Chapter 23 Her Curves Are Too Alluring
But that's not possible!
Anna wanted to refuse, but Giorgio calmly spoke:
"Simon Dalio Jr. specifically requested you to go, there must be a reason for it. He's not someone easily fooled, and your injuries are convenient."
Little Tony quickly understood, "Right, I almost forgot about the injuries! Miss Stefanelli, let me take you to your room and find a set of Katherine's clothes for you to change into."
The two of them quickly made arrangements, leaving no chance for Anna to refuse.
She looked to Charlie for help, hoping he could give some advice, but the little boy said, "Good luck, I believe in you. I'll be waiting for you at home."
Reluctantly, Anna ended up wearing Katherine's clothes and had to play along.
When she got into the car wearing Katherine's clothes, Giorgio's usually composed eyes showed a hint of fluctuation.
The formal and proper little lady's dress, when worn by her, accentuated her curves, her body sculpted with distinct lines. The deep V-shaped hollow design in the front neckline exuded a seductive charm.
Clearly, her figure was more well-endowed than Katherine's.
He pursed his lips and looked away, opening the car window and gazing at the scenery outside.
Be calm, take a breath.
She was a beautiful woman. She looked exactly like Katherine, but somehow so different. Somehow, so…so…so much more alluring. Giorgio’s head was filling with thoughts he was well aware he shouldn’t be having about another woman.
Anna sat beside him, feeling incredibly uncomfortable.
The clothes belonged to her sister, and she was sitting next to Giorgio. How could she be happy?
She just felt a sense of unease.
After two hours, the car finally arrived at the winery.
It was a vineyard, with beautiful scenery and fresh air.
Anna immediately pushed open the car door and got out, hoping for a quick resolution.
Unexpectedly, a special assistant was waiting respectfully nearby. When he saw the two of them, he immediately smiled and said, "You've arrived. Mr. Dalio is already waiting."
Anna followed his voice and looked ahead, seeing Mr. Dalio in the vineyard.
He was sitting under a pavilion, wearing a white shirt and casual pants, idly twirling a bottle of red wine in his hand. The sunlight through the wine gave his slender and fair hand a beautiful color.
He was elegant and handsome, like a gentleman.
He... he was Alessandro!
How was that possible? Didn't he go abroad to study? Why was he here and called Simon?
Simon saw the two of them arrive and set down the wine bottle gracefully, standing up elegantly. "Mr. Vittorio, Mrs. Vittorio, nice to meet you. It might be too early to call you Mrs. Vittorio now?"
His manners were very elegant.
Giorgio replied with a faint smile: "Not at all."
Anna, on the other hand, felt a sense of discomfort. She was acting as a stand-in for her sister, being called ‘Mrs. Vittorio’ made her feel uneasy.
What made her even more uncomfortable and unable to comprehend was that Simon actually called her Mrs. Vittorio? When he looked at her, was it the same as looking at a stranger?
Could it be that she wasn't Alessandro, but just resembled him?
Anna's absent-mindedness and strange expression made Simon raise an eyebrow curiously, "How is the relationship between Mr. Vittorio and his wife?"
He brought up the topic of their relationship from the moment they met, even mentioning Katherine by name, and Giorgio couldn't decipher his intentions.
"Mr. Dalio seems to be quite interested in my personal relationships. Is there any advice?" Giorgio spoke lightly, but it required an answer even though it sounded casual.
Simon smiled, "Mr. Vittorio made a joke. To be honest, I have heard before that Mrs. Vittorio is too focused on personal gain and lacks emotions. Also, the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Vittorio is said to be like a sham. I personally value emotions and dislike fake marriages, so I haven't considered collaborating with you, Giorgio. However, when I saw the news yesterday and saw how admirable Mrs. Vittorio's actions were, I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet and see if you two live up to the rumors. I imagine Mr. Vittorio also wouldn't like to collaborate with someone who is false and insincere, right?"
Giorgio was somewhat surprised. He was decisive and focused in the business world, never mixing personal emotions into it. Simon, on the other hand, seemed to prioritize emotions.
"Mr. Dalio's approach is different from mine. If we were to become allies, I think we would have a new experience. And as for our relationship, my wife and I are currently doing well."
As he spoke, he extended his long arm and wrapped it around Anna's waist, pulling her closer to him.
This sudden action caught Anna off guard.
His scent, like sunshine on a bamboo forest after rain, filled her nostrils. His hand on her waist felt warm, causing her heart to race.
Simon observed their intimate actions and smiled lightly, "I feel fortunate to witness the affectionate side of the ice-cold Mr. Vittorio. If you two don't mind, would you accompany me in tasting the wine I personally brewed and give some advice?"
His words implied that he was accepting continued discussion with the two of them.
Giorgio, who also had some knowledge of wine, gracefully replied, "Of course."
He walked with Anna toward the winery, a gentleman through and through, conversing eloquently.
Anna couldn't act naturally.
She walked beside Giorgio, feeling a current passing through the fabric from his touch. Except for that one night, she had never been this close to a man before.
And this man was Giorgio!
Simon, Giorgio and Anna enjoyed the wine from Simon’s winery.
Though the two men conversed properly, Anna could feel herself getting drunker by the second.
