Alex's perspective
*
I gave her another peek. Again.
Before turning back to the road, my eyes slowly wandered across to her face, her adorable nose, and her spiky eyelashes. Although I found her look to be very captivating, we couldn't afford to have a collision, could we?
When she was a young child—about two years old at the time—she tripped on her fat legs and fell from the top of the stairway she was attempting to climb. Until I wanted to go to bed at night, neither her mother nor father could get her out of my arms.
As we drove in the direction of our objective, her eyes were glittering and she had even become more gorgeous than she had been back then.
Her face was turned toward the window as she continued to fiddle with her fingers. Then she would return the conversation to the road in front of us, never ever casting even a passing glance my way.
She appeared to be reluctant to look at me. I was wanting to start a discussion with her since I was eager to hear what she had to say but she was remaining silent. How was I expected to be able to read her mind? Since most women are over-thinkers, one could never really guess what they were thinking.
She had me in awe the last time I saw her discussing her loud-mouthed companion in the kitchen. I had no idea the dress would fit so wonderfully, particularly in highlighting those curves. She looked really dapper in it, and as she began posing for the photographs, I was unable to control my smile.
She tensed up a little as I coughed to clear my slightly hoarse voice, but then relaxed. My loins twisted up in irritation. Why did she act so tense around me?
I had had enough of the silence. "Isabella?"
"Sir? In a quiet voice, she enquired. No one would think she was the same person who had just been speaking to her Madre.
"How's it going? I clenched my teeth tightly.
Really cool, my friend. Begin by asking her how she is, then inquire about her lunch, and finally, what she would most like for dinner. Right now, I probably sounded like a damn Pollo. an animal.
"I...uh, I'm good. Thank you, sir," she apologetically said. She shouldn't be rude, in my opinion.
When they were in the garden behind my window, she used to slap and yell at her buddy, and I wanted her to be that batshit mad female. The Isabella who stood by me at the time was not the actual Isabella.
"I hope everything is okay around you. "I asked once more and gave myself a mental pat on the back.
She responded again with the ridiculous honorific, "Er...yeah, sure Sir." Until this point, I had never disliked a word as much as I did with her "sir."
Even though she was twenty and I was twenty-five, she continued to refer to me in that way constantly as she had done when she was a young child.
Did she realize how frustrating it was?
No. She probably had no idea how much I would love for her to stop calling me that.
I breathed in her scent and let out a second, more subdued sigh. I could tell that I would soon have grey hair on my head by the frequency of my sighs.
I meant regarding your education and life in general when I said "cool and all." The progress of the courses?"
"Great, sir."
Though it seemed tempting, should I urge her to stop calling me "Sir"?
I didn't like her. In a manner I couldn't articulate, I was completely enamored with her. When I was still swooning over the prospect of her, the last thing I wanted was someone I like calling me sir.
Shit. This wasn't good for us.
A smile started to form on my lips as I walked up to the New-City Gate Events Centre, where the conference would be held. One of Italy's largest event venues was New-City Gate. To show off the beauty of the garden and its surrounds, there were modest blue chandeliers hanging from the patio and the walls of the hall.
I questioned whether she would appear this amazed if I gave her a gift, such as a gold chain or a pair of pretty earrings. I thought girls generally enjoyed such?
As we got closer, the gate was already open. As per protocol, the two gatemen checked my tires and booth before allowing me to drive in and park in an excellent spot. When she watched me open my side of the door, she attempted to do the same. She sat quietly, evidently anticipating what would come next. When my elbow lightly touched her chest as I leaned in closer to her, I tensed up and swiftly withdrew. Darn, I'm sorry.
I underestimated how difficult this would be. Wait here, and I'll turn to open the door on your side.
As I put my hand on hers, which was on the door, to halt her, her eyes widened. Even though it wasn't necessary, I got to feel how gentle her hand was.
Quit being a needless jerk! As I observed her agony, my subconscious yelled at me. She was already acting in this manner when I simply put my hand on hers.
She murmured, "Okay." I shook my head in response. After stepping outside, I went to the door on her side and held out my hand, which she reluctantly grasped. That also gave me a little pause. I had not unsightly hands. They wouldn't even bit her.
She finally accepted the extended hand, taking it with a murmured "thank you." Her hand was gentle and silky.
At that, I felt myself unwind. They enjoyed my conversations with them and I had never had a girl reject me.
Even though it would be embarrassing if Isabella performed the opposite of what I had expected from her, I would still put up with it. I was completely intoxicated by her. The young man's eyes lingered on her for more than two seconds before I gave the valet my key and fought the impulse to pull her closer to me. He had this stupid smirk on his face and was just staring at her, which bothered me.
