Isolophilia (n.) - Strong affection for solitude, or being alone.
Vincenzo
Gulping the whiskey, I slammed the glass onto the counter. The spirit left a burning sensation in my throat, yet the taste had me wanting more. Like an addiction. An obsession.
The bartender refilled my glass. Swirling the contents of the poured neat whiskey, I brought the glass to my lips savoring the taste.
"Creating a scene at your engagement party?" He smirked. Fucking bastard.
"Whiskey. Neat." He ordered himself settling on the stool.
"I'm not the only one getting engaged." I delivered smugly.
Alexei's dark eyes narrowed into slits. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under the cold hard ground. I can see him snapping any moment, yet like every single fucking time I comprehend his control. I had known him better than anyone and vice-versa. He is the calmness that arrived before the calamity.
"Don't overdrink," He spoke gruffly downing his glass of whiskey.
"Aww, if I'm not mistaken, anyone would think you actually care for me." I snicker.
"As if," He scoffed.
"Then I suggest you mind your own god damn business," I spat.
"My business is to ensure my brother-in-law doesn't get drunk tonight and embarrass my little sister." He spat back.
Brother-in-law? the title had my throat constricting.
"Adopted sister you mean," My gaze clashed with his. I saw a glimpse of it and it had disappeared in a flash.
"Say it again, I dare you." He warned holding his glass tightly.
I grinned. Oh, I knew I had just poked the sleeping bear, and I fucking loved it. I loved how I knew how to push his buttons.
"I'm not in the mood to repeat myself." I shrugged nonchalantly sipping the whiskey.
He glared at me. I returned the favor. I didn't waver. He didn't either. The standoff dragged with the music and the people around us.
I know it was wrong for me to point it out. But the bastard that I am, didn't give a flying fuck. The standoff recalled the memories of the past. The good old times. I saw he recognized them too. Now gone with a whisk. Vanished into thin air along with her.
"He isn't coming?" Alexei implored.
I shrugged.
"What does that mean?"
"What does it look like?" I challenged.
"Is he coming or not?"
Why was the bastard so interested in his presence?
"I don't know."I sipped the whiskey.
Honestly, when I had texted him the fucker didn't even reply. Always acting his mighty self.
"That means he's into hiding." Alexei didn't ask, he supplied.
"You keeping tabs on us?"
Alexei smirked gulping the whiskey. I glared at him. Seemed like the bastard is keeping an eye on our moves.
"Hey Handsome," A grotesque voice snapped me rendering a blink.
Alexei groaned.
"Hello to you too, brother," The grotesque woman spoke again.
"Brother?" I quizzed.
"Cousin," he said ignoring her.
"My name's Isabelle, Isabelle Santiago. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vincenzo Romano." She traced a perfectly manicured purple-painted nail over my bicep.
"For someone like you, you're awfully stupid to even think of mentioning the king's name." I'm not even surprised by her actions. It's people like her who need to learn their places and to know they don't belong on my arm. I smelled the leech as soon as she came to speak to me. They're hungry for more, always hungry for more. Greedy bitches. Alexei didn't even falter by her actions as if he saw what was coming.
She chuckled pushing her body closer to mine. To say the least, she was dressed scandalously. The purple dress owing no imagination. It was clear she tried to push her breasts up to make it look like they were a lot bigger than they were. She sensuously rubbed her palm over my arm. It didn't affect me. Rather I wanted to cut her hand off simply because no one would dare to do such a thing. Besides, I wanted to see the reaction of the man whose sister, step-sister is my fiance.
However, he was calm as always.
"I'm going to get Anastasia," Alexei announced getting up from his stool. On hearing her name, my senses heightened. Isabelle's face turned sour as if she had smelt something putrid.
"Can't stand the scene?" I teased.
He bored me with black eyes. "Can't stand her." He nudged his head towards Isabelle.
"Feeling's mutual brother, Isabelle spat.
