CLAUDIA

"I don't understand how this kind of party works."

I commented once Alfonso led me to the beautifully arranged table and watched the waiter place a small amount of food on my ridiculous huge plate.

The man beside me laughed softly. "What makes you say that?"

I looked at him and the small amount of food on my plate. "I mean, look at this. We are in a jaw-dropping mansion and will serve this quantity of food? Unbelievable."

Alfonso shook his head with amusement visible in his eyes. "This is how they serve food with this kind of event."

"Why?"

He shrugged nonchalantly as he leaned down to whisper something in my ear as if it were a confidential matter. I couldn't help but smell his manly perfume. "People who attend this gathering don't usually eat meals, that's why."

I searched for his eyes and I think the more I stare deep in his eyes the more it looks compelling for me. "So, they can set me apart from this crowd then? Since I am the odd one."

"Who cares?" He announced indifferently, sipping his vintage champagne. "I don't complain. Sometimes being unique is good."

I raised an eyebrow in his direction while the corner of my mouth curved with a smile. "Are you somewhat complimenting me, Signore Alfonso?"

He looked at me with such irritation. "Just eat your food, Claudia."

I sighed deeply while staring down at my food. "I don't think I will get full with this amount of serving." I looked at him questioningly. "Do you think I can ask for another serving?"

He chuckled deeply, and several heads turned and looked in our direction. "Who knows? Maybe we can ask for another plate later."

"Hey, don't judge me," I told him defensively, as I started to dig my food. "My last meal today was my lunch and I haven't eaten anything yet since and then you drag me along in this boring party. I thought there would be a lot of food."

He scowled in my direction. "You shouldn't skip meals."

"I am busy at the office," I replied, after sampling my food. "My boss is rushing me with the materials we need for the next issue of our brand."

I finished my meal in no time. Who would be surprised when my food was placed at the center of a very large plate? Hell, even a toddler can finish that meal without a fuss.

I looked at Alfonso in surprise when he suddenly pushed his plate in my direction. "Here. You can have my food."

"You're not going to eat?"

His lips twitched with a private smile. "Seeing a woman eat heartily makes me happy. Go on, dig in."

I switched our plates. I placed my empty plate in front of him while his untouched food was in front of me. I grinned at his quizzical look. "So it's not obvious that I eat for two people. Just sit there and pretend that you're already done with your meal."

Alfonso chortled while shaking his head. "You are one of a kind, Claudia."

I watched him fish out something in his pocket and made a face when I saw him getting a cigarette from the box and placing it in his mouth.

"Can I request something?" He was about to light that cigarette when he stopped and stared at me.

"What?"

"Can you stop smoking?" I paused for a moment thinking that I might sounded wrong. I don't want to be rude or something but the smell of nicotine irritates the hell out of me. "At least when we're together. I hate the smell of it. Besides, smoking is bad for your health."

He looked at me for a moment but then he surprised me when removed the cigarette that was placed between his teeth, he folded it in half and placed it on the ashtray nearby.

"Thank you," I told him. I hid my smile thinking that he was not hard to tame at all. All I have to do is charmed him even more with my uniqueness.

Isn't he starting to set me apart from this glittering crowd that is filled with sophisticated women?

"I think the food in a pizzeria is more delicious than this," I commented halfway finishing his food. I don't understand rich people's palate if I am not that hungry will not be satisfied with the taste. There was so much flavor playing inside my mouth which I don't know if I like or not.

Alfonso looked at me dryly. "Now you are criticizing the food."

"I am just being honest," I informed him truthfully. I gave him a devious smile. "Hey, I have a better idea. Why don't we go to my go-to pizzeria after this?" Seeing the confusion in his face, I added. "My treat."

There was a slight smile playing on his lips while he was looking at me and shaking his head slightly. "I don't like the idea of a woman paying for our food. Don't worry. I have a deep pocket you couldn't beggar me even if you try."

I snorted. We were just fine conversing until he was back to his obnoxious self. "Don't brag about your money if you did not earn it yourself. I bet that money comes from your family's wealth."

He looked at me as if he was offended. "And that's my fault? And just so you know, I am now working at our family company."

"Is that so?" I mocked him. "And here I thought that you just spend your time philandering and being someone's dirty little laundry unlike Da--."

I couldn't miss the way his jaw clenched. I clearly, hit some nerves again and I don't feel slightly remorseful about it.

He gave me a condescending look. "Well, I am not sorry that I was born rich. But what I hate the most is being compared to another man, especially to your Dante. For all we know, that man you think that is so perfect has more skeletons in his closet than me."

"How dare you say that to him?!" I burst with my anger.

He looked at me unapologetically with those pitch-dark eyes. "I am just being honest here, sweetheart. How well do you know this man when he's just courting you? Don't you think that he's just showing you his good side to win your favor?"

