CLAUDIA

Fifteen minutes before the office hours ended, the editorial department of our company was buzzing with gossip that there was a sinfully handsome man outside the office building in his sleek red sports car.

I didn't bother to peek out the glass window like my other female colleagues acting as if this was the first time they had seen such a male species in their lifetime.

I hid my smile. I have some idea who might be that guy without even looking at the subject of our office gossip.

He does come here pick me, has he?

I didn't mind them as I continued with my work but that didn't mean that I didn't hear my workmates giggling like a school girl while admiring his godlike beauty.

Ew...

"Can you believe such a man exists?" One of the girls looking at the glass window commented. "I mean, such handsomeness should be illegal."

"Yeah," her companion agreed with a dreamy sigh.

"Do you think he's waiting for someone in our office building?" The third lady asked curiously. "Look. There's even a huge bouquet of pink roses in the seat of his car."

Upon hearing that my lips curved with a smile despite trying so hard to remain focused on my work.

"I wish he was waiting for me." The newcomer said also staring from the glass window.

I rolled my eyes. You wish!

"I wonder who the lucky girl is." The first woman moments ago wondered out loud. "Do you think she's from our office?"

Oh, it's just me, you know.

I couldn't help to wonder what my colleagues would do if they found out that man was waiting for me and he was my fake suitor.

"Claudia," one of the girls called my attention. "Come here and look at this man."

I wanted to roll my eyes but I held myself in check. I don't want to be boastful but I have had enough of his loathsome face in the last forty-eight hours since meeting him.

Even though I didn't want to see his face anytime soon I reluctantly went to stand next to the glass window so my workmates not think that I was a snob.

I saw the subject of their admiration and the subject of my irritation outside leaning casually in his cherry red sports car in his casual pair of khaki trousers and figure-fitting white short-sleeve polo.

He unbuttons the first two buttons of his polo to give people a glimpse of his well-defined chest while smoking a cigarette giving the impression of a bad boy image.

"Don't you think that man is damn gorgeous?" Someone asked me.

It took every ounce of my self-control not to scoff upon hearing that. "Yeah," I agreed sarcastically. "He's fine."

Everyone who was staring at the window with me turned their heads in my direction and gasped.

"But he's more than fine!" The woman beside me protested firmly. "You need glasses, Claudia."

I grimaced at them. This man's fan club was getting bigger without exerting much effort on his part. Even Anna was now part of his cult.

It makes me wonder what these ladies would do if they learned how awful this man's personality is. Beneath that handsome face, he was a devious bastard. Maybe they would be turned off in no time.

Just like me, I am still smarting the way he insulted me yesterday at the golf course with my height. I would make sure that he would pay dearly for calling me 'shorty'.

The only thing that I was insecure about my body was my height. My ultimate dream was to become a model and be blessed with long legs like those female models who graced our fashion magazine monthly.

And for him to call me 'shorty' right in front of my face was an unpardonable crime.

Oh, I will make sure he will fall for me harder than before.

"I want to know his name."

"Alfonso Orsini," I whispered absentmindedly.

Too late to realize my mistake. I muttered his name loud enough for my workmates to hear and stared at me with astonishment.

"So you do know him!" One of the ladies who first recovered from her shock had asked.

"Wait...Orsini, you say?" The other one inserted with her creased forehead. "Don't tell me he's the heir to the Orsini Winery?"

"Oh yes, I remember him." The woman next to me smacks her palms together as recognition hits her. "I remember seeing him in the society pages of the newspaper before. He's quite a ladies' man according to the papers."

"But how did you--"

Someone trailed off her words as everyone stared at me with disbelief in their eyes.

"Don't tell me he's waiting for you."

"Those pink roses..." The woman beside me points her finger on the bouquet in his roofless car and then to me. "That's your favorite flower, right?"

I guess I am busted. I smiled at them brightly feeling like that certain princess in those children's fairy tales for having such long hair. Even if, this was just a fake courtship people didn't know that and for them, I am the apple of his eye.

"Yes."

"What about Dante?" One of them asked.

"Still my suitor," I replied with a smile. "I just gained a new one."

