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CLAUDIA

Claudia noticed Dominic becoming distant during their date and wished she had just accepted everything. After the date, she fell asleep watching reality TV on her phone in his bed. Downstairs, he prepared eggs, bacon, and pancakes the next day. It was like living in a Hollywood production, but she liked the person on the other side of the stage. She couldn't understand the obstacle at hand, and she forced herself to get out of bed.

When she stood up, she saw Dominic's shoes beside the closet. She went into his bathroom and saw the razor he used. She knew going downstairs to try to learn more about him would be tricky, but she had to do it. Dominic stepped toward the stove without a shirt on. She wanted this to be her future, but she understood they couldn't keep up with this act forever.

As Dominic served her breakfast that morning, Claudia looked up at him and instantly started an episode she didn't need to create. She always thought that if someone was afraid of something, they should face it straight on.

"Is everything okay?"

He cleared his throat and glanced at her. "Yeah. Why?"

"I'm not sure. You seem distant," she admitted, wishing she hadn't said it like that.

"Claudia, I just have a lot on my mind." He called her by name and spoke earnestly as if he hated her for asking the same questions repeatedly. "I do have a small request, though," he said, gaining her attention.

"You do?"

"Yeah." Dominic put his hands on the counter and sighed. "I think both of us should get lab work done. But by my on-call physician. We need to make sure that the illness you had is gone, and it wouldn't hurt to check on my health as well."

Her brows went up. "I told you I was fine. I haven't vomited since that evening."

"I know, Claudia, but as I've said before, I have enemies everywhere. It's always a good idea to check something twice."

"Noted."

He gave her a small smile. "Sometime this morning, I'll call Dr. Harris and find out when he can come to my house."

"Sounds good."

Claudia bit her lip while Dominic stirred a bowl, scared to ask another question. "You know this arrangement won't last forever. How do we handle the deadline for the contract?" She jumbled up her words so quickly.

Dominic's face, when Claudia finished talking, caught her off guard. His eyes widened, and he gently opened his lips, appearing astonished. She allowed herself to experience the stress because she was certain he could handle it.

When Dominic looked like he was thinking for a long time, Claudia thought it was funny that he took so long to say something. Instead, she was banging on the walls of her mind like the wicked person she was.

He said, "I'll pick an expiration date soon," right before he took his plate from the counter and sat down across from her. As she tried not to get mad at his answer, she noted that he had more pancakes and more eggs than she did.

"Filling up for today?"

Dominic stopped looking at the food on his plate and focused on her. His jaw had stiffened in what appeared to be frustration. "You're full of yourself this morning, aren't you? What's on your mind?"

"First, I signed an open-ended contract with undefined specifications and no end date to be your fiancée. We're in this together. I've never met your father, and I don't like how you trust me one moment and then push me away the next."

"When in the hell did I push you away?"

"Hey. Watch your tone around me." Claudia was happy with how easily she expressed herself. She loved talking to him and setting him straight. She was innovative and figured this was the best time.

Dominic scowled at his food like a young child. The expression didn't mean anything. He probably said the same thing when she was breaking down. He could be scary when he wanted to be. Claudia thought that didn't apply to her. And she had no problem with that. She enjoyed whatever he said.

"Dia, listen. I don't know when the contract will end." He finally looked at her. "I'm not trying to deceive you, either. Our circumstances are unlike anything I've experienced. I don't know what will happen once you meet my dad or until we sort out most of the key aspects. After that, I'll know what to do."

Know what to do. Did he plan this? While sitting there, Claudia realized she had brought up all of that and probed him a little to see if he wanted her or merely the arrangement. That apparent end date was a bitter pill. She was his agreement. A business transaction. It stung. Maybe she was in over her head about everything. When something seemed too good to be true, it was. She hoped she underestimated Dominic, their chemistry, and everything. Was optimism foolish for them? She was weak. That was how hope worked. If successful, she was savvy.

Claudia ate silently. Dominic was attractive, secretive, and a skilled cook. Those minor details intrigued her. She thought it made him more tempting prey. She hated losing him. Despite her maturity, she felt helpless.

"I didn't give you as much food as I could have because I didn't want you to feel stuffed. You could have a stomach ache later."

