Free Web NovelChapter 16: Dante is Back
Isadora laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling when she could have been doing a million other things. There was a huge library in the building and a theater room for watching movies. In her room was a massive screen that rivaled the one that had been in her father’s house.
Yet regardless of all the wealth around her, her mind wasn’t settled. She was well aware of the fact that none of it belonged to her, and of what she had to do to stay.
She continued to stare at the ceiling, listening, the window left open on purpose to ensure that she could hear and not miss when Dante arrived.
Jumping off her bed the second she heard the soft sounds of cars, she scrambled to the window, pushing it open wider so she could peek outside. The distance was too much, and all she could make out were vague moving figures as men in black suits got out of the car and headed into the building.
Isadora’s heart pounded in her chest as she made no move to step out, instead diving back into her bed with the intention of pretending to be fast asleep in case he came calling.
She pulled the heavy duvet over her head, staring at the phone still clutched in her hand. On the screen were videos of people having sex, the ones she had been watching moments before. The sight of it filled her with disgust.
God! All her romantic inclinations had died the longer she forced herself to watch. With a sharp breath she closed the video and shoved her phone under the pillow. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Isadora was doing her best to be strong, even as tears filled her eyes. This is much better than going with that old man! Think of the ten million dollars! she thought, a tear rolling down her face which she hurriedly wiped away.
She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself—only to freeze when she heard a knock on her door. She ignored it. The door opened softly and then closed again, yet Isadora didn’t dare raise her head. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter, just in case whoever had entered was still there.
She had boldly accepted the deal, but she was well aware that she was in no state to actually have sex with a man she didn’t know, regardless of how charming he looked.
It would have helped if he actually liked me, she thought, her mind drifting to other thoughts as she slowly slipped into sleep.
She was surprised to wake and find it already morning. Pulling the duvet from her head, she saw daylight streaming in through the open window. A quick glance at the clock told her it was already seven o’clock.
She had just sat up when a maid entered, carrying a tray to her surprise. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Some tea to wake you up! My name is Berta. Breakfast is by seven. Master Bellini has made it clear that he expects your presence!" the maid said, placing the tray on Isadora’s lap as she blinked up at her with a sleepy expression, barely taking in the words.
Slowly she nodded her head, even as the servant continued to stand there with an expectant expression on her face—an expression Isadora could only decipher to mean she was late.
Hurriedly, she removed the tea from her lap and set it on the bed before running into the bathroom for a quick shower. She came out drying her hair with a towel, already trying to figure out what to wear.
She had brought a couple of clothes with her, but when she opened the wardrobe, she froze. A string of new clothes hung there that hadn’t been there before she slept.
"New clothes were delivered to you this morning!" the maid spoke, but her tone was mightily displeased by something—something Isadora didn’t have the time nor the patience to figure out.
Mr. Bellini requires my presence by seven, then why didn’t he wake me earlier! she thought as she picked out a gown and hurriedly put it on, surprised to find it was perfectly her size.
She dried her short hair as best as she could before slipping on a pair of black sandals that matched the black short gown with white collars. It was long-sleeved and fit her well. Isadora gave herself only a fleeting look in the mirror before turning and heading out of the room.
Guila, the caretaker of the estate, had shown her around the night before after dinner, so she had no trouble finding her way. She could hear Berta’s footsteps moving off in another direction, but she paid little attention. Her heart was already thumping heavily as she walked down the hall toward the door leading to the upper dining room.
No matter how hard she tried to calm herself, her chest only pounded harder with each step she took. She wasn’t prepared to see him, but she knew she didn’t have a choice. She lived in his house now, and she had to abide by his rules.
But the moment she stepped past the doorway, her legs almost gave way. Her nails dug into her palms the instant her eyes fell on him, seated at the head of the table.
He was eating with unhurried grace, dressed in a dark suit and an equally dark shirt. His back was straight, every movement composed. But it was his face that caught her—the sharp lines softened only by the steady motion of his mouth, the striking contrast of his white hair against his features making him impossibly handsome, even in something as simple as eating.
It didn’t help when his gaze lifted to meet hers as she walked closer, making her instantly falter and take a seat a few places away on the long table instead of moving closer.
She hated the way she was acting like a fumbling child around and schooled her expression into a more neutral one. But she had only just touched a chair when she heard his voice.
"You can sit right next to me! It’s just the two of us!"
