And there was Enzo, in his impeccable suit, his gaze sweeping over Alice's entire body, the sensual dress, the perfect makeup, her long hair perfectly styled, she was indeed a fallen angel.
"Earth to Mars," Alice joked, snapping Enzo out of his trance.
"Forgive me, you look beautiful," he replied with a small smile.
"You always say that," she said, rolling her eyes.
"And I've never lied any of those times."
Alice looked down, embarrassed, but quickly regained her composure.
"Do you have the instructions? I didn't receive any," she asked, wanting to escape the situation.
"Yes, let's go! I'll explain in the car."
She nodded and followed Enzo, passing through the living room where the gazes of the servants, her stepmother, and Camilla followed Alice. No one there could deny how the young woman drew attention, even if she wore rags. However, when she dressed up to follow Mr. Moretti's orders, the young woman became even more beautiful, impossible not to be noticed, and that was what Michael used her for.
Camilla looked at her mother as soon as Alice walked out the door.
"I want her dead, Mother, I can't stand her."
"All in good time, dear," Isadora replied with a smile.
"Do you have something in mind, Mother?"
"You'll find out soon enough, be patient."
Camilla smiled, satisfied. Even though she was curious, she knew her mother had already prepared something memorable and grand for Alice; she would never be happy.
On the way, Enzo gave Alice all the instructions. Today's target, Luke Gagliano, although he was married like all the others, his son was not, and he would be the one to lead Alice to complete her mission.
"I don't want to do this anymore, Enzo. Please help me disappear."
"It's not the time yet."
"And when will it be? When I get caught?" Alice confronted him and looked outside.
"Is something bothering you? What is it?"
"Isn't all of this enough already?" She paused. "I feel like they're going to get rid of me, all this I've been doing for months, I'm scared, Enzo. Please help me."
"We're here!" The driver said, before Enzo could say anything.
"Go in and finish the job, your bodyguards are already inside, disguised as always."
Alice got out of the car and climbed the stairs, all eyes turned to her, as they always did. Grabbing a glass of champagne, she surveyed the place, and it wasn't long before the owner of the mansion approached the young woman. Luke introduced himself, and they settled down.
The conversation flowed, Alice thought it would be easy, but Luke captured her attention. His wife was traveling, and when his son Antony finally approached the table, Luke said she was his companion for the night, making Alice tense, but now was not the time for that!
"Isn't there a quieter place where we can talk without someone interrupting us every two minutes?" Alice said, staring at him while taking a sip of her drink, and Luke understood what she wanted.
They walked through the large hall to his office.
"Would you like a drink?" Luke asked.
"I would!"
While he served her, Alice sat in the chair. From the hem of her short dress, she removed a small listening device and placed it on the underside of the table.
"So this is where you give the orders?" she asked, picking up the small lamp and placing another listening device. It was so natural for her that it couldn't be noticed; her movements didn't attract attention even if there were cameras, and there always were. "This lamp is perfect," she added, standing up and going to the front of the desk, where she leaned.
Luke handed her the drink, and with just one sip, he snatched the glass from her hand, giving her a kiss. Alice reciprocated, even though she didn't want to. Luke was a perfectly attractive man, like most, but he was old enough to be her father, and that made her stomach churn.
"You're beautiful, you know? Absolutely stunning."
"And you're married! Aren't you afraid?"
"That's not a problem. Tell me, how can I see you again?" he asked, enchanted, as he slid the back of his hand across her face.
"I don't know, I'll be traveling to Norway."
"I want to get to know you better. You still haven't told me who invited you? You had an original invitation, no one gets in without one."
"Oh! That? Well, Elias, he invited me, but he stood me up!"
"Elias Bonanno?"
"Yes! You know him?"
"A brat like his father. You need a man," Luke said, kissing her again, his arm pulling Alice closer, making her feel the bulge forming in his pants, and then the door opened.
"Forgive me, I was looking for the restroom," an apparently drunk woman said, but she was just one of Michael's pawns.
Alice looked to the side uncomfortably, and the woman left shortly after.