Claudia turned to look at Dominic. "What are you saying?"

He sighed. "My mother taught me that if I serve a woman food, make sure she has smaller portions so she doesn't overeat. Some women have sensitive stomachs. I remember little things like that."

"Does that mean you've never cooked for another woman before?"

"You're the first one since Amelia." Dominic took a bite of his pancake and chewed slowly.

She tried to hide a smile that must have looked to him like a smirk. Claudia's cheeks were also warm and maybe even red. She thought it was so cute that he cared so much. It was nice that he not only thought about her and how much food she might eat but also listened to his mother and did what she told him to do. "Thanks for that, but there's no need to worry about me. I can eat as much as I want, and I'm never full."

Dominic cracked a small grin and began nibbling on his bacon. Again, he was teasing her. No matter how hard Claudia tried, she didn't need to get used to these instances. She knew that she was only going to have a short time with this man.

Moments like these didn't stop her from asking, "When am I going to meet your father? I think about it a lot, and it worries me."

Dominic looked at her while swallowing. "Why are you so worried, Dia?"

She shook her head. "Because of the stress. I have to act as if I love you. You're the only criminal I've ever spoken to, and I've never been in love. And, on top of that, I'm bad at acting."

"All you have to do is appear like you fell in love with me right after our first date and knew I was the one for you. Think about how we would eat together as a family. We're having a delicious meal now, and you can do the same with my dad."

"You make it sound so easy," she said as she slid her plate to the side. "I don't want this to go wrong."

He winked. "It won't."

Claudia paused. What was her next comment going to be? She probably didn't need to do it, yet she did. "Right now, we're not acting, are we? We're being cordial while we figure out what to do."

Dominic shook his head and rolled his eyes. "There you go again, being hard to deal with."

"I care about you, and I know you care about me, too. You're not allowing yourself to want more than this arrangement."

"No," Dominic said as he put down his fork. It sounded in the room. "I'm looking out for you. There's a big difference."

"How? From what I can tell, it's just you and me here."

Dominic's mouth moved as he sat in his chair and ate the last of his eggs carefully. "Trust me when I say you don't want a man like me in your life," he told her. "Once this deal is over, you'll understand and never look back."

Claudia became nauseous. She said nothing. She made a mistake. She took her dish from the table and put it in the sink with only a few crumbs. It clanged after landing. She didn't care. She hoped he could feel how sad she was becoming. He didn't have to speak for her or assume her feelings thereafter.

She only knew that she admired Dominic Beretta more than she cared to admit, despite his mob associations, and that his lack of interest was killing her. Loving someone who didn't love you back was the worst.

Claudia stayed upstairs throughout the day. The bedroom TV was her closest companion while charging her phone. She watched romantic comedies for fun. The mattress was comfy. She almost looked like a bedsheet. Lethargic was perhaps the best term for describing her. She hated uncertainty so much that she didn't want to do anything on this Saturday. Particularly her future. Dominic fascinated her. She couldn't anticipate the future. Tomorrow was unpredictable, but she wanted to know Dominic and Claudia's ending.

About an hour into her thawing, Dominic poked his head through the door. "You're going to meet my dad this evening."

His words caused her heart to quicken. "Tonight?" She got up from the bed. "Don't you think that's a little too short notice?"

He shook his head. "At first, you can't wait to meet him, and then you find out it's too soon?"

Claudia sighed before growling. "I mean a 4-hour warning. That is pretty soon, and you know how nervous I am." She tried not to say that in a sour tone, but that was exactly what came out.

"I know, but by then, my dad will be ready. He's in town tonight. I have faith that you'll do well. You charmed me during the interview, so what could go wrong?" When Dominic looked into her eyes, he laughed. "Just be yourself and don't be afraid. We have something amazing, and we should show it."

Dom, stop making things worse. She wanted to say something, but before the door shut, his head was gone.

Claudia and Dominic had something special between them, but acting like they didn't was like ripping off ten bandages over wounds. She wanted more time before meeting his father to reflect and prepare, but it didn't happen. She was dressing in front of her mirror by 7 p.m., hoping to make a good impression on his father. To persuade Dominic and Mr. Beretta that she was a good person. She wanted to try a different approach, even if the result wasn't clear.

