Chapter 10
A R I A N A
I walked downstairs slowly, my bare feet cold against the marble floors, the mansion was even bigger in daylight all high ceilings and expensive artwork it felt more like a museum than a home.
Lina walked ahead of me, still talking nonstop.
I barely listened my stomach growled as the smell of food reached me, the dining room was huge, with a table that could seat twenty people but only one place was set for me.
The food looked delicious fresh fruit, warm pastries, eggs cooked perfectly but I had no appetite I picked at a strawberry while Lina hovered nearby.
“Mr. Russo is very private,” Lina continued, pouring me orange juice. “He doesn’t like people asking too many questions. And he hates p>
“Lina p>
A sharp voice cut through the air we both jumped.
An old woman stood in the doorway she was tiny but stood straight as a ruler her white hair was pulled into a tight bun, her black dress perfectly pressed and her eyes the same dark, piercing eyes as Dante’s locked onto me.
“Leave us,” the woman ordered Lina without looking at her.
Lina bowed quickly and scurried away.
Part of me was thankful that I didn’t have to hear Lina’s never ending facts about Dante which was my least of concern.
The old woman studied me like I was a bug under a microscope. “Ariana,” she said finally. “I am Valentina Russo, Dante’s grandmother I wasn’t able to make it to the wedding due to some personal reasons”
My fingers tightened around my fork what did she want?
I only nodded at what she said, I didn’t have anything to say.
She narrowed her eyes at me before clearing her throat. “Follow me” she orders before turning and and walking away, clearly expecting me to obey.
I hesitated.
I didn’t want to go anywhere with this woman. But what choice did I have? With a sigh, I pushed back my chair and followed.
The garden was beautiful full of roses and fountains. Valentina sat at a small iron table, already pouring tea like she knew I’d come.
“Sit,” she commanded.
I sat.
Valentina pushed a cup toward me. “Drink it, youlook pale p>
The tea was hot and bitter I sipped it just to have something to do with my hands.
Valentina studied me over her own cup. “That bruise on your neck,” she said suddenly. “Dante did that p>
My hand flew to cover the marks.
I didn’t answer.
She should know the type of grandson she has, a violent abusive and dangerously disgusting mother fucker.
Valentina sighed. “God! Always so rough.” She set down her cup with a sharp click. “Listen carefully, This is all new to you too and It will take time for the both of you to accept this marriage but you must be patient p>
I almost laughed.
Patient?
After what he did to me?
Valentina’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t look at me like that. My grandson has been through more than you know. It takes time for him to trust. You shouldn’t take his behavior to heart but regardless it doesn’t warranty him to hurt you and I’ll make sure I address that, it won’t happen again p>
“What behavior?” I finally found my voice. “The choking? The threats p>
I didn’t know were the sudden courage was coming from but i wasn’t about to seat her and get insulted or belittled by his grandmother as well.
Valentina waved a hand like those were minor things. “He’ll calm down once he realizes you’re not going anywhere, he’ll come to accept the marriage p>
I gripped my teacup tighter. “And if I want to leave p>
The old woman’s smile was cold. “Then you’ll learn why the Russos are feared p>
A chill ran down my spine.
Valentina stood suddenly, the conversation clearly over. “You’ll join me for dinner tonight. Seven o’clock don’t be late, we’re having an introductory dinner for the two of you… Dante will send a car to pick you up p>
Then she walked away, leaving me alone with my cold tea and racing thoughts.
I didn’t know what to think.
Was Valentina trying to help me? Warn me? Threaten me?
What is it with this family? Why were they all so monstrous and vicious knowing that my father caused this upon me made me despise him even more than I did.
And what had Dante been through that made him this way?
Not that it mattered.
No past could excuse what he’d done.
What he was still doing.
I needed to find away to end this whole thing before it escalte, I have better things to worry about than playing Mrs Russo.
I was resuming work tomorrow, I wasn’t suppose to not until after a week as per Matrimonial leave but I wasn’t going to get suffocated in this god forsaken mansion.
I got up and walked back inside bumping into Esmeralda the maid from last night.
She clasped onto my hand, “Are you okay?” She asked studying my expression which I looked like as though I’ve seen a ghost.
I shake my head, “I’m fine”
She lets out a breath taking me upstairs to my room.
“Look my child, I’ve been working with the Russo since Dante was ten after he lost his parents. If there’s anyone that knows them better then it’s me” she says.
I bit on my lower lip blinking back the tears.
She pulled me to the bed seating me down.
“You can always talk to me” She ushers rubbing my hands.
Her warmth get motherly.
A lone tear slipped, then another befor I broke into sobs, “I never wanted to be part of any of this… I don’t want to be married to Dante Russo” I say honestly.
She pulls in for a hug patting my back.
“It’s going to be okay”