***
11:23pm
*Vincenzo's POV*
I am late.
The disrespectful kind of late that made me look like I forgot about the entire ordeal.
To be fair,It's the best I could have done given I only had a couple of hours to tackle very "messy" task.
I didn't even bother to change my clothes for the sake of delay,so here I was at a formal dinner,in an all black ensemble of leather coat, gloves and combat boots I'm sure got blood splattered on it somehow.
I stared hard at the mansion infront of me and nodded in respect to Evangeline's taste,she had considered buying this house for her birthday a few months ago,I don't know why it didnt go through but this was engagement gift number one,and I know she couldn't even pretend to not like it.
I was escorted into the dining by the hosts who made an excessive point to bow their necks off.
"Finally."My mother yelped as I approached. "I was beginning to think you'd never show up."
Her step mother laughed and got up to greet me.
"My name is Marlene Hidalgo,"she smiled,extending her hand for a shake."It's a pleasure."
I urged a smile and glanced at the empty chair next to her.
"She just went into the bathroom,"she quickly said,noticing my eyes. "She'll be out in a minute."
That felt uncomfortable,I should change the subject.
"I brought wine."
"Ouu"Marlene grinned,accepting the box."What brand?"
"Santarella."I reply and momentarily savour her expression.
I should clarify it's not pig's blood this time but where's the fun in that? I sat and stared down at the table,dessert was being served…I was really late.
A server scurries in and serves me a plate of panna cotta with berry sauce.
My appetite isn't bemused enough to actually eat so I decided to pour myself a glass to cool off.
My mother casts a disapproving look at my clothes and purses her lips with a drink as well.
"Marlene and I were still discussing some minor issues–"
I hear the heel clicking before I see the person,my breath involuntary stops to memorise the rhythm.
It's not mechanical or rushed as I thought,there was no sense of urgency at all,it was easy,deliberate,sensual even. I don't know why I imagined it as serious and robotic,but now I'm more than curious to see what other assumptions I got wrong.
My eyes stare at the door before the figure appears,a pair of black lace open toe stilettos spies out of her saintly white silk floor length dress.
My eyes go higher to meet her square neckline,pearl necklace and of course…her hair was in a–bun.
I tore my eyes away in irritation,maybe I was wrong,I didn't have a hair fetish,she did,she had a bun fetish and she should be ashamed.
I catch the bottle just in time before the wine overflows from my glass and internally curse myself for the near incident.
"Finally,"Marlene exclaims."Here you are,Evangeline meet-"
"Vicenzo"I cut her off,standing to take charge of the introduction,I would not have this moment taken from me by a second party.
I didn't patiently die bit by bit daily for her to hear my name from another person's mouth.
Evangeline froze,her eyes darting up to me in doe-like panic.
I extend my hand,holding her gaze firm.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
A second or two passed but it felt like an eternity of her silence dragging my ego through mud.
"My name is Evangeline Pilar Hidalgo."Her hands took mine,jolting life into every nerve in my body.
And on her face,the most staged smile I've ever seen formed tightly on her lips. "It's a pleasure as well."
That's the most diplomatic tone I've ever heard.
She withdrew her hand immediately after two shakes,gave her step mother a glare ,sat down and began eating her dessert.
Marlene gave her the wine box and I smirked in anticipation of her reaction–I know what you're thinking.it's not cruelty per say,I just get amused in different ways.
She held the box and did an audible sigh,and looked up to me,lips tight.
"Thank you,"she began,looking keenly at Marlene "Could you please gift it to father when we return?"
"You don't like it?"I asked,pecking into the wound.
"I do."she smiles,pushing the hair off her face."That's why I'm gifting it to my father."
That's when the awkwardness began,Evangeline had vowed to not let her eyes leave her plate,participate in conversation or act like a sentient being.
I have never not had the room at the beck and call of my attention but this tight buned,white clothing woman made it seem like the dessert was some art piece.
I should fire the chef.
I unclench my jaw and bring my almost-spilling wine glass to my mouth.
I notice her gaze trickle upwards in judgement,so I drink all the contents of the glass and begin to pour myself a new one.
"I hear from Marlene that you are a great horse woman."My mother said to her. "That's one thing you and Vincenzo have in common."
She looked insulted. "I hadn't been on the horse since I was sixteen."
"But she loves horses…"Marlene added.
"Not necessarily."she says quietly,it takes a while but her hand eventually pushes her hair behind her ear.
Silence again.
"Marlene,"my mother exclaimed with new found excitement. "Why don't I show you around the house? There's a lovely conversation pit at the back that I'll just love you to see."
Yeah right. She wanted to leave us alone,I didn't object nor approve of it. I didn't like Evangeline so far so I didn't see a reason to heighten intimacy.
The Santarella I knew before wasn't a snob.