The woman beside me intertwined her hands together and looked upward. "Dear God, please bless us with beauty like Claudia so we can have suitors like hers."

That's Claudia Romano for you, ladies.

Soon this pretend courtship will be very much going to be a real one. Just wait and see.

"Oh, stop it," I informed them demurely. "He's waiting for me. He wants me to accompany him to this party."

Everyone sighed at my announcement and muttered. "Lucky you."

I looked at my wristwatch. "Oh, just look at the time. See you tomorrow, ladies. Bye."

I went to my cubicle to get my handbag and went straight to the elevator. The smile on my face kept slipping but I tried to school my features before I met him outside.

I need to be cool and composed when I see him. I don't want him to suspect that I feel elated at the thought that my colleagues couldn't believe that he was here to pick me up.

"You're late, shorty." He announced as soon as I met him across the street. "My feet nearly grow roots while standing here on the pavement."

I glared at him with my eyes but there was a sweet smile playing on my lips. I am still aware that my workmates where still have their noses pressed on the glass window to witness everything. "Who told you to pick me up, lamppost?"

He sighed deeply, throwing his cigarette butt on the bin nearby. He scooped the bouquet of pink roses in his car seat and pushed it in my arms. "For you."

"My God," I exclaimed sardonically. "You don't have any sweetness in your body, do you? You're withered like a desert."

He eyed me irately. "Can't you just say thank you? This is the first time I bought a damn flower for a woman."

"Oh, thank you," I told him with false enthusiasm. "Glad to be your first."

He took a deep breath fighting to argue with me. "Just get in."

He was about to slide in his car when I raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Well?"

"What?"

"Aren't you going to open the door for me? That's what gentlemen always do, you know."

His jaw clenched while irritation was visible in his eyes. He wordlessly shut the driver's door of his car and went to the shotgun seat to open it for me.

"Thank you, Mr. Lamppost."

He gave me a big fake smile as he shut the door with such rudeness. "Don't mention it, shorty."

I gritted my teeth while watching him walk to the driver's side. Just thirty seconds in his company I already want to bury him alive with this bouquet he bought for me.

This guy doesn't know how to compliment a woman. I wonder what Violetta Ricci sees in him. He has no quality of a boyfriend material, unlike Dante.

I sighed deeply. I feel like I am betraying that guy with this charade with the evil Alfonso. If I were just an ordinary woman maybe I would just let his insult slide and move on with my life but I am no average woman and I am certainly a vengeful one.

"Where are we going?" I asked conversationally once we were traveling to our unknown destination.

"In heaven." He quipped.

I snorted, admiring the beautiful arrangements of pink roses in my hand. "How sure you are that they will welcome you in heaven?"

He threw a disapproving look in my direction briefly. "What the hell does that mean?"

I gave him a too-friendly smile. "Oh, nothing. Please don't mind me."

He let out a loud breath. "So you think I am going to hell?"

"Obviously."

Alfonso laughed humorlessly. "Damn. Your brutal honesty leaves me in awe."

"Truth hurts, lamppost."

His mouth twitched with a slight smile. "So I've been told, shorty."

There's no use in bickering with him while he's driving we might end up in a freak road accident. I am too beautiful and kind to die so young. Besides, I don't trust this man behind the wheel he might be plotting my demise right this moment with his lightning speed car.

"So let me ask you again," I queried casually. "Where are you taking me?"

He gave me a bored look. "I told you last night, didn't I? We're going to attend this certain party."

I looked at my office clothes. "Is it formal?" I asked warily. I don't have time to shop for a suitable dress as I mentally scan my closet if I have a dress that fits for tonight's event. "I don't think I have a dress for this party."

He glanced at me from head to toe before focusing back on the road. "I think I know how to solve your problem, shor--"

I threw him a warning glance. "Dare to say 'shorty' one more time and I will tell every newspaper I know that you are Violetta Ricci's dirty little laundry."

"Shortcakes. I am going to say shortcakes because I am craving for those sweet biscuits right now."

I eyed him sideways. "You are signing your name in the gates of hell because of your lies. Do you think I will buy that alibi?"

He remained silent after that. My eyes went wide when he parked his car on the pavement with rows of designer shops. He unbuckled his seatbelt and slid out of the car.

