'All right,' Alina conceded in a whisper, 'but we exhaust my resources first,' before we accept yours,' she sniffed.

'Cara ... ,' Tomas sighed, hauling his handerchief out of his pocket.

'I will have it no other way Tomas,' her eyes met his stubbornly. Alina knew she could scrape together all she needed. She had her own savings that she was keeping for a rainy day. She could transfer that to Caroline's medical fund and build her savings from scratch again. She believed in her ability to do that.

'I guess, I will have to agree,' Tomas answered. He did not hand her his handkerchief, instead, he dabbed it gently at her eyes and proceeded to wipe her runny nose.

'Give it to me,' Alina tugged at the handkerchief.

'No, I want to,' he smiled.

'Just give it,' she laughed softly through her tears and jerked it out of his hold. 'What?' Alina questioned when Tomas stared at her with his mouth opened.

His lips came together. He inhaled in measured breaths. 'Sei cosi bella, mia moglie,'

'I am not,' she countered, yet every fibre inside her warmed to his compliment.

'Allow me, to be the judge tesoro. 'You are very beautiful and sexy too,' he murmured huskily. His lips trailed over her receptive, soft flesh. His hands moulded her body to his until she felt his sharp arousal. How could she deny herself this exhilarating pleasure when a gorgeous man like Tomas Casiraghi evidently desired a nobody like her? And wasn't this man, her husband? If she had this power over him, can't she yield to her own wanton desire for him? Alina could do nothing but shut her eyes, desperately wanting to ignore Tomas' lips at her cleavage and his palms caressing her bottom. She hated how Tomas always used sex to break her resolve. She hated even more that right at this second her body ached for Tomas' love. All she wanted was to surrender to his seductive charm. Alina was torn between giving into Tomas' seduction and holding onto her pride. Her fingers curled at her sides, her lips longed to find his. Just as she thought herself too weak to resist him, it was at that instant that Tomas drew away, thinking, she was not going to respond to him.

Alina immediately felt a sense of debilitating loss when Toma stepped away. She wanted to reach out for him, drape her arms around his shoulders, have her fingers caress the soft curly hair at the nape of his neck, but ...the moment was lost.

She looked up, expecting to see anger on Tomas' face, instead he smiled courteously. His palms held her arms gently. 'I'm going to shower,' he murmured, pressing his lips to hers in a lingering kiss. Alina watched his retreating back before he disappeared behind his bathroom door. She lifted her fingers to her lips. His searing kiss was still imprinted on her lips. Should she go to him in his shower?

No it's better this way,' she tried to convince herself and felt a deeper sense of loss. Alina undressed and climbed into bed. She waited for Tomas to come to bed. Perhaps he will reach out for her in bed. This time she will not resist him.

'Good night,' Tomas reached over kissed her on her cheek and dropped his head on his pillow.

'Night,' Alina murmured dejectedly. She closed her eyes, but sleep did not come easily. Her body ached from sleeping in the same position for too long. She wanted to change her position, but she did not want to disturb Tomas. She could hear his soft breathing and knew he was a light sleeper. If she tossed about, he would awake. So she stayed in that uncomfortable position until sleep took over her body in the early hours of the morning.

     Alina felt exhausted but she knew it was morning and time to start the new day. Her eyes flew open when she felt the duvet lifting on Tomas' side. Instinctively her fingers reached out and circled around his wrist preventing him from leaving the bed. Tomas' head swung to her face. His eyes registered surprise.

Disappointed at her subtle rejection last night, with herculean effort he'd turned away and did not feel any relief from the ice cold shower he'd taken last night. He'd hoped to escape from the bed before she awoke, so his embarrassing body would not betray him. Yet here she was the little vixen determined to ridicule him. What was she going to do? Taunt him! Flaunt her naked body at him and deny him the pleasure of her delectable body?

Alina swallowed nervously. What should she do now? What if Tomas paid her back in kind for rejecting him last night? She wanted to look away when he continued to stare at her. She was certain he was going to tell her, he needed to be up. What should she do to keep him in bed? Would she be successful if she tried? Alina almost released Tomas. She almost let her hand fall, but her heightened desire for him overpowered her half hearted resolve to release him. Instead, her hands nervously snaked around his neck, pulling him down over her chest. He was but a hairs' breath away, their lips inches from each other. Her darkened moss coloured eyes flared against his slate coloured eyes.

