Chapter 18
A R I A N A
I sat at my desk long after Angelo left, staring at the wall as my cheek still stung from his slap. My eyes were swollen from crying and I didn’t have the energy to move an inch.
I was already exhausted and I still had some files to look into before calling it a day.
My phone buzzed on the desk, I didn’t want to look at it because it was probably Raya checking on me or maybe my father with more demands.
But the buzzing didn’t stop.
With a sigh, I picked it up.
Unknown Number:
Dinner with Nonna tonight, 8 PM, my driver will pick you up at 7:30. Don’t be late.
My stomach twisted it was Dante of course he’d message me now, when I felt my worst.
I threw the phone back on the desk without replying. There was no way I was going to any dinner at least not tonight not with my face still red and puffy.
It will only make matters worse and Dante he would want to hear the story.
The phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number:
Its your husband wifey, Answer when I text you.
I rolled my eyes. So demanding. Like always.
I typed a quick reply:
Got the message.
Short and simple not agreeing to go, just acknowledging I saw it.
The phone buzzed immediately.
Dante:
Wear the blue dress.
I groaned, he wasn’t even asking if I was coming he was telling me like I was some employee he could order around.
I didn’t reply Instead, I stood up and walked to the small mirror in my office. The sight made me cringe red, puffy eyes, messy hair, and now a faint red mark on my cheek where Angelo had hit me.
No way could I face Dante’s grandmother like this.
My phone buzzed again.
Dante:
I know you’re ignoring me, don’t make me come get you myself.
I gritted my teeth.
He wouldn’t.
Would he?
Another buzz.
Dante:
Try me.
Damn him.
Damn him for knowing exactly how to push my buttons.
I threw the phone into my bag, I needed air. Needed to get out of this office.
Grabbing my things, I headed for the door. Maybe if I left now, I could avoid Dante’s driver. Maybe I could pretend I never got the messages.
But deep down, I knew Dante Russo always got what he wanted.
And tonight, whether I liked it or not, he wanted me at that dinner but I wasn’t going to attend not with my situation.
I got home and went straight to my room and made sure to lock the door, my mind was already made and there was no way was I going to that dinner.
I took a long shower, letting the hot water wash away the awful day my cheek still hurt from and myy eyes were still puffy from crying.
Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I froze.
Dante.
He was sitting on my bed, his face dark with anger his suit jacket was off, sleeves rolled up to show his strong forearms his tie was loose around his neck.
“You ignored my messages,” he said, voice low and dangerous.
I tightened the towel around me. “I wasn’t going p>
Dante stood up fast, making me jump. He marched toward me, his steps heavy with fury, I tried to back away but hit the wall.
His hands grabbed my shoulders, pinning me in place then his eyes dropped to my cheek to the faint red mark.
His whole body went still.
“What is this?” His voice was suddenly quiet. Too quiet.
I turned my face away. “Nothing p>
Dante’s fingers gently touched my chin, forcing me to look at him, his thumb brushed lightly over the mark his eyes weren’t angry anymore. Something else was there
concern? If I wasn’t mistaking.
“Who hit you?” he demanded.
I pulled away. “None of your business p>
Dante’s jaw clenched. “You’re my wife. Everything about you is my business p>
I laughed bitterly. “Since when? We both know this marriage is fake p>
His hands gripped my shoulders tighter. “Fake or not, no one touches what’s mine p>
“I’m not your property!” I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge.
Dante leaned closer, his breath hot on my face. “Aren’t you? You signed the papers, you wear my ring… That makes you mine p>
I glared up at him. “Whatever Dante, just let it be I’m in no mood for an argument please p>
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Dante’s eyes widened slightly. Then his expression hardened again. “Tell me who did this p>
“No p>
“Tell me p>
“ANGELO!” I shouted. “Happy now? Your precious nephew slapped me! Just like you fucking choked me! All of you are bunch monsters, I can see that now that it runs in the blood” I spat in anger as a lone tear slipped from my eyes.
Dante went completely still his hands dropped from my shoulders and his face turned to stone.
Without a word, he turned and walked to the door.
“Where are you going?” I asked, suddenly nervous as my voice shaked.
Dante didn’t look back as he opened the door. “To show him what happens when you touch my wife p>
Then he was gone, leaving me standing there in just a towel, more confused than ever.
What have I done?
I shouldn’t have outburst like that, god knows what is running in Dante’s head.
I growled in frustration and fear to as what was about to happen, Dante seemed extremely furious like he actually cared about me.
Or did he?