Still at the restaurant
The server returned briefly to pour more wine, then vanished again like a ghost. Alessio sat back in his chair, studying her intensely while Aria met his gaze unflinching.
"You're not what I expected," he said finally.
"What did you expect?"
"A girl too scared to follow through."
Aria leaned forward, chin resting on her knuckles. "Then you clearly don't know me at all."
He smiled. "Not yet."
"And do you always plan dates like this?" she asked. "Or am I just the special one?"
"This is not a date." he said, "If it was, you'd be wearing red."
She blinked. "And what is this then?"
He looked at her, all trace of humor gone. "This is a conversation between two people who are interested in each other, but don't know if they should be enemies or something else."
"Something else? And what gave you the impression I'm interested in you?" Aria asked.
"Trust me, I notice things easily.."
Aria's chest tightened, but she kept her face calm.
"I don't know what game you think you're playing, but I don't break easy, Alessio."
"It wouldn't be fun if you do " He said lightly.
---
They stood in silence again, waiting for the driver to come. The evening wind tugged at her hair, and the choker felt tight against her throat, like a collar.
Alessio stepped closer.
"Why are you really here, Aria?" he asked, voice low.
"You already know why."
"I want to hear you say it."
She looked up at him, the words heavy in her chest. Because she needed something. Because her father needed her. Because her life and her father's life was tied to this very man.
And because he scared her in a way that was dangerously addictive.
Instead, she said, "Because I want to understand who you really are."
He nodded slowly. "And if you do?"
"I'll decide what to do with the truth."
His gaze flickered slightly with interest and something more. Aria quickly looked away from him.
"Come to my house with me, Aria." He said suddenly.
Aria was stunned silent. "What?"
"You said you want to know who I really am, I'm giving you a chance. No better way to know the real me than visiting my home." He said casually.
"So this is how it works? Lure girls in with wine, chandeliers and fancy dates, and then drag them home?" She tried to sound amused, but her pulse betrayed her.
He let out a chuckle. "I told you earlier that this is not a date. And I'm not interested in going down with you."
Aria's face burned red, and she averted her gaze from him, wriggling her hands together, wishing the driver came sooner.
"Not that I don't find you attractive of course. Her neck snapped to look at him,and her cheeks became even redder.
He continued unbothered. "You are a really beautiful woman Aria, but I just can't." He said painfully.
She was confused. "Did he have an illness or something? Is that why his father is trying to get her to marry him?" She thought.
She was jolted out of her thoughts when the car pulled up in front of them. Alessio lightly grabbed her arm.
"What do you say? To my house?"
She nodded unconsciously, her sense muddled by the feel of his skin on her skin, and the dizzy effect of his cologne.
The driver opened the car door, and they both entered the car and drove off.
******
Just outside the rooftop lounge
Alex watched from the driver's seat, the reflection of the rooftop glinting in the car mirror. He had silently followed Alessio to this place, to keep an eye on him.
He saw her step out from Alessio's designated car, and walked upstairs.
Aria looked absolutely lovely in her dress and jewelries, but not like his love.
Alex's fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. She was bold, clever, and—most dangerously—different.
He watched their interactions quietly, and held his breath as they both stepped out. He was shocked. Alessio waited with her outside for the car to come.
Alessio is not the kind of man that wait with a woman for a car, and he was fairly certain Alessio ordered the driver to come late.
He didn't understand the reason why Alessio was so fascinated by her. He watched as Alessio laughed and smiled at Aria, and his chest burned.
As the car began moving, he waited for a few minutes before he followed them. He pulled out his phone, and texted her.
> He brought her to the rooftop. She wore the choker, and they are on their way to his house now.
—A.
The reply came two minutes later.
> Who?
He replied instantly, his heart beating rapidly.
> Aria. The college student.
This time, the silence dragged.
Then finally:
> Send a photo next time. And Alex… don't get caught.
He deleted the conversation and locked the phone before tucking it away inside the glove compartment.
His jaw tensed as he glanced into the rearview mirror again.
Aria had no idea what she'd just stepped into.
But she would learn.
And when she did…,someone would bleed.