Chapter 3 Another Side to Her

The next morning, Lucia stood in the villa's conservatory and stared down at the cluster of white roses before her. They were Elena Fontana's favorite flowers. Before leaving, Alessandro had instructed her to trim the branches daily and to stay there quietly for an hour. "Elena preferred to be quiet." He hadn't looked at her when he said it. All he did was trace his finger along the collar around her neck. Lucia drew a breath and tried to imitate the gentleness she remembered from Elena's photos. She carefully clipped away a dead twig, but her movements were stiff and awkward. A thorn pricked her fingertip. She hissed softly and pulled back as blood welled up. Her instinct was to curse, but she swallowed it because Elena wouldn't do that. Elena would have only frowned slightly before pressing a cloth to the wound. Then, she would resume her trimming with delicate grace. Lucia set down the scissors and walked to the window. Outside lay the stables, where several horses strolled leisurely across the grass. Her own horse, Gale, was among them. Alessandro's men had brought him over, but she hadn't ridden it in a long time because Alessandro forbade it. He had said, "She didn't like riding. So, you're not allowed to either." At lunch, she wore one of Elena's usual dresses—an ivory long gown with a high collar and lace-trimmed sleeves. She took tiny bites of her salad, handling her utensils as lightly as possible and trying not to make a sound. Alessandro sat at the far end of the long table, reading some documents. Whenever he lifted his eyes and glanced at her, her back stiffened. "Sit up straight," he said suddenly. Lucia instinctively sucked in her stomach and felt her annoyance build. She remembered how freely and casually she used to eat. Unlike now, where even her breathing had to follow a certain rhythm. In the afternoon, she was required to sit before an embroidery stand in a side hall. Elena had excelled at embroidery, but Lucia couldn't even hold the needle properly. As the needle pierced the fabric, the thread tangled into a mess. Lucia wanted to rip it apart in frustration, but forced herself to slow down. Patiently, she made one stitch, and then another. Each one was crooked and uneven. Staring at the tangled threads further worsened her mood. Alessandro occasionally stepped in and stood behind her for a moment. Sometimes, his hand pressed against the back of her neck. He was neither rough nor gentle. It was as if he was confirming her submission. Lucia bowed her head and endured it, digging her nails into her palms. Only at night, when Lucia lay in bed, did she allow herself to relax slightly. Her body still carried the remnants of the previous night. She could recall it all so vividly—the pain between her legs as he entered, the suffocation as the collar tightened, and the tremors of pleasure she wanted to forget. Lucia hated Alessandro. She hated that he was turning her into someone else. But whenever he drew near, and his warmth enveloped her, her heartbeat quickened involuntarily. She began observing him in secret. He rose at 6:00 am every morning and spent an hour in the gym. He only drank black coffee for breakfast, and he always frowned slightly as he read the newspaper. His tone was cold when taking calls, but he handled matters with swift, decisive efficiency. He didn't speak much to his subordinates, yet a single glance from him was enough to make them hold their breath with apprehension. That afternoon, Alessandro sat on the terrace drinking tea with a financial report in his hand. Lucia sat across from him and pretended to read. But she was secretly listening in to his conversation with a subordinate. They were discussing a shipping deal. Apparently, the other party was asking too high a price and was hesitating about what to do. "The cargo can't wait. If this drags on, the port fees will double," Alessandro said. His subordinate nodded and replied, "But they refuse to lower the price." Lucia turned a page of her book. Without thinking much, she said, "You can bargain by taking their return cargo. Their ships usually sail back empty. If you book the return route too, the overall cost drops by about 20 percent." The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Lucia cursed inwardly, "Shit! I studied business in Ederland, but Elena never did that!" Alessandro looked up at her. He didn't speak. His gaze lingered on her for several seconds, and there was a trace of surprise in his eyes. He walked toward her slowly. His shadow fell over her until she was completely enveloped. Instinctively, Lucia tried to retreat. He braced one hand on the armrest of her wicker chair and trapped her in the narrow space. He leaned in and came close enough that their noses almost touched. Lucia caught the faint smell of tobacco, as well as his overwhelmingly masculine scent. Her breath hitched, and her heart raced. "Did you learn that in business school?" he asked in a low and hoarse voice. It was impossible to tell his emotions from his tone. "No…" Lucia turned her head slightly, trying to escape his unsettling gaze. Alessandro reached out and pinched her chin with his rough fingers to force her face back toward him. He ran his thumb firmly across her soft lips. It sent a shiver down her spine. "You're quite smart. Unfortunately, smart women tend to be disobedient," Alessandro remarked. He stared into her eyes. She always wore a meek, submissive expression with those eyes. But now, a glimmer of wit flickered in them. She looked far too alive, and something about it turned him on. "Do as Donna Lucia suggested," Alessandro said, releasing her. He straightened up and looked down at her somewhat playfully but also warningly. "And next time, use your intelligence where it matters."