ALEXANDRO'S POV
Alexandro D'Soto moved through the crowd confidently with practiced ease; only those who knew him could see the irritation hidden behind his charming smile. He never liked to mingle with the rich; they were worse than criminals to him, especially the politicians, all hypocrites that think they are better than the "lower class". To him, this fundraiser for Porto Sicuro was just another performance, a necessary charade to maintain the respectability of his empire, and he hated that he had to do this. He greeted guests with a measured charm while his eyes scanned the room for any signs of trouble.
"Alex, my man!" A loud voice rang through the hall.
The owner of the voice was not hard to spot; he was built just the way he sounded, robust, like a lumpy, shiny leather sofa with lots of solid stuffing. The suit he wore looked as if its only purpose in life was to demonstrate how difficult it was to get this sort of body into a suit. His face had the texture of an orange—rough and pockmarked but any resemblance to sweetness ended there. The mayor of the city, Mr Micheal looked very politician and Alex disliked the man with passion, he was the true definition slimy politician but he had his uses so he tolerated him.
Just as Alex was heading towards him, trying to summon a genuine looking smile, his attention shifted and mouth went slack, he looked like a kid that just saw a candy store. Alexandro paused, perplexed. He looked around, noticing the atmosphere in the hall had shifted; heads turned, looking upwards towards a balcony, and whispers of admiration and envy rippled through the crowd. He turned to see what had captured everyone's attention.
A beautiful lady stood on the balcony looking down at the events going on. Her gown, a deep shade of midnight, shimmered with subtle hints of red, accentuating her beautiful curves and making every movement she made mesmerizing. Lights bounced off the simple diamond choker necklace around her neck. She stood with the predatory grace of someone who knew the power they held and was used to people's attention on her.
Alexandro's eyes meet hers. In that moment, it was as if the world narrowed, the attraction was instantaneous. Her lips curved into a knowing, sexy smirk, an invitation and a challenge all at once, then turned away from his gaze to answer the simpering man beside her trying to get her attention. This was a woman who knew how beautiful she was. Her expression was aloof and confident, there was an unmistakable spark of defiance and allure in her eyes. She looked like a mystery…..a mystery he would like to solve.
Just his type. But for now, he had more pressing matters.
Without missing a beat, Alex turned back towards the mayor only to see him practically drooling and walking towards her, he had completely forgotten about him.
Relived that he won't need to deal with his bullshit, Alex quickly turned another direction and continued making his rounds, but the memory of her smirk lingered. His laughter and carefully chosen words drew smiles and nods, reinforcing the image of a charming CEO for the news cameras recording.
Just as he was heading towards a group of trust fund fashion elites that were excitedly gesturing his over, one of his bodyguards caught his eye and subtly nodded to something behind him in warning. Alexandro turned casually, looking at what his guard had pointed out.
From the far end of the room, he saw some people warily looking at a gruff, shabbily dressed, angry-looking man making his way towards him. Alex recognized him, he is a detective that has made it his life mission to be a torn in his flesh. His steps were purposeful, his expression dark with anger, his hard eyes locked on Alexandro. Alex's bodyguards tensed immediately, shifting to stop the approaching man. But with a casual gesture, Alex waved them aside. "Let him through," he said, his tone cool and dismissive. He stepped away from the mingling crowd, walking towards a secluded alcove beneath a staircase, leaving the detective no option but to follow him.
In the quiet of the side corridor, the detective's voice came low and menacing. "Alexandro, I know what you're up to. I won't let you get away with laundering your dirty money behind the facade of charity. I will drag you to justice and expose you to the city. They will see you for the devil if it's the last thing I do in my career."
Alex regarded the detective with an amused smile. His eyes, steely and calm, "You really believe that, Detective?" he said softly. "I'm merely building something this country desperately needs, a safe haven for those who have been cast aside. And while you chase ghosts and paranoia, I'm building real futures."
The detective's eyes narrowed, fists clenching. "I'm not chasing ghosts. I'm chasing criminals. By the way, Andre the bull has disappeared just when I finally had evidence to haul him to jail. Do you have any idea where he may be? I know you are hiding him, you snake."
Alex leaned in slightly, his voice cold. "You should know better than trying to get me to answer queries without a warrant and my lawyers present. You've been chasing me for years, Detective, and yet here I stand. Maybe it's not me who's failing at his job." With that, Alex offered a final, dismissive nod, gesturing to his guards to escort the detective out. "Now leave this hall before I have you thrown out; I don't even know how you managed to get inside. I know you can never afford the ticket." Leaving the detective seething in the shadows.
He didn't notice Bella perched on the stairs in the shadows, eavesdropping.
Back in the ballroom, the lights had been dimmed, the energy was electric. Everyone had left political and money talks and moved to the dance floor, seems the effect the champagne that has been consumed through the night has finally taken effect. Ties have been loosened some off completely, hairs tumbled loose from buns and hairpins.
Alexandro put the detective's empty threats from his mind, The man was a sloppy policeman with a grudge against him even though he can't recall ever doing anything to him.
His attention shifted back to the enchanting woman he had seen earlier. The slow, sultry notes of a live band began to fill the room. He looked around for her and saw her elegantly coming down the stairs, her dress shimmering in the low light. Noticing other men drawing near her, Alex went to her and extended a hand towards her. "Bellissima, may I have this dance?" he asked, his voice soft but compelling.
She hesitated a little and smiled coyly before placing her hand in his. A jolt of attraction went through both of them as their palms met.