"I thought your men wouldn't let anyone in here," Alice said, picking up her purse.
"And they should have done that," Luke affirmed, angry at being interrupted.
"We should go, they must have noticed your absence by now, and that woman might talk too much."
"You're absolutely right. This is my phone number, call me, Alice, any day or any time. I really want to see you again."
After a brief kiss, they returned to the hall. Luke didn't leave her side, seeming like a possessive boyfriend showing off a trophy. He was different from the others she had been with; he hardly seemed like a married man. And as soon as Luke gave the first opening, Alice slipped away, sneaking out as she always did.
On the way back, Alice used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, tears threatening to fall.
"You took a long time this time, any problem?" Enzo said.
"Please, stop. Don't say anything."
"Alice, I know you want to run away, but that's not the option, now!"
"No? And when will it be? You say you're my friend, but you don't help me."
"I don't want you to leave."
"And why not? You want me to keep suffering? Can't you see, Enzo, I can't take it anymore."
"Because I've loved you for a long time. I'll talk to Michael, ask for your hand."
Alice was silent for a while.
"Enzo, we're just friends," she finally said.
"It doesn't matter. If this is a way to get you out of there, just accept my offer. It's better than running away."
"He won't accept. I feel like he's already planned my future."
"I'll still try. I taught you everything I know, Alice, not to get something in return. I've loved you since we were children, even knowing you don't feel the same way about me."
"Please stop. You know Camilla has feelings for you. She's the daughter of my tormentor. If you ask for my hand, do you know what they'll do to me?"
"I'll try anyway. Michael will give in, trust me."
"No, he won't. You should know that perfectly well. You're the son of Michael's right-hand man. He'll never accept this."
"Alice." Enzo took her hands. "I promise I'll help you, if he doesn't accept."
"Then start planning something." She pulled her hands away and looked out the window again.
After that, no one said anything else, and so it was for the rest of the journey.
Enzo Donato, son of Michael Moretti's right-hand man, grew up learning to whom he owed his loyalty. As soon as he met Alice, his eyes were only for her, which increased Camilla's anger, as she harbored feelings for Enzo.
Alice never went to school, so Enzo taught her. It was their secret, and no one besides Pitt, the Gardener, knew.
Pitt always warned Alice, guided her about men, even though she was just a teenager and certainly wouldn't leave that mansion. Pitt saw the way Enzo looked at her.
"One day I won't be here anymore," Pitt said once.
"You are the best gardener, the Morettis wouldn't fire you without reason," Alice replied.
"Listen carefully, if one day I'm not here anymore, keep trying to be invisible."
"I am invisible," Alice interrupted him.
"Just promise me you'll follow my advice!"
"I promise."
Two weeks after this conversation, Pitt was fired, and Alice couldn't even say goodbye. Enzo still came to see her, but with Pitt's departure, everything became more difficult.
As soon as the car stopped at the mansion, Alice got out and quickly went inside. Enzo followed her, but as soon as he entered, he came face to face with Camilla.
"I'll talk to you in a moment, Camilla," Enzo said, going up the stairs after Alice. He quickly entered her room, without even knocking.
"What are you doing?" Alice confronted him.
"I can't stand it when we don't agree on something. Don't be upset with me."
"I'm not. Now leave."
"Ali..."
"Enzo, you being here isn't good for me, you know that!"
Enzo approached, kissing her. Alice remained motionless for a few seconds, but then reciprocated, still hesitant.
When he pulled away, Enzo's eyes shone. He smiled, his hands still on either side of Alice's face.
"I'll help you, I just don't want to lose you."
"Alright, now you need to go," Alice replied awkwardly.
Enzo approached, kissing her again, and then pulled away.
"We'll talk later, now go," Alice asked, and he nodded, leaving the room.
Enzo knew he needed to help her, but losing her to the world made him uneasy. He would talk to Michael, and even though he knew about Camilla's feelings for him, he would never love someone like her. His heart only had room for one woman, Alice.
Enzo Donato
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