"I couldn't care less," He waved her like she was a fly on his pasta. Climbing the staircase, he disappeared behind the walls.
"I can't believe that bitch," The leech on my arm spat with hate.
"Who?" I enquired.
"Anastasia."
"Hmm. I thought she was your cousin?" I sipped whiskey.
"Cousin? My ass. She's a leech. A gold digger. A life-taker. I don't know why you would even agree to marry her when you know what happened! If only it was the other way around.." She hung the sentence by sighing.
"What does that mean?"
She batted her fake eyelashes getting a little closer, if not possible. She was now practically gluing herself to me.
"If only I were in her place, it would have been the perfect match."
Ah, look who's talking. Who is the leech now? The gold digger?
"I can show you heights of pleasure. Maybe we should ditch the party. I know a place, no one will find us. Just you and me. " She licked her lips. She was trying to seduce me. If it were another man, he would probably have said yes. Yet I didn't even need a second to consider. I couldn't say yes to her.
"Let me get this straight, you want to fuck me." I didn't hide the offending tone.
"We can do so much more than just fuck," She was close to me. Her over-scented perfume and the wine hovered on my ear. Did she pour the whole bottle of perfume on or something?
"I don't do more than fuck," I supplied. My eyes were stone cold. I knew a few curious glances being thrown at us. I heard their whispers. But what do I care? After all, I had a bad reputation to maintain.
"Then we can fuck."
I chuckled at how desperate she sounded, like a dog in heat.
"I have standards of whom I fuck."
"And I've got mine, you fit flawlessly into the list. I'll suck and ride your cock like no other," Again the basic lip lick.
The batting of the eyelashes. "Anastasia the nun won't ever be able to give you what I can."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Haven't you heard? She's a complete nun."
A nun she says. Hmm.
I opened my mouth and abruptly there was a shift in the room. I looked around to find people staring in the direction of the staircase. Their expressions shocked, inspired and in total awe. Following my gaze, I was stunned. Appalled even. A silent gasp let Isabelle's mouth. Yes, she was shocked.
It wasn't her beautiful dress or the makeup that made her look like that. It was the way she carried herself. Her head held high, her spine straight. The glow on her face, the twinkle in her eyes, and the dazzle to her smile would bring the stars down to earth. She oozed confidence and power. As she descended the stairs, sporting a dazzling smile holding onto Alexei's arm, I couldn't break my gaze from her. She was hypnotizing. She held me captive with her aura. She resembled a queen. An empress. A goddess. And I hated she was my Queen.
"She could have worn something else," Isabelle muttered in scorn.
Beautiful. The word came from nowhere in my mind yet, it felt it was always there on the tip of my tongue and I was holding it back. I hate to confess but she has a halo of power and elegance around her. She walked as gracefully as a swan and as dangerous as a serpent.
Wrapped in Scarlet red Satin, the fabric caressed her body. The dress Anastasia donned in was nothing less than lustful and sexy. If my memories are correct this was the first time she had slipped into a fabric that displayed her skin. The narrow cut between her breasts didn't help my imagination to suppress. Rather, it fueled my craving. I wanted to see more of her. I wanted to find the secret she had been hiding ever since I laid my eyes on her. The inner beast in me wanted to tear the Scarlet Satin off of her and peel off her skin layer by layer.
I wanted my fiance.
Fiance.
The word tasted bitter and foreign in my mouth.
My hold on the glass tightened as I felt her shiver, my groin shifted in the suit pants getting tighter. Even from the distance separating us, I knew it in my gut I held her attention. She was affected by me. My gaze was pinned on her. And she knew it.
I saw the way her shoulders moved as if she trying her best to remain calm, the way her spine straightened more. There was no denying her body responded to my gaze, I wonder what would happen if we were to collide like the stars. It was a catastrophe.
I ranked my eyes over her. Shamelessly. Ruthlessly.
