Chapter 22
A R I A N A
Two days had passed since the dinner at my parents’ house, and things have been a little bit too strange, and confusing.
Dante had been…different.
He showed up at breakfast yesterday morning before leaving for work, he sat there drinking coffee while I ate, not saying much.
Then he asked if I needed anything before leaving.
This morning, same thing.
It was unsettling the Dante I knew didn’t do “nice.” He didn’t check on people, he commanded, he took, he controlled.
It felt oddly weird, like he was up to something. Like he wanted me to lose my guard so he’d hurt me just like his nephew.
That night at the garden,
I touched my lips remembering his kiss, so gentle compared to our other shared ones. His words, “Let me take the pain away” played in my head over and over.
My heart wanted to believe him.
My mind knew better.
Dante wouldn’t just go easy on me without his selfish need. No man does that nowadays, they’re bunch of betraying assholes.
A knock at my office door interrupted my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called, shuffling papers on my desk.
The door opened and suddenly silence filled the air.
I looked up and froze.
Angelo.
His face was a mess of fading bruises, one eye still slightly swollen a cut on his lip barely healed.
His left arm was in a sling.
My stomach twisted, Dante had done this.
“You’re back,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “After over a week absent. Do you want to lose this job completely p>
Angelo’s good eye darkened he limped forward, shutting the door behind him. “You did this,” he hissed.
I leaned back in my chair. “I didn’t lay a hand on you p>
“Your husband did! Because of you p>
I folded my hands on the desk to hide their shaking. “Maybe you shouldn’t have hit me then p>
Angelo slammed his good hand on my desk, making me jump. “You think this is funny? You think your precious Dante actually cares about you p>
I didn’t answer.
“He doesn’t,” Angelo spat. “He’s using you, just like everyone else. Just wait when he’s done, he’ll toss you aside like the garbage you fucking are” he spat in anger.
My chest burned because part of me feared he was right.
But I didn’t care, it’s not like I was in love with Dante, this was only a business alignment that would end sooner or later.
“Get out,” I said quietly.
Angelo laughed a bitter, broken sound. “You’ll see, when he breaks your heart, remember I warned you. And if you think what you’re doing now, making my life miserable makes you any less different from me, then you’re more stupid than I thought p>
“It’s none of your fucking business if he breaks my heart. What it your problem with me? You already made your choice and I left you guys, why the hell does it bother you now that I’m with someone else?” I spat in rage.
Angelo remained mute, my question cutting off his tongue.
I laughed a painful one, “Yeah! I thought as much, get out of my office Angelo, I have work to do”
I settled back down resuming to flipping the files in front of me.
He turned and left, slamming the door so hard the framed pictures on my wall rattled.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as the door stayed close.
Angelo’s words echoing in my head.
He doesn’t care about you.
He’s using you.
I wanted to believe they were lies.
But the doubt had already taken root.
I closed off from work early today deciding to a small coffee shop downtown, I haven’t been there since the scandal broke out.
I stood in front of the shop the place I used to go almost every day when I was just “Ariana Lopez,” hiding from my family name.
The bell jingled as I pushed the door open, smell of roasted coffee beans and baked goods wrapped around me like a warm hug.
Everything looked the same the mismatched chairs, the chalkboard menu.
“Ariana? Oh my God, ARIANA p>
I turned to see Natalie, the head barista, gaping at me from behind the counter, her pink-streaked hair was tied up in its usual messy bun, her apron dusted with flour.
Before I could respond, she rushed around the counter and pulled me into a tight hug. “I can’t believe it’s really you! And you’re—you’re a MELENDEZ?” She held me at arm’s length, her eyes wide. “I saw the news! You married Dante Russo? THE Dante Russo p>
I winced at the volume of her voice afew customers turned to stare.
“Can we…not yell that?” I muttered.
Natalie clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry! Come, sit!” She dragged me to a corner table, the one I always used to claim. “I’ll get your usual caramel latte with extra whip, right p>
I smiled, she remembered. “Yeah p>
Natalie hurried off, returning minutes later with my drink and a giant blueberry muffin. “On the house,” she said, plopping into the chair across from me. “Now SPILL. How does a billionaire heiress end up working a normal job and hiding her identity p>
I took a sip of the latte perfect, as always before sighing. “Long story p>
“We’ve got time,” Natalie said, propping her chin on her hands.
And so I told her not everything, but enough.
Natalie gasped at all the right parts, groaned at the drama, and nearly choked on her coffee when I mentioned the Angelo and Bella’s Betryal.
“That asshole! I never like him, but Bella, I can’t belive she’d do that to you, what a bitch” Natelie says.
I let out a breath, “Well”
“So wait,” she said, wiping her mouth, “you’re telling me you’re living some real-life soap opera p>
I laughed despite myself. “Basically p>
For the next hour, we talked about everything and nothing her new boyfriend, the shop’s crazy customers, the latest neighborhood gossip.
No billion-dollar business deals or family drama or husbands or exes.
Just…normal.
As I got up to leave, Natalie hugged me again. “Don’t be a stranger, okay? Heiress or not, you’re still my favorite customer p>
I promised I wouldn’t.
“I’ll come visit to” she adds
I smile with a nod, “Please do”
She escorted me to the car and I got in letting out a breath as the driver drove away.
I realized it was the first time in weeks I’d felt like myself, not Ariana Melendez or Mrs. Russo.
Just Ariana.
And that small taste of normalcy?
It was everything.