3. Welcome to the Rossi family

In the huge hall of the imperial castle, Chloe stood beside Rodger Evans. Her head was supposed to lower at him, yet she was ordered to hold her head high because she is the noble lady.

"I like your daughter, Rodger." Anthony Rossi, the head of the great Rossi family, spoke as his sharp eyes landed on Chloe. "She is extremely beautiful and will be the perfect one beside my Alex."

"I am honoured, Mr Rossi. My daughter is yours from now on." Rodger pushed her front by the back as she bowed at the great figure with a timid heart.

"What's your name, darling?"

"Ch... Chloe Isabelle." She almost stuttered and felt a hard glare behind her. Chloe knows Rodger is dissatisfied with her performance.

Fortunately, the duke decided to let that slip and smiled at her. "Chloe Isabelle. A beautiful name for a beautiful princess. I like it." He announced.

"We are honoured, sir. You are so humble." Rodger buttered him and Chloe hold herself from narrowing her eyes at his Fakeness.

Anthony laughed. He looked up beside him and gestured to his private assistant. Immediately, the middle-aged man stepped forward and kept a piece of paper right before her.

Chloe looked at the paper and almost gasped aloud. In bold letters, it was written, 'The Marriage Contract Paper'. Chloe blinked her eyes a few times, trying to realise if she is seeing things.

She was informed to present herself before the Rossi while he chose his bride. But there were no other girls and now this marriage contract! What the fuck is just happening!?

She raised her eyes to the old man whose gaze was following her sharply. She doesn't know if her act was caught and turned to her fake father quietly, who did not seem surprised at all.

And then it hit her, he knew it!

Anthony gestured for her to look at the paper. "Sign it, Chloe. This is marriage contract has placed for a year. After one year, if you still can't find your way to Alexander's life, you are free to go."

Chloe finds herself amid chaos. In front of her is an open sky, she needs to jump from the high and behind her, awaiting the hungry alligator, waiting to grab her in time. Both ways screams of death to her. Yet, she has to choose.

Either way, she would die. But, if she jumps from the high, the death would come unannounced and suddenly. Determining herself, she picked up the pen and signed her name on the paper.

She did not only sign her name but it was an approval of her death.

"Very Good," Anthony spoke and his Assistant take the paper away silently.

"Now, go with Assistant Carson. He will take you to your new home, Chloe. Oh, and welcome to the Rossi family."

*******

Chloe walked out of the mansion with Rodger and Ast. Carson.

Rodger stepped forward and stopped Carson. "Assistant Carson, if you don't mind, I want to bid farewell to my daughter personally."

Carson nodded and stepped aside, leaving the father and daughter duo to exchange their last words.

As soon as Carson give them space, Rodger pulled Chloe into a hug. From a distance, it seemed very emotional, but the truth is slightly different from what it's been showing.

Rodger took his lips to her ear and whispered, "Don't forget, your mother's life lies in my fist. It entirely depends on your action."

Chloe shut her eyes as her heart trembled. "I remember, sir."

Rodger broke the hug, wiping fake tears from his eyes. Soon, Ast. Carson appeared and opened the car door for her.

Chloe entered and the car started. Her eyes fell on Rodger for the last time and she could witness the clear victory on his face, that shattered her life in huge pieces.

From now on, she became the legally disguised bride of the Rossi.

*********

"Ma'am, please come out."

Startled, Chloe looked at her side as she blinked. Suddenly, she realised that the car stopped and Ast. Carson is watching her blankly.

Stepping out if the car, Chloe gasped forthwith, watching the huge mansion in front of her eyes. A billion-dollar mansion that is.

A huge black entrance and behind it all luxury lies. When she entered inside, her eyes widened as if she just appeared in the royal diaries!

As she followed Carson, her eyes widened with the further luxury.

Chloe kept following Carson and soon they entered the main part of the mansion. The inner part was more beautiful and with all the shiny posh things, She felt that her eyes would bleed at any point.

"This is your new home, ma'am. You will live here for the next one year." Carson said.

As they entered, a man in his fifties, came forward and bowed at them. "Good afternoon, Assistant Carson. And a very good afternoon young Mistress." The old man flashed a smile.

Chloe blinked in confusion. She was a little flustered, not really adjusting to the situation. All of it is new to her and she is fumbling.

"This is Butler Daniel. He takes care of this place and master's personal choices." Ast. Carson introduced her to the old butler.

Chloe nodded at the old man and his smile stretched. "I will be taking care from here, Ast. Carson." He turned to Chloe, "Please, follow me, young Mistress."

And hopelessly she followed Butler Daniel. He took her to the huge dining hall. Stepping a foot, Chloe gasped silently once again.

'Lord! What is this space? Hundreds of people can have a feast here!' She muttered eyeing the huge dining table and various meals place over.

There are also three maids standing in three different places around the dining table. Maybe their fixed spots.

She has never seen such a thing even in the Evans Manor!

Daniel turned to her, "Young Mistress, it's almost dinner time. The young master will appear soon." He informed.

Chloe only smiled softly. She does not really know how to react when time is decreasing and nearing her meeting with 'the young master' her heart rate is increasing rapidly.

But, she has stepped into the knife, it's only a matter of time to bleed.

Without a word, she nodded her head and started following Daniel again. Just beside the head seat, Daniel stopped and pulled the chair for Chloe, when,

The sound of footsteps earned their attention and they all looked at the source of it. The moment Chloe's eyes got the view, her heart almost stopped at the sight of a gorgeous man.

He has got a height like a Greek God and the body of Adonis. His face was holding the perfect stubble with a neat curve.

The more the distance decreased between them, the more she could study his beauty.

His lips were smooth and the arch it had was natural as if accidentally made a piece of art.

firm, chiselled and, square jaw which was clenched at the moment with a visible cut. Straight-edged nose anyone would die for and of course that naturally tanned skin tone, people paid thousands for.

His short raven hair was neatly styled. And the pair of blazing golden orbs that holds the strong affirmation.

Even though it's a sign of perverts, Chloe could not move her eyes as if they were glued to the exquisite sight.

Her eyes shamelessly travelled down his body.

It was not just about his height or wideness of shoulders but the way he carried himself in that all dark suit.

He is the perfect example of a 'man in black' Only the white shirt underneath, makes the difference.

As much as he was devilishly gorgeous, the word 'evil' didn't leave his appearance. Making Chloe realise that 'The torturous duke' did not attach to his profile only as a rumour...