Iris POV
I stood completely still unable to move as I watched the woman move gracefully through the large and elegant mansion. She seemed to glide effortlessly and she gave off a strong sense of absolute power and control. This woman Luiza Vinci was not just an ordinary person she represented everything I felt I lacked in my own life.
The beautiful dress she wore hugged her figure perfectly and it seemed to shine and sparkle as it caught the gentle light in the luxurious room. This only made her look even more refined and elegant yet there was something about her that felt predatory like she was always on the hunt for something.
Every single movement she made was careful and deliberate radiating confidence and grace. It was clear that she carried with her a feeling of entitlement as if she believed she deserved everything she wanted. This sense of superiority overpowered me leaving me feeling tangled up in a mix of emotions. I felt confusion jealousy and a deep sense of dread stirring within me making it hard to process what I was witnessing.
“Is this the person?” I found myself thinking in disbelief my heart racing rapidly inside my chest. “Is this truly the Luiza that Don Campani believes would be a good match for Raf to marry? How can anyone possibly think that she is a suitable choice?” This troubling thought twisted in my mind making the uneasy knot in my stomach feel even tighter as I tried to make sense of the situation. Luiza’s presence was so strong that it felt almost overpowering as if she could take everything away from me just with a single glance from her eyes.
And then something very surprising happened. She must have sensed how intensely I was looking at her because she suddenly turned around quickly. When she did her sharp and piercing eyes met mine directly. A sly smirk appeared on her shiny lips making it seem as if she was teasing me almost like she had just cleverly set up a trap for me to fall into.
I could hear the sound of her luxurious clothing rustling as she walked past Maria who was the maid. The sound of her heels hitting the marble floor was loud and strong almost like the sound of a powerful queen confidently taking her place on a throne. My heart started to race and I could feel the tension between us building thicker and thicker like a storm that was about to burst.
“Dahlia” Luiza said sharply her voice slicing through the heavy silence that filled the room. “You really should not be standing so close to her.”
A strong feeling of protectiveness welled up inside me for my friend who was innocent and didn’t understand what was happening. She looked up at Luiza with a puzzled expression on her face trying to make sense of it all. “But why is this happening?” Dahlia asked her voice showing both curiosity and worry. She moved her eyes back and forth between me and Luiza trying to figure out what was going on.
“Let me tell you why I think she’s trouble,” Luiza said lowering her voice as though we were sharing a secret pulling Dahlia into her web of dark thoughts and suspicions. “Honestly you really shouldn’t get involved with her. She’s not good for you. She can lead you down a bad path.” The way she spoke was filled with such disapproval that it was like pouring honey mixed with poison it made me feel small and insignificant as if I didn’t belong under the heavy weight of her judging gaze.
“What do you mean by that?” I suddenly found myself standing up from my chair feeling a mix of disbelief and anger rushing through my body. “What exactly have I done to deserve this treatment? And who do you think you are coming in here uninvited and making all these demands?!”
Luiza raised her beautifully shaped eyebrows in surprise a look of amusement spreading across her face at the unexpected words I had just said. “Oh didn’t you know?” she replied her tone dripping with a kind of superiority that made me feel small. “I am the woman who is about to marry your dear Raf. And if you are still around when that wedding takes place...”
Her voice then dropped to a very low and threatening whisper and every word she spoke seemed to carry a sinister intent. “Let’s just say I have a way of getting what I want and I can be quite convincing when it comes to ensuring that you experience a great deal of suffering.”
A feeling of anger suddenly sparked inside me spreading quickly like a raging wildfire and completely taking over my ability to hold back my emotions. I couldn't believe what was happening. “How could you say that? You don't scare me at all!” I yelled my hands turning into tight fists at my sides. I could feel a rush of adrenaline moving through my body making my muscles tense and filled with unused energy. “You don’t understand anything about who I am!”
Luiza's laughter echoed throughout the space a sound that was gentle and light but underneath it lay a very unpleasant and mean-spirited edge that sent shivers down my spine. “My dear.” she said smoothly her voice dripping with a kind of sugary disdain “I am aware of all the details.”
She continued “You see rumors have this uncanny ability to travel fast and it seems your name has been mentioned quite a lot lately. It’s quite amusing really how a dirty little thing like you has been flaunting yourself as Rafaelle’s toy showing off your disgrace for everyone to notice.”
“Be quiet!” I shouted and my voice shook because of how intense my feelings were at that moment. My heart felt like it was pounding very hard in my chest and I was trying very hard to keep myself together and stay calm.
Before I had the chance to come up with another sharp response Luiza stepped closer to me invading my personal space. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of anger and determination. She then turned to my friend Dahlia and said firmly “As for you Dahlia please take your plate and go to your room now. You don’t need to be here to see what is happening.”
Dahlia walked away and her face showed that she was a little unhappy and confused. When she turned to go I felt a deep sense of betrayal in my heart. It hurt to watch her shuffle away especially because I knew I was going to have to deal with this difficult situation all by myself. I called out to her asking “Why are you being mean to Dahlia?” I could hear a sense of desperation in my voice as I looked for some way to connect with her or get some kind of help in this tough moment.