The Albano Mansion
"Mom, not now. Not now." Luciano's voice was firm, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Alessandro, on the other hand, didn't even bother to engage. Instead, he walked straight toward the dining room, where the rich aroma of roasted lamb and wine filled the air. Luciano sighed and followed, hands tucked into his pockets.
Just as they sat down, a high-pitched voice cut through the room.
"Brother! You came back late!"
Isabella, Alessandro's younger sister, practically threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. The nineteen-year-old had the Albano family's signature striking features—hazel eyes and raven-black hair. But unlike her older brothers, she carried a softer, more delicate beauty.
Alessandro chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Work, Isabella. How's school? Any problems you need me to take care of?"
She smirked. "Nope. Everyone likes me."
Alessandro raised a brow. "Huh? But on my first day in university, nobody liked me. Well—except this weird guy here." He jabbed a thumb at Luciano, who merely rolled his eyes.
"That's because you and brother Luciano are big scary guys. I, on the other hand, am a cute little angel." Isabella fluttered her lashes dramatically.
"Whatever," Alessandro muttered, shaking his head. "Just stay away from boys. Don't let them ruin your life."
"I'm literally nineteen!" Isabella groaned but immediately shut up when she felt two pairs of sharp, warning glares land on her.
"Don't use that word again," Luciano commanded.
"Yeah, and don't even think about boys. If one even breathes near you, I'll make sure he regrets ever being born," Alessandro added, his tone nonchalant but deadly.
"Ugh, fine, fine." Isabella sighed, shoving a piece of steak into her mouth.
Just then, a deep voice interrupted them.
"Alessandro, we have something to discuss after dinner."
Mateo Albano, the head of the Albano family and Alessandro's father, barely spared a glance as he stood up, his towering figure disappearing up the grand staircase. His wife, Adriana, gave the family a warm smile before bidding them goodnight and following her husband.
Alessandro and Isabella continued their lighthearted bickering before he eventually walked her to her room.
"You want something," Alessandro observed as she clung to his arm, her doe-like eyes blinking up at him.
"Hmm," Isabella hummed, acting timid and cute.
"What is it?"
She hesitated before blurting out, "Brother, there's this limited-edition Chanel handbag. Only three exist in the whole world. Can I get it?"
Alessandro smirked. "Okay. But stay away from guys for now."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes. But in return, make me proud. Now go to sleep—you have lectures tomorrow." He kissed her temple, ruffling her hair once more before walking out.
"Love you, brother!" Isabella called after him.
"Yeah, yeah." Alessandro chuckled as he walked away.
---
Father and Son Discussion
Without knocking, Alessandro burst into his parents' room—only to immediately regret it.
"Dad, you said we have someth—oh, come on!" He groaned, seeing his parents locked in a passionate kiss.
Adriana turned as red as a tomato and bolted into the bathroom, leaving Mateo unfazed. He simply leaned back against the headboard, his expression amused.
"Happy to see your parents still in love, son?" Mateo smirked, unbothered.
Alessandro rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"
Mateo exhaled. "We're meeting with the Russo family tomorrow. Handle the negotiations properly."
Alessandro's brows lifted slightly. "You trust me to handle that?"
"Have I ever doubted your skills?" Mateo countered.
"Fair point." Alessandro smirked.
"Good. But tell me—why weren't you at the office today?"
Alessandro shrugged. "Had business in the underworld."
Mateo merely nodded. "Fine. You can go now."
"Yeah, yeah, get back to your… whatever you were doing." Alessandro grimaced, making a quick escape before he saw anything else.
---
The Next Morning – Emilia Russo
"Fuck, fuck, fuck! I'm late!"
Emilia frantically hopped into her fitted gray skirt suit, tucking her silk shirt in before grabbing her blazer. She slipped into her heels, barely stopping to grab her car keys before dashing out.
As she sped down the road, she made a quick call.
"Alice, bring my files to the meeting room. I better not get there before you," she warned.
By the time she arrived at the meeting room, everyone was already seated. Taking a deep breath, she walked in, her face calm and unreadable.
"Good morning, everyone," she greeted, sliding into her seat at the head of the table. "Had a little car trouble on the way here. Let's begin—"
Before she could continue, a deep voice interrupted.
"Leave us."
The entire room fell silent, eyes turning to Alessandro Bianchi.
Emilia narrowed her eyes. "What is this about, Mr. Bianchi?"
Alessandro leaned back in his chair, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "I'm busy at the moment, so let's postpone the meeting to tonight. VIP lounge. I'll meet you there."
Her eyes darkened. "I never said yes."
"If you want this deal to work, you don't have a choice." He winked at her before striding out of the office, leaving Emilia speechless.
"Fucking bastard," she muttered under her breath.
---
That Night – The Lounge
The VIP lounge was dimly lit, the scent of expensive whiskey and cigars lingering in the air. Alessandro sat comfortably on the leather sofa, a cigarette between his lips. He took a slow drag, his sharp hazel eyes locked onto the fidgeting woman before him.
Emilia had sighed at least a hundred times since she got there, clearly irritated.
Wordlessly, Alessandro plucked the cigarette from his lips and offered it to her. "Want some, topolina?" His smirk was lazy, teasing.
To his surprise, she took it. Lifting it to her lips, she inhaled deeply before exhaling a cloud of smoke—right into his face.
"If you don't have anything to do, just sign the damn documents so I can get out of here," she snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut.
Alessandro chuckled, his voice deep and rich. "A wild mouth for such a tiny little mouse. Are you sure you want to talk to me like that?"
"Mr. Bianchi, what exactly do you want from me?"
He tilted his head. "Are you ready to listen now? I thought you wanted to throw a tantrum a little longer. I don't mind waiting."
Emilia clenched her fists. "Just get to the point, Alessandro."
The way her lips wrapped around his name sent something dark through him. He exhaled sharply, his smirk deepening.
"Be my girlfriend."
Emilia blinked. "What?"
"You heard me."
"No! We literally just met today, you bas—"
"This isn't a choice," Alessandro cut her off smoothly. "I never remember asking. I was telling you. It's an order. Like it or not, you're mine." His voice dipped, dark and possessive. "And I'll be the one who taints you."
A shiver ran down Emilia's spine, her knees momentarily weak.
How the hell did my life turn into this?!
Before she could argue, Alessandro pulled her toward his car.
"Mr. Bianchi—!"
"It's Alessandro. Or Daddy to you, topolina."
Emilia smirked, licking his Adam's apple teasingly. "Focus, Daddy. I'm my parents' only child."
Alessandro gritted his teeth. Two could play this game.
But she had no idea who she was playing with.