I stilled when our eyes crashed. My heart seemed to oddly accelerate. I hardened the look on m,y face., Anastasia's eyes narrowed on the figure beside me. I smelled it off her. She was jealous. Snow, snail-paced smirk raised on my lips as I sipped my whiskey with my eyes grounded on her.
She was guided by her father and Amara. What the hell is my little sister thinking, linking her arms to an enemy? I made a mental note to talk to her later.
The capo left his so-called daughter. Anastasia came to stand beside me her emerald orbs never parting from my blues. Immediately my senses filled with her wildflowers scent. The mysterious scent that I can't put my finger on.
"Always the nun ain't you, Anastasia? Always so plain and boring." Isabelle smirked rubbing her body against mine. I didn't falter. I didn't move an inch because I was relishing the emotions in the myriad of emotions playing in those emerald eyes. I wanted to see how my future bride will react. I anticipated Anastasia's response to remain quiet but she beat me to it.
"At least better than a basic slut," She resorted. Was I stunned? Shocked? Fuck, yes. I thought she only showed her inner side to me, however, I was very wrong as she shoved her disdain in Isabelle's face. Amara laughed her ass off almost choking on her drink.
"Did you just call me a slut?"]
"Wasn't it obvious?"
"You bitch," Isabelle jumped to her feet marching towards Anastasia.
"Your actions speak louder than words. You're gluing to someone else's fiance." Anastasia's eyes darted to me for a brief second before she downed her champagne.
"Why? You jealous?" Isabelle smiled.
Oh, the game between these two just got interesting. I couldn't help but foresee what would be the results.
"Que dijiste? Celoso? Mi?" ( What did you say? Jealous? Me?) Anastasia chuckled. Her Spanish accent did something to my dick. It was sexy. Seductive. Enthralling. Her voice and her scent of wildflowers bewitched me.
"Oh honey, you can't get jealous of something that's already yours. I simply noted that people might get the wrong idea of my fiance if he hangs around with.. whores."
My eyes collided with Anastasia's. My hold tightened on the glass. She spoke convinced I belonged to her. Like hell I did! I belonged to no one. No one.
My blood boiled, it simmered in need to create a massacre. I could snap Anastasia's delicate neck with one snap. She was so easy to break. So fragile. Yet, I restrained myself from doing so. Not today, not tonight. Let her enjoy the little victory she had.
"Look at you, acting all mighty. What happened to the pathetic and lousy little girl who hid behind Alexei and Sebastion?" Isabelle asked.
"She grew up," Anastasia shrugged.
"Or are you talking big because of your fiance? You don't deserve this power. The ring on your finger it's tainted, Anastasia just like you. You're not even one of us!" Isabelle snapped.
Anastasia stilled. Like a frozen river, her eyes gazed into the distance as if to recall a memory.
"Even so, I'm the owner of the crown. Now, piss off, your jealousy is ruining my night already." Anastasia resorted. Isabelle stormed off without glancing back. I stayed rooted in my place, itching to get out of here. Her engagement party? I scoffed. Did she forget who she was engaged to?
"Wow, didn't know you had a bitch side." Amara chimed in. ]
"I don't always." She mumbled.
"I have to go pee, will be back in a minute." Amara got up from the stool disappearing.
The silence surrounded us until Anastasia decided to speak.
"You know, you could at least try to smile. That way this would look more than just a business deal." Why is she so talkative tonight?
|"What's the point in pretending if they know the truth anyway?" I gulped the whiskey.
"You're right, everyone knows the truth." She smiled at me. A fake sweet sugar-coated smile.
"Good that you acknowledge it. Whatever you said earlier, don't forget your place." I warned.
"My place? You mean by your side as your fiance?"
"You're not my fiance!" I growled.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Too bad, look at this, Vincenzo." She waved her hand in front of my face. My family ring perched on her finger.
"Don't say my name!"
"Shh, people might misunderstand the situation. We don't want a blood bath at our engagement party." She whispers yelled.'
