Alina listened to the clock ticking away. She had come to bed a few hours ago, but she was lying on her back, still wide awake. Was Tomas with Gabriella right now? A part of Alina was hoping Tomas would call of their engagement. What chance had she of hoping Tomas could resist's the luscious Gabriella's charms? She had to concede, if she was a man, she would find it hard to resist a sexy woman like Gabriella Ancelotti. She could not get that dinner out of her mind or Tomas' indifference for that matter. How could he have remained so cold, distant and uncaring? Okay I know he does not love me, but damn it, he asked me to attend with him. The least he could have done is acknowledge my presence there.

She could not shake that burdening feeling in her heart. It restricted her breathing. Her heart felt heavy. What had happened in such a short space of time? Alina tried to think about a life without Tomas and it looked bleak. How could she still want to have anything to do with that cold insensitive fish?

Oh sure she only knew him for a very brief period, knew very little about him, but she could not deny he turned her life around. He stormed in like hurricane and caused a riot with her emotions, so much so, that nothing could ever be normal again if Tomas walked out of her life. She should hate him. She should despise him, but how could she, when his mere touch sent her senses orbiting and her flesh burning with insatiable desire for the arrogant bully.

    
     Alina tried using make up to hide the dark shadows under her eyes but it had not worked. The ever observant Rocco was demanding to know what was wrong. Alina tried brushing him off to no avail.

'I can read you like a storybook cara. Tell me what's wrong.'

If she was in a good mood she would laugh, but she was not. 'I am fine,' she lied.

'Has he called of the wedding?'

Not yet.

'Rocco, nothing's wrong. Get back to work,' Alina hissed.

Predictably he mumbled a litany of accusations in Italian, of how he was just the kitchen boy and she was the boss, so she could treat him like potato peels that's place was in the rubbish bin. Alina could empathise with Rocco, for that was exactly what Keres had tried to reduce her to, the kitchen worker. She heaved a breath heavily and continued with the chicken dish she was preparing. She could not talk to Rocco or anybody else about her predicament she would have to deal with this on her own. Everytime the phone rang, her heart pumped faster, expecting it to be Tomas, but it was not. It was either orders, reservations or delivery companies. Alina got into a baking frenzy, much to Rocco's annoyance. The deal was he did the starter, dessert and pastries. She was only supposed to focus on the main courses, but she took over Rocco's function today. She stayed away from her office and kept busy in the kitchen, baking up a storm.

At three o' clock in the afternoon, her feet were aching. She had not eaten lunch. She was dog tired from being on her feet from four that morning. Alina made herself a cup of tea and went to put her feet up in the office. When the phone rang, she assumed it was a reservation for dinner and answered it automatically.

'Hi cara, did you miss me?'

'No, I've been busy,' her heart was ticking wildly like a time bomb.

'I need thirty minutes of your time. Can I collect you now?'

You can dump me over the phone. I'd rather not be looking at you.

'Can you not ---do it over the phone?' I'll even settle for a text.

'No cara. I am picking you up in fifteen minutes,' the line went dead.

Alina was a bundle of nerves. Should she get out of her uniform? Does it matter what one is wearing when one is being dumped?
Why can't he just do it in my office here?
That way she could lock her office and sob her heart out.

Sob for what?

Alina was making a list of the fruit and vegetable she needed to order when she felt his presence. She looked up, her eyes travelled to the doorway and emerald eyes meshed with dark charcoal eyes. They gazed at each other. She, admiring his gorgeous face, beautiful body in an attractive figure hugging navy wool suit. His eyes became shuttered, amused at the look in her eyes. Clearly she was annoyed at his summons, but for some reason, she had not told him to take a hike and she was not chasing him out of her office.

'You ready?' he demanded.

No greeting and no smile.

So what, last night never happened?

And you were not a JERK.

And you did not spend the night in Gabriella Ancelotti's arms last night?

Dear God, help me get out of this, I can't---

She looked down, dropped the pen. She would finish the list when she got back. How long will it take for him to say:
"You're free. The engagement is over. Good bye."

'Yes,' she stood up.