The tasting room was an elegant space with wooden barrels lining the walls and wine bottles displayed on shelves. Soft jazz music played in the background, creating a relaxed ambiance. The room was filled with the aroma of aging wine and the murmur of their conversations.
Anna watched Simon and Giorgio hold their wine glasses, gently swirling the rich red liquid, appearing genuinely interested in the tasting experience.
Giorgio smiled politely, “This vintage has quite the reputation. They say it's exceptional.”
He looked at Anna, waiting for her to pitch in, “Yes, the complexity of flavors is truly remarkable. A perfect blend of strength and finesse.”
Simon smiled. He seemed genuinely happy at the praise.
“I am glad you are enjoying it, Miss Steffanelli.”
“I'd say. Katherine and I enjoy exploring the finer things in life together.”
Anna gently touched his arm, “Yes, and wine has always been our shared passion.”
Simon eyed them intently, trying to gauge the authenticity of their words. He took a seat at the table, his associates strategically positioning themselves nearby.
Grinning, he said, “Well, I must admit, I'm intrigued. Perhaps there's more to this alliance than meets the eye.”
“You always had a keen eye for detail, Simon”
“Indeed, it's essential in our line of work.”
As the conversation continued, Giorgio and Anna skillfully navigated the delicate dance of deception, keeping their true intentions hidden beneath a facade of romance and camaraderie. They discussed wine, travel, and mutual interests, while subtly hinting at the potential benefits of a powerful alliance.
Meanwhile, the tension in the room rose as the two mafia factions assessed each other, each aware of the risks and rewards of such a partnership.
The winery's elegance and sophistication was a stark contrast to the dangerous underworld dealings that hid within its walls, where alliances were formed and broken as easily as wine glasses. And in this high-stakes game of trust and deception, Giorgio felt so at home, playing his part flawlessly, determined to secure the alliance he needed to further his ambitions.
Pensively, Giorgio began, “Simon, you and I both know that our territories have been colliding lately. It's become more of a nuisance than we'd like.”
The other man nodded, “Indeed, Giorgio, the borders have become blurred. But that's the nature of our business. Competition is inevitable.”
“Of course, competition keeps us sharp. But I believe we can achieve greater success if we combine our strengths rather than working against each other.”
Simon raised an eyebrow, “Are you suggesting an alliance, Giorgio?”
“Precisely. A strategic alliance to pool resources, knowledge, and contacts. Together, we could become an unstoppable force in this country.”
Simon leaned forward, studying Giorgio's expression for any signs of deception. He took a sip of wine, buying himself a moment to consider the proposal.
“An alliance is a serious commitment, Giorgio. What guarantees do I have that you won't use this to your advantage and double-cross me?”
Giorgio’s arm circled around Anna’s shoulder, “Simon, we both know the consequences of betrayal in our world. I have no interest in starting a war. Our alliance would be built on trust, mutual benefit, and a shared vision of prosperity.”
“Fair enough. But I need more than words. I need something concrete to show your commitment.”
Giorgio reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek, expensive-looking cellphone. He placed it on the table and slid it toward Simon.
He smiled. Anna had never seen a scarier smile in her life.
“This is a highly secure communication device. Encrypted end-to-end, untraceable. We'll use these to maintain our private discussions, away from prying eyes.”
Simon picked up the phone, examining it closely. A flicker of intrigue crossed his face.
“Impressive. You really came prepared.”
“Always. I believe this alliance could change the landscape of our operations. We could control this city together, maintaining our territories and expanding our reach.”
Simon seemed to be seriously considering the proposition. He took another sip of wine, contemplating the potential benefits and risks.
“Alright, Giorgio. I'm willing to give this alliance a chance. But remember, any betrayal, and you'll regret the day you walked into this room.”
“Agreed, Simon. The same for you. This is a new chapter for both of us. A powerful alliance that will make history.”
They clinked their glasses together in a toast, sealing their dangerous pact and setting in motion a partnership that would shape the criminal underworld for years to come.
By the end of the meeting, Anna was very drunk, but she still managed to bid Simon farewell.
Anna and Giorgio started walking back, while Simon stayed in. Simon’s estate was very beautiful. But less so than Giorgio. Drunk and blinded by his aura, confused in his haze, her steps faltered and she twisted her ankle lightly, grabbing on to Giorgio for balance.
He looked down at her, “Are you alright?”
She nodded, wincing. Giorgio bent down slightly, and lifted her in his arms.
Anna and Little Tony were shocked to see Giorgio, usually distant and disinterested, show such affection for Anna, a woman with a reputation and lack of self-respect!
Little Tony ran over and said, "Mr. Vittorio, let me carry her."
"No need." Giorgio said with indifference, he placed Anna in the car and then gracefully sat inside himself. "Back to the villa."
Tony was utterly confused. Wasn't this natural gesture going against the character of the cold Mr. Vittorio?
How did it seem like he was treating Anna differently?
Though he dared not say more, Little Tony respectfully drove the car.
The road outside the winery was a bit bumpy, with the car constantly bouncing.
Giorgio was used to various roads, including mountainous ones, from his numerous trips.
But Anna, who was drunk, couldn't endure it. As the car bounced, she tilted and fell directly onto Giorgio.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
