Chapter 28

Kara’s POV

*

The brightness from the blue chandeliers shimmered upon my bed sheet as I stared at it, with a certain gut wrenching feeling clenching at the pit of my belly for the umpteenth time today. I had recently told mama that I liked Stephano, even though that certain ‘likeness’ I had confessed was a fake one. When she would get to know that I was dating him, she wouldn’t say much, and she’d just wave it off and say we would see how things eventually panned out.

But I was glad mama wasn’t upset about or judgmental, since she was always one to share her honest opinions. She would surely trust me enough to know I was not doing it because I needed money from him; for heaven’s sake, I had tons of that in my account already. The soft thud produced at my door snapped me out of my disturbing thoughts and my nervousness escalated even further when I caught sight of who had just briefly knocked before entering.

“Oh my, you look beautiful in this dress!” Mama gushed as she sashayed her way in.

She was in a knee length silver dress, the neckline glittering with the stones she had attached to it. This was one of her attires which she made herself early this year and when I sometimes sat to think about mama, I couldn’t help but will the tears that seldom pooled at my eyes.

My mama was talented.

She was talented and really hardworking, never depending on anyone or letting them see her down. I wish she could have established herself when she was younger, but then she’d been a maid just like her own mother and she didn’t have the opportunities I had now with the Alfonsi’s. I was practically a daughter to them.

My mama sang, she was a great author who loved writing novels and she also was also a tailor. Growing up, she made quite some cash out of that talent but she later quit it. She quit it when she wrote her last book, or that was how the story was, according to her. She never got any of them published because the opportunities were slim at that time, so everything just eventually drained her out.

“Thank you mama. Has the flowers been delivered?” I asked.

“Yes, just now. Is the young master back?”

“Si mama.”

I sucked a long breath in. She just asked after him, but I didn’t like how my heart reacted to that.

When I went to his office earlier on, he had hugged me so close to his chest. Such actions were heartwarming in a weird way. It was as if I mattered to him after all. He now treated me with respect, and he had totally stopped glaring unlike how things were before.

“You look beautiful mama.”

“Really?” Hey eyes sparkled. I was glad she didn’t complain to me complimenting her, mama didn’t like people showering her compliments.

She would often say they were sweet talking her.

“Yes, really.” I assured proudly.

“You are also a dazzling beauty. I can’t believe my childr-child has grown so much. You’ll make a young Knight in shining armor proud someday.” She grinned but I could see the shimmering in her eyes. Her gaze was filled with its usual pride as she sized me up, softly tracing her fingers on my red dress and that only tripled my guilt.

This dress was longer than the first one Stephano had ordered. It had a low back and the arms were shorter, with puffs at the tip of the small arms. There was also a slit that ran up my left leg, just high enough to reach the knee.

It seemed Stephano loved seeing me in red. He ordered one also, as well as my black Zara collection of clutch purse, four inches heels and my accessories. Remembering how he had complimented me earlier on had me sucking in a harsh breath. I never knew him to be a charmer and whenever he threw me a breath-hitching compliment, he would always wear a straight look.

As if it didn’t matter. And that was the problem. When a compliment came from Stephano, it mattered. A lot. Cazzo!

“Thanks mama.”

The party was due to commence in about an hour but I didn’t want to leave my room yet. Tables were set, food and drinks had been sorted out and Stephano was in his study, taking care of some things like he had told me he would when I left his room.

I didn’t understand that man. Who worked on Saturdays?! Stephano Alfonsi, apparently. Mama was silent for a few seconds as her eyes roamed around my room before settling back on me.

“What’s wrong?” She asked warily. “You look somewhat... bothered.”

Accidenti! (damn) Was I that obvious?

“Uh…nothing. I’m just...” I avoided her eyes. Tell her! My mind screamed. “Okay, I’m nervous.” Adrian walked out of my en-suite just then, her eyes held a warning.

“Why would you be nervous? You’re not ill, are you?” Mama asked.

“No.” I didn’t avoid her eyes. She would press for more answers if I did. Was I taking this taking too far? Maybe I was. I should just be neutral; after all, she wouldn’t eat me up if she realized I was actually dating Stephano.