With his poker face on, he walked with his arm at her lower back, staring straight ahead. Tomas inserted her into his passenger seat without a word and promptly slid into the driver's seat. Alina was a bundle of nerves. She kept quiet. Attempting small talk right now was just too daunting a task. She stared at her hands. Occasionally, she looked out her window and watched the afternoon traffic moving at a snail's pace. Tomas focused on his driving and his own thoughts. No doubt he was replaying his sexciting night in the arms of the sultry Gabriella. Did Tomas go to her room, or did Gabriella sleep in his bed, the bed she had also lost her virginity in. Perhaps, Alina thought, she should buy that bed and keep it as a memento. Not many virgins can brag about one hot night in the arms of a dangerously good looking Italian billionaire.

'Here we are tesoro,' Tomas switched the engine off and turned to face Alina.

Silently cringing, she allowed herself to look out her window. Alina's eyes bulged; she was speechless when she saw Tomas had parked outside one of the most expensive stores in all of the U.K.

'Wh---what are we doing here?'

'It is a jewellery store cara,' he leaned over and brushed his lips over hers. 'We are buying rings.'

'Rings? I am still going to marry you!'

'You have the finances for the premises you are renting?' he demanded.

'No! You know I don't.'

'Then you shall marry me. In two days,' he reminded her, as he opened his door.

'Bastard!' she hissed.

Tomas chuckled. 'Don't open your door cara mia. I am coming.'

I'm still marrying him. I'm still marrying him, in two day's time.

'I'm glad you listen, some of the time tesoro,' Tomas opened her door and assisted her out.

'I'm---in my uniform,' she complained. She was going to be a national embarrassment to the store and her billionaire fiancé.

Tomas smiled. He took her into his arms right there on the street. 'You are beautiful cara mia,' his eyes washed over her flirtatiously. 'The sexiest eyes and legs a man needs a lifetime to appreciate.' Alina burned crimson. 'There is a lot more I saw when I peeled your clothes off,' he grinned. 'Should I carry on?'

'You are embarrassing me,' she hissed. 'Keep your hands off me.'

'That is one instruction I will never obey Alina,' he promptly lowered his head and captured her mouth in a sensual kiss. Just as she wanted to lose herself in his erotic embrace, he pulled away.

'They are waiting for you tesoro,' Tomas laced his hands through hers.

Alina looked up and saw two gentlemen waiting rather politely at the door of the ridiculously expensive store. A warm tingly feeling engulfed her, as Tomas' hand possessively clasped to hers.

'Signor Casiraghi, good afternoon,' the senior of the two greeted reverently. 'Ms. Brooke, welcome,' he smiled courteously.

'Good afternoon,' Alina smiled shyly. Tomas shook hands with both men, greeted them by name and made polite chit chat for about thirty seconds.

'A drink, Ms. Brooke,' a young lady, smiled politely, appearing from nowhere with a tray of bubbly drinks.

'Thank you,' Alina accepted, as she smiled at the young girl. She'd been a waitress herself, she appreciated courtesy. The smile widened in the young girl's face. 'You're so confident,' Alina complimented. 'I still get nervous holding a tray with so many drinks.'

The young lady laughed, feeling totally at ease now with Alina.

Alina heard a noticeable silence from her left side. Tomas and the gentlemen stopped talking when they heard the young girl laugh. She slowly turned her head towards Tomas. He smiled. There was warmth in his eyes. Alina smiled back, lowered her head and sipped from her glass of delicious champagne.

Alina and Tomas were ushered to a private room. Trays and trays of sparkling diamonds were placed in front of Alina. It seems King Casiraghi had made a request of what he wanted. Every tray had a display of sparkling diamonds, platinum and every ring seemed to have some emerald design set in it.

'None of them compare,' he murmured in her ear, 'but I want them to complement your dazzling eyes.'

Alina was awestruck. She had never in her life seen such a display of priceless gems.

'There must be one that takes your fancy cara,' Tomas stood behind her. Boldly he let his lips touch the soft flesh on her throat. She swallowed shyly. He was driving her crazy with his seductive caresses. Thinking he was in a hurry, Alina pointed to the smallest ring in one of the trays.

