His and Ours

Shot 6: The Meeting

Stefano's POV:

Goddamn it, she was gorgeous. If I thought the ballroom was beautiful, clearly my eyes still hadn't witnessed real beauty. I couldn't help but smile and watch as she let her guard drop for a second at the sudden "oohs" and "ahhs"

Sure, people had heard things about the ever-famous Signorina Bianca Russi but nothing could compare to seeing her here in real life. I just stared in awe.
"Just kiss her already," Matteo sneered from beside me. His words snapped me back into reality. I gave him the dirtiest look possible. Giovanni nudged me with his elbow. "Guide her," he whispered. I got the message and instantly began moving.

Bianca's POV :

Oh gosh. Everyone was staring at me. But I couldn't help but notice the same particular boy again. As I assessed him only one thing came to my mind. Alessandro. Oh, they looked so similar yet so different. They both had big doe eyes, but a sharp jawline, a healthy stature, and such an innocent face. Never one that would belong to a mafia. But at the same time, something about this boy was.. different.

I watched as his friends teased him but suddenly he came rushing up to me. Oh no, what was going on? Where was that Stefano guy? Wasn't he meant to meet me at the entrance? He trotted his way up the stairs and all I could do was stand there like a clueless child. He smiled at me warmly, just like Alessandro... God! Why was he the only person I could think about?

The boy came up to me and held his hand out. "May I?" he asked politely. It took me a moment to realise what he was doing and I silently placed my hand in his. He knelt as he kissed it gently, damn do people still do this?
"Signore Stefano Fernandez," he introduced himself. I blushed, he was my Stefano, how could I have not known? "And you must be Signorina Bianca Russi, or shall I call you Signora?" he teased, winking playfully. He might've thought he was slick or whatever but I was cringing painfully.

"Just Bianca will do," I said, smiling over-exaggeratedly. He nodded awkwardly as he led me down the stairway. Everyone was watching us and I could hear the occasional 'awws' and jealous snickers but I took no notice of them. My cheeks were starting to hurt from all this fake smiling. Stefano led me to the boy who was teasing him earlier.

"Bianca, no?" he said in an exaggerated accent. I smiled genuinely for the first time upon hearing that just as I was about to respond, I caught Stefano, who was still holding my hand, throwing a fiery look at him.
"Uh- ah- Signorina..?" He coughed. I smiled again.

"It's fine, really, just Bianca," I reassured.
"Yes, yes, well Bianca, I am Matteo Fernandez, the unfortunate brother of your husband-to-be," I giggled at his introduction. I liked Matteo, not only did he have the looks but he surely had the humor. And unfortunate brother? Surely he wasn't serious? I felt Stefano tense up beside me and let go of my hand abruptly. To be honest, I was kinda glad.

Suddenly, someone approached us.

Stefano POV:

Matteo, Matteo, Matteo, bloody stupid, Matteo! He's the one who always gets whatever he wants. And he's the one everyone wants as well, not me. And now here he is casually chatting up the lady who I was meant to marry. And she's giggling like a little princess. How about they go ahead and get married instead?

I watched as someone walked towards us. Father. Great, just what I needed to lift my mood.

"Signorina Bianca!" He announced loudly holding out his hand to shake. She curtsied awkwardly due to her short clothing and took my dad's hands in her two hands flashing the fakest pearly whites I've seen all evening - my dad didn't seem to catch on though. Huh, that was strange. Usually Dad's legendary at this stuff. Unless he was already playing her game.