"Dante is not like that," I told him through my gritted teeth. From the corner of my eyes, I could see that we were attracting some unwanted attention from other people so I toned down my voice.

"You are still naïve when it comes to men."

I glared at him insolently. How dare he talk bad about the man he never even met? "I think you just couldn't accept the fact that someone is better than you."

He scoffed, sipping his champagne leisurely. He eyed me with a cynical look that made me grind my teeth even more. "At least, I never claim to be a saint just to win a woman's affection."

My mouth gaped open. "How dare you--?"

"Truth hurts, amore."

I wiped my mouth with the linen cloth placed on my lap. "I think it's better if we just call it a night then."

"Fine." He abruptly stood from his chair and waited for me to do the same.

We acted as if we didn't disagree back at our table as we said goodbye to our hosts. I perfected the art of a refined lady this elite society expects.

Once we were inside his sleek car we drove in silence. I think we're ill-suited even with just pretending things. I think it's better if we just stop this madness once and for all.

The only time I spoke in the silent car drive was when I told him the address of my apartment.

It didn't take long before we finally arrived and he pulled the car on the pavement.

"Thanks for tonight," I said coldly as I was about to exit his car. "I will send back the dress and necklace back to your penthouse within this week."

Before I had the chance to slide out of his car held my wrist with his hand. "Wait..."

I turned around to look at him with arch an eyebrow. "What?"

He stared at me for a long moment before he took a deep breath. "Are you free this weekend?"

"Why?"

He couldn't stare straight into my eyes. "I am hoping that we can go out in an outing this weekend."

Oh, this is interesting. I hid my smile, I thought I still needed to pretend that I was still mad about our argument back at the party. "Where?"

"I don't know." He replied with a shrug. "Somewhere people can see us together. You know, showing them about our fake courtship."

I know several places for that spectacle. But I will not tell him that. I will let him think so I frown at him. "Where on earth can we go for that outing?"

"Err...I don't have any idea." He said almost sheepishly. "Any suggestions?"

I let myself break into a knowing smile. "How about a picnic?"

"Picnic?" He echoed with a frown as if this was the first time he heard such a word. "Where?"

"In the countryside." I rolled my eyes. Seriously, does he know how to date a woman without ending up in his bed? "Or we can go to the beach. It's the start of summer, after all."

"I think a picnic is fine." He answered after a moment. "I hate public beaches during summer they were filled with locals and tourists. I don't like crowded places."

I want to roll my eyes at his logic. He said he wants people to see us together for our fake courtship and yet he doesn't like crowded places. Oh, boy. I guess I just need to go with the flow wherever this pretense might take us. "If you say so, rich boy."

When he didn't answer I was about to slide out of his car and he stopped me once again. "Wait!"

"Yes?" I asked raising an eyebrow in his direction. He was acting weird tonight. I couldn't help to wonder what was going on inside his head at the moment.

"I'm sorry." He muttered so quietly that I was not sure if I heard him right.

I blinked in surprise. I didn't see this one coming. I never thought that I'd see the day the cynical Alfonso Orsini would say sorry. "Sorry for what?"

"For being an ass back at the party." He murmured, unable to meet my gaze. His eyes were obscure by his long, thick lashes. "I know I might sound rude but--"

"Yes, you are." He gave me an astonished look while I gave him a challenging stare. "What?"

His lips curved with a private smile. "Nothing, Signorina."

"Apology accepted." I acknowledged. "I guess I need to apologize too. I'm sorry."

Alfonso's eyes widened in my direction. I suddenly want to laugh at his animated expression. "For real?"

"Excuse me?"

"You. Apologizing to me?"

"Yes," I answered with a frown. Why does he seem so surprised by my apology? "You don't believe me?"

He remained silent for a moment as if thinking how the best way to answer me. And then, his mouth curved with an arrogant smirk. "It's not just your nature. From the moment we met, you have never been the type of woman who says sorry. You usually unleash your savage attitude with every opportunity that you have."

I gasped at his words before I realized what was happening I found myself hitting him with my small handbag repeatedly. "Aw...okay," he said while laughing. "I will not jest you again. I'm sorry."

I glared at him insolently, still hitting him. "I think my anger just came back."

"Goodnight, Claudia." He said in a low tone that made a funny thing inside me.

"Hmph..."

I was about to leave his car when he called after me once again. This man... "Claudia?"

"What?" I snarled at him.

There was a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Where's my goodnight kiss?"

I was taken aback by his statement. This man was a shameless flirt. I need to be careful when dealing with him. "Seriously?"

His eyes held unholy light from their depth. He was like the very devil tonight. "It is only expected to give your suitor a goodbye kiss, Claudia."

"May I remind you that we're just pretending here?"

He shrugged indifferently. "Regardless. Pretend or not everyone knows that I'm your suitor. We need to make this as believable as possible."

