ELEANOR
The evening was cool, almost too perfect for what I was about to face. The sun was setting, leaving behind streaks of gold and orange that faded into the night, allowing the stars a moment to shine brightly. I could hear the music from inside the venue even before we reached the gate. It was beautiful-violins and other instruments playing in perfect harmony. This wasn’t just any party and it was already clear from just the music alone. Only the elite-ones with unimaginable power, could attend something like this.
When we got to the gate, the chauffeur rolled down his window and showed the security some kind of pass. They didn’t ask any questions; they just waved us in. I sat in the back of Armando’s limo, stiff and uncomfortable. The tension between us was thick, the same kind of silence that had filled the air the first time he brought me to his mansion. But this time, I was more afraid. I knew him now, or at least I thought I did. I knew what he was capable of.
I couldn’t help but wonder why he dragged me into this. Why bring me to this party? I had no place here. The dress I was wearing, this red one-shoulder side-split thing, felt wrong. It was too revealing for my taste, too bold. When we went shopping, I’d tried on several long gowns-something more modest, something that felt like me-but Armando hadn’t approved of any of them.
“They’re too local,” he had said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if my preferences didn’t matter at all.
Then he picked this dress. “This is sexy,” he had said, his eyes scanning me like I was some sort of mannequin. “This is class.”
I didn’t argue because there was no point. Convincing him otherwise was impossible. I was his little dress-up doll for the night and I had to play along, like always.
The compound was a bit larger than Armando’s mansion. It was breathtaking in a way that made me feel even more out of place. The field of perfectly manicured grass seemed to stretch endlessly, circling the house like a green ocean.
In the middle of the compound, a grand fountain shot water high into the air, glistening under the fading sunlight. And right in front of the staircase that led to the main entrance, people were arriving in cars I’d only ever seen in magazines. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porches-you name it. Each car seemed more expensive than the last, like a parade of wealth I could never imagine.
They all handed their keys to butlers-so many of them all in matching suits-before making their way up the grand stairs and into the mansion. It was like a scene from a movie, too perfect and too polished. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t this.
I looked over at Armando, who hadn’t said a word since we left his house. He looked exactly like he always did-composed, distant. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, the kind that screamed power, with a bow tie that only added to his intimidating presence.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Why am I here, Armando?” I finally asked, breaking the silence. “What do you expect me to do at a place like this?”
He glanced at me briefly, barely giving me any attention. “You’re here because I need you to be. Nothing more.”
“That doesn’t explain anything.” I clenched my fists in my lap, frustration bubbling up. “This isn’t my world Armando, I don’t belong here. So why then do you need me?”
“You belong where I say you belong Eleanor,” he said, his voice cool, almost bored. “And tonight, you’re going to act like you’re used to all this. Smile. Be pleasant. Don’t cause a scene.”
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to scream at him. “And if I don’t?”
His eyes darkened, and for a second, I regretted asking. “You will. Trust me.”
As soon as we arrived, I realized Armando had planned this for maximum effect. Everyone was already inside. It felt like we were the last to arrive, like he wanted to make an entrance, and I had no doubt in my mind that it was exactly his intention. The mansion-if you could even call it that-was enormous. I’d never seen anything like it, not even in my wildest dreams. It was practically a palace.
Although I had expected luxury, I didn’t expect this level of it. The hall was packed with people, and the entrance swarmed with paparazzi.
Cameras flashed nonstop, and for a second, I felt like I’d stepped into one of those celebrity galas I used to watch on reality TV. The type of world where people like me had no place.
“So this is Armando’s world,” I thought. A world where nothing was out of reach, and everything came at a price.
The chauffeur pulled up at the base of the massive staircase leading to the entrance. That was our cue to get out. My stomach churned with nerves. This was it-the moment I had to pretend, the moment I had to act like I belonged here, the moment I had to act like I wasn’t terrified of the man sitting right next to me.
Armando stepped out first. Then he did something I didn’t expect-he turned around and opened the door for me, like a gentleman. He was already in character, playing the perfect man for the cameras and for the people who mattered as well. For a second, I almost believed it too, almost forgot who he really was. But as I slid out of the car, he leaned in close and whispered into my ear, his voice low and threatening.
“Try anything stupid tonight, and you’ll regret it.”
The words sent a shiver down my spine, but before I could react, he was already smiling again. A fake, polished smile for everyone watching. I had to remind myself not to fall for it. This was the same man who locked me in a room, same man who wouldn’t hesitate to break me if it served his purpose.
I glanced around at the other guests still arriving. Most of them were getting out of their cars themselves, handing their keys to the butlers waiting by the entrance. But Armando had his chauffeur drive us. I wasn’t sure if that was because of his pride-being too good to drive himself-or if it was because he trusted no one, not even with something as simple as driving his car.
As soon as he locked his elbow with mine and started leading me up the stairs, my heart pounded harder in my chest. I had to force myself to breathe, to act normal. I couldn’t let anyone see how afraid I was. Walking beside him felt like being chained to my own nightmare, but I had to play along, at least for tonight.
The inside of the mansion was even more extravagant than I expected. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. The guests were dressed to the nines-jewels, gowns, tuxedos, the works. It was like stepping into a different universe, one where wealth and power ruled everything.
We hadn’t even been inside for long when someone came up to greet Armando. His voice was loud, filled with amusement, and I could feel the disdain dripping from his words even before he finished speaking.
“Well, well, well. Armando Luca,” he said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I see you’re back to your usual habit. Changing women more often than you change your clothes.”
I froze, my mind racing. What the hell is this man talking about? I stared at him, then at Armando who didn’t even flinch. He just smirked, that same smug, detached look I’d seen him give so many times before.
“Some things never change,” Armando replied, his tone smooth, almost lazy. He didn’t even bother to deny it.
I wanted to ask, to demand an explanation, but I couldn’t-especially not here, in front of all these people. So I swallowed my questions and forced a smile, pretending like I hadn’t just heard someone casually throw an insult that should’ve knocked the wind out of me. Pretending like I wasn’t bothered by the fact that I had no idea how many young women Armando had done this to before me. How many had come and gone without a trace.
The fat man laughed, clearly enjoying the exchange. “Well, let’s hope this one lasts a little longer, eh?” His eyes flickered to me for a brief moment before he wandered off, but it wasn’t really me he was looking at. It was the idea of me-the woman on Armando’s arm and nothing more.
Shortly after, Armando slightly tightened his grip on my arm, his subtle way of reminding me to maintain a visible smile as we strode around. I hated it, but what did it matter? I was surrounded by people who wouldn’t care less about the truth behind his charming facade.
I had to play my part. That’s all I was to him tonight-a pawn in whatever his game was.