'Alina,' his husky voice drizzled with potent desire.

It was all the encouragement she needed. Her mouth captured his in a searing kiss, her lips hungry, exploring, teasing. Her fingers grazed over his shoulder blades, measuring, kneading, stimulating, until a guttural sound escaped his throat as her palms moulded his tight buttocks to her pelvis. Alina held on to him tightly, kissing, caressing, stimulating, until Tomas lost all control. She cried out pleasurably when his teeth gently nibbled on her aroused nipple. She thought she was going to explode when his skilful fingers teased her endlessly at her moist centre. In response, Alina's hand dipped beneath the sheets, found his erect manhood and returned the favour. Tomas groaned her name huskily at her excruciatingly torturous caressing. An hour later, fully satiated, muscles aching, Alina was still clinging onto Tomas.

In the aftermath of their love making, Alina contentedly stayed in Tomas' arms, caressing his expansive chest. She leisurely soaked in the pleasure of re-discovering his stunning body and silently celebrated the tiny satisfaction that he was her husband.

'Cara?' Tomas sighed. 'We must get Emelia to school.'

'Y___yes___right,' she shifted away, intending to leave the bed.

It was Tomas' turn to restrain her. She turned to look up into his face. 'Good morning,' he smiled and indulged in a sensuous kiss.

'Morning,' she smiled, feeling as happy as a lark.

      When Alina received a call from Tomas just after lunch asking her to come home early, her first fear was something had happened to Caroline or Emily. After re-assuring Alina there was no problem but that he needed to speak to her, a second wave of fear consumed her to such an extent that Alina rushed to the bathroom and threw up the chicken salad she'd had for lunch only a short while earlier.

Perhaps he was finally tired of this sham of a marriage and knew there were more prettier and attractive fish in the sea! Perhaps he found himself someone that fitted his image.... a lady of leisure, who shopped till she dropped, indulged in extravagant extended lunches and pampering sessions at expensive spas every single day.

Alina washed out her mouth and stared into the mirror. She studied her unkempt hair. Her fingers tugged at her mass of red curly hair in a ponytail. She wrinkled her face at her very short, unvarnished finger nails.
At least they are clean and very healthy. Maybe I should start wearing make-up!
She never used mascara, eye-liners or even a lip stick!

Very unsophisticated for your powerful billionaire, don't you think?

      Alina walked into their home and was startled at the conversation she was overhearing. Little's Emily's sweet voice captured her attention and Alina found herself rooted to the spot.

'Why do you care about me?' Emily's questioning voice asked. 'I'm not your daughter.'

Alina held her breath. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag.

'How can I not care about a princess as beautiful as you?' Tomas' teasing voice rang in the air.

Alina leaned around and peeped into the living room. She had a perfect view of Emily sitting on Tomas' lap. They could not see her. Emily was fiddling with Tomas' tie. Caroline was nearby. Alina could see moisture filling in her sister's eyes.

Emily's laughter filled the air. 'Tell me the truth,' she demanded, not buying his compliment.

Oh my puppet...so wise for an eight year old.

'In my village piccola,' Tomas' voice was gentle and so endearing, Alina wanted to cry. 'When a bambino loses its mother or father, my whole village becomes mother and father to that bambino. A child always needs its mummy and daddy,' Tomas intoned in a compassionate voice. 'So the entire village takes on that responsibility,' Alina heard Tomas' smiling voice.

Perhaps I should fall pregnant, then he won't leave me!

'But I'm not a bambino, Toe-muz. I am eight years old!'

Tomas' roar of laughter reverberated around the living room. 'And until you are twenty one piccola, you will be a bambino to me.'

'Does this mean, you won't allow me to have a boyfriend, when I'm sixteen? Aunt Alina had a boyfriend when she was sixteen!'

Alina shut her eyes and cringed. One night when they were still living in their matchbox sized apartment, seemed like ages ago now.
One night Emily had been so persistent asking those questions that she really did not want to answer and she had admitted she'd had her first boyfriend when she was sixteen. It was a good thing she had not yielded to Emily's probing question about how old she was when she'd first kissed a boy. Tomas would have been informed of that as well.