Dominic walked into the room as soon as she applied her lipstick. "My dad just pulled up. Are you okay and everything?"

Claudia admired Dominic's compassion. She admired his concern and couldn't ignore her emotions, the bigger picture, or the reason they were there. He comforted her. She didn't feel too isolated.

She looked at him and gave him what she would call an approving smile. Claudia had to do everything she could to keep from tripping as she walked. It was her protective mechanism. "I'm okay and ready." That statement was not true.

Dominic must've believed them because he walked through the door, and she didn't see him again.

She breathed deeply and convinced herself she could do this in the mirror. Just be real. She didn't need anyone to fit in. She could do this. Claudia Marcello—brilliant, charming, and sweet—needed to be herself.

It was scary to think that she would lie to a powerful man. She was also deceiving others in Dominic's life. What will happen in the long run? He made her believe that the Mafia wouldn't care if the deception got out. Who was she? She was another target.

She needed to forget that. This moment felt like she was boarding a plane and hoping it didn't crash. Things had to go smoothly.

Claudia finally went downstairs. Her heart raced when her heels hit the floor. Dominic's father spoke in the living room, and she inhaled again. Flawless English with an Italian accent. Everything became real. She felt comfortable with this family already. What if she wasn't lying? If asked, she could say she loved Dominic with all her heart. She did love him, despite only knowing him briefly. She wouldn't lie if she believed that.

"Hi," Claudia said as she walked up to Mr. Beretta. "It's nice to meet you."

Dominic's father's grin and kind handshake were comforting. But seeing his men outside made her realize how horrible things were. A member of this crime family could kill her instantly. She trusted that Dominic would protect her during their agreement.

His son stiffened. Her goal was to get both of them to embrace her in their world.

"So, Nicco, this is the secret that you've been keeping. I can't understand why he kept you a secret based on how charming you are," Mr. Beretta told Claudia.

His father's words warmed her.

"Nice introduction, Father," Dominic replied. "Yes, this is Claudia."

She smiled. Anyone who knew her would have thought her beautiful little smile was fake, but it was real. Could Claudia say she was having a blast?

The discussion in the dining area went swiftly. They have already been around the table. His father sat strongly. He never slouched at the table. His elbows were at his sides. Dominic was different. He resembled an outlaw in formal dress. She liked him for it.

"So, what do you want for your wedding? Do you want big and fancy or something personal?" his father asked her. She leaned back and clasped Dominic's hand.

"We haven't gotten that far yet," Dominic answered, taking a deep breath. "We're doing one thing at a time."

"I'm sure your bride would like a big wedding, and we will make that happen," Mr. Beretta said, picking a strawberry with his fork.

Every girl has wedding dreams. Claudia could have been generalizing. So it wasn't hard for her to come up with an answer. "I'd like a big wedding." She swiftly checked Dominic's reaction. He focused on eating.

"Dear, you will look wonderful on your wedding day. I'm delighted here."

She smiled and brushed her hair back. "Thanks, Mr. Beretta. Me too."

"Call me Damian. After all, you're going to be my daughter-in-law," he added, his eyes locked on her. "I rhymed!" He laughed. "How did my son propose? Was it at Times Square, where people often propose to each other?"

Claudia's attention moved to Dominic, who had shifted his head and looked at his father. "It was down at the wharf. I'd been looking forward to that moment for a while because we had a great time there."

Damian slowly nodded, drawing a line with his lips. "You did well. I'm happy for you both. And, Ms. Marcello, please forgive me, but I looked into your history."

Claudia didn't want her eyes to bulge, but they did. "Oh?"

"Yes. After meeting you, I know there is no one better for my son to marry. He needs you. A capable female companion is essential to him. Guide him. He requires charm and intelligence. A good education and work history are also important. Dominic chose wisely. I'm proud of him."

Claudia knew the truth about the wedding, but she couldn't tell if Damian was being honest. His sincerity gave her hope that she and Dominic wouldn't break their agreement. She didn't want to think about it because she didn't know the future. Mr. Beretta chose not to kill her so that his son could marry someone else. That was a silver lining, at least.

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