"Come," he said. "We'll buy your dress for tonight."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Aren't you going to open my door for me?"

He flashed me a thunderous look. "I am not your slave."

We had this staring contest in the middle of the street. I was still in my seat while he was standing a few feet away from me.

By some sort of miracle, he was the first one to look away, muttering a filthy curse he closed the distance between us and reluctantly opened my door.

"Thank you, darling." An unexpected thing happened. I saw the way heat spread through his cheeks up until to his ears. I grinned at him as he looked away. "You're blushing!"

"I'm not!" He said, still as red as a tomato.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Madre di Dio. The high and mighty Alfonso Orsini is blushing by a mere endearment from a woman."

"You are mistaken." He lashed out at me. "Just get out of the damn car, Your Majesty."

"If you say so, darling." I offered him my hand and he took it as he helped me slide of out the car. "You're cute when you blush, do you know that?"

He gave me a warning look. "Stop jesting, will you? You're not funny."

I smile sweetly. "Of course, amore mio."

I couldn't stop my giggle when he started coughing violently. This guy was hopeless. He was a sissy, after all.

I thought he would let go of my hand after helping me get out of his car but I was mistaken for he kept on holding my hand while walking to the designer boutique of his choosing.

To the onlookers we probably make a striking couple walking down the streets hand in hand.

We went inside this high-end boutique and the salesladies inside probably saw a dollar sign on his forehead when they entertained us very well.

Alfonso sat on the long sofa and instructed the salesladies to dress me up for the event we needed to attend tonight.

And so my nightmare started from there, I let them dress me with a series of fabulous evening gowns that come with exuberant price tags. And he sat there with a glass of champagne modeling the outfits for his approval.

The man didn't bother to look at the price tag and decide what to buy based on what it suits me. Next stop we went shopping for shoes, handbags, and jewelry. I love jewelry. I almost didn't want to go out to the store.

"I can't possibly pay you for this item." I protested when I saw our purchases. "It will probably take me a lifetime before I can pay you back."

"Don't worry." He laughed, holding my hand as we went out to the last shop from our shopping expedition. "Consider them as my gift for you."

I raised a brow in our locked hands. He's getting used to holding my hands, hasn't he? "I couldn't possibly accept such a gift from you."

"Yes, you can." He looked down at me with a smile. "Now for your hair and makeup."

If I was expecting that we were going to the salon I was highly mistaken. He led me back to his car and opened the door for me. I hid myself perhaps there's hope for him, after all.

I am now sure that I can tame this man. I can make him fall in love with me.

I was about to protest when he told me that we were going to his penthouse apartment. Because never in my life I went to a man's bachelor's place alone.

Hell, I never went to Dante's place even if I knew that he's a complete gentleman. But Alfonso assured me in a sardonic manner that he wouldn't do anything to me because 'I am not his type.'

I should feel at ease by that statement reminding me that he's completely smitten with his Violetta but somehow that only made me grit my teeth.

I will drown with my irresistible charm and beauty.

Once we arrived at his place it didn't take long before the makeup artist arrived to fix my hair. After almost an hour I am finally ready.

I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror in awe. I cannot believe that I look like a movie actress tonight. My long strapless floor-length evening gown with matching satin gloves gave me the vibe of Hollywood glamour and the diamond necklace hanging on my neck was so beautiful.

I went out of the spare bedroom in Alfonso's penthouse and I found my fake suitor patiently waiting for me in the living room.

"I'm ready."

He turned around to face me. I couldn't miss his sharp intake of breath which made me worry.

I frowned at him carefully descending the staircase. "Do I look okay?"

He was silent for a moment still staring at me wordlessly. He's making me nervous does he know that? He cleared his throat. "More than okay. You look very beautiful."

"Grazie," I replied with a smile.

Uh-oh, careful now Orsini. I think my beauty is now slowly making its way into your system.

I want to let out a victorious smile but I need to play innocent here. Looking at him now he's a danger to a woman's heart. I have to admit that he looks sinfully gorgeous in his black tuxedo like the very devil himself before he became a fallen angel.

My colleagues were right about him. No one should be allowed to look this good.

