Chapter 39 Regina

• "You look ravishing," Bianchi says holding his hand out to me. I take it as he helps me down the last steps, his grip gentle. Since the moment I appeared, his eyes haven't left me.
• "You clean up well too," I tell him even though I've never seen him in anything other than a suit. He's in a black tuxedo with a white button-down shirt and a black bowtie. One of the lapels on his suit jacket has some sort of embroidery design and I'm surprised the color matches that of my dress. I flick up my eyes to his asking "Coincidence?"
• "No" he replies and leaves it at that. I don't bother asking for an explanation because I don't care. My stomach is churning with nerves and anxiety. I want to lure Federico out but at the same time, I don't want Bianchi to misunderstand because all this isn't for him. I didn't go to such lengths to look like this for him. But I also can't make it clear to him until after the gala. He needs to play the part of a possessive love interest. If he thinks I'm interested in him, he'll become territorial and then word about our supposed relationship will start spreading. Now I know that I'm using him and he'll probably dislike me after he finds out the truth but he'll live.