Chapter 84

I don't look up and all the time I keep my eyes fixed on the plate, even if I don't taste anything. I feel too uncomfortable and nervous.

Even though I try to ignore the situation, I find it impossible not to pay attention to what they say.

"Alessandro, how are your lips still?" asks Isabella.

"Fine," he replies, curtly.

"They seem to hurt a lot."

"I've endured more painful things," he replies, paralyzing me for an instant at his words.

"Claudia," I hear Paul name me, so I have no choice but to raise my face to them all. "Are you all right?"

"Of course," I reply with a smile that doesn't come out at all genuine.

"I see you haven't tasted anything else from your plate."

"I just feel full," I say dodging her gaze.

"You're lying," I hear suddenly from the person I've tried my best to avoid, despite having him in front of me, feeling his intense stare every second.

"I'm not," I say with my eyes on dessert.

"Do you really want to fool me?," he questions, hardening his voice and leaving eve