“But something is obviously bothering you.”

Adrian had also asked me to tell mama since she got here this morning but I postponed it till now and the thought alone gave me more to worry about.

“Yes mama,” Adrian mumbled with a weird stare, “she refuses to say what exactly is bothering her.” Adrian avoided my visual attack as I fixed her a glare, my laser beams immediately burning into the side of her face as she left my room with a black bag in hand.

“Then how can we help, dimmi?”

It wasn’t like I couldn’t tell her, I just didn’t want to see the look of disapproval on her face.

“It is nothing you have to worry about. I didn’t get enough rest last night because I was searching for some important information online and I just feel really tired.”

“You’re not in trouble, are you?” Mama probed in a voice laced with confusion. Adrian came back into the room.

I shrugged but my shoulders wouldn’t let me do it properly as they felt very heavy. “Alright then, I should check the girls now. Those new helps are still not fully settled in yet.”

She got up immediately and my shoulders sagged again but instead of leaving, she checked herself in the mirror, accessing her breasts by lifting them up one after the other and earning an eye roll from me.

“What? I’m giving myself a breast examination. You should do these things often.”

“Oh mama...” I heaved a sigh and shut my eyes, hoping to shut the world out with all the strength I could muster but heavens weren’t on my side.

“Babe, I’ve asked you not to stress yourself over this and just go with the flow. Now go sit and prepare to do your makeover.” Adrian saved me from brooding longer than necessary, pinning me with her warning stare that screamed ‘tell her!’

“Yes, there’s no need for so much stress. Tell me why you have to apply makeup again? You look beautiful already Kara.” Mama directed the question at me.

My tongue swiftly darted over my lower lip.

What would I tell her now? She had no idea I would be introduced as Stephano Alfonsi’s girlfriend today— before all his business associates and some media reporters. The thought alone had me shuddering slightly. I didn’t usually care what people thought, but for goodness sake, I was just a house help’s daughter!

“Kara?” It was Adrian.

Fine!

“Mama, there’s something you have to know.”

“Uh...something I don’t already have knowledge of?” Her stare was confident. As if she knew something I didn’t.

“Well...I don’t think you know this one.”

“Kara...” Adrian huffed. She walked to the dressing table and started rummaging through random things.

“Apart from the fact that you are now dating young master Stephano? Tell me then.” She raised a curious brow.

A pin drop silence stretched into the room as my ears suddenly grew hot. My heart palpitated, my tongue clamping onto the roof of my mouth and staying there.

I visibly gawked at her, turning my head to Adrian’s direction and back to mama when I noticed her also staring at mama, jaw slacked.

“How....just, how?” Adrian whisper yelled dramatically.

“You really want to know?” Mama’s smirk was devious. It gave me weird sensations all of a sudden because I couldn’t depict any anger or irritation in her tone.

I didn’t depict either anger, happiness, irritation or disappointment. There was nothing.

“Uh... yes! So mama, how did you find out?” I finally asked. She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“I knew he asked you to be his girlfriend from the very start, caro. I was about to enter your room that night you returned from the event, when I heard him talking.” We kept staring at each other for a few seconds, no one speaking. It was unnerving, I had never felt this way before and I expected the scolding to come afterwards but...it still didn’t.

“I’m sorry. I should have told yo-”

“I know why you did it, but, oh Kara, are you sure about this?” Her gaze was soft and understanding. This only made me doubt myself. Was I sure about this?

“Sure about what exactly?” I questioned curiously, not knowing how far she’d heard that night. Was I sure about dating him? Or was I sure about giving him my consent to our pretend date for a whole year?

Adrian just sat there and watched us deal with the issue, making little to no attempt to interfere.

“You know how things are, mio caro, You’re embarrassed about living with the ricco, what with him paying your school fees and all, talk less you suddenly dating him. I don’t want you feeling intimidated later on.”

I mulled on what she said for a good couple of seconds. She was right.

It wouldn’t be good if I kept feeling intimidated being only his cook’s daughter and all but...this would only last for less than a year. And we had spent few weeks together. Before anyone would say Jack, I would be ending the deal and then I would find a good man who would treat me right and truly mean it.

