'Cara,'

She hadn't expected it to be Tomas calling her so early in the morning.

'Are you busy?' His deep voice washed over her like a warm wave, she almost forgot to respond.

'I'm at work Tomas, off course I'm busy. Do you think I'm twiddling my thumbs?'

He laughed throatily. She could just picture the sparkle lighting up his eyes. 'Mamma would like us to have dinner with her this Friday. Can you make a plan?'

'Friday is my busy day Tomas, how about Thursday or Monday or Tuesday?'

''I'll take Thursday cara. Monday is too far away.'

Alina smiled into the handset.

'Mamma will just have to reschedule.'

'What time?'

I'll pick you up at six thirty, ciao.'

      Alina knocked on her neighbour Patty's Jenner's door to again borrow a dress.

'Oh how lovely of you to drop by,' Patty hugged her. 'I thought now that you have your hunky Italian, I would never see you again.'

'Why did you think that?' Alina's face reflected something between a smile and a grimace.

'Successful restaurateur, maybe she now favours High Street Designs, rather than Patty Jenner's Designer wardrobe.'

'That's exactly why I'm here,' Alina grinned. 'So, I would like something---demure. We're having dinner at his mother.'

'Ooh nasty,' Patty had a pained expression on her face.

Alina laughed. 'Black is always a safe choice right.'

'Not tonight luv, I have the perfect dress for dinner with the mother-in-law.'

'She's not yet,' Alina protested.

'What do you think?' Patty removed a stunning ivory frock, made in lace and chiffon. It looked so tiny as if it was bought in the teenager's section, but Alina could not tear her eyes away from the beautiful dress.

'Wow,' Alina whispered.

Patty laughed. 'That must be a yes then.'

'No,' Alina shook her head. 'I can't wear that to his mother.'

'Why the hell not?' Patty demanded. 'You will look stunning. Don't you want to make a good impression?'

'I have no desire to impress her---.'

'Oh that's right. He's already popped the question,' Patty slapped her forehead.

There was no popping or proposing or bended knee.

'Can't we go for conservative?' Alina pleaded. 'This looks too sexy and risqué.'

'Put it on. Let's see.'

'We must hurry. Tomas will be here shortly,' reluctantly Alina slipped the dress on.

Patty covered her mouth in amazement when she saw how fabulous Alina looked in the dress. It blended beautifully with her mane of rich auburn curls. It was figure hugging around her hour glass frame, and classy.

'It's all wrong, right?' Alina observed Patty's hand over her mouth.

'No, you look like those celebrity stars walking the red carpet.'

'Oh please,' Alina laughed. 'I'm hardly---.'

She stopped when she heard a car door slam outside.

'He's here. OMG. I'm not ready!  Patty help! I need a dress.'

'You are dressed,' Patty grinned, opening her door. She pushed Alina out. Don't forget your heels,' Patty whispered and closed her door.

'Patty!' Alina stared helplessly at the close door. She ran inside her flat when she heard the footsteps drawing closer, dived into her room slipped on her heels, checked the mirror.

I don't like it. I'm overdressed. It's not me. I think it's too short.

The dress was actually touching her knees.

"Alina, Tomas is here."

Alina sucked in a huge gulp of air and opened her bedroom door. There he was with his back to her, looking out the window. He was smartly dressed in an evening suit. His hair looked damp, and inviting. Even with his back to her, he looked spectacular. His legs wide, powerful, well-muscled, the shoulders beautiful and expansive. He must have sensed her there. He turned around, not uttering a single word as he took in her appearance.

'Hi,' she murmured.

He stood there, silently looking her up and down.

He hates the dress. He thinks I look like a slut. I feel like one. I should just take the damn thing off.

'Alina you look amazing' Tomas' words rung in her ear, like a melody.

'I do?--- I mean thank you.'

If she had any doubt, his smile and the appreciative look in his eyes convinced her. Her confidence rose a hundred fold. She felt like she could stand up to an avalanche...of criticism.

'Shall we go cara mia?' he smiled, offering her his arm.

'Yes,' she smiled back happily.

Tomas guided her out, his fingers lightly at her lower back. His touch burned desire through every fibre of her body. She was relieved when she slid into the passenger seat and he closed her door. She quickly breathed heavily two or three times and when Tomas slid into the driver's seat, she was ready with a polite smile.

'Cara,' he pulled her into his arms. His mouth crushed hers. 'How can you tempt me with a dress like this, all I want to do is rip it off.'

He buried his lips on her throat and teased the soft responsive flesh.

Don't---it's not mine.

Tomas pulled away and explored her face. She looked ravishing tonight, confident, happy, her eyes bold, her lips tantalizing.

No doubt you broke the bank to buy this dress. Off course you need to create the right impression.

'I guess we should leave, or we're going to be late,' Tomas smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.

