Chapter 26
Half an hour ago, Matteo came to my room, handed me a bag, and left after asking me to get ready within 30 minutes.
He always barges into my room without knocking. I know he owns this place, but there is something called privacy and personal space.
I wanted to ask him if I could stay back and skip attending the party, but the look on his face didn’t invite an argument. He was looking pissed for some reason, which I didn't want to know.
Now with a heavy heart, I stood before the mirror wearing the dress he gave me. It was emerald green and wasn't overly revealing, but it hugged me in all the right—or wrong—places. It wasn't too classy because, of course, I was going there as a servant, not a high-profile guest.
I have applied a minimal amount of makeup to my face, just enough to look presentable. My lips carried a faint colour, my lashes darkened, and my hair was tied into a loose bun at the nape of my neck. I didn't like hair coming on my face while I worked.
I looked at my reflection for the last time, checking that I was wearing my lenses to change my eye colour and that my hair was properly straight. And once I was satisfied, I wore heels. I didn't know if I was ready for what the night held for me or not, but I didn't have any other option.
I have to go downstairs, or Matteo won't think twice about dragging me there by my hair. He is a man of his word. If he said something, he would make sure it happened.
The soft click of my heels echoed as I descended the stairs. I tried to keep my head blank because it seemed the only way to stop my heart from racing.
But all my attempts to stay calm became futile the moment my eyes fell on him.
He was standing in the middle of the hall, waiting for me, dressed in a crisp black shirt and coat. His hands were casually tucked in the pockets of his tailored pants.
He also stopped the moment his eyes found me.
The world seemed to stop spinning for both of us.
His gaze trailed down my form slowly and deliberately as if he were memorising how the dress fit me. He was staring at me shamelessly as if I were his property. There was no softness in the way he looked at me, only a raw, silent possession that made my skin prickle.
Before I could breathe or blink, Kayden walked past Matteo. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his gaze flicked between me and his brother. He caught Matteo’s frozen stare, then flicked his gaze at me with mock amusement.
“Well, well,” Kayden's voice was laced with mischief. “Someone looks smitten."
My cheeks burnt, and my breath caught in my throat. Matteo's head turned to Kayden. His eyes narrowed in a look sharp enough to cut. Kayden’s smirk faltered immediately.
“Relax,” he muttered, lifting his hands in mock surrender, practically running towards the exit. “I’ll take that as my cue to leave.”
He disappeared before Matteo could say a word, and now it was just us.
Matteo took three long strides, which were enough to reduce the gap between us. Suddenly, with his proximity, the air became too thick for me to breathe.
He was standing so close to me that I could see the faint shadow of stubble along his jaw and smell his cologne, which could drive anyone crazy.
"Remember who you are for the night," he said in a low voice, but it was enough to make my heart race in anticipation.
Samantha.
I know.
This is what I have been for the last 6 years. I need not to be told again and again.
His eyes moved around my face as if looking for the trace of my real identity. I flinched slightly when he raised his hand. For a split second, I thought he was going to hit me, but to my surprise, he pulled out the pin holding my hair together, letting it free.
An inaudible gasp passed my lips when my wavy hair brushed against my shoulder.
I swallowed when his hand moved towards my face. He rolled a free strand in between his fingers and slowly tucked it behind my ear. The tip of his finger grazed the side of my cheek, and I shivered.
His fingertip ran down the curve of my neck and stopped at my collarbone. I am sure he could feel how wildly my heart was throbbing in my chest.
Instinctively, my lower lip tucked in between my teeth, and my eyes lowered. The heat rushed to my cheeks, turning them crimson red.
His rough hand cupped my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin.
I couldn’t tell if he was savouring the softness of my skin or if something darker was stirring in his mind.
"Guys, seriously, go get a room already. Just tell me what excuse I should give Mom." Kayden's voice came from behind. It was full of mischief and teasing.
Matteo's head snapped back at him. Kayden, whose head was peeping inside, disappeared in a minute.
Matteo let out a deep sigh before turning his head to me.
"Let's go," he muttered under his breath before turning around and walking towards the door, expecting me to follow him.
And so I did.
Outside, the driver was already waiting with the car door open. Matteo stopped, standing still until I slid inside, and only then joined me. The dull thud of the car door closing sucked the air out of my lungs.
The silence between us made it even more difficult for me to breathe. As the engine came to life and the car started rolling on the road, I turned my face toward the window.
The buzzing street and people walking around made me realise how costly freedom has become for me. I missed it so much that it hurt. And I am not even sure how long I would have to stay in his cage.
I blinked against the glass, trying to hold back the sting in my eyes.
Suddenly, the sound of an engine caught my attention.
Kayden.
He rode his bike, or I may say his earned reward, like the world belonged to him. He was riding like a professional driver. He turned his head towards us, and I could bet he smirked under that black helmet before he sped up and drove ahead of the car.
Matteo's body tensed. It was as if Kayden did it on purpose to infuriate Matteo.
"That's why I don't give him a bike!" Matteo muttered under his breath, but the silence made me hear every word he said.
After around thirty-five minutes, the car came to a stop. The driver opened his side of the door first. I was waiting for him to step down, but instead, he grabbed my chin roughly and snapped my head to him. His gaze was dark and stormy.
"Don’t even think about crossing me or outplaying me at the party. Because I promise you, my sweet Sera, if you did, the night will not end in a good way for you."
I shivered at the intensity of his words.
"Behave."
What's going to happen at the party that he is so stressed?