"Fine," I said after a moment of hesitation. "One kiss. On my cheek and nothing more."

Satisfaction flashed in his eyes before he blinked it away. "You have my word, sweetheart."

I reluctantly move closer to his side so he can kiss my cheek but by some sort of mischief, he ends up kissing the side of my mouth. My heart leaped on my chest at the unexpected intimate kiss. I threw an accusing look in his direction.

"Ops..." he stated without a hint of repentance. His eyes were rather danced with wickedness while looking at me. "Sorry."

"You're not sorry," I informed in a matter-of-fact tone. "In fact. I think you purposely did that."

"Of course not." He announced with such a straight face.

I shook my head in disbelief with a slight smile on my face. "You're such a damn liar. Goodnight, Alfonso. See you this weekend."

I didn't wait for his reply as I went out of his car. The sooner I put some space between us the better because I don't trust this man and his deviltry.

"Till this weekend, Bella." He said once I was standing on the pavement. He had the nerve to wink at me before speeding his car back on the road.

I was left speechless while staring at the bright tail lights of his car. I shook my head slightly to clear my head. This is such a weird night. I absentmindedly went inside the apartment building and to the flat I shared with Anna.

I searched for my keys on my small handbag and before I had the chance to unlock the door it was magically open to reveal a grinning Anna inside our apartment.

"You look stunning, girl." She commented in awe. "I almost didn't recognize you."

I rolled my eyes. "Having fun spying on us?"

"You bet!" She answered with a chuckle. She steps aside so I can come inside. "It's not every day a devilishly handsome heir to a billion-dollar empire graced our modest neighborhood."

"Oh, God..." I tossed my handbag on the sofa and sat next to it. "...don't get fooled by his looks, Anna. His viciousness can be compared to the very devil."

My best friend sat next to me. "My God, Claudia, how can you stare at him for a long time without falling to his charm?"

"By reminding myself that he's Violetta Ricci's dirty little laundry."

The maddening woman giggled at the thought. "I saw that woman on the television before and let me tell you, Claudia, you are ten times more beautiful than her with or without makeup."

"Don't start this conversation with me, woman," I warned her hotly. The last thing I wanted was to be compared to that actress. "I'm tired."

"Alfonso Orsini knew how to treat a woman like a princess," Anna noted completely ignoring my warning. "I mean, look at you tonight."

"Stop--" I glared at her. I haven't finished my sentence yet when the telephone rings.

"That's probably Dante," Anna said, standing from the sofa. "He called a while ago looking for you."

Happiness lit inside me. I haven't talked to him in a while because he's always busy. I didn't hesitate to answer the phone call. "Ciao. Dante."

"Hello, beautiful."

I couldn't help the smile spread through my face upon hearing his voice on the other line. "How are you?"

"I'm good." He answered. "How about my beautiful Claudia?"

I giggled slightly. "Doing well. When will you visit me?"

I heard him sigh deeply. "That's the thing, my love. I have a training in Paris in preparation for my promotion in the company where I work."

Sadness crept inside me at his answer. "Oh...is that so? How long will you be away?"

"For a month."

That long? I wanted to protest but what can I do when it's his work? The man needs to earn a living. I need to understand his situation.

"Is it okay with you?" He queried on the other line cautiously.

Do I have a choice? All I can do is support him with his endeavor even if I will miss him like hell in the month that he's away in Paris for his training. I cleared my throat trying to sound cheerful. "Of course, Dante."

"Thank you, darling."

I tightened the hold on the receiver. I ignore the curious look of Anna nearby. "I hope you will still call me from time to time even if you're away for your training."

"You can count on it, Claudia." He said solemnly. "I just hope that being away will not end my chance with you."

"Of course not, Dante."

"Thank you. Thank you, darling." He said jovially. "I need to go. I have to pack my things now."

"But..." I was about to protest but he already disconnected the phone call. I reluctantly placed the receiver back on the phone.

"Problem?" Anna asked harmlessly.

I looked at her with a sad expression. "Dante will go to Paris for his training for a whole month."

I couldn't miss the way my best friend's eyes glinted with cheerfulness. "Really? That's good news then."

"Good news?" I frowned at her questioningly. "What makes you say that? Didn't you hear me? He will be gone for a long whole month in Paris."

She rolled her eyes on me. "I heard you loud and clear. It's time to celebrate since you are now free to spend more time with Alfonso without Dante hindering everything." When I remained looking at her with puzzlement she added. "Aren't you forgetting your plan to make the gorgeous Alfonso Orsini fall in love with you?"

"Oh..." That's all I have said. How can I forget my plan of revenge?

There was a private smile on my best friend's lips that I didn't trust. "I hope you can succeed with your plan before Dante re-enters the picture, Claudia."

I have one month to do that.