at the door of the dining room as she made the bottom of the staircase. Though the servants' footsteps were occasionally heard,

s back facing him was the dining-room entrance. This posture showed he was in complete charge an

ut turning round in a tone th

, Isabelle managed to keep a

This contrasted sharply with the atmosphere in the room. At the end of the table sat

cutlery hitting china could be heard between them. From across the

od night sleep," he

ained controlled; she was not

egotiate." Alessandro observed with narrowe

ekily. An eye roll followed this statement: "Di

y; "I didn't anticipate anything. You'

he was trying too hard not laugh out loud about something so

ss his face which left him more bemused or something like it "

on her coffee mug "I un

t means you should know that our marriage is not just about appearances. Some expectati

ut didn't know how to respond. "I woul

ly enough at first glance when he replied," Above all else is loyalty; no matter what happens I expect f

he situation. She could manage that. In their world, it

ate?" Isabella

can't always control your actions. This I can understand. Though understanding is different from respect; respect

us thing in their world. One had to expose themselves to vulnerability in order to tr

tiously. "If you want loyalty and trust

s a flicker of something in his eyes – something she couldn

he hesitated; what did she have as a bargaining chip in this marriage at all?

lly spoke up. "If I am to be your wife then the

e business?" asked Alessandro

e I might not be much besides De Luca, but I

life. So, I guess that means that I know ho

r eyes which kept her thinking what was happening in his head when he appeared to be evaluating this very carefully weig

member one thing; I am the boss. It's alright if you want to adv

han she thought she'd get. Things were starting to happen

answered with

that moment for the first genuine smile he gave her since t

-

ertain privileges but also imposed certain responsibilities upon her part. There was an expectation for her to accompany him to

though he was keen to make it clear to her who had the upper hand. It was a prec

id not say anything about was t

hose rare moments of peace that she could take these days. Maybe her husband would notice but there at corner property stood someb

om afar while feeling nervous at heart. He did not turn back either meaning

was w

d. She pondered on whether to tell Alessandro, but something stopped her. She couldn't figu

-always from afar, always watching. The fee

fore she could finall

ng function which they had both been invited to attend. Alessandro was sit

hat needs your atte

while squinting a little

ing on us. This person has appeared a few times standing outside on

rose, looking purposeful and sharp with his movements,

inquired in a voice that was

" Isabella responded, "I don't even kno

she could sense its heat just und

w him make some calls, a cold and commanding voice giving orders to the men at the other end of the line. Whoever that man wa

the room, a disturb

essandro that per

was watchin