'Emily,' Caroline's warning tone of voice sounded in the air. 'I don't think that's an appropriate topic for you to be discussing, do you?'

'Sorry mummy.'

'I agree,' Alina dragged herself into the living room. Her eyes on Tomas'. There was a highly amused look in his eyes.

'Hi,' she mumbled, uncomfortably. He'd said he wanted to talk. She did not know about what, but if he continued smiling at her that way, she was going to drag him upstairs.

'Cara,' Tomas stood up with Emily in his arms and greeted her with a kiss.

Alina had to drag her eyes away from Tomas. 'Hey Caroline,' Alina turned away with much effort to greet her sister.

'Hi,' Caroline smiled. 'You're home so early. I have not started dinner yet.'

'I'll treat you tonight,' Alina offered.

'But you stand and cook the entire day,' Caroline protested.

'Not really,' Alina laughed softly. 'There's so much admin that needs doing, I get to sit quite a bit,' she smiled.

'Can you join me in my study please cara?' Tomas requested in a sober tone, as he set Emily down.

'Sure,' she hastily replied, nervousness causing bile to accumulate in her throat.

Alina hesitated at the door. Tomas curved his arm around her waist and guided her inside. She hardly ever entered his study cum office. She looked around now. It was so spotlessly neat and tidy. The mahogany table top glittered. His executive high back chair stood tall like a throne, as if it awaited His Majesty to accede it.

'Cara?' Tomas spoke softly calling her to attention.

'Yes,' she gathered herself together. Her head swung back to him.

'I'm sorry, but I have to go to Frankfurt tonight,' Tomas dipped his hands into his pockets then took them out and knotted them behind his back.

'You're travelling again!' This time she did not keep her thoughts to herself.

Tomas had been politely summoned to a meeting by the Monetary Policy Committee of European Central Bank. He did not bother telling Alina that he had tried to defer the invitation. Even as chairman of one of the most powerful financial institutions in Europe, his attempts to offer implausible excuses to stay in London had been in vain. Tomas could hardly dismiss the personal call from the president of the ECB, strongly advocating the need for his presence at the Frankfurt meeting. There was nervousness about the Euro instability and rising inflation. Italy was one of the largest member countries of the ECB, and leading financiers were often invited to give input at policy meetings. Tomas Casiraghi having vested interests in many of the Euro countries had been requested to represent private bankers in the Euro zone.

'When will you come back?' Alina questioned, when he remained unusually quiet.

'I'll be back in forty eight hours,' he answered.

Two whole nights without him...and he will probably not call me and just extend his bloody stay if it pleased him!

'Who's going with you?' Alina enquired. She would hate to hear that Gabriella was going to be with her husband for the entire forty eight hours. 'What happens if Gustav needs medical attention?' Alina felt ashamed at herself for spitefully using poor Gustav.

'I am going alone,' he assured her, 'and I have made arrangements,' Tomas replied.

'What arrangements?' Alina questioned, she was tempted to start pacing around but held herself in check.

'Gustav shall stay with Gabriella. They are friends.'

Yay! She's not going! She is NOT going...Yay!

'Oh! But I like him and I'll miss his company.'

I don't like you, liking Gustav!

Alina boldly walked up to Tomas and draped her arms around him. 'I guess it's okay,' she was amazed at how she managed to contain her excitement.

Tomas looked disappointed at her evident indifference that he was leaving her for two days. He wanted her to miss him. He wanted her to demand he not go like all the previous clingy women he'd had before he married her. How he had detested their misplaced possessiveness.

'Thank you,' Tomas murmured, for lack of any better response.

'Why can't you leave tomorrow morning?' she murmured against his lips, boldly kissing him. Germany was not that far from Britain.

'I've already alerted my pilot,' Tomas dragged his lips away to answer her, yet his arms circled her body, crushing her to him.

'You could always leave very, very early in morning,' she whispered. 'I would like to cook you a fabulous dinner tonight.'

'You present a very compelling argument tesoro,' he lowered his head and took possession of her mouth. 'I would take you right here on my desk if we lived alone,' he moaned in a guttural tone.

Alina pulled away. Was Tomas hinting that he did not want her family there anymore? Did he want his space and privacy?

