Chapter 65
A R I A N A
Dante had to go to his office in the city he had something urgent to take care of but promised he would meet me at the mall later.
We had plans for the day but now that it’s ruined I have to go on my own.
I stared back at his apologetic face as he slipped his phone back into the pocket.
“I will be quick,” he said, kissing my forehead “hopefully it won’t take long and I’d join you, okay p>
I nodded annoyingly.
He walked to the other car pausing mid way, walking back to me.
“Here before I forget”
He gave me a black credit card with his name on it. “Use this do not worry about the price p>
I married my eyes at him, “Thanks”
I took the other car to thr mall.
I did not have any clothes with me since our trip to Italy was so sudden and Mr Russo didn’t think it was necessary to pack any clothes, I needed to buy some things.
The mall was huge and fancy.
I found a beautiful store with pretty dresses walking in. I started picking out clothes, finding a few dresses I liked and some jeans and shirts.
I carried everything to the counter.
The sales girl started to ring up my items.
“Your card, please,” she said, smiling.
I opened my purse to get the black card Dante gave me.
But it was not there.
I checked all the pockets I checked my wallet my heart started to beat faster.
It was gone
I must have dropped it in the car or maybe it fell out of my purse, oh my god how could I be so careless.
“I… I cannot find my card,” I said, my face getting hot.
The sales girl’s smile disappeared.
She looked me up and down, I was wearing simple jeans and an t-shirt that Dante had gotten for me from god knows where.
I didn’t look presentable in places like this but I was modest.
She smirked. “I knew it, I knew you could not afford any of this the minute you walked in. Yo are a thief p>
My mouth fell open. “What? No! I am not a thief! I have a card I just dropped it somewhere and if you could excuse me I could go find it!” I say with a hiss, deeply offended by her accusations.
“You’re not going anywhere! You theif, you’re going to learn your lesson today and I will make sure of that” she says grabbing on my wrist.
“Let go of me! Get your filthy hands off of me, how dare you accuse me when you have no proof?” I spat.
“Look at you! You don’t even look like you can afford your own meal talked of an outfit in here” she insults.
I tried to remain calm and explain myself but she did not believe me, instead she called for the manager.
A tall man with a stern face came over.
“What is the problem?” he asked.
The sales girl pointed at me. “She tried to steal all these expensive clothes, she is a thief p>
The manager looked at me with cold eyes. “Is this true p>
“No!” I said, my voice shaking. “It is not true! My husband gave me his card I must have dropped it. Please, if you just let me call him p>
The manager cut me off. “I have heard enough.” He looked at the security guard standing nearby. “Call the police. This woman is going to jail for attempted theft p>
Tears filled my eyes.
I was so embarrassed and felt insulted.
How could this be happening?
The manager’s grip on my arm was tight, It began to hurt very sure it would leave a bruise as I tried to wiggle free, but he only held on tighter.
“Let me go!” I yelped, my voice shaky with fear.
Instead of letting go, his other hand flew through the air. SLAP!
The sound was loud.
The sting on my cheek was sharp urging me to froze, completely shocked.
A single tear slipped from my eye and rolled down my hot, hurting cheek.
“You little thief,” the manager snarled. “You will stay right here until the police come p>
I was too stunned to speak I just stood there, trembling.
Suddenly, a smooth, calm voice cut through the tension. “Is there a problem here p>
We all turned looking at the man approaching he looked familiar, I know I’ve seen this face before but where?
My mind raced, trying to place him.
Then it hit me.
Damien Voss.
Dante’s biggest business rival.
He looked at the manager, then at me a faint smile played on his lips. “Ariana is with me,” he said, his voice cool and confident.
The manager’s eyes went wide and the sales girl gasped.
Damien walked right up to me placing a protective hand on my shoulder. “Why is your hand on my wife?” he asked the manager, his voice dangerously quiet. “And why would you call her a thief p>
The manager instantly let go of my arm.
He and the sales girl started bowing and apologizing all at once.
“Mr. Voss! We are so sorry! We did not know she was your wife! There was a misunderstanding with payment! We did not know p>
I stared at Damien, confused.
Why was he lying? Why was he saying I was his wife?
Damien’s eyes narrowed his eyes moving to the red mark on my cheek.
He reached out and grabbed the manager by his collar, pulling him close.
“You hit her?” Damien’s voice was a low, angry growl. “You slapped my wife p>
The manager’s face turned pale with fear. “It was a mistake! A terrible mistake p>
Damien held him there for a long, terrifying moment before shoving him away. “You’re fired!” He roared.
The manager tried to plead with Damien but he wasn’t having it, instead he took my hands into his “Come, let’s get you out of here p>