I mentally clapped my hands together. All done!

“I get you mama-”

“No Kara, I’m not going to tell you to end things, but let me tell you something. There’s a four lettered word that could ruin you if you get too attached.”

“Uh...”

“It’s a strong feeling that rules the emotions and compels the actions of those tangled in it; you wouldn’t want to mess with it Kara.”

“And that word is called ‘l.o.v.e’ Adrian spelled carefully, separating each word and hitting the nail in the head with all her index finger jabbing into the table. I wanted to glare at her but I couldn’t. A part of me feared that she was right and I hated it. There was nothing I could do, and maybe there was. I could avoid falling in love with him.

But if Adrian could love her boyfriend to obsession and mama could love my dad so much and let her guards down for him such that she was really hit by the news when he died years ago, what was the assurance that I wouldn’t mistakenly fall for the trick too?

I was suddenly conflicted and I winced when I felt something cold on my right cheek.

“Kara, you’re doing this just because of your gratitude towards him aren’t you?” Mama’s finger pads caressed my cheek. Her gaze was understanding but also somewhat pitiful.

“What? No. Why would I?” I snorted in an unladylike manner.

You know you are! Admit it!

Oh please, I’m not.

If you aren’t doing it to show gratitude, then are you doing it because...you’ve caught feelings?

Get the hell out of my head. Uff, feelings my butt!

“It seems she’s brooding over this longer than necessary.” Adrian’s voice dragged me back into the present and I blinked twice.

“You are, and I know it. I know you don’t feel any kind of attraction for young master Stephano, but feelings change and once you love, you can’t stop loving.” Mama told me sternly, her gaze unwavering and her eyes burrowing as she stared deeply at me.

I held her gaze. I knew she was trying to tell me something, her eyes were a blazing fire. But I wasn’t going to allow her talk me out of this because I and Stephano had been doing quite well these past few weeks and I didn’t want to ruin what was between us.

Heaving a sigh, I nodded and got up. “I already agreed.”

“Well, you can back out if you want to.” She shrugged but that didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to back out, at least not now. “It’s never too late.”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

“She’s right mama. She’ll be fine. Kara is a strong girl and she knows what she’s doing.”

Mama eyed her with her lips presses in a firm line. “Love is no respecter of anyone my dears, and when you get bitten by the love bug, you’ve gotten the bite. You never fully recover.”

I rolled my eyes, realizing mama was probably quoting some lines she read from one of her novels. “Thanks for that. I won’t catch any feeling or get any bite.”

“I hope you know what you are doing then. I’ll be right down to check on the girls and make sure things are well in order.” She got up with a reassuring small smile and finally left.

I shrugged absentmindedly, giving Adrian a careless look which she shrugged heavily to and for the life of me, I really hoped I knew what I was doing.

~°~

“Kara, meet my business associate from Korea and his secretary. Lee min Ho and Shin Hye Sun.” Stephano gestured at the tall man standing by the cake, his eyes not leaving my form.

He was looking breathtaking in black shiny suit and his hair was tousled in a mouthwatering way. I loved his five o’clock shadow and momentarily wished I could rub my hands across his jaws, so I quickly dragged my eyes away from his face before temptation won over. The aura emitting off him was the hottest part of it all, because as usual, he had everything under prefect control and every of his movement was fluid.

While alighting the stairs earlier on, I had been told to just smile, be myself and don’t get nervous. Stephano knew me better than I had given him credit for. People were being welcomed in and a few already had themselves seated. The venue being used was Stephano’s large hall which was actually our living room. It was wide enough, I could testify to that.

I noticed someone’s eyes on me as I produced a sincere smile when I caught Stephano’s gaze, nodding at the people he was introducing me to. Those eyes hadn’t stopped watching my every movement all evening, and the announcement was still yet to be made as he was waiting for his family’s arrival.

I was also a nervous wreck.

I had only seen his mom once since he built this house and moved in. If anything, I didn’t want her to change her kind behavior towards me and think I was a cliché gold digger.

