118

118
Rosa’s POV
The room was alive with muted laughter and the hum of low conversations, the clinking of glasses underscoring the melody of a live string quartet tucked into the far corner. These events were always the same-syndicate families gathered under the guise of camaraderie, but everyone was watching, calculating, angling for a sliver of power.
I’d attended these events for years, long enough to know every handshake, every fake smile, and every whispered word carried an undertone. Tonight was no different, but it felt different, at least to me.
I glanced over at Allesio, standing a few feet away, the dark suit he wore clinging to his frame like it was made just for him. He looked sharp, polished, and effortlessly confident, the kind of man who drew attention without even trying. My father certainly noticed, which was no small feat.
“You’ve brought someone impressive this time,” he had said earlier, his gaze lingering on Allesio in quiet evaluation.
“Allesio isn’t someone I brought,” I had corrected, though my stomach had fluttered at the implication. “He’s here because he wanted to be.”
“Hmm,” was all my father had said, but the slight curve of his lips told me he approved.
And that approval mattered more than I wanted to admit.
I watched as Allesio moved through the crowd, shaking hands with some of the most powerful men in the room, I felt something warm unfurl in my chest. He wasn’t just blending in, he was holding his own.
I watched as he exchanged a few words with my father’s right-hand man, Victor, who rarely gave anyone the time of day. Whatever Allesio said made Victor chuckle, a deep, genuine sound I’d heard maybe twice in my life.
Impressive.
“Your friend is quite charming,” a familiar voice said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see Daniela, the wife of one of our family’s business partners, her perfectly painted lips curling into a knowing smile.
“Friend?” I repeated, arching a brow.
Daniela’s laugh was soft and knowing. “Oh, come now, Rosa. Don’t play coy. I see the way he looks at you. The way you look at him.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but she waved a manicured hand, cutting me off. “Don’t bother denying it. Just enjoy it, darling. A man like that doesn’t come around often.”
Her words stayed with me long after she drifted off to rejoin her husband.
As the party went on, Allesio eventually made his way back to me, a glass of wine in one hand and that familiar, easy smile on his lips.
“Having fun?” he asked, handing me the glass before sliding his hand into his pocket.
I took a sip, the rich red liquid warming my throat. “As much fun as anyone can have at these things.”
He chuckled, his eyes scanning the room. “Your father seems pleased tonight.”
“That’s rare,” I said, my tone light but not untrue.
Allesio tilted his head, his gaze shifting to meet mine. “Maybe he has good reason to be. He’s got you. And from what I can tell, you don’t let anyone walk over you.”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks, a mix of pride and embarrassment. “You’re laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?”
“Not at all.” His smile softened, something warm and genuine flickering in his eyes.
I supposed I could get used to this. To him seeing me, not just as Rosa, the daughter of a powerful man, but as someone with her own strength, her own mind. With Allesio, I felt… different. Lighter, maybe.
And that scared me everyday.
Later, as the party began to wind down, my father called me over to introduce Allesio to a few associates.
“This is Allesio,” my father said, clapping a hand on Allesio’s shoulder. “He’s been keeping my daughter out of trouble lately.”
The men chuckled, but I saw the way they regarded Allesio-carefully, measuring him. Allesio didn’t falter, meeting their scrutiny with ease. He spoke with just enough confidence to command respect, but not so much that it felt forced.
By the time the introductions were over, even my father’s most critical ally, a man known for his impossible standards, seemed impressed.
As we walked away, I leaned closer to Allesio, lowering my voice. “You know, you’re making this very hard for me.”
He raised a brow, his expression amused. “Hard? How?”
“Every time I think I have you figured out, you surprise me,” I admitted.
He smirked, his hand brushing against mine as we walked. “Good. I like keeping you on your toes.”
When we finally left the event and slid into the backseat of the car, I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, the hum of the engine filling the silence.
“Your father likes me,” Allesio said after a moment, his tone light but teasing.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” I replied, though I couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re smiling,” he pointed out, leaning slightly closer. “I’ll take that as a win.”
I turned to look at him, my chest tightening at the way he was watching me. There was something in his eyes that made it hard to breathe, something that felt far too close to dangerous.
“You did well tonight,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Thank you,” he said, his tone equally quiet.
For a moment, neither of us said anything.
When the car finally pulled up to the mansion, I stepped out, grateful for the cool night air against my heated skin.
As we walked inside, I paused at the foot of the grand staircase, turning to face Allesio.
“Goodnight,” I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of feelings inside me.
“Goodnight, Rosa,” he replied, his gaze lingering on mine for a beat too long.
I climbed the stairs, my heart pounding with every step. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to not run back into his room and kiss him like I very much wanted to at the moment.