I woke up forcefully to the sprinkling of cold water all over my face. I angrily watched the sinister grin on the face of my stepmother, Francesca.
"What happened? What was that for?"
"Do I have to remind you that you have a role to play in your sister's engagement party?" My step-mother's Italian accent strongly affected her command of the English language.
Merda!
I totally forgot about Sofia's engagement party today and I overslept. Sofia had begged me to help ensure things went well during her party. She has been nothing but kind to me! Why wouldn't I repay her in the little way I can by doing her that favor? Although my own father and stepmother had treated me badly, I wouldn't hate everyone, especially not my step-siblings, Sofia and Andrea.
"Sorry, I forgot." I dragged my body out of bed, still in my pajamas. "What do I have to do?"
"First, you have to change and look like a human. You don't want to disgrace your sister on her big day looking like rags. Get going and meet me downstairs."
I sighed and watched the door shut behind Francesca.
I quickly changed into my working dress and rushed downstairs. There were a few workers here and there, working on the decorations and arranging the tables.
What the hell was I supposed to do then? Francesca appeared behind me, and I gasped suddenly seeing her by my side.
"Don't disappoint me today, Alessia. Don't be a letdown like you've always been. I need you in the kitchen. Make sure the meals are properly set on the table. Then, go check up on Sofia's preparations. After that, I need you in your room all day."
My chest tightened. As much as I hated to see Francesca, I didn't want to miss Sofia's engagement party.
"I don't want your pathetic self ruining Ethan's mood."
I sighed.
Sofia was getting engaged to a big shot billionaire. I wondered how she managed to get close to a Vincenzo. Every Vincenzo in Italy is ruthless and cold. They never see a woman beyond toys and baby factories. Sofia must have been lucky enough to be marrying the heir of the Vincenzo family out of love. I somehow envied her.
But on second thought, this marriage could be another of my father's business arrangements. He had borrowed quite a lot of money from the Vincenzos, and to pay back, he had to marry off one of his daughters. Just maybe.
"What are you still standing there for? Get going right away!" Francesca's shrill voice startled me.
I moved back and forth in panic, drawing the attention of the workers, who giggled at my foolishness. Slightly embarrassed, I made my way to the kitchen, where cooks skillfully prepared various pastas and risottos, chicken parmesan, and vitello alla Milanese.
As some cooks worked on the cuisine and desserts, I had others set the table for our ospiti (guests).
Francesca appeared again at the doorway with her friend who had come from America for the party.
"Maya, meet the letdown of our family, the one I'd always told you about," Francesca introduced me to her friend in the most disgracing was. I tightened my fists in anger. I've had enough of this torture and humiliation. I was here working my ass off to ensure Sofia's engagement is a success, and my step-mom is idling around and at the same time, looking for ways to humiliate me.
"My goodness, she's beautiful!" Maya exclaimed.
I was shocked. That wasn't the reaction I was expecting.
"You have a gorgeous step-daughter here who could make a fortune for you at a glance." Maya held my shoulders and admired my build.
And she ruined it immediately!
"She's already making a fortune," Francesca replied, folding her hands over her chest with a smug smile. "As a first-class whore, she strips and dances for customers. What other fortune could be greater than that?"
I fought the urge to rush over to her and force that smile off her face.
My chest tightened in pain as I struggled not to cry. They used me to make money at my father's club!!
"Really?" Maya returned to Francesca's side. "She does that? How about I pay some money so I can have her over for a few nights. She would do some magic for me. Don't you think?" Maya pleaded with eyes held open and fingers crossed.
"Maybe after the engagement, we'd discuss business."
I was disgusted by the two women. I felt like an animal placed in the market for sale. Not only did they make me a stripper in my father's club, they were going to put me up for rent too?
It's all my father's fault! If he had kept it in his pants and stuck to one woman, then I would have been happy with another father somewhere outside this barricade of a home!
I wanted to escape this life, but the only thing keeping me here was Andrea. I had taken a special liking to him despite being my step-brother. He was kind and friendly, way more than Sofia who wasn't bad either.
"Are the dishes ready?" Francesca asked with a serious face.
"Sì" (Yes), I muttered.
