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"Fiero, have you any plans this summer?" she asks. “Daddy left me a beautiful home in Greece. Remember how much fun we had as kids when our families used to visit with each other? I was just thinking, for old times’ sake, we could round up a few friends, or not, and –”
“Oh, Fiero,” I interject smoothly, “I believe that is the events manager,” I stand on my toes, pretending to look over the crowd, subtly redirecting her attention. "It seems like he is waiting to catch your attention," I fabricate, pointing at the manager I recognize from earlier.
"Really?" Fiero gushes, stepping away from Ginevra and reaching out to touch my arm. "He did tell me we might fall short on the wine. Should have just taken his advice. Never mind, let’s go find him, then."
“He probably wants to arrange another delivery,” I say sweetly, watching as Ginevra frowns at both of us. “Perhaps I could be of help?” I lay my claim.
“That would be wonderful. You’re simply the kindest,” Fiero smiles at me softly and winks at me privately. I watch as Ginevra rolls her eyes at me again and saunters away in search of her next conquest without looking back in our direction.
“She’s gone,” I whisper.
"Thank you," Fiero chuckles subtly. "You handled that quite well."
"Anytime. I could see you weren't comfortable," I admit, joyous at being able to please him.
"Your instincts were right on point," he says, the back of his hand accidentally brushing against mine as we stand side by side at the bar. He doesn’t pull away, though, and this time, neither do I.
“Now,” he brushes his shoulder against min softly. “How about we escape this crowd before someone else comes looking for gossip, and find ourselves a more private setting?"
"Sure," I reply without a thought, feeling a flutter of excitement in my stomach at the prospect of spending more time alone with him.
He reached out to take my hand and led me away from the ba through the throng of guests.
As we make our way through the party, I feel sick to my stomach from the guilt, and the sheer pleasure seeping through me. I’m torn between my need and want - stealing the diamond to save my life - and the growing, reprehensible attraction I feel for Fiero. He's everything I never knew I wanted: strong, mysterious, and undeniably captivating.
And yet, he could very well be the death of me.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Fiero asks with a wry smile on his face.
I break out of my thoughts and, in a moment of weakness, tell myself a lie masked as the truth to survive this night: I need to get close to him, for he holds the key to the diamond. That’s all this is.
“Just wondering where we’re going,” I smile sweetly.
"Just a little further," he explains.
We finally step in through a beautiful moon gate covered with creepers and right into what looks like a garden straight out of a fairy tale. It spreads into the far distance, meeting the night sky dotted with stars. The sounds of laughter and conversation from the party are now distant, and I hear crickets from the bushes.
“Wow,” I gasp, my eyes thirsty to see every inch of this breathtaking garden. All around us are cobblestoned pathways leading into secluded corners with wrought iron benches. As we walk, I see marble statues rising out of water fountains, flowers of all kinds, and large trees with fruits.
The enchanting scent of blooming flowers fills the air, and I take a deep breath into this other secret world within his compound.
"Are all these gardens yours?" I ask, my voice filled with amazement.
"All mine," Fiero replies, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "A little sanctuary amid the chaos of running a public empire."
“It is beautiful here,” I murmur.
“I designed the project myself,” he explains. “I find that nature is the cure to most problems that plague our mind.”
"You might be right,” I admit. "I’ve often wondered about my ideal life.”
“What would it look like?” he asks, almost fiercely, almost like he is determined to give it to me.
I stop in my tracks and find him staring at me with the attention of a man who truly wants to know all I have to say. I feel self-conscious and put a strand of hair behind my ear. He motions at a nearby bench, and we sit in the midst of the gentle rustle of leaves.
“Well, you were saying?” he doesn’t let me forget.
“It might sound stupid,” I shrug, gently swinging my legs.