The rich had a weird way of thinking when they were around lower class individuals and I valued my self-respect a lot.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lee and Mrs. ..” I stretched my hand towards the suit clad man, my smile directed towards the woman. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember her name.

“Miss Shin Hye Sun, Mr. Lee’s Secretary.” The woman repeated, not in the slightest bit offended that I didn’t get her name before. Her voice was smooth and oozed confidence and I loved that.

“Oh, miss Shin. I’m Kara, er Stephano’s girlfriend.”

“You do look dazzling, I love the gown.” She gave me a smile, her gaze soft and her body language friendly.

My smile widened. “Oh. Thank you. It’s a Gazelle Dino’s design.” I beamed.

She eyed me up and down and nodded, as if giving her approval of my dressing. I did the same, eyeing her work attire.

“How are you doing, Miss Kara? I hope you put a tight leash on this man. I’ve always known him to be too serious with his work.” Mr. Lee said with a smile. I stared at his lips as they moved, noticing his eyes crinkle when he did as much as crack a small smile.

“I am doing just good Sir and sure. I will, I should.” I mumbled the last part to myself though if I hadn’t, I doubted the man would have still heard me. His gaze was constantly on his secretary, who looked bored out of her mind at the moment even though she was trying to not show it.

She was in a black fitted suit pant, her hair tied in a neat bun and my, she was also really beautiful. Her blazer fitted like it was made especially for her and she was a C cup. A few inches taller but her cheeks were definitely fuller and light pink color sat comfortably on her plump lips.

“How is the Hong Kong project, Mr. Lee?” Stephano asked.

The man lazily dragged his eyes away from his secretary but only for a brief moment before he was back to looking at her. “We have two weeks more and with all the assistance my crew members are rendering, get ready to have your mind blown.”

I wanted to speak to the woman so she wouldn’t look so bored. She looked polite somewhat, while the man looked like a handful. I concluded that she wouldn’t be more than two to three years older than I was.

“And the company branding, I still haven’t decided who should assist the head of economics department. I need perfection. Someone that sees my vision and who is very bright, with a lot to offer us.”

Stephano’s gaze momentarily flitted towards me. He couldn’t be thinking what I thought he was. Nope. I was still in school and didn’t even have a single experience about the business world economics like he could be thinking.

“I am sure you’ll find someone...capable.” His eyes stared into mine as he stretched the word.

“I hope so too.” Lee Min Ho man nodded.

“Alright. If you’ll excuse me then, I have to attend to some people.”

“We’ll make ourselves comfortable just fine, don’t worry.” He grinned and permanently returned his eyes back to his secretary who now looked somewhat uncomfortable.

Stephano’s hand was back to my waist as he gently pulled me along. My skin resumed its usual tingling sessions like it had Stephano’s touch plastered in memory.

So considerate...

“Well well, who do we have here?” A firm voice announced. Heads turned in the direction behind us. Stephano stopped in his tracks immediately. I also did.

That was his mother but I couldn’t speak to her here, because I didn’t want to get embarrassed like this... How would she greet me and also, what would she say?

“My brother and the love of his life.” Giuliano’s voice followed playfully. I hadn’t seen him in a year. He was Stephano’s younger brother, two years younger and as playful as always.

We both turned around like it had been practiced and someone pulled me into a hug immediately, retreating with a chuckle.

I was momentarily clouded by the strong Cologne. Thank goodness I wasn’t asthmatic.

“Calm down with the laser beams bro, it’s not like I’m stealing her from you.” Giuliano laughed softly while I pulled out of his hold. “Kara bear, how are you?” he further asked. I looked around but Stephano was already leading his mom somewhere towards the entrance.

“Uh..hi. I’m fine.” I squeaked. I flushed, embarrassed because of how I had sounded. I just didn’t think he would also be here tonight since he was traveling so frequently now due to his model career and his reaction towards seeing me, I couldn’t stomach it. He hugged me like he used to do when I was five!

It was somewhat a beautiful feeling even though I was practically staring at a younger Stephano; sleek black hair, a charming smile and good looks. Could this family just share me some genes that screamed ‘hotness?!’

