Chapter 39: CHAPTER 36:MR. AND MRS ALESSANDRO

Adolph

Pranav grabbed my arm and practically dragged me toward the dining hall, mumbling something about dying of starvation.

"You act like you haven't been eating snacks all day," I muttered, resisting his pull just to annoy him.

"Snacks are not a meal, Adolph!" he cried out dramatically. "You wouldn’t understand because you live off dark vibes and intimidation."

I rolled my eyes and yanked my arm free, straightening my cuffs. "I live off many things, Pranav. Your whining isn't one of them."

We entered the dining hall, the golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over the long table adorned with gourmet dishes. The rich aroma of roasted meats, fresh bread, and fine wine filled the space, but something—or rather, someone—was missing.

Neti.

I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, but she didn’t pick up. Of course.

With a smirk, I turned on my heel and strolled toward the grand staircase.

"Oi! Where are you going? The food is here!" Pranav called after me, already piling his plate with anything within reach.

"Fetching my bride," I replied smoothly, not even looking back.

I took my time walking up the stairs, enjoying the thought of what I'd find behind her door. Still sulking? Pacing? Stubbornly pretending not to be hungry?

I stopped in front of her room and knocked twice, not bothering to wait before pushing the door open.

She was sitting on the bed, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"You didn’t come when I called," I said casually, stepping inside.

"Didn’t feel like it," she muttered, looking away.

I chuckled, closing the distance between us. "Hmm." I reached out, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet my gaze. "And yet, your stomach tells a different story."

Right on cue, her stomach let out a soft growl.

Her eyes widened slightly before she scowled, shoving my hand away. "That means nothing."

"Oh, but it does, princesa," I murmured, leaning down so our noses almost touched. "It means you need me."

Her breath hitched, and for a second, she looked unsure. But then she straightened her shoulders and scoffed.

"I’d rather starve."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," I tutted, shaking my head. "What a terrible liar you are."

Before she could retort, I simply grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet. She gasped, stumbling slightly into my chest.

"Adolph!" she protested, trying to pull away.

I smirked. "If you won’t come willingly, I'll just have to carry you downstairs myself."

Her eyes widened in horror. "You wouldn't dare."

In one swift motion, I scooped her up into my arms, effortlessly holding her against my chest.

"You were saying?" I drawled, watching the blush creep up her neck.

"Put me down, you psycho!" She squirmed, but I only held her tighter.

"You’re only making me want to hold you longer, princesa," I whispered, letting my lips graze the shell of her ear.

She froze.

I grinned and started walking toward the dining room.

Pranav looked up from his plate just as I entered, Neti still in my arms. He swallowed his food and smirked.

"You actually carried her down?" he laughed. "Damn, bro, you really don’t take no for an answer."

"Not when I know what’s best for her," I replied smoothly, setting Neti down onto a chair beside me.

She huffed, crossing her arms, but didn’t leave.

Victory.

Pranav leaned toward her, wiggling his eyebrows. "You know, Neti, if you’re ever tired of being kidnapped by Adolph every five minutes, I’d gladly rescue you."

She shot him a glare. "I’d rather be thrown into the ocean."

Pranav clutched his heart dramatically. "Why are the women in my life so cruel?"

I chuckled and reached for my glass of wine, my fingers brushing against Neti’s in the process.

She tensed, but I just smirked.

"Eat, mi amor," I murmured, my voice low. "You’ll need your strength."

Her breath hitched, but she quickly grabbed a fork and stabbed into her food, refusing to look at me.

I merely leaned back in my chair, enjoying the way she squirmed under my gaze.

I always win.

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Pranav tapped his fork against his plate, staring at me with a shit-eating grin.

“Man, I still can’t believe you actually carried her down here.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Like, just scooped her up. Bridal style. No hesitation.”

I ignored him, cutting into my steak with precise movements.

But of course, he didn’t stop.

“I mean, I get the whole ‘dark mafia prince with control issues’ thing you’ve got going on, but carrying your bride-to-be to dinner? That’s some next-level, possessive shit, dude.”

Neti, who had just taken a sip of water, choked. I smirked at her reaction but kept my focus on my meal.

Pranav wasn’t done.

“And the way you whispered to her? What was it again? ‘You’ll need your strength, mi amor’?” He mimicked my voice, dropping it an octave.

I raised an eyebrow. “Do I sound that attractive to you, Pranav? Should I be concerned?”

“Shut up.” He shoved a piece of bread into his mouth, barely chewing before continuing. “I’m just saying, you’re giving real ‘kidnapper who fell in love with his hostage’ vibes.”

“Aren’t you literally stalking a girl who despises you?” I shot back.

Pranav gasped, clutching his chest. “That is completely different!”

“Oh?” Neti chimed in for the first time, crossing her arms. “How exactly?”

Pranav huffed. “Because Aliya just doesn’t know me well enough yet. Once she does, she’ll realize I’m the love of her life.”

Neti and I exchanged a look.

Then she sighed. “Yeah. Or she’ll kill you.”

“At least she’ll be touching me in some way,” Pranav sighed dreamily, taking another bite of food.

I shook my head. “You’re hopeless.”

“And you’re in denial,” he shot back, pointing his fork at me. “Because, my dear best friend, you are obsessed with Neti.”

I tilted my head, my smirk lazy. “Are you jealous?”

Pranav groaned. “I don’t know what’s worse—watching you act like a psychotic lover or knowing that Aliya would rather throw herself into a pit of lava than spend a second talking to me.”

Neti rolled her eyes. “For once, I agree with Aliya.”

Pranav gasped again. “Bhabhi, you wound me!”

“Don’t call me that!” she snapped.

Pranav only laughed, stuffing another bite of food into his mouth. “Well, you better get used to it. In just a few days, you’ll officially be Mrs. Adolph Alessandro.”

Neti went rigid.

I, on the other hand, just took another sip of wine, watching her reaction with quiet amusement.

“You know, Neti,” Pranav continued, waggling his eyebrows. “If you run now, I’ll cover for you.”

She scoffed. “Oh, please. You’d probably track me down just to watch the drama unfold.”

“Damn. She knows me too well,” Pranav muttered.

I chuckled, setting my glass down. Then I turned to Neti, my gaze dark and steady.

“You could run, mi amor. But you won’t.”

She shivered.

Pranav groaned. “Ugh. Stop with the dark, sexy mafia talk. I’m trying to eat.”

He's mafia himself. With personality disorder

I smirked, watching as Neti stabbed her food a little harder than necessary.

This dinner was definitely worth carrying her downstairs for.

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