for a visit. Come inside dinner is almost ready. Your Papa is already sitting on the dinner table." She enveloped me with a warm hug as I kissed both of her cheeks. She also smiled enthusiastically upon seeing Anna behind me. "You too, Anna. You are welcome to join us for dinner."

"Thank you, Mrs. Romano." My best friend grinned at my Mama.

"Behave," I warned her sternly as walked inside my parents' home.

"Of course," Anna whispered annoyingly as she made a gesture of zipping her mouth with her fingers.

We went straight to the dinner table where I saw my Papa reading a stack of papers sitting on the head of the table. I leaned down to kiss my father on the cheek being the good daughter that I am despite my antics lately that he doesn't have any idea at all. "Buonasera, Papa."

"Buonasera." He replied temporarily lifting his eyes from the papers he'd been reading to smile at me.

"Buonasera, Signore Romano." Anna greeted my father demurely.

"Buonasera, Anna." My Papa acknowledged. "How is your father?"

"He's doing great despite his thinning hair." I kicked her on the shins below the table when I saw the way my father raised an eyebrow in her direction. She smiled sweetly at him. "I am just kidding, Atty. Romano."

My father smiled at her while shaking his head. "Still naughty, I see."

Anna threw a meaningful look in my direction but I gave her a severe warning across the table. My Papa was a strict but loving father to me and my younger sister, Gianna. He's a well-known corporate lawyer working with high-end companies here in Italy while my Mama is a loving homemaker.

My sister and I grew up in this quiet neighborhood with our simple life. Due to our father's work, they managed to give us a good education money can provide and now I am starting to make a name for myself in the fashion industry as an assistant editor for a well-known magazine. I know Papa must be disappointed with my choice of work because I was aware that he was hoping that I should follow in his footsteps and become a well-known lawyer like him but I love fashion and this is what I truly want. Even though, he's a bit disappointed with my decision he still supports me with my life's choices.

Mama started placing the food on the table when Papa spoke again. "Where is your sister, Claudia?"

Anna and I shot an alert glance at one another. I looked at my father with an innocent smile. "I think she's meeting some friends tonight, Papa."

My best friend hid her scoff while pretending to drink her Italian soda prepared by Mama. My eyes narrowed in her direction but didn't say anything.

"What about your suitor?" Atty. Romano asked. The way he's asking about Dante he's not the loving father that I know but more of the ruthless lawyer everyone feared in the courtroom.

"What about him?"

"Still in the picture?" Papa inquired meaningfully.

"What's wrong with him?" I queried innocently. "Don't you like him for me?"

Papa took his sweet time to answer. I knew that this was his tactic to delay answering my question for a better impact. He's a lawyer, after all. He likes playing with people's emotions and his daughters weren't spared by this manipulation that's probably one of the traits I got from him.

I mentally cringed when I saw Mama pour Papa's wine glass with Orsini Wine. So much for trying to forget my misfortune moments ago with those Orsini cousins Papa unknowingly reminded me of them.

"I don't know him enough to 'like or dislike' him for you, my child," Papa said simply but meaningfully. "He doesn't take much effort to get to know your parents' so how I can judge."

"Dear..." Mama warned Papa sternly as she sat at the dinner table with us.

I huffed a deep breath. I saw how Anna hid her smile while looking down at her dinner plate. One thing Papa and Anna have in common is their mutual dislike for Dante.

"I hope he's not a frequent visitor in your apartment, Claudia." There was a hidden warning in my father's voice that I couldn't miss. "He might be your suitor but I don't like the idea of him spending time in your apartment."

"He's not," I answered almost immediately. "I assure you, Papa. Besides, I share that apartment with Anna in case you forget."

I think Papa doesn't have to know that Dante is spending time in the apartment I shared with Anna when my best friend is not around but we're not doing anything inappropriate if that's what Papa was worried about. He's a complete gentleman if only Papa and Anna can see that.

"That's enough," Mama said. "Let's eat."

Papa might be the formidable head of this family but Mama is still the queen of this household.

Her words are the rules.

Someday I want to be like her.

We started eating in silence. Mama's food was always divine even better in comparison with some of the restaurants in town such a shame I didn't inherit that talent from her. I glanced at my father when I remembered something. "Are we still going to play golf tomorrow?"

One thing Papa and I enjoy together is playing golf when he's not busy he always takes me to golf and plays with him the whole day. That's our father and daughter bonding.

"Of course," he replied, sipping his glass of wine. "Unless you have other plans."