'No cara,' he laughed. Sometime I can read you like a book.'

'You can?' She shifted away and lowered her eyes.
Just how much was he able to read?

'I am not suggesting Caroline and Emily move out,' he sighed. 'I would never think that.'

'Sorry,' she murmured.

'They hardly interfere in our lives,' he smiled. 'Our home is big enough that we don't have to bump into them if we don't want to, but I care for them tesoro, especially Emelia.'

'Thank you,' Alina responded appreciatively.

'It must be tough for the piccola,' he spoke gently. 'You would know,' Tomas' arms tightened around Alina, when she meant to escape Tomas' arms.

'Yes___I miss my parents,' she choked on her breath.

Tomas said nothing further. He drew her against his chest and cradled her head on his shoulder. Alina shut her eyes, enjoying the strength of his comforting arms. She inhaled heavily as Tomas' strong heady cologne filled her nostrils.

'I suppose you would not agree to you and I going upstairs now,' Tomas hinted suggestively.

'Tomas!' She pushed him away. 'Besides, I need to make dinner.'

'Why don't we dine out?' He offered.

Alina would much rather spend the remaining hours with him in the privacy of their home. She was in no mood to get all dressed up.

'I want to prepare something special for you,' she lifted her eyes to his shyly.

Tomas smiled and nodded. 'Do you mind if I make a few calls and alert my staff that my wife has changed my plans?' he grinned, hauling out his mobile.

'No,' she smiled. 'I'll be in the kitchen.' She walked out as Tomas started speaking in Italian into his mobile.

     In the morning when Alina reached out for Tomas, she was only a little disappointed that the bed was empty. She stretched and smiled trying to recall how many times they'd made love last night.

Just before she finally drifted of to sleep she remembered asking Tomas what time his return flight would be. She had told him, she wanted to meet him at the airport. The pleasure had been evident in Tomas' eyes at her welcome suggestion. She told herself she was glad Tomas had not woken her when he'd left. She did not feel any gladness though. She knew as he would have, that his flight would have been delayed had she been awake.

     The first twenty four hours after Tomas' departure, the hours dragged for Alina. She loathed the fact that she would have to sleep alone. She delayed at the restaurant for as long as possible, until Rocco instructed her to leave, because she had been checking and re-inspecting every meal that the staff had prepared, much to their annoyance.

That night when she was upstairs in her bedroom, Alina had been thrilled when Caroline had shouted for her to switch on her television. Tomas' attractive face and masculine shoulders filled the screen. He was being interviewed by some German television channel. He was speaking a lot of technical mumbo jumbo. Alina did not understand any of the jargon whatsoever.

'Tomas___,' she whispered, running her fingers over the television screen. 'I miss you.'

Suddenly Alina sat up and blinked twice as she stared at the blonde woman too close, next to Tomas. Who was she? What is she doing with Tomas? Jealousy and anger consumed her until a violent rage overtook her. She snapped the television off and climbed into bed without undressing.

Alina clung to her mobile phone waiting for Tomas to call her, but she waited in vain.
Was he with that woman? Was Tomas making love to her?

Plucking up the courage, she called his mobile. It went straight to the voicemail box. Alina hurled her phone against the wall. It shattered into many pieces. She buried her head into her pillow and sobbed until she fell asleep.

When she awoke in the morning, she felt like death warmed up. Her self pity was slowly building to a crescendo of anger, she mechanically picked up all the cell phone pieces and uncaringly tossed it into the bin.

When she got to the restaurant, her anger reached boiling point. Rocco had the morning newspaper opened and there clearly was a picture of her husband with that___that!
Rocco had not expected the boss to come in so early. He hastily folded it and replaced it on the newsstand where the morning newspapers were on hand for their patrons. Without a word, Alina calmly walked to her office and shut the door.

There has to be an explanation. He can't be having an affair...not after the way he made love to me before he left for Frankfurt.

Alina Googled the German morning newspapers, every newspaper was covering that ECB event. Whatever that was! One tabloid newspaper also had that same picture of Tomas and that woman. She was very beautiful. Apparently she was French and some kind of policy advisor.
Whatever...just stay away from my husband damn it!