“So, you and my brother, huh?” He wiggled his eyebrows. He also had blue orbs, just like their mom.

His younger sister, Angela, was the only one who didn’t have that color. Hers was a mixture of blue and green, just like their dads. Also, she had a great resemblance with her dad— strong headed and not too free with people.

“Yes.” I merely mumbled.

“Oh, I’m deeply hurt. I thought you would choose me over him.”

My eyes went wide and I was beginning to ramble but he chuckled softly. “Calm down Kara bear. You’re still as adorable as ever.” He pinched my cheeks.

He used to call me Kara bear a lot while growing up and like Stephano, he didn’t take lightly to boys coming to their estate to ask of me. When Stephano would glare and drag them away for distracting me from doing my duties, Giuliano would just calmly tell them that I was his girlfriend and he never wanted to see them around me again.

He was like that till I brought my high school boyfriend, Victor Dimitri home one day.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t talk to him at the moment. We spoke often but I was embarrassed and he currently wasn’t helping with all the teasing.

Strong arms went around my waist and I was possessively pulled into someone’s chest. “Ah, dear brother and his angel. Isn’t that description perfect? The beauty and the beast.” He sighed dramatically.

My heart started thumping wildly in my chest as I struggled to maintain a casual look.

I couldn’t allow the way his thumb was tracing around my waist affect me. I just couldn’t. I caught a sight of Adrian, looking all gorgeous in her Purple Dave and Johnny long V-neck formal dress with slit at the left leg as she gave a house help directions before the help scurried off. I had one hot girlfriend and I was proud of that!

“Mom needs you so just stop troubling Kara.” Stephano replied behind me and I came back to the present. My legs shook a bit and I fluttered my eyes close, dragging in a good amount of air.

Cazzo! What was that? Did my knees just buckle because I merely heard his voice? Fancullo!

“I know how it feels. The lovers needs some intimate time and want me out of their face.” Giuliano smiled dramatically and patted his chest. “But I’ll be back, that’s a promise.”

He flashed me another one of his charming smiles and Stephano’s hand tightened around my waist.

“Just leave.” Stephano’s tone was reprimanding.

“Sure thing bro.” He backed away and his laughter followed him.

I looked away and caught Stephanie’s stare on us as she served an older woman her wine, her eyes revealing all the emotions brewing in her at the moment. She looked torn and I almost pitied her, almost, but I didn’t.

She should be lucky that she hadn’t been asked on a pretend dating thingy because she already caught feelings for Stephano and if he ended things a year later, it would break her.

“Turn around, Kara.” Stephano stated softly. Goodness. It was just a mention of my name but the way Stephano caressed it with his tongue, I didn’t want it to affect me the way it did. I did as commanded and blue orbs immediately pulled me in. He tightened his hold around my waist, flashing me one of his rare smiles, a wolfish grin.

“You look extremely beautiful this night Kara. The dress was made especially for you...”

I turned into jell-O, gratitude flooding in me as I realized he was complimenting me again. I gave him a shy smile and stared right into his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Are you having a good time?” He asked, his tone still soft.

“I am. I love it.”

I wasn’t really enjoying myself, since all I’d done was meet people all evening. It didn’t matter though, as long as he was with me.

I didn’t want to sound selfish but I loved how he kept me by his side even when beautiful, tall legged looking women with model shapes and bodies that were to die for approached him. He politely introduced me to them as the love of his life repeatedly.

Don’t think too much about it Kara, just don’t!

“Where’s your mom?”

He was still staring. Doesn’t he ever get tired of just staring at me?  “She had to take care of something outside. She’ll be in soon.”

“Oh.” Maybe she was plotting my death for seducing her son. I shook my head at my horrible thought.

“The announcement will be made soon. I need to-” he looked up and his lips parted as he stared behind me. “Give me a second.”

I turned around to see him walking towards a familiar figure, a woman who was talking to his mom at the entrance and when she gave him her full profile, my world stopped again as my heart hammered against my chest. It was the same woman from that night at the club.

And she was now pulling him into another hug.