Aurora’s POV
“The winner is….” The coordinator paused then slanted a look at all of us, holding a smile whereas my innards burned with nervousness and anxiety.
“The winner of this year’s competition is… Aurora Mancini,” He screamed and I fell to the ground, my eyes reeling in shock.
My heart couldn’t contain what he just announced, then I glanced at Matteo who was smiling with his teeth visible. He looked so excited and was heading my way.
It meant that I was the winner.
He climbed the staircase of the arena in twos and everyone who stood as an obstacle for him not to pass gave way. “You really did it, Aurora, I’m so proud of you.” He said in excitement.
I looked into his chocolate amber eyes and realised that it was true. The only man I had fallen for cared about me and was very happy with my success.
“Thank you, Matteo. I’m just too overwhelmed, I don’t know what to say,” I cried, my eyes gushing with tears and my body trembling.
I’d never achieved something worthwhile, and killing Matteo and his brother would have been my first. But now I could even think about it as the thought of seeing him hurt burnt me like hot coals. Sometimes I wondered how he would feel if he realised that I was his enemy and the daughter of the former Capo of the Camorra.
He wouldn’t be this sweet and caring with me. I’ll be forced to see his brutal side and if he even forgave me, he wouldn’t extend his hand of forgiveness to my uncle and anyone related to me.
“Get up Aurora so that you can take pictures and receive your gift,” He informed me and I nodded as he helped me to my feet.
I heard a loud hiss from the young man who had been disqualified and wondered why he didn’t want me to win. It wasn’t like we had a personal beef from before, or maybe he thought me to be a threat.
My eyes were averted to Matteo who stared at him with a sly grin and a ferocious look in his eye. I knew that look too well and I knew that things won’t end up well for the man.
“Don’t do anything to him, Matteo. Let’s just focus on my win,” I tried to dissuade him but his stern look and firm lips which were pursed told me that he wasn’t going to listen to me.
He nudged me towards one of the judges who held the board which showed the amount I’d won. I screamed I’m excitement when I realized that the judge I was to take a picture with was my role model that I’d been following on one of the numerous social media pages.
“I’m so glad to meet you, Mrs Fernandez,” I screeched and jumped on her without warning for a hug, while she smiled broadly and patted my back.
“The feeling is mutual. Besides, who doesn’t want to be with the winner of this kind of cooking competition? I’ll advise that we meet soon so that we can talk more about how you can join my staff.” She suggested and my mouth slackened in surprise.
It had to be a joke or I was probably imagining things.
“You want to employ me?” I asked on my own terms to be sure that I wasn’t making things up.
“If you aren’t occupied at the moment, we could work something out.” She smiled and I cupped my mouth.
“I’ll meet you for sure.” I agreed, flashing my brightest smile at the camera while Matteo snaked his hand around my waist, claiming me publicly.
Minutes later, I was already exhausted with the paparazzi and thankfully, Matteo was driving us back to our hotel. I’d shook hands with the judges and also taken nice pictures with them, but what stayed rent-free in my head was the meeting I’d have with Mrs Fernandez the next day.
“What were you discussing with that woman that got you so excited?” He asked as he swerved through a narrow bend, his palm on my thigh.
His touch was distracting as I bit back a moan that gnawed in my throat.
“Ummm.. She..” I stuttered, my cheeks heating up. “Can you allow me to talk, please?” I pleaded in a rush, and moaned as Matteo’s fingers trailed along my inner thighs, tugging at the zipper of my jeans.
“Aren’t you talking right now?” He teased with an innocent expression.
“You know what I’m trying to say?” I retorted and slapped his hands from my zipper playfully.
“Ouch!”
I giggled and relaxed properly on the headrest. “She wants me to work for her, can you believe that?”
“It’s good, but have you forgotten that you are working for me?” He reminded me, causing my face to fall.
I’d totally forgotten that I was his cook and not his girlfriend that could take whatever decision she wanted. And if I was to resign, I’d have to wait till he got another cook since I gave him a short notice.
“You are right, but she wants to meet up with me tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes, but the meeting has to be brief because I’m no longer comfortable here and I can’t leave without you.” He said and I remembered uncle Lorenzo’s plan.
Who knew when he would strike?
“Fine.”
“We are going out tonight to celebrate, and I’ve ordered a nice dress for you. So you’ll get home and dress up and we’ll head out.”
I furrowed my brows and glanced at him in disbelief. “You’ve ordered a dress already? Did you know that I was going to win?”
“I just had a haunch that things would change for you positively in this competition so I decided to order a dress. Don’t worry, I didn’t involve myself in the judge’s decision, your win was all you. You deserved it,”
My eyes watered and the urge to kiss him became overwhelming but that could lead to more than I was ready for.
?
The teal dress clung tightly to my skin but it didn’t matter because it gave me a breather. It was a broad cross one-shoulder with the length of the dress stretching above my ankle.
I wore a silver strapped heel and black bag to match it and came to the living room where Matteo was making a call. His jaw dropped when he sighted me, causing me to miss a step.
He was quick to stop me from falling as he swooped in his arms and locked his gaze on mine.
“You are so beautiful, Mamacita.” He commented and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I straightened my dress then bit back a smile. “Thank you, Matteo. Can we leave already? I’m hungry,” I said to distract his hungry eyes from devouring me further.
“Sure, but I’ll have to blindfold you because a huge surprise is waiting for you.” He informed me and I propped my hand against my waist.
“A surprise? You’re being extra sweet these days.”
“That’s because you deserve it.” He said and led me out of the hotel then put the black blindfold over my eyes.
The drive to the unknown place was short but I could feel my heart thudding faster than usual as I didn’t know what he had in store for me. But knowing someone like Matteo, I knew that he was going to do something really special.
Sometimes, I wondered what I did that made him treat me in such a way.
“We are here.” He announced, excitement laced in his voice.
I heard clicks from the doors, and the evening breeze swept my hair which I’d styled in different directions while Matteo helped me out of the car.
“What is going on Matteo?” I asked, still feeling tense as he held my hands firmly but delicately as if I was an egg that wasn’t to be broken.
“You’ll see, don’t worry.”
I walked carefully on my heels so that I wouldn’t trip and have a heavy fall, but I was relaxed because I knew that he wouldn’t let me fall. We kept walking and then we entered another building I couldn’t identify.
“We are almost there.”
I evened my breathing as he led me into an elevator. “Don’t worry, it’s just the both of us.”
“Did you pay for the privacy?” I asked, feeling his arrogant smirk behind me.
“You know what I can do.” He replied with a cocky tone.
The elevator dinged, notifying me that we had arrived at the venue. His steps became slower and so did mine. The scent of red roses wafted into my nose and my skin crawled with anticipation.
He stepped behind me and took off the blindfold slowly. My lashes fluttered as I tried to get used to the environment. Then my eyes saw the big patterned words which were arranged with roses which read,
Will you be my girlfriend?
I turned around and found Matteo holding a ring, attesting to what I’d read.
Then he said, “I want you to be my girlfriend.”