What are you observing? "Dangerously calmly?" I enquired.
He fully erased the smile from his face. "Nothing, Sir."
"Go for a walk! I gave the order. Isabella looked up at me, but I was a little agitated and couldn't meet her eyes—the same eyes I would do whatever it took to drown in. He nodded and scurried off, and I saw Isabella gaze up at him.
I took her hand to give me the solace I needed right then and started to head for the door.
Her palm was smooth and velvety, and in an odd sense, it was nearly wet. She most likely consumed a lot of salty foods. When I was a teenager, one of the things Isabella's mother used to chastise me for was randomly licking salt in the kitchen. I used to consume a lot of it and even mix some into my food.
As we walked, Isabella would step further away from me each time my lower arm would brush against hers. I instantly felt a little uneasy at the idea of someone holding her hand in the upcoming year or two—probably her boyfriend or fiancé. My palms started to get clammy, so I cleared my throat while keeping my hand in hers.
She belonged to me and me alone. She was also really stunning.
"Erm....sir?"
"What? I noticed the frown on her delicate face as I glanced down at her.
"Your hold is too tight. Please relax a little bit.
"Shit! When I saw the frown on her lovely face, I muttered in a low voice, my face already tensing. "Are you alright?" Quickly, I asked after letting her go and observing her relaxation. However, rather than letting her be, I crossed my arms over her shoulders and stepped in front of her.
She turned to face me, her eyes widening as astonishment could be seen in her features. Why did my query cause her to act so surprised?
She quickly nodded. "Sir, yes, let's enter."
"Sure."
There was soothing music playing as I led the way inside. The decorating was stunning, with blue drapes zigzagging over the hall's ceiling and the lights shining as brightly inside as they did outside with the curtains drawn. Since there was no point in noticing all of these things, Isabella's continued scanning of the area with parted lips and a slight smile forced me to acknowledge its beauty as well.
She nodded and followed me as I nonchalantly said, "Let's go sit over there." As I took her to a seat in the middle of the hallway, her hand remained in mine. People were already mingling while dining and drinking. This was actually an event for new and young businesspeople, so I may have lied to Isabella when I stated we were requested to bring an extra person. Additionally, practically everyone in this room was familiar with one another.
Thirty minutes remained before the action started. I wanted to cling to Isabella's hand and savour her sweet scent till then. In order to spend some time alone with my angel, I didn't want anyone to come up to me or introduce themselves at this particular time. I was confident that if I sat in a far-off corner, people who knew me would merely nod in passing.
Isabella, most of the people in this place are businesswomen and men. Do not ever leave my side, please. Let me know if you need anything; alright? Even though what I really wanted to say was that I would be there for her till the very end, I comforted her quietly. Not just now, but also in good health and until death tore us apart. Cazzo. My bad, she had me.
She shifted in her seat and smiled briefly at me. "I totally understand, sir. I won't leave you for anything, and moreover, I don't know anyone else around here to converse with.
I mumbled under my breath, "Okay, that's my girl," and took another swig of champagne. Her eyes were taking in the scenery around us in an extraordinary way.
The evening continued as our beverages were delivered, and the introductions soon followed. This event had me as a sponsor, and the man in charge of two out of my ten orphanage homes was also the event's host.
A businessman from Nigeria named Fayed Muhammad studied business management in Italy, received his degree two years ago, but he had already founded a company while he was still a student and was already well-known in the industry.
"Please join me in welcoming Alexander Knight to the stage! Fayed said, giving a nod in my direction and a smile that split his face, "Boss, we've been waiting for your arrival. I stood up, conscious that the camera was now focused on me, and I headed for the stage with Isabella.
As I moved past the table next to ours and onto the red carpet leading to the stage, someone's body accidentally touched mine.
Alexander: "Alexander, long time no see, dear friend."
The unpleasant friend made a light-hearted greeting. My face changed into a frown. What pall? The son of a crab, he had to be the culprit!
Sucre Ambrosia and I moved in the same circle since I knew him from business school and he came from a powerful family. Although he was equally annoying, I didn't look his way as I posed for the cameras since I didn't want to be associated with him just now.
"Who is that stunning woman? My jaw started to twitch as soon as he pushed his chin in Isabella's direction, and a wave of possessiveness swept through me.
"Nobody you shouldn't drive-"
Oh, he's gritting his teeth as he speaks. Which is that? The girl must be a unique one then, because even his smug expression and smirk irritated me.
"Ambrosia, what do you want?"
