Days passed so fast since the night Vincenzo kissed me and somehow… that only made things worse for me because no matter how hard I tried to forget it, my body still refused to cooperate.
The alarm beside my bed rang loudly, dragging me out of sleep with an irritating sound that made me groan in frustration.
I stretched my arm toward the nightstand and smacked the alarm repeatedly until the noise finally stopped. I buried my face deeper into the soft mattress with another tired groan.
For a few peaceful seconds, I forgot where I was before reality came crashing back.
Vincenzo's mansion.
'Ughnnn!'
I rolled onto my back slowly, staring blankly at the expensive ceiling above me while memories from that night replayed themselves in my head like a curse.
His lips on mine, the warmth of his hand against my waist and the way he whispered my name like it actually meant something to him.
My fingers moved to my lips unconsciously.
"God,Noo!..." I muttered in horror before immediately burying my face into the pillow again.
A muffled scream escaped me, kicking my legs dramatically on the poor mattress.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I was supposed to hate him, right?... I'm not supposed to replay kisses like some hopeless teenage girl in a romance movie.
After another five minutes of aggressively fighting my own thoughts, I finally dragged myself out of bed and headed into the bathroom.
The cold water splashing softly on my body helped atleast. By the time I finished dressing, I looked a little more human and far less emotionally unstable.
I slipped into a pair of grey joggers and a black long sleeve top that stopped just above my thin waist, revealing a small portion of skin whenever I moved. I loved it, it was so comfortable.
Nothing that screamed the future mafia's bride and that thought alone irritated me. I tied my hair into a loose ponytail before leaving my room and heading downstairs.
The mansion was unusually calm this morning, sunlight pouring through the massive windows, reflecting softly against the marble floors. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear workers moving around quietly, their voices low enough to blend into the silence.
As I entered the dining area, my eyes instinctively searched the room first but it was empty. i felt strangely relieved or maybe disappointed.
God…I seriously needed help.
I pulled out one of the chairs and sat down at the long dining table just as a maid approached carefully with breakfast. The smell alone nearly made me emotional.
The table was full of fresh pastries, eggs, coffee, fruit—
I could say that these people cooked like they were preparing meals for royalty every single day.
"Good morning, Miss Jennie."
I looked up to see Elio approaching with his usual calm smile.
"Good Morning," I murmured.
The old butler studied my face for a second longer than usual, and something told me he probably noticed the exhaustion under my eyes.
Unfortunately for me, he was too polite to mention it. One of the maids placed my plate in front of me while Elio stood nearby professionally.
I picked up my fork immediately.
"At least somebody in this mansion loves me," I muttered dramatically while staring at the food before starting to dig in. But he quietly chuckled instead.
For a few peaceful minutes, the only sound came from my shamelessly enjoying breakfast. Elio cleared his throat softly.
"Master will not be around for the next few days."
I paused in mid-bite.
"Oh." I responded too quickly.
Elio's eyes twinkled slightly like he noticed something.
That traitor.
"He left early this morning for business matters," he continued smoothly. "However, before leaving, he gave specific instructions regarding your schedule."
There it was.
The daily reminder that my life apparently no longer belonged to me. I sighed, dropping my fork.
"Now what?"
Elio reached calmly into the inner pocket of his suit before placing a sleek black card gently on the table beside my plate.
I furrowed my brow, staring at it suspiciously.
"What's that?"
"Your card."
"My what?"
"Master instructed that your wedding preparations should begin immediately."
I nearly choked on oxygen itself.
"My wedding preparations?"
Elio nodded "A designer has been arranged for your gown fitting today."
I blinked repeatedly..
"Oh, so he has officially lost his mind now."
"Miss Jennie—"
"No seriously," I interrupted, throwing my hands into the air. "Does this man hear himself when he speaks? Wedding gown? In one week? Has he gone crazy?"
The old butler remained calm and that almost pissed me out.
"I believe Master Vincenzo prefers the term determined."
"Oh..woah." I stared at him in disbelief.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"I have also been instructed to inform you that anything you require today will be paid for with that card."
I looked down at the black card again like it personally offended me. The thing probably contained enough money to buy the whole country, which somehow irritated me more.
"I don't want his money."
"Unfortunately," Elio said gently, "I'm afraid the Master didn't give that as a suggestion."
Of course he didn't…and that's more reason why I hate him so much. He treated orders like laws written by God himself.
I stabbed angrily at my breakfast again.
"What if I refuse to go?"
Elio gave me a sympathetic look.
"Then two very patient guards will likely stand outside your room until you change your mind."
Right on cue—
A shadow appeared near the entrance of the dining hall. I looked up slowly and immediately paused.
The man standing near the entrance was unfamiliar.
One of them was tall, a bit lean and his broad shoulders hidden beneath a fitted black suit. His dark hair styled neatly back, his sharp jawline giving him a colder appearance than his calm expression. He looked younger than Tyler and less intimidating than Jacopo, though something about his posture still screamed dangerous; perhaps his expression remained calm as he stepped forward before bowing his head respectfully.
"Miss Jennie." I frowned slightly.
"...Who is this?"
"This is Luca," he introduced smoothly. "Master Vincenzo assigned him to escort you today."
Escort?..Right, I should have thought of that psycho watching me even when he is not here.
I leaned back against my chair with a sigh.
"Do I even have a choice?"
"No, ma'am." At least he was honest.
I glanced toward Elio accusingly.
"You're all enjoying this way too much." The old butler looked far too entertained for my liking.
An hour later, I found myself seated in the back of a luxury car while Luca drove through the city toward one of the most expensive shopping districts I had ever seen.
And the entire time—
One horrifying thought kept repeating itself inside my head.
This wedding was actually happening.