Alessia stood in front of the glided mirror at a corner in her large bedroom, she was dressed in a dark crimson short gown that hugged her body in all the right places, she looked at her reflection, brushing a crease from the dress, wishing she could rip it apart and burn it.
Her hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, with soft strands falling around her face, framing her beauty.
A hint of makeup touched her features, but her brown eyes glowed with fury.
"I won't let him push me around…" she muttered, even though deep down, she knew he already was.
A knock was heard from the door and the female guard who had brought the dress earlier walked in.
"Mr Moretti is awaiting your arrival, meals and wine have been prepared." She said flatly, "Please follow me."
With a nod and a stern look, Alessia followed the female guard out of her bedroom to the dining hall.
Her heels clicked against the marble as she walked down the long corridor, her heart was steady and her eyes were as sharp as a blade.
They arrived at the door of the dining hall, the grand doors swung open, revealing the grand hall with sophisticated designs and furniture that screamed power, and then she saw him.
Dominic sat at the far end of a long mahogany table, a glass of red wine in hand. He still had the dress he wore earlier on with the sleeves of the shirt folded to his elbows.
He scanned her with his cold eyes from her well-tied hair to her neckline and down her waist. "Good, you kept to time. The dress suits you well."
With a forced smile, she walked to the seat opposite his and the female guard pulled the chair out for her and Alessia sat down, her back straight and her chin high. "Is this what you wanted? To throw your power in my face over a candlelit dinner?"
"Maybe." He answered maintaining his icy stern gaze
Her jaw tightened. She bit her lip, hiding her irritation behind a blank expression.
The servants brought in the first lesson, a delicate-looking appetizer, the aroma was enough to make anyone present go hungry but she didn't flinch. The servants served the appetizer for her and Dominic. And with a slight bow, the maid left with the serving stroller. Alessia barely touched the food, Dominic continued to watch her, not touching his food either, and continued with his wine. 'Why didn't she eat?' He asks himself.
"How's your mother?" he asked suddenly.
Her fork froze. "Alive."
"Still living under the mercy of the Kaleys?"
"Don't talk about my mother." She barked, ready to bite but summoned all the self-control she could.
He smirked. "You still have that fire. I like it."
"Like it all you want," she said through gritted teeth. "Just know it burns."
An awkward silence filled the room, until a seductive voice was heard
"Dominic. You didn't invite me for dinner?"
Alessia turned to see a tall, striking woman walking in with a hefty man following behind her.
She wore a sleek black dress that hugged her curves with perfect elegance. Her dark, wavy hair bounced around her shoulders as she walked like a queen entering her court.
"What are you doing here, Vivienne?" Dominic said coldly, not bothering to look at her.
"Come on, since when did I need a reason to come see you," Vivienne replied, her eyes raking over Alessia.
Vivienne walked to Dominic's side and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Is this her? The sacrificial lamb?"
Alessia's eyes narrowed.
"And you are?" she asked sharply.
"I'm the woman in charge of Dominic's heart." She purred
Dominic finally turned his head, his tone sharp. "Vivienne."
Vivienne raised a brow, smirking. "Relax. I'm just saying hello."
Dominic didn't say another word. Vivienne looked between the two of them and chuckled lightly.
"I have something important to discuss. I'll be in your room. Come find me when you're done." She said as she turned to leave
She brushed her hand down his back as she walked away, sending Alessia one last smug glance.
Alessia took a calm sip of wine, ignoring the provocation.
Dominic noticed the subtle shift in her posture and a small, amused smirk escaped from his lips
The maids served the main dish afterwards, clearing out the untouched appetizers they had served earlier on, the dish was exquisite, it was a variety of different exotic dishes and just like before, Alessia didn't touch the food.
Dominic stood slowly, placing his wine glass on the table with a soft clink.
Alessia's eyes followed him warily as he moved toward her, "What is he planning?" She wondered
He climbed onto the table right in front of her.
Her breath hitched. "What the hell are you doing?"
He ignored her picking up the spoon and scooped a bit of the untouched food.
Alessia narrowed her eyes, pulling her face away when he raised it to her lips.
Dominic smirked, cocking his head. 'Does she think I'm going to poison her?' He wonders
Without a word, he placed the spoonful into his own mouth, leaned in, grabbed her chin, and pressed his lips to hers pushing the food into her mouth.
Alessia's eyes flew open in shock
She shoved at him instinctively, breaking free without realizing that she had swallowed the food.
"If you don't eat," he said coldly, "how am I supposed to fatten you up? I don't like my property looking skinny."
Alessia's fists clenched at the word property,
She banged her hands loudly on the table and rose from her seat.
"Thank you for the meal," she said flatly. "I'll head back to my bedroom."
"And who gave you permission to leave?" His voice was sharp, stopping her in her tracks
Slowly, she turned and gave him a forced smile. "Can I leave now?"
Dominic stood up from the table and walked up to her, calm and composed.
"Maybe if you got on your knees and begged like a good little girl, I'd consider it."
Her eyes flared. Her hands curled into fists.
He chuckled darkly," You act on emotion and not your Brains just like your father and that's why the Wrenleighs are where they are today."
"Don't you dare mention my father, you bastard!"
"Or what?" He asked with a cold look, " Your father was a weak man that couldn't even protect his family and that's why he's dead…" before he could finish, the sound of Alessia slapping him hard across the face cracked through the hall, attracting the attention of every maid and guard in the room, her eyes shone with unshed tears. The slap came before she even thought about it, Sharp and Loud. Her hand tingled with the force of it.
Dominic didn't flinch Instead, he stepped closer.
"I'll give you one free hit, Alessia," he murmured. "Just one. But after this, if you touch me, it'd better be because you want to, and get ready to bear the consequences of wanting to touch me."
His eyes were like obsidian, cold and endless. "I'll be waiting to see how you plan to destroy me." He said before stepping out of the hall and his guards following behind him, leaving Alessia alone in the hall with the maids cleaning up.