Chapter 5
Austen Ashworth

There were a lot of people who attended the party. I even saw a few familiar faces from business gatherings I attended in the past. I was observing my surroundings till it was blocked by a couple who was beaming at Carson. They looked perfect. Like those celebrity love teams that you see on the red carpet and they seem to be good friends with Carson as well.

"Ciao, amico! I'm glad you made it! Rose and I were actually looking for you!" A handsome man with a thick Italian accent pointed out. And the woman beside him must be his wife. Native Italians I presume?

"Well, I am glad that we have made it." Carson said as the man finally noticed my presence.

"Carson, amico, you have not introduced me to your lady friend over here." He smiled at me. Carson just rolled his eyes. How rude of him!

The couple did not see it though. How lucky he is when he got away with it. "Amico, this is Austen Ashworth, my fiancé. Austen, these are the hosts of the party." He grinned and gazed at me with fake love. I knew it was not genuine but he was so damn good at acting like the perfect fiancé.

"Congratulations, my friend!" Then the strange man turned to me saying, "Ciao! I am Angelo Damiano and this woman beside me is my wife, Rosalina." He introduced, giving me his million dollar smile. I fixated my gaze on his wife. She was indeed gorgeous; a natural beauty if I must say.

"Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you. Like my husband introduced, I am Rosalina but you can call me Rose for short." The woman spoke. Rose looked elegant in her beautiful white dress, I really couldn't help but stare at her.

"I never thought I'd see the day that our little Carson would finally settle down." She said in disbelief but looked happy nonetheless.

"I couldn't either." I muttered under my breath.

The three turned to look at me. I thought no one had heard it but from the glares that Carson gave me, it means I have said it out loud.

"I-I mean b-because there are so many beautiful models and I don't know how I managed to capture his heart." I explained to Angelo and Rose. That was a good save. I couldn't tell them that the arrangement was just a sham.

I bit my cheek so I would not blurt it out. Rose spoke, "But you are actually beautiful, very good looking in fact. No wonder Carson fell for you!" She continued, "Hey! Why don't we chat while these two men catch up? Let's go." I did not even get the chance to reply since she dragged me out to the bar.

We sat down on the bar stool and Rose started the conversation.

"So, what does it feel like being Mallory's fiancé?" It feels like crap. I did not say it out loud though.

"He's quite hard to handle." I thought of and it is somewhat true. He is a demanding, obnoxious, arsehole-

She chuckled and replied, "Honey, all Italians are. Any girl who can put up with Carson is a true woman."

Wait- what? Who is the Italian here?

"Rose, you are mistaken, Carson is not Italian." I pointed out. He does not have the accent and he lives here in London.

"Yes he is. Carson isn't full blooded Italian like Angelo but he has Italian blood and besides, he can speak the language fluently. He used to live in Italy when he was a child. Didn't you at least take a hint of his middle name? Carson Antonello Mallory."

Wow. All my years of knowing Carson before, not once did he speak in Italian! I needed to speak to him about this. I searched for Carson in the room.

"Damn, that- that inconsiderate man! He doesn't tell me anything. Who the devil is that?" I frowned when I saw a woman beside Carson. Who is she?

"Looks like he does not tell you about his past relationships either." Rose said as we looked at the beautiful woman touching my fiancé's arm. That woman was shamelessly flirting and smiling seductively and- and he was returning it! Oh goodness gracious! That swine!

"That is Paola Pascale, one of the most well-known models in the industry today. She is also known as the ex of Carson." Rose whispered then she turned to me. Noticing my red face, she smirked at me. How is she well-known? I have never seen her in my life. She isn't even that pretty.

"I think someone has been bitten by the jealousy bug." Rose said in a singsong voice.

"I am not jealous!" I shouted and blushed when a few people looked my way. I was abashed at raising my voice. I am so not! I do not care about him. I just want him to be discreet that's all.

"Did I say it was you?" Rose smirk fell when I glowered at her. "Hey, no need to get defensive!" She raised her hands yet a smile crept on to her features.

