Surprise Honey

Instead of listening to my lecture, I am writing a quick chapter for you all...so everyone better be FREAKING grateful and not ask me for another update as soon as I upload this chapter! It won't make a chapter come faster.

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Dominic POV

I couldn't have driven any slower than I was driving now. Alessandra seemed content and quite happy after tonight's dinner and I know that the moment we step into the house, chaos will erupt. I wanted to savor this moment. Alessandra smiling happily by my side, her hand lazily laying on my arm. This is a type of contentedness that I never thought I could achieve.

"Why are you driving so slow? You couldn't wait to drive 30 miles over the speed limit when we left the house, now I don't even feel like we are moving." She wondered.

"I am savoring the ride. I am also giving you the opportunity to take in the beauty of the city outside the walls. I won't always be here to hold your hand."

"Yes but I'll have my guard Samuel, so I'll never be alone."

"Hmm...that is true. Still, enjoy the view."

Eventually, we made it back to the estate despite my efforts on driving extremely slow. Waiting by the front door was Dante and two maids awaiting for my arrival. Dante approach the car and opened the passenger door for Alessandra. He held her hand graciously and helped her out the car before directing her to the two maids waiting by the front door. Alessandra turned to smile at me before walking to the maids.

Dante waited for me to exit the car and walk towards him before approaching me.

"Sir, everything is ready for you. You're private quarters have been rearranged with Ms. Alessandra's items. Her room has been emptied out and turned back into a guest room."

"Thank you, Dante. Where are the maids taking Alessandra?"

"To the request of the party planner, Ms. Sophia, Alessandra is being directed to a fitting for dresses for your engagement party. She dropped some options off during your dinner."

"Damn, she works fast."

"Yes sir she does, she also left a folder filled with approved vendors and party ideas. She needs your final approval so she can book the vendors and ideas. I left the folders in your office."

"Okay, I want you to accompany Alessandra for her fitting. Make sure no one is directing her upstairs to her room. After her fitting, take her to my office so we can finalize the plans together."

"Alright sir, oh before I forget. Senior Leandro stopped by earlier requesting your presence. I told him I will relay the message when you come back from dinner."

What does my father want now?

"Thank you Dante. I'll call him right now. Please make sure Alessandra is okay. I'll be in my office."

I left Dante in the main foyer and headed towards my office. I had to drown my mind in work to distract myself for my upcoming battle with Ally. Finding out what in god's name my father wants from me might be a good place for me to start. I dialed his number and he answered on the second ring.

"Son, you're back from your business dinner so soon?" Father greeted.

"It wasn't a business dinner."

"Oh, I just assumed you went to a business dinner. Who were you dining with then?"

"Alessandra; Dante said you stopped by, what for?"

"Well your mother received your engagement invite in the mail. This is quite soon."

"Soon? You told me I am legally bind to the woman. Now a wedding is expected and you're saying it's too soon?"

"Son, you are legally bind to Alessandra but I didn't expect a wedding so soon. I mean you guys don't even like each other. We don't need a wedding any time soon."

"Alessandra and I came to an understanding. We know what is expected from us and we are both willing to try. So the engagement party is a testament to our arrangement. The party is happening and the wedding is coming shortly after."

"Look Dominic, your mother and I were talking. We know this is tradition and for us to break tradition and code is downright forbidden but look at Alessandra. After meeting her for dinner I could tell how unhappy she is to be in a world like ours. She deserves a innocent romance and happily ever after. She isn't built for a life like ours."

Every word spewed from my father's mouth added fuel to the already intense flame. I couldn't help but gripped the phone to my hand as I tried to calm my nerves. My father is many things but he was a hopeless puppet to my mother's hand. Whatever she needed, he will do. It was the least he can do for her since she led a life of hiding and isolation for most of her life. Every word of that 'heartfelt' advice was a propaganda tool from my mother. My father would want me following tradition no problems. He was truly rooting for Alessandra. I know he saw her fiery spirit.

"Father, before I lose my fucking shit on this phone call I want to warn you to tread lightly. Alessandra and I are willing to make us work. We have more in common than anyone could even comprehend. Alessandra will get anything and everything she wants from me and more. So you relay this message to my mother...the true person with the issue."

"Hmm I knew the last bit would give her away. Okay it's time to be honest with you son. I think Alessandra has potential, you know I do. I love a woman who can stand her ground and not back down no matter who is in front of her. I saw that in her. Yet, your mother feels like she isn't right for you. Hell...she had her heart set out on that whore you were hooking up with at your coronation party. She has some fantasy on how your wife should be and Alessandra doesn't fit that fantasy."

"Tell her to wake up, Fantasies are for children. I won't lie, Veronica would have been a good arm candy but I don't want arm candy. I am not interested in a trophy wife that I can program to do everything I like. I want a queen by my side. A devil needs a temptress and that is Alessandra. You need to get mother on the program before the weekend comes. I won't tolerate any drama at my party."

I hung up before my father could speak again. I didn't have the energy to deal with my mother nor Veronica but I know my mother too well to know she won't take this warning seriously. My mother was the queen of drama and knowing her, she will be pulling some stunt at the party.  I'll let Alessandra deal with that, she has the issue with her and if she doesn't think that Ally isn't the one than she can say it to her face.

Some work was completed before a soft knock resided on my office door. Alessandra poked her head through the crack before fully entering the office. I noticed the smile she was hiding under her poker face. I'm praying Sophia found the perfect dress for her.

"You requested me?" She wondered as she sat down on the arm chair facing my desk.

"Yes, Sophia left her final plans for the party and I want us to confirm the plans."

I handed her the large brown file that was on my desk. I watched Alessandra intensely as she went through each plan. Her hidden smile was replaced by a heavily concentrated face. Each plan was reviewed for a few moments before she moved on the next plan.

"I love everything in the folder. The menu is perfect along with the decorations and the itinerary. The band is a great idea and the venue pictures are beautiful. I am happy with everything in this folder." Alessandra smiled widely before handing me the file to look at. I took the file and tossed it to a corner of my desk.

"What are you doing? Don't you want to look it?"

"Nope, I trust your judgement. I am just there to be arm candy."

"You're an interesting man, Vincenzo. Now, I would like to get upstairs and into my bed. I am tired."

Alessandra proceeded to get up but I got up before and moved towards the door before she could blink. She looked at me as if I was a mad man.

"What is with you today? Speeding then driving slow, not looking at plans, now your racing to the door...Is there something wrong?"

"No, I just... I have a surprise for you and I want you to keep a positive open mind when I show you."

"A surprise, when did you have time to plan a surprise for me?"

"I have my ways. Now, let's go see your surprise."

I waited for Alessandra to walk close to me before I took her hand and led her upstairs to her 'surprise'. Let god help me at this point.