      'Mamma, good evening,' Tomas smiled and kissed Keres on either cheek when she opened the door.

'Tomasa,' she smiled brightly. 'Good evening, Alina,' she greeted warmly. Keres' eyes ran up and down Alina's dress. Patty's dress. Was that recognition in Keres' eyes, of the expensive label? Was it admiration of how good it looked on Alina?

It must be the dress!

Good evening Keres,' Alina replied in like manner.

'Come in, come in,' she ushered them in, with her arm tucked in Tomas'.

Alina followed a few feet behind. She almost banged into Tomas' back, when he stopped dead still, every muscle in his body tight like a bowstring.

'What is she doing here?' Tomas demanded in Greek.

'She is my house guest,' his mother's voice seemed to have wavered slightly. She arrived unannounced yesterday.'

Alina did not have a clue about the conversation between mother and son, but she could tell from Tomas' grave tone, he was furious about something. She wished she could have understood Greek, but she didn't.

     'Tomas, caro, lovely to see you again,' a laughing female voice greeted in Italian.

Alina tried to look past Tomas, but she could see nothing past his broad shoulders.

'Buonasera Gabriella,' Alina heard Tomas greet with a smile.

Gabriella. That name sounds familiar---

'Alina, please meet Gabriella Ancelotti. Gabriella, my fiancée, Alina Brooke.'

Alina looked from Keres to Gabriella Ancelotti. Keres seemed to have a triumphant smirk plastered across her face. Silently, Alina thanked Patty for the dress, for Gabriella was the most stunning woman, Alina had ever laid eyes on. Her curvaceous body was wrapped in an eye-catching cobalt evening dress. She was tall, statuesque, with glossy jet black hair cascading over her bare shoulders. Her porcelain skin was clearly visible where the dress did not cover. She had an hour glass figure that every model would die for. Well shaped, firm breasts, tiny waist, and hips designed for child-bearing. Gabriella had a beautiful angular face, pouting lips and eyes dark like charcoal.

So this is Gabriella. The woman Keres wants Tomas to marry.

'Good evening, Ms. Brooke,' Gabriella, greeted in perfect English, no trace at all of an Italian accent. Neither was there any warmth in her smile or eyes when she looked at Alina.

'Good evening,' Alina smiled politely.

There seemed to be a palpable tension in the air. Alina wondered if she was the odd one out. She looked up. Tomas and Gabriella's eyes were trained on each other. Keres seemed to have a spring in her step.

'Shall we have some drinks?' She offered. Tomasa, why don't you pour? You know what everybody's preferences are,' she smiled.

Tomas nodded and returned with a tray full of drinks. 'Alina,' he smiled offering her a glass of white wine. At least she got the first drink. His mother was next. Or was he saving the best for last? 'Gabriella,' he handed her a glass of red wine.

'Thank you caro,' she purred seductively.

Don't call him that. He's my fiancé!

'I see you haven't forgotten,' Gabriella's hand curved over Tomas' as he passed her the glass.

'How was your flight?' Tomas enquired conversationally. He did not seem to mind Gabriella touching him rather suggestively.

'Tiring,' Gabriella's lips pouted.
Alina watched Tomas, his eyes was focused on Gabriella. 'I had to be up so early.'

Idle chatter continued around the three as if she was not there. Occasionally Tomas would glance her way, enquire if she needed another drink, when she shook her head, he would resume his riveting conversation with the others. Gabriella seemed to be in a mood to reminisce, talking about their university days and all the nights Tomas took her out and the amount of fun they had had. There were many nights, it seemed. A master manipulator, either she presumed Alina did not understand Italian or it was a deliberate ploy to let Alina know the extensive history she and Tomas shared.

Alina lowered her head and quietly sipped from her glass. What contribution could she make? How she lost her virtue on her first date with him? She was surprised when Tomas was standing in front of her filling her glass again. She hardly remembered finishing the previous drink.

'Thank you,' Alina murmured.

'Tomasa do you remember the time when the plumbing collapsed and you had to rescue Gabriella?'

No doubt she deliberately broke it. And I bet Casanova Casiraghi thoroughly enjoyed the rescue mission.

Dinner was sumptuous no doubt. Alina toyed with the aubergine starter. It was beautifully prepared, just the right texture, in a smooth creamy white sauce. She felt lonely far away on the other side of the large table. Tomas sat at the head, Gabriella at his right, his mother opposite Gabriella. Deliberately, it seems she had been isolated. Alina watched Gabriella nibble sparingly on her lettuce leaves and walnut decorations. Her salad was without dressing or any calorie inducing ingredients, though she indulged in copious amounts of red wine.

'Would you help me with the coffee please Alina?'

'Sure,' Alina smiled, pleased to be finally included in the evening dinner, only to realize too late, the ploy, to allow Tomas and Gabriella private time alone. Alina seethed with anger when she heard Tomas' throaty laugh from the dining room. Either the sex kitten was tickling him pink, or she was telling him a very juicy anecdote.