Being a sucker for punishment, Alina was not content with the German papers, she Googled the British online tabloids and there were more pictures, more explicit ones. Incriminating pictures showed Tomas and the French woman having an intimate meal. He was smiling and listening attentively to whatever the hell she was filling his head with.

Alina wanted to scream. Only the thought of her customers and staff running in fear, had her containing her frustration. She stayed at the restaurant until just after lunch and then escaped to find a hole to hide in. She bought a day ticket for the tube and hopped on, not caring where it was going. Three times it changed directions, and three times Alina, in auto mode, hopped off and hopped on again, impervious to its destination.

Unable to resist, she bought the afternoon newspaper and there were the explicit pictures again. One tabloid even had the gall to pose the question:

"Was the Casiraghi marriage over?"

     'Where is my wife?' Tomas questioned when his limo picked him up.

'She's perhaps still at the restaurant sir,' the driver courteously answered.

'Take me there,' Tomas answered without any trace of the irritation he was feeling. He was thirty minutes early, but she could have called to find out his exact ETA.
And why the hell was she not answering her mobile!
He'd called her like four times to let her know he would be arriving ahead of schedule.

Tomas' annoyance was increasing. She can't have left early. She always worked longer, whenever she knew he was away.
Where the hell was she?
He had called Caroline, she was not home!

Tired and sticky, Tomas instructed the driver to take him home. He needed a shower. When he got home, even though Caroline and Emily greeted him warmly, he felt lonely. Both Caroline and Emily had spoken animatedly of seeing him on the television.

Some two hours later Alina arrived home and noted Tomas' limo in the courtyard. She did not feel her normal heart quickening joy instead she felt hatred, anger and disappointment.
Not bothering to walk into the living room, Alina went straight upstairs to shower and change. She was shocked to see Tomas lying on the bed, with his hands tucked beneath his head. She just stared at him, masking her pain and anger.

'Cara, I thought you were coming to meet me at he airport,' he got up and walked to her. She turned her face away when Tomas reached out to kiss her. His eyebrow shot up.
'Why aren't you answering your mobile?' he demanded.

'It's broken. I need to get a new one,' she escaped into her shower without a glance his way.

What the hell is wrong with her?
Tomas had expected her to fall over herself telling him how much she had missed him. Instead, she could not care less that he'd not been around for two days! So she did not really give a damn about him at all. Sure they indulged in stimulating sex, but supposedly, she could get that from any man. She walked in just now and there was not an inkling of emotion that indicated she missed or wanted him.

It was his fault for forcing her into the marriage. He could not blame her actually. Perhaps in his absence, the voice of reason convinced her, she felt absolutely nothing for him. Dejected Tomas switched his bedside lamp off and turned to his side of the bed. He did not want to see that indifference in her eyes again.

     In the morning when Alina awoke, Tomas was not in bed. She did not know what time he'd left home, but he was definitely gone. The limo was not in the courtyard. Alina's worst suspicions came to pass. Tomas has finally had his fill of her and has grown tired of her. Alina felt devastated. A million thoughts ran through her head. He'd spoken comforting words about her family before he went to Frankfort, but surely things have changed since his liaison with that Frenchwoman! What if he throws her out? What will become of her family? Emily will be crushed. She has become so emotionally dependant on Tomas. With single mindedness, Alina purposed to leave, before Tomas humiliatingly sent her packing but first, she must salvage her precious restaurant.

Alina requested a meeting with Caroline to examine the books. Caroline had growing praise for the healthy state of the restaurant's finances.

'Are you planning to expand?' Caroline laughed seeing that faraway look in her baby sister's eyes.

Alina smiled. 'I definitely am thinking about a long term investment,' Alina answered cryptically.

'Talk to Tomas first,' Caroline cautioned. 'You know that is his field of expertise.'

Hell no!
'Don't worry sis,' Alina patted Caroline's wrist lovingly. 'I won't make any hasty decisions.'

'I'm so, so proud of you Alina,' Caroline's eyes were glassy. 'I read in that "Best Food and Wine" brochure, you are rated as one of the top five restaurants in London,' Caroline smiled proudly.