"Of course."Marlene nodded,ignoring Evangeline's tensed shoulders.
Her spine straightened unnaturally as the mothers left and I almost loudly chuckled at her attempt to look in control. It's stupid in my opinion but I guess it's her coping mechanism so I let her be.
Infact,I have also decided not to get on her nerves anymore,it's pointless,boring. Getting her out of my mind made me remember my actual tasks.
I reach into my coat and pull out the invisible samples and set it on the table.
"Choose which invitation designs fit your standards."
She doesn't even attempt to look at them.
"Since you've already taken upon yourself to choose to have a wedding,I am sure you can handle all the choices."
"I see "I nod sarcastically."Pardon me for trying to make you feel included."
"Apology accepted,"she said dismissively.
My fingers begin to tap on the table,a nagging memory of her contrast personality when she was with the detective flashes before me,I don't like her tone,I don't like her condescending gaze,I don't like this entire dinner one bit.
She raises her wine glass to drink and the light hits the diamond on her ring finger,adding fuel to the fire.
"Did you not get the ring I sent you?"I asked.
She takes her sweet precise time sipping before she answers. "What about it?"
"Did you forget to wear it?"I leaned forward,sarcastic and insistent "You still have your old ring on,surely that's an honest mistake."
She sets her glass down and finally looks me in the eye.
"Yes." Her hand goes in her hair, "It must have slipped my mind."
I clicked my tongue. "Bloody liar."
The comment must have physically hit her as she was pulled back. "What did you call me?"
"A fucking liar." I enunciate,getting up to leave "You put your hand in your hair each time you lie,it's so obvious,it's embarrassing."
"I do no–"her hand stops midway to her hair and she instantly realises and changes topics. "I don't owe you the truth anyway."
"Eh,"I shrugged. "Doesn't bother me,its easy to spot. I'd rather you'd be truthful to yourself,at least have the balls to say something you don't like right in the moment instead of that pretentious righteous act of yours?"
"Pretentious."she echoed and laughed,the sound sizzled through my veins. "You of all people,calling me pretentious."
"I don't lie."
"No,"her finger stuck under the shawl and grabs on her rosary. "You do far,far worse."
I pause,I refuse to let her make me look like some sinner. "You know if some angel were standing here right now,marking down our sins,you'd be in hell first."
"I doubt it,"she says,taking this argument seriously and I am secretly happy,we are somehow even having a conversation in the first place. "All the lies I've told at this table were justified."
"Right,"I walked towards her end of the table. "You're incapable of honesty because you fear the brutality.?"
"I think brutality is overrated."
"The saying literally goes, the truth sets you free."
Her eyes narrow. "I see what this is,I will not let you get to me Vincenzo."
Fuck,she says my name so well.
"Say one truth"I say,one hand on the table and the other on her chair,I can feel the vanilla and bourbon invade my senses to mush,but I force focus. Its just proximity,I can't let this disarm me."One brutal honest truth,don't worry about softening or sugar coating or–"
"You fucking disgust me,Vincenzo."she spat,her emerald eyes filled with the sort of rage fire hadn't properly learnt yet. "You are a no man,you are a vile,self absorbed,emotionally bankrupt, defective beast,and the only reason you have to force a marriage is because deep down in your deprived little soul,you've always known its true.."
I waited for it to sink in,so I could feel--and properly name what it was I was feeling. I imagine she wanted me hurt,perhaps remorseful even.
But no,I felt just-hot,excruciating lust.
Pure,raw, consuming–embarrassing. I'd have her right on this table if I could.
I don't care to change her mind,I don't think I could,I decide if I were to ever act out on my desires,she should want it with all that in mind.
"Truthfully,Evangeline,"I began,raising my hand to her face but she retracted so quickly,she almost falls off the chair. "I'd be sort of disappointed if I didn't repulse you at least a little bit."
Her frown tightens as my hands come to touch her face anyway,my thumb brushes over the tremble of her soft pink glossed lips.
"Also,if you must curse Santarella,"my gaze drops to her mouth,"For both our sakes,let it only be in the bedroom,I find it too alluring for my own good."
Her breaths became laboured and heavy,driving me feral with desire. I'm quite enjoying this,could tease this woman all day,that is,if it wasn't a double edged sword that reflected her every emotion unto me.
Footsteps approached and she snapped to reality and pushed my hand away. I smirked and stand to my full height.
The first person to notice the abnormality in the room is my mother.
"Is everything okay?"she asks,eyeing Evangeline who was still steadying her breath.
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"What were you two up to?"Marlene asked.
I pointed at the invitations on the table.
"Choosing an invitation style."
"Really?"Marlene asked joyfully.
"Yes."Evangeline replies. "I think the red one is better."
I watch keenly as she pushes hair behind her ear.
My lips curls,and I can't wait to relive this exact moment.