The next day, when the large gates opened in front of her, Emma was left speechless. The impressive residence with typical Italian architecture proudly raised its high facade in the middle of lush vegetation. Emma pulled Sergio's professional gear out from under her arm, moving forward in slow motion.
A large and wide corbelled staircase gave onto a magnificent terrace bordered by a swimming pool. The facade of the Palazzo was so old that it gave it the appearance of a mansion. The cool morning breeze brought back all the floral scents that adorned the estate. Emma stopped for a moment on a daffodil and tried to touch it before being expressly called to order by the owner's companion. Because if she tried until then to ignore the obvious, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the man in the frame of the main door carved in solid oak, Emma knew she was more than ever in danger. Her face betrayed her, each of her emotions could be reflected in her gaze. And at that moment, he was expressing fear mixed with shame at showing himself here, in front of this implacable man who didn't suspect for a single second that she was carrying his child. The heaving of her heart made her miss a step she was barely caught by a hand that had found time to slip between Sergio and Sharon. As if he had planned to see her fall. His iron grip tightened around his wrist before he clicked his tongue.
"Would you be so kind as to pay attention to your employees, Mr. Lishiny.
Confused, the photographer looked sorry and turned to her.
Excuse me my beautiful give me the bag. Inquired to say Sergio suiting the action to the word.
D'Azzario Dantes' hand finally released his wrist. Emma massaged him as she climbed the stairs without giving him a look.
They entered the house and it was only then that she decided to look up.
The house was truly incredible, very refined, master paintings and precious furniture, no doubt, Emma was at the heart of the rich and powerful Italian Dynasty. Suddenly, she had the impression of throwing herself into the mouth of the wolf. Especially when the latter began to stare at her without hiding from the others. The situation was as surreal as it was terrifying. And she was solely responsible for it.
"Welcome home," he said, inviting them to follow him.
She stood back for a moment to let them follow him, she needed to catch her breath to face this photo shoot and especially to face this man.
"I suppose this living room will be perfect?" Eluded Azzario, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.
"It's perfect indeed," Sergio said, putting down his equipment. Monsieur Dantes your Palazzo is magnificent.
"Thank you…" he said briefly, narrowing his eyes as the young English woman slipped between them, her hands behind her back.
She was so shy that it was almost completely new to him, he wanted to delve into the intimacy of the young woman and understand her behavior that was unheard of for him.
He was used to confident, enterprising women.
"Emma?" Umbrellas please.
Immediately, she unfolded one of them carefully to put it behind the armchair. Azzario followed her with his gaze and above all, observed her belly, with a bitter aftertaste in his throat.
"Where is the rest of your family?" Sergio asked.
My mother will unfortunately be absent as well as my brother, I will be the only one in this photo.
"Maybe we could put the chair near the window for the light?" Proposed the young Englishwoman in an uncertain voice.
Yes it's an idea Emma...
Sergio moved the chair.
Azzario ordered himself to be a little warmer and took a seat on the armchair, his bad mood must have been perceptible on his features, this anger which almost never left was devouring him from the inside.
Emma slowly slipped out to the archway that divided the dining room in two and watched the photo shoot from afar. Azzario Dantes was so tense that no smile appeared on his face. She wondered now what had happened to her to be so cold and insensitive. Was he like this since childhood?
Smile Mr. Dantes.
A waste of time, the man remained frozen to Sergio's greatest despair.
"I almost never smile. He said coldly in a throaty voice.
Sergio didn't say a word and resumed his work without expecting to receive a smile from the man, frozen like a statue.
Emma looked down and wrapped her arms around her stomach, then slipped out into the hallway to try to escape the nausea. A nausea caused by the shame that overwhelmed him. Nothing she had imagined going as planned, she was ashamed to be in this house in front of this man who had given her the chance to have a baby, and who by his coldness prevented her from reveal the real reasons for his presence. And that look on her stomach yesterday, that austere look that had made it clear to him that he had no intention of having a baby in his future plans. That was no doubt why he had given this sample, for the sole purpose of having a child when he had no other choice but to ensure a lineage.
At the last moment.
Emma restrained herself from crying and advanced towards the splendid painting with the however dark colors. It did not represent the shadow of a joy, only the silhouette of a man facing the sea painted a color as dark as the depth of the ocean.
She approached the painting and cast a curious glance at the wooden cabinet. She touched the antique gilded fan with her fingertips, her eyes lit up.
Be careful, it is fragile...
Emma repressed a start that could have broken the object and turned to face the man leaning on the wall with an enigmatic expression.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to touch him...
He walked towards her and leaned over to unhook the fan from its base.
It belongs to my mother, she is waiting to be able to pass it on to the future Madame Dantes. He explained in an almost bitter voice. As if it was never going to happen.
He unfolded it and put it in her hands.
Carefully, Emma touched the edges.
Yet you have Sharon, she would make a perfect wife. Couldn't help saying Emma shyly.
He let out a bitter laugh.
"I could never marry such a woman."
When she looked up at him, a shadow veiled her already serious expression.
"You...you don't want to have a...a family to fill the Palazzo with joy?"
His question was not without ulterior motives.
"This conversation is over, Miss Brok. He said curtly, taking the fan from her hands.
Emma had had the answer to her question.