Page 42 of The Devil's Fire

“Fuck no. I wanted to go out to get a dress for the party, which you didn’t tell me about.” Now I was frowning at her for not even giving me a heads up.

“I told you about the party tomorrow, but you were zoning out. It’s not my fault you decided not to listen.” Cara rolled her eyes at me. “But what about Damiano?” She asked.

“I was on the phone with him, going back and forth about letting me go out. And then, I heard a woman’s voice in the background.” I explained.

Cara’s mouth went slightly ajar at the information.

“What if it’s the TV or something?”

“Nope. She said his name and asked who he was talking to. He said ‘no one’, and I hung up.”

Cara sighed and looked at me sadly.

“Thaia, I hate to break it to you, but it’s common for a man like him to have… affairs. Especially in his position, they usually have multiple women...” She trailed off.

I looked away as my heart clenched at her words. I couldn’t look at her as I felt so fucking stupid at the moment. Of course, he would have several women. He was a Mafia Boss for crying out loud. Why did I even think he didn’t just because he gave me a little attention?

“So, I’m just a side hoe then. Got it. Thanks.” I jumped up and made my way out.

“Althaia, I’m sorry.” She apologized, her voice laced with guilt.

“For what? I’m the one who’s naïve and stupid.” I gave her a forced smile and walked out.

I locked myself in my room for the rest of the day and cuddled my pillow in bed. I felt so stupid thinking that he might actually have cared for me a little. Maybe his actions toward me had me confused, or I was just delusional. It was not like I even knew him. I shouldn’t care.

At some point, Cara came to get me for dinner, but I pretended to be asleep. She knew I wasn’t but respected my wish to be alone.

I didn’t sleep a wink at all, and it was now almost time for the party. My mind kept wandering to the golden-brown-eyed Devil, and then I felt even more stupid all over again when it hurt just thinking about him.

I huffed and dragged myself out of bed to take a shower, hoping it would help wake me up and refresh me a little. After finishing, I wrapped a robe around my body, and just in time, there was a knock on my door. I opened it, finding Rosana holding a gown bag.

“This was sent for you.” She smiled as she walked past me and hung it up.

“Oh, I didn’t ask for it…”

“Mr. Damiano wishes for you to wear it tonight.”

A dress for the side hoe, how thoughtful of him.

“Thanks.” I returned her smile. I wanted to say she could go ahead and burn it because I won’t be wearing it, but it wasn’t the poor woman’s fault, and I shouldn’t give her a hard time about it.

I ignored the dress and went through my clothes to see what I could pull together. After almost giving up, I found a dress that I had completely forgotten I had packed and was perfect for an outdoor party.

It was a black maxi dress with a halter neck. It had a twist in the middle that showcased my midriff, but the best part was the daringly high slit starting from the hip.

It was a revealing dress, and I had to be careful how I moved if I wanted to avoid flashing people. I had packed this one in case we decided to have a night out, but I guess a garden party would do.

I finished the look with my favorite pair of Louboutin.

Pleased with my makeup and outfit, I made my way out, but stopped when I saw the gown bag.

“He can wear that stupid dress.”

And I kicked it.

Childish, but it made me smile.

I walked down the last steps to the garden and looked at the scenery in front of me. It was set up beautifully, but then again, this manor was out of this world, and I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

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