'Oh Caroline,' Alina hugged her sister. 'Yes they called to tell me, before they published it,' Alina smiled self consciously. 'It is a wonderful achievement,' Alina laughed. 'I'm happy too sis. Now there are finances available for your surgery, especially since the surgeon agrees there is a ninety five percent chance that you will walk again.

'I'm scared Alina. What if I am one of the five percent failure rate?'

'You heard that surgeon sis. She believes your surgery will be successful.' Alina inhaled deeply. She had not liked that surgeon very much. She had been annoyed at the way the woman could not keep her eyes of Tomas and Alina hated even more the way she had constantly kept touching Tomas' arm to convince him about her prognosis.

'I believe you will walk again Caroline and this___surgeon has had success with your specific condition.'

'Don't you like her?' Caroline questioned perceptively. 'Maybe Tomas can find another surgeon?'

'No!___I mean it's not about me liking her or not. She will make you walk again, that is all that is important.'

'I did notice the way she could not keep her eyes of Tomas,' Caroline teased. Alina squirmed and diverted her eyes away from her sister. 'It's a good thing your gorgeous husband was totally oblivious to her subtle flirtation,' Caroline laughed.

Probably because you and I were there! He's not so oblivious when he's alone with those damn flirtatious women.

'Caroline, I have a meeting with somebody,' Alina stood up.

'I was wondering why you don't have your uniform on today.'

'I have a spare one in my office. I'll change when I get to the restaurant. See you tonight sis,' Alina kissed her sister on the cheek.

'Thank you Alina.'

'What for?'

'For being the best sister in the world.'

'I wouldn't trade you for anyone in the world,' Alina hugged Caroline.

'Not even James Bond?' Caroline laughed, knowing her sister's insane obsession with the movie character.

'Which one!' Alina grinned, looking over her shoulder.

'So does Tomas know then?' Caroline questioned.

'No,' Alina laughed and don't you dare tell him,' she pointed an accusing finger at her sister before she closed the door.

     'Where are we going on my day off?' Rocco demanded. 'I have better things to do, you know!'

'Like what? Stuffing yourself with popcorn and watching the re-runs of The Sopranos?' Alina peeped out of the window excitedly as the driver stopped outside a very prime piece of real estate.

'Hey! Don't knock The Sopranos! That is an excellent series ...' Rocco stopped in mid sentence. He watched the heightened excitement in Alina's face with growing curiosity. He followed her eyes, trained on one of London's fanciest piece of real estate. Rocco knew tenants paid the most outrageously expensive rent for the much sought after space in the building.

The car came to a standstill. Alina was out before the driver could extend the courtesy of opening her door. Her breath came up with barely concealed pleasure.

'Cara... What are we doing here? Are we expanding?' he asked cautiously, arching his neck to look up at the magnificent skyscraper.

'I told you not to call me that!' Alina turned on Rocco, the anger furiously blazing in her eyes. She silently wished Rocco was not Italian and that he did not know a word of the damn language.

'Why did you drag me here on my day off, boss?'

'This is our new premises,' Alina murmured.

One that I am able to pay for with my own blood, sweat and tears...and there have been lots of tears. Now, I will be beholden to nobody!

"New premises?" We don't need new premises!' Rocco decried. 'The secret of having a successful restaurant is for it to be undersized enough to be constantly fully booked. That's what fuels our ever growing waiting list,' Tomas stated.

'I disagree,' Alina lied. She had heard all of that in the hospitality school she had attended with Rocco, strategies about location, location, location and the art of aesthetic decor and seductive ambience and so on, and so on.

'I think you are making a mistake Alina. If we move we may lose clientele.'

It was a risk she would have to take. If Alina was going to walk out of her marriage she needed her restaurant in a premise that did not have the Casiraghi name on it. She had done the math, at the extortionist rates Tomas was demanding from her. Alina's lease was still valid for the next twelve months, but what if he kicked her out by the end of the week and took back his property and then what? Both parties had the option of a one month notice period to terminate the agreement. What infuriated Alina though, was he gave her a charge card and told her it did not have a limit. So as his wife, she could run it up to even double what she paid him each month for his premises and he would have no problem with it.

More than once Alina had been tempted to use his own charge card to pay him the monthly instalment. Not that she had not had the money to meet that obligation, it was just a rebellious spirit that surfaced on odd occasions.