'They've always been like two peas in a pod,' Keres' voice interrupted Alina's thoughts whilst she was putting cups and saucers onto a tray. 'They have so much in common.'

Keres tightened another screw in Alina's coffin.

'She's just the type of girl any mother wants for her son, intelligent, sharp business sense and knows how to be an excellent host.'

Shut up! I get the picture. I am trash and your beloved Gabriella is God's gift to your son.

'Such a pity, a childhood sickness, rendered her infertile and my Tomasa loves children so much.'

OMG! He's marrying me because the woman he loves can't have children...

"You will produce heirs to benefit my vast wealth..."

Rancid bile collected in Alina's throat. She could feel the acidity knotting her stomach. She wanted to throw up what little dinner she'd eaten.

'Let's take this through, shall we?' Keres picked up the tray and allowed Alina to precede her.

Again it seemed her strategy was timed to perfection. As Alina walked in, Tomas and Gabriella's heads were close together, smiling happily, Gabriella's hand was resting on Tomas' arm. The smile disappeared from Tomas' face when she walked in. Gabriella's hand remained on Tomas' arm. She delivered a meaningful look at Alina.

'Let me help you mamma,' Tomas stood up and relieved his mother of the tray. Of course Gabriella had hers black with no sugar. Feeling self indulgent, Alina laced hers with four sugars and extra cream and with difficulty kept a straight face, when she felt the sugar turning toxic in her bloodstream. More conversation continued around her and over her head. She was surprised when Keres asked her how the restaurant was doing. Finally Alina could passionately talk about something.

'Oh, what do you do there?' Gabriella dragged out in a bored tone.

'She works in the kitchen as a chef,' Keres obliged, only too happily.

Alina's eyes flew across to Tomas. He leaned back in his chair, lifted his coffee cup and drank from it at leisure. Alina picked up her own cup and drank the awfully sweet coffee. She threw her napkin on the table in a decisive manner.

Shall we take our leave?' Tomas stood up, when Alina returned her empty coffee cup back to the tray.

'Caro, can you give me a lift back to my hotel,' Gabriella asked in Italian.

She was supposed to be a house guest of Keres!

'Where are you staying?' Tomas asked.

Why was Alina not surprised when Gabriella just happened to be staying in exactly the same hotel as Tomas?

'It makes sense to drop Alina off first then,' Tomas announced.

Off course it makes perfect sense.

'Oh of course caro,' Gabriella smiled accommodatingly.

After their goodbyes to Keres, Gabriella thought it also made sense for her to be seated in front with Tomas. Alina inhaled sufficiently, counted to ten and opened the back door herself, whilst Tomas helped Gabriella into the passenger seat. He raised his eyebrow disapprovingly, when he came around and saw Alina was getting into the backseat by herself.

'You should have waited for me?' he accused.

'You were otherwise engaged,' a saccharine sweet smile, appeared briefly on Alina's face before she slammed the door shut.

Tomas got into the driver's seat. His eyes looked murderous as he glared at Alina in the rear view mirror. Alina glared back mutinously, far from intimidated by King Casiraghi's scathing glower. Pity he had to drag his eyes away to respond to Gabriella's question to him. Alina could not even recall what Gabriella had asked. For once that night, she was pleased to be left out, as Gabriella continued to blabber on and on, laughing and eliciting spontaneous laughter from Tomas. When the car stopped outside her flat, Gabriella's look of disgust was on par with the words that fell from her mouth.

'People live here?' she openly grimaced.

Neither Tomas nor Alina responded.

'Thank you for the evening,' Alina replied to nobody in particular.

'I'll see you to the door,' Tomas reached for his handle.

'Don't bother. Good night,' she opened the door and closed it ever so quietly. Tomas got out anyway. He closed his door before he addressed Alina.

'Cara, thank you for accompanying me,' his arm cupped her elbow courteously.

I wonder why. Clearly you had a great evening. You did not even know I was in the room.

'You can leave. Good bye,' Alina pulled her hand away.

'I will call you tomorrow,' he kissed her cheek, waited for her to open her door and disappeared with a wave.

Alina stood there dumbfounded. Before we left he was all over me, wanting to remove my dress, Patty's dress. The second he laid eyes on Gabriella, his mood changed one hundred and eighty degrees. He offered no resistance when she asked him to leave. Normally he would take her in his arms, plead for her to return with him to his hotel, but not tonight.

Who was she kidding? She could not hold a candle to Gabriella Ancelotti. They were on different ends of the spectrum, she right at the bottom and Gabriella right at the top, next to Tomas. His kind of woman, from his kind of world..."so much in common"'

Alina wondered would she still be engaged to Tomas Casiraghi tomorrow?

             -end chapter ten-