'Are you sure?' Tomas sounded disappointed.

'You don't like it?' her voice sounded croaky.

'I would have chosen another,' his eyes locked with hers.

'Such as?' She breathed self consciously, her eyes on his, not bothering to inspect the trays.

'This one,' Tomas lifted a rock. It was encased with two lines of platinum stones. In the middle was a line of the most exquisite emerald stones. She could not possibly wear that. It was just too heavy...too expensive. She could get mugged, loose her life just because of it.

'It's too big,' Alina protested.

Tomas laughed. 'Cara, you are the only woman in the world who would have such a complaint.'

Alina shuffled about self consciously.

'I like it,' Tomas slipped it onto her finger.

A perfect fit. Alina felt its restraining weight. 'Okay, I'll take it,' she mumbled.

'Excellent,' he smiled. 'Now choose one for me,' he instructed.

Alina looked up at Tomas nervously. 'I couldn't possibly afford to buy you a ring from this store,' she murmured.

'Alina,' he groaned, taking her into his arms. 'When you are with me, you will never need to pay a cent for anything,' he spoke softly into her ear.

Only as long as I'm with him.

'Now pick a ring,' he demanded.

'Very well,' Alina probed each tray with studious attention. She found a beautiful band with a single row of platinum stones on it and pointed. 'I like that one.'

Tomas did not ask if she was sure. He saw the certainty in her eyes. 'You took more time choosing my ring than yours,' he accused.

'I like yours and you like mine. We're both happy now,' she announced.

Tomas laughed. He looked at the salesman standing discreetly at the corner and nodded. The man strode to Tomas.

'My fiancée is keeping that on her finger. Package the rest,' Tomas instructed.

'Tomas---I can't walk around with this---!'

'You're officially engaged to me now,' he grinned. 'It stays on your hand.'

Alina studied her hand. The ring took over her hand. She felt awkward with it on. She longed to take it off, but his eyes looked stern when he had instructed that "it stays on."

Reluctantly, she nodded. There was more champagne and small talk, before Tomas took her back to the restaurant.

Alina took a huge breath, waited for the fireworks from Rocco. He would hardly miss the boulder on her ring finger. She did not have long to wait.

     'Dio in cielo!' Rocco picked up her hand with bulging eyes.

'This cost more than what I have saved in the bank.'

'I know,' Alina mumbled.

'This cost more than this building.'

'I know,' Alina repeated.

'This cost ___.'

'Shut up Rocco,' Alina pulled her hand away.

'You are a very lucky woman,' Rocco stared, starry-eyed.

You think so!

'So you still getting married in two days time,' Rocco sulked.

And counting.

'Yes,' she murmured. 'Can we get back to work? We have orders to send out.'

For some inexplicable reason, Alina felt happy, why she did not know. She was marrying a man who had not thought it significant to propose to her. She was marrying a man who did not love her. He practically undressed Gabriella Ancelotti right under her nose the previous night. What the hell is wrong with her? Stupid! That's what. A sucker for punishment.

     'Aunt Alina, Toe-muz came to visit,' Emily jumped up and down in front of her aunty.

'Well good evening. It's nice to see you too.' Alina's smile did not reach her eyes, as she replied to her niece. Most nights she came home way too late. Emily was already in bed.

'What did he want?' Alina's curiosity got the better of her.

'He didn't want anything silly,' Emily laughed. 'Tomorrow he's taking mum and I to buy us dresses for your wedding. 'And he showed me pictures of my bedroom. Everything is ready for me Aunt Alina.'

'He's taking you shopping!'

I swear he is two different men.

'Yes, I can't wait. I'm also getting new shoes Aunt Alina,' she threw her arms around Alina's waist. There had been no money to get Emily outing shoes. Alina was going to surprise her for her birthday next month.

'I'm happy for you puppet,' Alina hugged her niece. 'Let's go say "hi" to mum.

'Hey Caroline,' Alina smiled, she flashed her ring finger uncomfortably at Caroline.