"You will never be what they decided for us. You'll be beneath my shoe exactly where I want you and where you belong." I spat, gulping down my whiskey before slamming my glass on the counter. I was about to get up when she held onto my arm. I hissed low. Her touch seemed to scorch me.
"Don't you dare leave me," She warned.
Taking a step near her, I gazed into those deep emeralds, the whiff of wildflowers teasing my whiskey clouded mind. The proximity at which they were deep could drown a person into the abyss.
"Otherwise what?" I challenged.
"I'll scream bloody murder." She will what? I laughed at her childishness.
"Then scream. I couldn't care less." Will I care if I leave my 'fiance' in the middle of the party? No.
"Tsk. Tsk Tsk. The king is running." She mocked. Fucking mocked me.
"What did you say?" I couldn't help but roar.
"You heard me." I shrugged nonchalantly.
I returned to the counter squatting on the barstool.
"Whiskey, neat," I ordered.
"Just because I stayed doesn't mean you defeated me. There's more to come to this game, and I've not yet started. Run while you can, Anastasia." I said with disgust.
"Running is for cowards," She stated. Her eyes bore into mine. For a split second, I wanted her to retreat nonetheless she doesn't deserve mercy.
"The game just got interesting. Can't wait to win."
********
"Excuse me," I excused myself needing to get away from Anastasia. What the fuck she drank tonight to get that confident beyond my knowledge. I came to the Terrance facing the calm sea. I needed air. In Anastasia's presence, I felt as if she burned me. I needed something strong to forget the conversation between us. Or a hard fuck.
The ring glistening on Anastasia's finger reminded me so much of her. How dare she declare I was a coward galloping away from her. I warned her enough to run for her life. because if she doesn't I'll ruin her. I'll destroy her.
The cold air didn't help calm to storm brewing inside of me. Rather, it fueled for more.
"I see you're all alone," That voice again. I groaned.
"Isabelle,"
"Finally I have you all to myself." She wrapped her arms around my neck and I would have pushed her away but my eyes caught a figure hiding in the shadows. Without a doubt, I knew it was her. So, I did the opposite. I grabbed Isabelle by the waist pulling her closer. She rubbed her core along the length of my dick. She raised her lips to meet mine and I lowered mine, all while only to see the hurt evident in her emerald eyes.
Anastasia turned on her heel disappearing into the villa. I chuckled, pushing the greedy leech away from my body. She stumbled but managed to compose herself.
"What the fuck." Isabelle angrily marched.
"As I said before, I have got standards and you don't come close to matching them." I shrugged.
"You wanted me just a second before, Anastasia can't give you what I'm offering. She's a bitch who killed your sister and you're tying the knot with her? She'll ruin you." I had no idea why Isabelle disliked Anastasia but the venom in her voice was evident to prove long-lived hate.
I grabbed her by the throat, " That's where you're wrong, She could give me what you can and more. I have never wanted the likes of you, I was taking advantage of you. Did you say you wanted to fuck me? I will fuck you alright, then when I'm done with you, ill toss you out like what you are, a bag of garbage. By the way, I would never do that to Anastasia, guess that makes her the better woman, huh? Because, you Isabelle Santiago, will always be a greedy leech craving more." She gasped for breath I saw her eyes shutting due to lack of oxygen supply.
Applying more pressure to her throat I added menacingly," Don't you dare talk about my sister with your dirty mouth again. I won't show mercy."
I released her and marched back inside the villa, not glancing back. My gaze found what I was scanning for. Anastasia smiled at the group of women her mouth was introducing her to. Despite the hurt in her eyes mere minutes ago, she replaced it with a smile.
Something unfamiliar crept inside of me. I knew the feeling. Guilt. I pushed it back almost the second it surfaced. The feeling left a deep cut in my chest not settling well with my gut. Picking up the whiskey, I gulped it down letting it cloud my senses.
A/N!
Wow, exactly 3000 words! Thanks for reading. Who do you think Alexei and Vincenzo were talking about? Ciao~