Every time I see the label on that expensive wine I want to wince as I remember those troublesome cousins who were part of a family of winemakers. "No. I cleared this schedule a long time ago."

The dinner ended without any hassle. I am still grateful that Anna kept her mouth shut from the event that happened earlier. I don't want any trouble for me and Gianna. I went back to my apartment in the city and spent the night talking to Dante over the phone telling her about my plans tomorrow with Papa. I tried to invite him to join us tomorrow but he refused telling me that he doesn't know how to play golf and I should spend some quality time with my father without intrusion.

I understand but still a bit disappointed with his answer. I thought he would grab the chance to get to know my father well. I guess this is not the right time yet.

When morning arrived, I dressed carefully. I wore this white collared shirt and paired it with a plaid skort that fell inches above my knees. I also wore my Oxford saddle flat shoes to complete the outfit.

Papa was always on time so I was ready to prepare even before the time he said would pick me up. I saw him waiting outside my apartment building. I kissed his cheeks when I saw him before sliding onto the shotgun seat of his car.

"Do you mind if I take you somewhere before we play golf?"

I looked at him questioningly as I finished putting on my seatbelt. "Where?"

Papa smiled warily in my direction. "I will just get the papers my client wants me to review. I promise this will not take long."

I smiled at him. "It's okay, papa."

"Thank you, sweetie." He drove to the streets of Rome as I settled comfortably inside the car. "Don't worry, my client's home is quite near the golf place where we usually play."

I just nodded at him and stared outside the car window. Half an hour to the road and we took this private road I didn't mind where we were going until I read the signage at the gate.

Sweet mother of God...

'Welcome to the Orsini Vineyard.'

I looked at my father questioningly. "My client is the owner of the famous Orsini Wines."

Holy hell... My mind screamed inwardly. He couldn't be here, had he? I prayed to all the saints I know that he's somewhere else but here.

Before I could formulate the sudden turn of events. I realized that Papa already parked from the front yard of the massive vineyard.

"This will not take long," Papa reassured me as he slid out of the car.

I tried to smile at him. "I will just wait for you here."

"Okay," Papa smiled back. "Get out of the car and look at the picturesque scenery of this beautiful vineyard. This won't be long, I promise. I will just get the documents my client wants me to review."

I reluctantly slid out of the car watching Papa disappear from the front door of the massive manor. The Vineyard was breathtaking no wonder that guy was so full of himself if he's about to inherit this place in the future. I just hope to God that Papa will be back sooner. I don't want to stay here longer than five minutes but so much for my luck Papa is now seven minutes and twenty seconds late since he went inside.

"Well, well, well..." The familiar voice drawled behind me. "...look who we have here. The fine creature who accuses me of things I didn't even do grace our home with her beauty. Buongiorno, Claudia. What a lovely morning to see you here."

I groaned silently. I must be cursed to see him less than twenty-four hours after our disastrous encounter. I pointedly ignore him as if he's not with me and I am all alone in their garden.

"I told you," his tone was mocking and filled with smugness. "We will see each other. I just didn't realize that we were going to see each other earlier than I anticipated. Fate must be on my side today."

"Go away."

He scowled at me but I could see the way his dark eyes twinkled with delight. "That's no way to treat a new acquaintance, Signorina."

I glared at him. "We're not acquaintances. We're nothing stop assuming."

"Such a tart mouth you have there." He smiled pleasantly in my direction. "I wonder what your father will say about this."

"You will not tell him anything!"

"Want to bet?"

"I will kill you, I swear!"

He chuckled in my direction. "That's not how you suppose to talk to the only son of your father's client, tesoro."

"Scram!"

"Claudia?" I paled when I heard the voice of my father behind us.

"Papa..."

He looked at me and then slid his gaze to this moron beside me. I noticed that he's not alone where a stranger beside him was but it's not hard to guess who he was. Based on their looks that's the father of this man beside me.

"What's going on here?" There was a disapproving frown on my father's forehead probably when he heard me shout unladylike with this annoying man.

Before I had the chance to answer Alfonso Orsini stood beside me separating the distance between us. "We're just fooling around. Your daughter and I are old friends, Atty."

I gave him a devious look while he smiled serenely down at me.

"Is that true, Claudia?"

I looked at my father for a moment before sliding my gaze back to this randy devil. His eyes were silently telling me to go along or risk the consequences.

I swallowed hard. Why my life did become complicated like this? What went wrong? "Uh...y-yes."

"See?" Alfonso stated with elation in his voice. "I told you, we're friends."

Papa looked confused about the whole thing while the man beside him beamed like an idiot.

Suddenly, I r that my life was doomed.