Chapter 5 Reverse psychology

Chapter Five

Enzo's POV

“Why isn't the table fully set yet?”

I descend the staircase, adjusting my cufflinks as I watch the maids fuss around the dining table.

One maid is arranging silverware while another rushes in with a tray of glasses. Maria, the head housekeeper, stands in the middle of it all, giving instructions like her life depends on it.

I stop at the bottom of the stairs and look directly at her. “Maria, I told you we were expecting an important guest. Everything should have been ready by now.”

“I'm sorry, sir. There was a small issue in the kitchen, but everything will be ready in five minutes.”

“See that it is.” My gaze shifts to the empty wine glasses. “And where's the Château Margaux? The 2015 vintage I specifically requested.”

“It's being brought up now, sir.” She replies quickly, clasping her hands in front of her.

I give her a final look before the sound of a car pulling into the driveway catches my attention.

Finally.

I smooth my suit jacket and turn to the staff. “Have everything ready before I return. I don't want anyone hovering around unless they're needed.”

“Yes, sir.”

Satisfied that my instructions are being taken seriously, I head outside with a smile already forming on my face. The car has barely stopped when Dante steps out of the passenger’s seat.

I look past him, expecting to see the woman who's been occupying far too much of my thoughts lately.

She's nowhere to be seen.

My smile fades a little, but I keep my voice light.

“Where is she?” I ask. “Don't tell me she's waiting for me to come bring her out myself?”

Dante shuts the car door and approaches me with an expression I don't like.

“She's not coming, sir.”

I stare at him. “What?”

“Miss Bianchi turned down the invitation. She wouldn't let me explain what the meeting was about. She simply told me to tell you she's not interested.”

For a moment, I say nothing. I even glance toward the gate, half expecting Alessia to appear and prove him wrong.

“She said that?”

“Those were her exact words.”

A short laugh escapes me. “Well, that's new.”

People don't usually turn me down. Yet Alessia Bianchi has managed to reject my invitation without even hearing what I have to offer.

I should be annoyed, especially after spending half the afternoon making sure tonight's dinner was perfect.

Instead, I find myself smiling.

Dante stares at me as though he's trying to figure out whether I've lost my mind. “What's so funny?”

“Nothing.”

“She's just rejected your invitation, sir.”

“I'm aware of that, Dante. I was standing right here when you told me.”

He gives me a doubtful look which I honestly can't blame him for. He probably expected me to order him back into the car so he could drag Alessia here by force.

Not that I would. I have no interest in entertaining a woman who doesn't want to be in my house, no matter how curious she makes me.

“I know her type,” I announce, slipping my hands into my pockets. “She's playing hard to get.”

Dante blinks. “You think so?”

“Of course. She knows who I am. She knows I wouldn't send you all the way to her office without a good reason.” I shrug. “She's probably trying to make me work for it.”

“Or she might genuinely not be interested, sir.”

I turn to him slowly.

He clears his throat. “I'm only pointing out the obvious.”

I give him a flat stare, and he wisely shuts his mouth.

The irritating thing is that he might have a point. Alessia didn't strike me as the sort of woman who would pretend to be difficult just to attract a man's attention. When she confronted me in that parking garage, she hadn't cared about my reputation or the consequences of speaking her mind. She'd simply decided I was wrong and told me so.

That kind of confidence isn't easy to fake.

Perhaps she really isn't interested. Perhaps she believes she can handle whatever trouble she's facing without my help.

Either way, I'm not going to force her to listen to me. If I want her to consider my offer, I'll have to give her a reason to do it herself.

Dante watches me for a moment before asking, “Are you going to keep pursuing her, sir?”

“No. I'm going to do the opposite.”

His eyebrows rise. “The opposite?”

I smile, an idea beginning to take shape.

According to the background check I had done, her board is growing bolder by the day. She might be able to keep them at bay for now, but how long before they find another way to corner her?

I glance back at the house, where an expensive dinner is waiting for a woman who has apparently decided I'm not worth her time. I could call her myself, demand to know why she refused, or send another invitation tomorrow.

But that would be too easy.

More importantly, it would give her another chance to reject me.

No, I'll do something far more interesting.

I'll let her have her space. I'll let her believe I'm no longer interested in making her an offer. I'll leave her to deal with her board and whatever else is going wrong in her life.

When she finally realizes that the people around her won't make things easy, she'll remember the man she told to go to hell without even hearing him out.

Of course, there's no guarantee she'll come looking for me. Alessia is stubborn enough to fight a losing battle simply because she refuses to admit defeat.

But I have a feeling she'll eventually realize that pride can't solve every problem.

And when she does, I'll be waiting.

Dante studies me, looking increasingly suspicious. “Sir, what exactly are you planning?”

I tap the side of my head and give him a knowing smirk.

“Reverse psychology.”