She smiled inwardly, picturing Tomas storming into her restaurant and demanding that she could not use his own money to pay him back! And she knew he monitored their dubious deal with hawk eyes. He had marched into her office the one month, questioning why she was late with the payment. A technical glitch had not reflected her payment at first, luckily she had the proof of payment and with the greatest satisfaction had shoved it in his face. Tomas had looked away with a trace of embarrassment. Alina had been ever so grateful for the file she studiously kept of the sickening agreement and records of every payment she timeously made to her manipulative landlord.

'Alina,' Rocco interrupted her thoughts. 'I know you have made a success of The Emily, but I feel a bad omen about changing the location.'

I feel a bad omen about staying!

'It's a done deal,' Alina's chin rose defiantly, although she had not yet signed the new rental agreement. 'We will start mass advertisements and inform all our loyal patrons when I get the clearance from my bank. It's just a formality. I don't expect them to turn me down.'

'You're the boss,' he shrugged his shoulders, knowing her mind was made up.

Alina thought her world was beginning to cave in when her bank manager had called her to say her application was declined, claiming she was over-exposed to too much risk.

She had screamed at the bank manager, informing him her credit rating was better that the bank's rating. By the man's silence she had suspected he was shifting in his seat uncomfortably. Incensed, Alina had slammed the phone down.

How the hell could she be declined?

Her staff, including Rocco had wisely steered clear away from Alina the entire day. By early afternoon, unable to work with all the pent up anger consuming her, Alina had told Rocco she was going home.

Alina packed a picnic basket, treating Emily to a picnic near the pool. They were laughing and having fun and enjoying their sumptuous meal when the hairs at the nape of Alina's neck were standing to attention.

Rather cautiously, Alina turned and looked over her shoulder and there stood King Casiraghi with an exquisite floral bouquet. Her eyes widened.

He's never brought me flowers before.

Its expensive floral scent drifted to Alina's nostrils.

'You're home very early cara,' Tomas accused. 'I stopped by the restaurant!'

Tomas barely contained his annoyance. She still was not reachable by mobile. Tomas was surprised to see his wife in such high spirits. He'd thought after he'd instructed her bank manager to deny his wife a loan that she would be wallowing in self pity, waiting to cry on his broad shoulder.

Tomas had been intrigued that the bank manager had called him, informing him that his wife had made an application for a short term loan. Curious, Tomas asked what the application stated as the reasons for the loan. The bank manager had informed Tomas, she was looking to expand her business. He was no doubt wondering why the wife of the billionaire Casiraghi was making an application for what could be termed a drop in the ocean, considering what Casiraghi's personal wealth was estimated to be, hence his visit to his wife at her restaurant with a bouquet of flowers.

Tomas wondered if the weasel had not yet informed her that her application had been declined. The spineless guy was giving him fifty reasons why his wife was more that qualified to acquire the financial loan. Tomas had threatened the man in no uncertain terms that he would ruin him, if he granted Alina the funding. He had issued the same ultimatum to every credible financial institution in London. Being the most powerful financier in the whole of Europe, Tomas Casiraghi did not need to mince his words. People and individual institutions were reluctant to cross swords with this invincible Leviathan.

Alina stared at her husband. She wondered why he'd gone to her restaurant. More importantly why was he clutching that bouquet like he wanted to strangle it? He looked ludicrous! Since his return from Germany, he had been tip-toeing around her like she had leprosy or some other dreaded disease. Now what the hell was up with this sudden stupid ungracious gesture?

'Hi,' Alina smiled a smile that did not reach her eyes and he noted that. 'Why were you at the restaurant?'

A part of her had an urge to talk to him about her bad luck with the bank. He just possessed that inviting towering strength that tempted her to creep into his arms and take courage from its vast depths. But Alina would have to give Tomas explanations and she knew he would see through her lies. For she was not yet ready to put her cards on the table and if she spoke, he would extricate every hidden thought and plan she kept closely guarded in a secret place in the annals of her brain. No, she had to bear this burden alone after all he was the enemy she was running from.

Tomas studied his wife. He wondered why her eyes were not meeting his! Did she know? Was she aware that he was the one bullying every financial institution in London, not to grant her a loan?

     - end chapter twenty nine-