"Bene. Go check up on Sofia."
I bowed my head and walked through the middle of the two women, making sure to brush Francesca's shoulder with mine. It hurt but it was better than keeping quiet.
"You good for nothing child! What was that for?" Francesca's face was already a mass of fury. She looked so bad I thought she was going to explode.
"You were blocking the way, step-mom."
"Haven't I taught you to ask for permission?" She rushed to hit me like she does but Maya was quick to stop her.
"Franc dear, you don't want to cause a scene on your daughter's party. Let me handle her." Maya turned to me with cold eyes that I would have been scared out of my wits had it been on a normal day, but I didnt.
"Next time you try that nonsense, Alessia, I'm going to plan your sale to my grandfather who is into young stubborn women your age. And your father would never see you again."
I scoffed. Like I cared if he would see me or not. It would have been more like a threat if she had used Andrea instead.
"Now get going before I lose it!"
I turned indifferently and headed to Sofia's room. I didn't want to cause a scene either.
On my way to Sofia's room, I met my father. I tried to avoid him but it was useless. He caught me.
"Alessia cara, sai che è il giorno dell'impegno di tua sorella" (Alessia dear, you know this is your sister's engagement day?)
"Sì, padre." (Yes, father.)
"Stai lontana da Sofia durante la festa. Non voglio i tuoi problemi. Comportati al meglio. Non voglio che mio genero si accorga della tua sciocchezza."
(Stay away from Sofia during the party. I do not want your troubles. Be in your best behavior. I don't want my son-in-law sparing a glance at your foolishness.)
My throat felt dry but I managed to gulp. My father usually spoke Italian when he is giving me a strict warning. This meant that if I disobeyed, I would be punished severely.
"Andiamo a discutere qualcos'altro dopo la festa," he added
(We'll discuss something else after the party.)
My palms began to sweat as I prayed it wasn't what I thought.
I continued shakily to Sofia's room. She was already beautifully dressed in a custom-made silver sparkling floor-length dress. The exquisite make-up on her face made her facial features more prominent and beautiful. Her long blonde hair tied into loose curls that danced over her shoulders.
From the vanity mirror, she sighted me at the doorway and quickly spun to meet my gaze.
"Alessia, tell me, how do I look?"
"You look—ready to kill, Sofia. I could literally die for you if I were a man!" I exclaimed in admiration as I walked over to her.
Sofia chuckled in shyness.
"Don't worry, after I'm married off, it will be your turn soon."
"You know that's not happening, Sofia. I have a future to plan in the fashion industry," I maintained, helping her with her silver stilettos.
"Not when father already has your match made," Sofia said with a faint smile.
"What?"
Sofia giggled and grabbed her phone.
It can't be right? That can't be what Father wants to discuss with me after the engagement! I don't want to get married, especially not an arranged marriage!
It's never happening.
"Excuse me." I hurried out of the room without giving Sofia a chance to protest.
I headed to my room, locked the door, and sobbed.
Father is going to marry me off! That is never happening! I had to escape.
Although I decided not to attend Sofia's engagement party due to my step-mom, I would now. This was the perfect chance to escape, in that crowd of guests. I would disappear before anyone knew it.
I quickly showered and put on the dress Francesca had chosen for me. It was a floor-length black gown with little to no design, but it perfectly hugged my body. It was simple and beautiful.
After dressing up, I went downstairs with my breath coming in short, irregular bursts due to the trepidation of my planned escape.
I was about to slip out through the door when Sofia shouted my name.
"Alessia!" She hurried over to me while I slowly turned with a forced smile to face her.
"I want you to meet someone before the main event."
Just as Sofia was about to say something, I felt an intense burning gaze on me somewhere behind Sofia. I trembled as I suddenly remembered a passionate night from two weeks ago.
"Meet my fiancée, Ethan." Sofia proudly turned to meet his gaze. He was completely hot in his matching silver Italian suit. His tall body, cold and handsome face was more than enough to make any woman scream. When I finally met his eyes, I froze.
"Ethan, meet mia sorella, Alessia." Sofia's voice faded away under our intensely locked gaze.
I remembered him, and I shivered in fear. He was the man from that night—Ethan.