Do you remember how we spent our time with our girls?"
I cast a tight glare his way. "I've never shared a girl with you, Sucre."
Even if you keep insisting that you never did with mine, I will still do that. My stare sharpened as he said, "If you could assist in destroying my relationship with my Moni, then I see no reason-" Because I didn't even know who Moni was and he was acting rudely and yet harboring resentment, I refrained from destroying her life.
"You immediately stop it. I didn't end your friendship with Moni, and who is she in the first place?"
The fact that he became angry when I inquired who this so-called Moni was made me understand that I should have put an end to this crazy years ago even though I hadn't even asked him that question all these years.
Reiterating his previous statement, Fayed Muhammad said, "We are waiting sir." I quickly straightened my posture because anyone who looked closely could tell that I was about to punch Sucre.
The media wasn't welcome in my personal area.
He leaned near and murmured, "Run along, lover boy." I was in the spotlight, and now that the applause had started again, there was nothing I could do. I moved up there after casting one last glance Isabella's way, but I was aware that things were out of control.
Isabella was pleasant. No, I adored her and didn't agree with other men's perceptions that it was acceptable to simply continue dating someone else's girl.
My lady!
My eyes didn't leave Isabella, who appeared to be having fun with my archenemy as he kept moving closer to her in order to speak to her. I knew I had to be brief, so I introduced my company and spoke briefly about our aim for the event. Who knew the devil could smile so well?
I quickly finished my speech and descended the stairs before returning to my table, but Sucre was nowhere to be seen, which gave me a little sense of relief.
"How'd it go?" I hurriedly enquired as I took my seat.
"Thank you for your little speech, sir. You kept mentioning the resilience of young people, and it truly moved me.
My body warmed up. She was with that thug, but she was listening to me.
I muttered sheepishly, "It was that good, then." I looked down at my hands for the first time in a long time as heat began to slightly rise up my cheeks. This was the first time a girl I was deeply in love with had given me a compliment. Thankfully, she missed the little flush.
The remainder of the event proceeded without a hitch, and then we had to dance and unwind for a while before the top high school economics students were called onstage to accept their scholarship awards.
"Would you like to dance, dear Lady? A young man questioned.
I answered, "No."
While we were engaged in small talk, he was already the fourth person to approach Isabella and request a dance. From my vantage point, I could see Isabella frowning but still smiling each time I politely declined. Although she made an effort to hide it, it was still clear that she didn't appreciate my behavior. I should be the one she dances with if she does.
I stood up, held her hand, and grinned. Her eyes grew wider. Aren't you shocked to see me acting so cute and charming?
Isabella Mia, will you dance with me? She widened her eyes when I employed my tone, which no lady had ever rejected. My sexiness quickly surfaced. I took her to the ground as she nodded with her lips open.
We were dancing to the slow music, and she kept looking straight at my chest, so I tipped her head by the chin to face me. The fact that my angel was so petite, if anything, just increased my desire for her.
"How are you enjoying yourself, Isabella? This was my fifth time asking, and I made sure to have her name at the tip of my mouth each time.
She carefully chewed her lower lip while nodding. I restrained a groan. When they are biting their lips, women shouldn't be this alluring and lovely. Isabella suddenly nodded as though recalling something.
"What's that? I softly questioned, not wanting to disturb the bubble we were in.
"Sir, I have a question for you. Please respond honestly," she said, avoiding my gaze.
I concentrated on her lovely lashes. "I will."
"You appear so lighthearted right now, yet you can be harsh and domineering at times. And..."
I'm not a biter. Isabella, just say what you're thinking," I chuckled.
"You always gaze at me. Could I ask why? She scowled before eventually turning to face me.
This made me chuckle once more. Did Isabella really believe I had been gazing at her the entire time? She wouldn't want me to look at her ever again if she knew what I was doing in my head while I glared at her. I shamelessly erupted just thinking about her soft body and picturing myself doing things to her.
The only way I could truly adore her without coming out as naïve and infatuated was to tell her, with pride in my eyes, "That's my nature and I love it."
"Really?"
"Yes. Are you bothered by it?"
"Uh? She shook her head in the negative while maintaining her grimace. "Well, yes, it does. I now noticed Sucre from my side view and he was coming toward us once more as she began to exclaim, "I don't like it one bit.
My chest tightened. I didn't think he would stop now because he didn't stop when he first accused me of stealing his Moni a year ago.
He was unable to undo what I had not yet begun with my child. Our night was this one.
I then took the first action that sprang to me. I softly raised Isabella's chin and pressed her lips against mine.