Sofia strutted up to me, her eyes full of disdain. "The banquet's decent, but there's no carpet in the hall. My dress got dirty. Hold it for me and make up for your mistake."
I lowered my head. "There's a carpet backstage. I'll have someone lay it out immediately."
Her expression darkened. "How dare you refuse me?"
Just then, Cesare arrived. When he saw her displeasure, he immediately stepped forward to ask what was wrong.
Sofia pouted, then whined that I had refused to lift her dress and must be holding a grudge against her.
Cesare scooped her into his arms and looked upset. "Lifting a dress is part of your job. Can't handle such a small task?"
The guests around us started whispering too, saying I didn't know my place.
I swallowed my embarrassment and bent down to lift the hem of her dress.
Sofia wandered through the banquet with Cesare, up and down the halls. The pearls on her dress dug painfully into my arm, but I gritted my teeth and endured it.
But she still wasn't satisfied. Someone poured her several glasses of whiskey, and she gave it to me. "I don't want this. Drink it for me."
"I'm allergic to alcohol—" I started to protest, but she interrupted with a playful toss of her head.
Cesare looked at me and coldly said, "Take your allergy medicine first, then drink. You'll be fine."
My heart sank. I silently swallowed the pills and downed one glass after another. My stomach churned violently, and my vision blurred.
Suddenly, Sofia screamed. "Cesare! The family heirloom necklace you gave me is gone! She was the only one near me. She must have stolen it!"
My mind cleared slightly, and I panicked. "Don Valeri, it wasn't me!"
Cesare looked at Sofia and her reddened eyes, then said thoughtfully, "There are a lot of people around. Let's check first."
"Who else could it be?" Sofia spat, freeing herself from his hold. "If you don't search her, I won't marry you!"
Cesare quickly gathered her into his arms and barked orders to the family bodyguards.
Several guards immediately pinned me to the floor, tearing at my clothes. My dress was shredded, my skin bruised and scraped.
Just as they were about to tear off my undergarments, a maid ran over. "I found it! The necklace fell on the stairs!"
Cesare finally relaxed. He waved the guards off and personally placed the necklace around Sofia's neck.
Sofia wiped her tears into a smile, looking at my disheveled state with a teasing tilt of her head. "Do I need to apologize?"
All eyes were on me, and I heard Cesare's cold voice cut through the chatter. "No need. She's just a secretary. A little hardship doesn't matter."
That sentence cut through me like a blade, stabbing straight into my chest, leaving me gasping for air.
All I felt was numbness and emptiness. The hall slowly emptied, the glaring lights casting harsh reflections on the bruises and cuts across my body.
I gritted my teeth and stood, then wrapped myself in the coat a maid handed me and staggered out of the banquet hall.
It was pouring outside. Cold raindrops stung my face, sliding down like tears I could no longer shed.
I wandered aimlessly through the streets when a black car screeched to a stop beside me.
The window rolled down, and Cesare's face appeared.
"Get in."
I kept walking as if I hadn't heard him.
His brow furrowed, and his tone hardened. "Get in."
I stopped and lifted my pale face. "No need to worry, Don Valeri. I'm just a secretary."
For a brief moment, his chest seemed to tighten. He stepped into the rain and gripped my hand.
"Tonight was my fault, but I can't lose Sofia. Whatever you've suffered, I'll make it right. Don't be stubborn."
I yanked my hand free and took a few steps back. My voice was calm and flat. "Don Valeri, you must be joking. How could I ever be cross with you or Ms. Costa? I was naive before and didn't know my place. From now on, I'll remember I'm just your secretary and won't disturb you again. Are you satisfied?"
The more he listened, he angrier he got, and he lost control once I finished speaking. "You know that's not what I meant! I never belittled you. Those words were only to calm Sofia. In my heart, you and Luna—"
I couldn't hear the rest of it. My sight dimmed, my body gave out, and I collapsed as the world slipped away.
When I finally came to in a hospital room, my wet clothes were gone and my injuries had been taken care of.
A nurse smiled. "Your boyfriend stayed with you all night. He just left."
My cracked lips moved slightly, and my voice came out hoarse. "He's not my boyfriend. He never was."
From the very beginning, Cesare and I were just an accident.
To him, I was only ever his secretary. He never acknowledged anything between us.
I used to delude myself with hope. Now, all I want is to wake up completely, leave this place, and never look back.
