Chapter 46 Mirror Image

Mia was working on designing the bedroom for the couple in the mansion of Alessandro Valentino. She hadn't seen him since that day when he dropped her at her home. Her heart was restless, but she couldn't understand why. It was not the case that she was missing him, right? Then why was her mind agitated, constantly wanting to know about his whereabouts? "You need to forget him. He would be fine, after all, many people are there to take care of him, and he also has a fiancée," she scolded herself for thinking about her ruthless mafia husband. She knew Alessandro's preferences about the room's furnishing and colors, so she had chosen everything accordingly. Her staff had been efficiently working on the room under her supervision, and she was pleased with the final result. The walls were painted a sleek, matte grey, creating a sophisticated and calming backdrop. The bed was a modern platform design, low to the ground with a minimalist headboard upholstered in luxurious, dark leather. Polished chrome nightstands flanked the bed, their surfaces gleaming under the soft ambient lighting that emanated from recessed fixtures in the ceiling. In the expansive space, a plush, deep-pile carpet in a rich, charcoal hue covered the floor, adding warmth and a touch of opulence. At the foot of the bed, a contemporary bench in soft, grey velvet provided a perfect spot to sit and relax. A sleek, low-profile dresser made of dark- stained wood with stainless steel accents sat against one wall, offering ample storage and style. On the opposite side of the room, a chic seating area was arranged, consisting of a pair of modern armchairs upholstered in high-quality, white leather, and a glass-topped coffee table with an intricate geometric base. A large, abstract painting with bold splashes of color hung above, adding an artistic flair to the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows draped with elegant, sheer curtains allowed natural light to flood the space, highlighting the careful attention to detail in every piece of furniture and decor. In one corner, a sleek, freestanding bookshelf held a curated collection of books and artifacts, adding both functionality and a personal touch to the room. As Mia stood in the center of the room, taking in the harmonious blend of contemporary furniture and clean lines, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. Mia and her assistant designers took measurements, discussing the designs of the other rooms and color combinations. She believed it was best to finalize these decisions on-site, as they could better visualize the spaces within the grand mansion rather than in her company's conference room. While she and her designers were still discussing and adding details to their designs, they heard a sharp, unpleasant voice almost screeching. "Who the fuck did this to my room?" Mia and her designers were startled by the sudden outburst. They stopped their discussion and got up, turning to find Vanessa fuming with anger. "What's wrong, Miss Vanessa?" Mia asked sternly. She hadn't forgotten what this filthy supermodel had done to her. "You spoiled my bedroom!" Vanessa accused, gritting her teeth. "Who gave you permission to design my room like this? Change the color and furniture. Change everything," Vanessa ordered authoritatively. Mia was annoyed by her interference. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "Miss Vanessa, all the designs were approved by Mr. Valentino. These choices were made according to his preferences." Vanessa's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't care what he approved! This is my room, and I want it changed. Immediately." Then Mia's eyes caught another figure entering after Vanessa-it was Alessandro's stepmother, Maria. Mia was startled for a moment to see Maria after six years, but she maintained her demeanor and pretended as if she had never met her. "Miss Vanessa, I don't know what you are saying," Mia crossed her arms around her chest and stared back at the supermodel challengingly. "As far as I know, this is Mr. Valentino's room, and he hired me to design it. So, I have designed the room according to Mr. Valentino's choice of colors and fabrics." "You bitch, you have the audacity to talk back to me!" Vanessa fumed in anger, lifting her hand to slap. But Mia was ready. She knew how these cunning women could react when they didn't have anything logical to say. Just as Mia was about to defend herself, Maria intervened. "Stop it, Vanessa! I am tired of your childish behavior," she scolded Vanessa, pulling her away from Mia. "I am sorry, Miss Peterson! Vanessa is slightly impulsive. I hope you won't take it to heart," Marla apologized sincerely, though her eyes remained wide with shock, making Mia uncomfortable. "It's fine, ma'am," Mia replied with a professional and indifferent expression. "Thank you," Maria smiled. Still staring at Mia, Maria's intense gaze made Mia raise a brow in question. "I am sorry for staring at you, but I have heard you look exactly like Alessandro's deceased wife. Now that I have met you, I couldn't agree more. I must say, if I hadn't heard the news of the plane crash in which Arla died, I would have also been deceived by your looks and mistaken you for Aria," Maria explained, her scrutinizing eyes remaining fixed on Mia. "But alas, she is no more, and we have attended her funeral." "Oh, I didn't know Mrs. Valentino looked so similar to me, Mia whispered hesitantly, averting her eyes. Maria smiled meekly. "Trust me, you wouldn't have found a single difference. If she were alive and you two stood face to face, it would be like placing a mirror between you. It's sad she died and never met you."