"Hey, you should perhaps interfere now, because that lady has got claws. She is currently pawing her way to an engaged person. Hell, if she flirted with my Angelo, then I would slap the living daylights out of her." Rose told me. I would have laughed at Rose's comment if I wasn't so annoyed and serious about that girl.

"It's okay. He isn't mine anyway." I whispered, looking away from the duo.

"What do you mean not yours? He's your fiancé, right?" She looked confused. If I were her, I'd be puzzled as well. Hell, I am even confused about my relationship with Carson.

"Our engagement is a sham." I whispered, not wanting other people to find out.

Suddenly, her eyes widened out.

I know it's quick but somehow I trust Rose after meeting her recently.

I explained to her all about our arrangement and she just nods and continues to support me. I like Rose. She is one of a few who doesn't judge you over something you have done and someone you're not. She accepts everyone.

Angelo is a lucky man to have her.

"Wow, you had to go through that? I can't comprehend how Carson could torment someone who's like an angel! No, I will kick his arse for you. Wait till I get my hands on him." She clenched her fist. Rose looked quite frightening when she is angry.

"No, no it's okay Rose. I'm serious. Thank you anyway, I really like you Rose, you are a good friend." I said sincerely. It's true. She was really beautiful and kind, not like those power hungry women.

"I'm touched. I like you too, amica chica! Anyway, we need a plan to get back at Carson. You really should stop them though; they are getting quite cosy with each other." I looked back at them. They were indeed close to each other. I have noticed the lack of space between them. I guess I should go over there to stop them now.

"You are right. Wish me luck Rose." I said as I walked over to them. He was after all, my fiancé. I am not jealous; I am just worried about our status if people found our arrangement is bogus.

"Buona Fortuna." Rose told me. I just shook my head and continued to walk over to them.

"Hey, honey. What have you been doing?" I said in a sickly sweet voice behind Carson. Hearing my voice, he turned to me and looked irritated; Carson narrowed his eyes at me. He looked suspicious when I called him 'Honey'.

Ha! I ruined your plans of getting some, huh? I inwardly smirk.

"Nothing dear. I'm just talking to an old friend of mine, Paola Pascale." Old friend, huh? What a lame cover up. I am not that stupid.

"Hello Paola, I am Austen Ashworth of Ashworth Enterprises. I am the fiancée of Carson over here." I smiled sheepishly.

I curse myself for sounding a bit jealous and possessive. Her eyes widened at what she had heard. Yes, back off. Then the woman slid her narrowing eyes on me, scrutinizing my every move.

"Hello? That's good to know." She quickly dismissed me. "Carson, why don't we talk some more?" She said in an annoyed tone and grabbed a hold of Carson's arms. Is she deaf or what? I already told her that I am his fiancée. What an airhead!

"Like I said, I am the fiancé and I couldn't help but notice you flirting with him so I suggest you back up." I said and smiled innocently just to piss her off. What can I say? I am direct to the point. I tried my best to be polite to her even though all I wanted was to rip her hair off of her pretty little head.

She let out a grunt and stormed off but not before giving me a dirty look.

"You could have been a little nicer to her." Carson sighed, disapprovingly.

"What, she was flirting with you and you were flirting back! So much for being faithful!" I snarled.

Carson smirked. "Jealous are we?"

I froze.

Am I? That conceited man thinks I am! "I am not!" I all but growled.

"Keep telling yourself that. Anyway, so what if flirt with her? We don't even like each other. Why can't I chat with a beautiful woman like her?" I am truly disgusted with him. How can he even say that? If we weren't in a party, I would have punched him in the face.

"Hello? You have a fiancé. If you're going to do that, at least be discreet! You are the one who suggested to publicly displaying our engagement!" I whispered angrily.

"Not everyone knows we are engaged yet sweetheart. I could flirt with anyone I like for now."

Unbelievable!

That overconfident brute! He was an inconsiderate and contemptible bastard. The words he spoke are sugar coated and full of bullshit.

I will show him. He'll regret ever saying that.

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Reminder: Carson isn't full blooded Italian. (As you all discovered in the chapter) His father is English while his mother is Italian.

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