Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Camera flashes, paparazi goes wild as I came down from the car, my bodyguard and my driver giving a helping hand which I reward him with a smile. He blocks off the people rushing to me, shielding me off the numerous lights flashing on my face.

Luckily, it is a masked party. A private masked party of who is who in Italy attends.

Who are you wearing?

Smile for the camera.

Your dress is gorgeous. Is it Vera Wang?

Who are you miss?

But that is where their jurisdiction ends, right outside the door I entered to the ongoing party. Sashaying like a queen into the ball room lit with candlebra and an expensive decor I search the room for my brother and his date not failing to miss the eyes directed at me. Trust me, it wasn't hard to miss.

My champagne color dress caught the eyes of hungry men and women; not just with a bare back but a thigh high slit in the middle of the gown which won't be too hard to miss showing off my long legs. The sheer gown has million of sparkly studs on it enhancing its beauty the

more. I just wish he is here to see me right now.

He will definitely thrown a ginormous tantrum.

Seeing my brother ahead talking with a man and Ella beside him looking bored as hell. I chuckle strutting to the little group. The kind gentleman excuse himself giving me a once over taking his flute of champagne with him. "Luc." His lips meets my both cheeks with me reciprocating the familiar gesture.

"Sonia."

" My God Nia...You look so beautiful." Chuckling I face her admiring her form fitting gown; adorned on her face is a black lace mask. She looks absolutely beautiful.

"So do you Ella. Green has to be your color." Laughing she throw her hair back dramatically.

"Maybe." We laugh at that. Taking my head to the side I see him coming wanting to escape his presence. Not that it makes me uncomfortable, I don't like being ridiculed by the old man.

"Excuse me for a second." Touching her lightly, she nods while I escaped or thought I did till he called me out getting eyes on me.

"Are you hiding from me Sonia Vatore?" He says au smartly, a grin sitting on his face quickly fixing my frown into a smile turning to acknowledge his irritating presence.

"No. Why would I?"

"Seems so few seconds back. One cannot be too careful with a Vatore especially a beauty like you." Sipping his drink looking at me daringly I meet his gaze throwing a snarky comeback.

"The eyes tends to play heavy tricks on us especially when the eyes lose light." Like a snap of my fingers I joyfully watch his face twist into a frown glaring hard at me smiling like no tomorrow.

Two can play.

"Have you considered my decision?"

"With due respect Sir I don't need a man. I find it insulting to say the least." Smiling for the greeting I receive from a client who passed us by.

"What I find insulting is grieving over your family murderer. That my dear is insulting." Rolling my eyes purposely dismissing his remark looking away.

"Father. Sonia." Now I know this has been planned. A coy plan to meet his son.

Greeting his father but his eyes trained on me. I have the sudden urge to shield myself from his eyes but that will make me look week, scared in their eyes. A saying goes that it is a man's world when truly it is a woman's world. So I kept my head straight, poised my stance and look at father and son. The cunning old man saw what I did letting a soft laugh out before walking away.

"I will leave you two alone." Growling at his retreating form.

"Can I have this dance?"

"Of course. Lead the way." He lead us to the center where Italian classic plays as partners dance amongst themselves. Wrapping his hand on my waist pulling me closer...too close to him literally invading my space.

"You look breathtaking Sonia. You have the eyes of every man in the ballroom entrance on you."

"Mmh." I muse not wanting to lock eye in his gaze which gives me chills, not Elijah kind of chills.

The song is perfect, the setting fantastic but the dance isn't. Not being here with him and now has me feeling lonely watching partners laughing and smiling amongst themselves. Even behind the mask, they look happy. In other not to feel envious I look away to the band cursing myself out after long hours in front of the mirror telling myself not to let such feeling ruin my evening.

"You are not happy. Why?"

Can't a lady want some peace and quiet.

"He is dead you know, so you need to forget about him and move on." Regret eats me up looking at his face cloud with ugh this is such a bad idea. I just know what is coming next.

"I want you Sonia, you know I do."

Santiago is every girls dream man. Sexy, handsome, classy, you know What you girls call

the Playboy demeanor.

Maybe if I haven't met Elijah in the states I would have kept him in my heart. Maybe if Elijah didn't fuck my brains out every nanosecond he gets the chance then I will have outgrown my crush for him into something solid, firm you know. Maybe if I wasn't madly in love with the Russian he might have had a fair chance. Maybe, just maybe.

It didn't work that way. I did meet Elijah, he fucked up my insides and outside, I fell madly for the Russian and now I still crave for his touch, thirtsy for his lips on mine. And there's no taking time back.

Yup. I belong to the Russian King.

"And you can't have me." Looking away. His face repress twirling me.

"He is a Russian. Why do you love that man? It has always been me so what changed?"

"Him." Is my curt reply.

"You can never have him by your side if you wish to rule your father's empire. You will cause a war besides he is dead."

I reward his comment with a smile when on the inside I'm furious taking his words as a threat.

"Sonia..."

"I'm tired. I have to go." Pulling away from his grip which he seems not to let go. I glare at him hoping he gets the picture but it only made him look angry. Struggling against his grip, his firm hold did not falter and I am not liking outcome.

"Why can't I have you? Huh, why?" He growls trying to kiss me.

"Because she is mine."