"Shall we?"

I nodded absently, I went to his side and hooked my hand on his arm. He led me outside to his waiting car and drove off to our destination.

Several minutes on the road, we finally arrived at this magnificent mansion just outside the city. Luxury cars were in the queue on the driveway suddenly I kind of felt nervous about the whole thing. I have never been to such a party before.

Alfonso opened my door for me and I was aware of the hard pounding of my chest. Photographers were outside taking photos of the newcomers.

"I hope you can tame down your savage mouth once we're inside." He suggested. "You know, we don't want to shock the society, right?"

I looked at him questioningly. "Huh?"

He smiled tightly in my direction. "If someone compliments you inside just smile you don't need to dice him with your words."

I scoffed silently. What does he think of me some uncultured woman? Of course, I knew how to socialize with these Italian elites. "Don't worry. I will not disappoint you."

There was a cold smile playing on my face. I will give these people a spectacular performance on how refined a lady I am.

Once we were inside the glittering crowd all turned their eyes on us--or to be more precise this man beside me.

As usual, he turned up with this kind of event with a different woman.

The only woman he will be dating from now on. As far as I am concerned.

It didn't take long before people started coming in our direction to talk to him eagerly. He greets and talks to them some with lengthy conversations somewhere not much. As we progress to walk even further inside the room. I noticed that he was not his usual self he had this stoic expression on his face, unlike the smirking expression he always gives me.

"You're pretty famous, huh?" I commented once we were finally alone.

He laughed at that, his eyes were back with their signature sarcastic glint. "Perks of being heir to the Orsini family. People always want connection and I am that connection they need, I guess."

"Are you okay with that? People only see you as their valuable connection?"

He smirked at me frostily. "You'll be surprised how people will do anything just to be on your good side. I can always use my position to get what I want."

I threw him a disapproving look. "That's pretty ruthless."

"That's life, sweetheart." He gave me a meaningful look.

"Finally, you're here, amico."

My gaze slid to the newcomer with an unusual pair of light grey eyes. I frowned slightly, I think I saw this man before...

"Look who we have here." He said with a disarming grin. He held out his hand in my direction, his unusual eyes danced with delight. "Gianluca Cavelli, Duke of Caprielle, at your service, ma'am, you can call me Luca for short. I believe you were not formally introduced the first time we met."

I wanted to roll my eyes. Does he think he can impress me with his title? My eyes slightly narrowed in his direction. Is he making fun of me the way I barged into their club last time? But then I remembered that I needed to play a well-breed lady at this party so I smiled shyly in his direction and took the offered hand. "Claudia Romano. Nice to meet you, Your Excellency. And if I have my way I'd rather forget that whole thing."

The duke laughed at that. "No. It's pretty hilarious, Signorina. I will always remember that scene it's not every day someone will barge like with our company."

I held my temper in check as I had the urge to smack his head. He was making fun of me. But I have to remember that I am a refined lady tonight.

I laughed coyly, covering my mouth slightly with my glove hand. "Oh, stop jesting, Your Excellency." Before I lost my temper and was at the receiving end of my wrath.

"Are you done flirting with my date?" We both turned to look at the fumingly mad Alfonso Orsini.

I looked at him questioningly. Why was he so mad? His eyes glinted dangerously in his friend's direction.

The duke chuckled. "Relax. I am not flirting with her. I am just surprised to see her again--with you--nonetheless though her personality is quite different than the last time."

I let out a fake girly laugh. "I am deeply ashamed about my behavior that day. You have to understand, Your Excellency, that I am only mad at that time."

"I understand." The duke nodded in agreement.

"Stop monopolizing my date's attention, amico." There was annoyance in Alfonso's voice.

The duke ignored him and continued to chat with me. "Seriously, how did you end up with him?"

"I am now courting her, do you have a problem with that?!" Alfonso said it loud enough that made several heads turn in our direction.

I groaned silently, as the whole room was now buzzing with the latest gossip. Way to announce our fake courtship in this crowd. Even his friend was temporarily left speechless with his bomb.

Great.

Just great...

I fear that this might be the start of our whirlwind ride with our fake courtship. Can I survive this media circus?