Chapter 9: The Gala

I was smiling like an idiot when I was getting to my room for the gala. I was happy to know that Zander was interested in me as I was with him when I first saw him in the study room. I guess I have a weakness for men in suits.

I was humming my melody as I was taking my time in the shower and I was having a bubble bath soak as I was waiting for the time to go by. I was playing with the bubbles as I was smiling like an idiot.

He was a really good kisser, I thought as I was playing with my lips.

I cannot think of anyone else that has the same intensity as Zander who was kissing me like there was no tomorrow. I was happy to know that I was kissing him back and he pulled me closer.

I wonder what it will be if I was having sex with him. Will it be as intense as his kisses?

I thought before blood was rushing to my brain. I was insane to be thinking about that with the person that I was supposed to have a professional relationship with.

After an hour or so, I was getting out of the bath and I was drying myself after I rinsing off. I was blow-drying my hair when I was smiling in the mirror. I don't think that it will be like this, the excitement to be seen with Zander in public.

But what if it leads to a different story? What if there will be gossips about me and him tomorrow? I know that Zander hates that kind of thing. Suddenly, I was not looking forward to this anymore.

I was looking at myself that was staring back at me. I was happy one time and now I was sad. I think I might have bipolar issues. But I don't care. I will be going through this and I was happy to know that I have one fun night with Zander Caprioli, the business tycoon of Sicily.

I was putting on the silver cocktail dress that I brought with me as I was looking at the pendant that Zander gave to me as a gift. I was touching it before I sighed.

I think I have to return this later but I don't think I wanted to. I was sniffing before a light knock was on my bedroom door.

"Who is it?" I asked as I was fixing my hair and makeup for the final touch. I was satisfied with my makeup that was natural and I was putting my hair down for the first time. I felt sexy and confident, all thanks to Zander.

"Funny how you should ask who it was, Lena," Zander's voice was filling the room as I was opening the door and I was looking at him. He was putting on his black Armani suit with a red tie and I think he looked delicious right now. I gulped.

"Ready?" He asked as he was holding out his hand to me. I smiled at him as I was nodding.

"Yes, just a moment," I said as I was taking the clutch that I will be carrying for tonight. It was silver as well and it suits my dress. I was putting on my black high heels before I was out of the room.

We were walking out of the castle as Zander was opening the door for me of his convertible. "You look so ravishing that I think I don't want to show you off to anyone, Lena," Zander said before I was breathless at his proclamation. I smiled before I was caressing his chest.

"But you already claimed me, Mr. Zeus. I think not a single person will be approaching me tonight," I said as I was tracing his tie before his electric orbs darkened.

"Good, 'cause I hate to leave you alone tonight," he said before I laughed. I slid inside before Zander was in the driver seat and sped off from the courtyard to the museum for the exhibition's opening night.

I was looking at the National Museum of Sicily before we were stopping at the front door. The red carpet and there were a lot of paparazzi that were waiting for us to get out. Zander took my hand before he was kissing my knuckles. My heart swelled at the thought.

"It's alright. You can do this and I know that you can stay calm," Zander said before the valet was opening the door for me as Zander was out to offer his hand to me. I took it before the camera flashed and we were walking inside the museum.

"Mr. Caprioli, how do you guys meet?"

"What's your relationship with Mr. Caprioli, Miss?"

"Any comments on this development?��

The questions were like arrows that were coming at me. I was holding to Zander as I was trying t make sure that everything will be fine. I was walking beside him before we were inside the grand museum and every chatter stopped as they found out that Mr. Zander Caprioli has arrived with a woman by his side.

"My, my. I wonder when you will be here, brother," someone said before Zander was regarding him. I turned to look at the newcomer before I was looking at some similarity of him with Zander.

Broad shoulders.

Electric blue eyes.

But brown hair.

It was no doubt that this man was one of the brothers of Caprioli. Zander was rolling his eyes at his brother before the newcomer chuckled.

"Oh come on, you're not going to introduce us, brother? I promise I will not take her away from you,"

"And we all know that you are the one that was doing that very same stunt when I brought someone else before," Zander said as my heart sank.

So, he had been seen with someone else. But how come there was no photo of them online? It must be the powerful influence that he has that not everyone will post it anywhere they wanted.

Not unless they wanted to get sued for millions of dollars.

"Now, don't be a sour puss, Zander. We're playing nice tonight. And to think that you have a woman by your side, now that was a surprise," his brother said as I was smiling at him.

"Hi, I'm Lena. I don't think Zander mentioned he has a brother," I said as I was holding my hands out to Zander's amused brother.

"Was she serious? You don't tell all about 5 of us. My, I have to say I was disappointed in you, Zander,"

"Shut up, Harriet. It's time for the reveal. So if you excuse me, I will greet the director now," Zander said before Harriet was smirking at us.

"What's so funny?" Zander asked with a frown.

"Oh nothing much, it's just you're talking to him right now. Surprise! I'm the new director of this museum, and Miss Ferranti, thank you so much for your hard work," Harriet said as he was shaking my hand. I beamed. I think I might learn something about Zander tonight.