'Good heavens,' Caroline was visibly shocked. 'That is---.'

'A boulder right,' Alina laughed, as she sat down on Caroline's bed.

'It is just stunning,' Caroline lifted Alina's hand and stared at her platinum engagement ring. 'Wow.'

It is so big, I don't think I can get used to it,' Alina complained.

'You don't like it?' Caroline questioned unbelievably.

'Well it is exquisite, though I would have preferred something smaller.

'It is gorgeous, just like everything in your bedroom.'

'Excuse me?'

'I think your fiancé just bought you a whole new wardrobe, boxes and boxes,' Caroline whispered the last two words.

'Oh, I had no idea,' Alina stood up. She was curious to see what the hell he'd bought.

'Can I help you open the boxes please Aunt Alina.'

'Sure let's go have a look.'

Caroline was not kidding when she said, "boxes and boxes." Alina's bed was literally covered up.

Alina opened a few boxes, there were gorgeous evening gowns in different stunning colours and styles. Other boxes had attractive casual wear. More boxes with shoes, sandals and boots. Cautiously Alina opened the top box of a row of dainty looking boxes. Inside was the sexiest pair of red lace briefs she had ever seen. She quickly closed the box.

'Hey puppet, I'm tired. How about we check out the rest tomorrow?'

'But I'm having so much fun Aunt Alina,' she tried on one of Alina's fancy hats from one of the boxes.

'It's late Emily. You need to be in bed. I want a shower.'

'Okay,' Emily sighed disappointedly. 'Are you going to come with me tomorrow? I want you to be with me.'

'Okay, I will,' Alina smiled. 'I must get to work after that though,' Alina neatly stacked the boxes on the floor.

'Thank you,' she kissed her aunt and hopped into bed.

When Alina returned from her shower, as much as she did not want to, she called Tomas to thank him. What if he's having an intimate dinner with Gabriella? She dialed him anyway, she figured as his fiancée she had the right to.

'Tomas, good evening,' she answered nervously.

'Buonasera tesoro,' he greeted in a melodic tone.

'Am I disturbing you?'

A welcome relief cara. I'm just looking through a boring report with lots of figures. I would much prefer to look at your figure,' she heard his throaty laugh.

I would like that too. 'Um---I want to thank you for ---everything.'

'My pleasure cara. I would have preferred to see the look in your eyes when you opened some of them,' he laughed.

'Well I did not open all of them.'

'Did you get to the little box with the white bow?'

'No,' she lied. She heard Tomas roar with laughter.

'Not everyone sounds as sexy as you when they tell a lie cara.'

Alina kept quiet, not knowing what to answer to that.

'Will you do me a favour, cara mia?'

'Depends.'

'Could you put the red lingerie on, take a picture and send it to me?'

'No! Absolutely not.'

There was no way she was doing anything as perverted as taking half naked pictures of herself and transmitting them electronically. Hell, what if it got in the wrong hands?

'Per favore.'

'No. I'm putting the phone down. Good night.'

'Wait!'

'Yes.'

'Don't hang up on me cara. Talk to me.'

'About.'

'Anything. Your voice is more enjoyable than this damn report.'

Alina smiled. She did not want to really end the call. 'Emily wants me to join her shopping trip with you tomorrow.'

'You will join us?' he asked hopefully.

'If you don't take long. I must get to work.'

'Great, will you join me for a late breakfast at my penthouse, after we drop Caroline and Emily back home?'

'Your penthouse?' she questioned nervously.

The last time she'd been there was when she lost her virginity.

'Afraid cara?'

'Of what?' she challenged.

'Yourself. You know if I take you in my arms. You will want me as much as I want you.'

He knew her just too damn well.

'No, I'm not coming there. I will make you breakfast at The Emily.'

'How about you sit opposite me and somebody else makes the breakfast?'

'That can be arranged,' she smiled.

'Good night cara. In less than forty eight hours, you will be mine.'

The line went dead. Alina still held her mobile to her ear. Why was her heart racing at the thought of being in his arms again? Why was she counting down the hours to that moment?

       -end chapter eleven-