Chapter 31
A R I A N A
Dark water.
Everywhere.
I couldn’t breath, my lungs screamed for air and I kicked and thrashed, but the heavy dress was like chains, pulling me down, down into the cold, silent darkness.
“Dad!” I tried to scream, but only bubbles came out. “Dad, please! Save me! I can’t swim p>
I saw his face, my father’s face, watching from the edge of the pool yet he just stood there, didn’t make any move to help.
Then Bella’s face appeared next to his, smiling that cruel, cold smile.
My eyes flew open, a choked gasp ripped from my throat, I was drenched in sweat, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would break my ribs.
I wasn’t in the water it was in a soft bed, in a not so farmilar environment. My eyes roamed around the room as my heart rate escalated fear clouding my vision,
A sob broke out, then another, I couldn’t stop them, I curled my knees to my chest shaking non stop.
Where was I?
The door burst open but I didn’t bother looking up strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me against a hard, warm chest.
“Shhh, I’ve got you,” a deep voice murmured against my hair.
Dante.
“You’re safe You’re going to be okay p>
I clutched the front of his shirt like it was the only thing keeping me from drowning all over again as I buried my face in his neck and cried. I cried for the fear, for the betrayal, for the sheer cruelty of what had happened.
I felt so weak, so pathetic, crying in his arms like a child.
How could Bella do that? How could she look me in the eye and push me? She knew I couldn’t swim. She knew my fear for the pool since the incident with my father yet she didn’t hesitate to push and let me die.
She wanted me dead… how cruel could she be?
What if Dante hadn’t been there? What if he hadn’t jumped in?
I would have died.
She would have killed me.
The thought made me cry harder the person I once called my best friend wanted me dead.
Dante didn’t say anything else, he just held me, his hand rubbing slow, calming circles on my back, he let me fall apart in his arms and I didn’t feel like I had to be strong.
I just let myself break.
After what felt like forever, my tears finally stopped, my head hurting from crying, my eyes felt swollen and sore.
I was still holding onto Dante’s shirt, my fingers clenched in the fabric letting out a breath I slowly loosened my grip, feeling embarrassed.
“Where are we?” I asked, my voice hoarse from all the sobbing.
“We’re still at Nonna’s house,” Dante said quietly his voice was soft, not like his usual hard tone. “You’re in one of the guest rooms upstairs p>
I looked around, the room was big and fancy, with dark furniture and heavy curtains.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, looking down at my hands. “I ruined your grandmother’s party. Everyone must be talking about it p>
Dante’s finger gently touched my chin, lifting my face so I had to look at him, his dark eyes were serious.
“The party doesn’t matter,” he said, each word clear and firm. “Your safety is the only thing that matters… Nothing else.
His words warmed a cold place inside me, he wasn’t angry about the scene he was worried about me.
It was becoming hard not to trust Dante… he cane me every reason to trust him these days. He was changed, far different from the man I had married few months back.
I don’t know if all all this is a facade or he actually cared but I was tempted to letting myself drown, I was scared of the outcome, what if he ends up like Angelo?
He kept looking at me, his thumb stroking my cheek then, he leaned forward slowly and placed a soft, warm kiss on my forehead.
It wasn’t a passionate kiss, it felt like something else, something protective and kind. It made my eyes sting with new tears, but happy ones this time.
“I want to go home,” I whispered, feeling tired down to my bones, I just wanted to be in my own room, away from all these people.
Dante nodded. “Okay.” He stood up from the bed. “I’ll go get the car ready. I’ll be right back p>
He walked to the door and looked back at me once more before he left, the room felt too big and too quiet without him in it.
I pulled the blankets up to my chin, waiting for him to return.
My stare roamed aroun the patterns on the fancy wallpaper, when the door slipped opens
Nonna walked in.
She was holding a small tray with a steaming cup of tea and some cookies still looking elegant even in her simple black dress she wore for her party.
“How are you feeling, child?” she asked, her voice much softer than the first time we met.
She placed the tray on the bedside table.
“I’m okay,” I said, even though I wasn’t. “Just a little tired p>
Nonna sat on the edge of the bed staring at me for a long moment, her old eyes wise and kind. “I am seeing changes in my grandson,” she said slowly. “Good changes. He is… softer around the edges Less angry and busy p>
I didn’t know what to say, I justjust looked down at my hands.
“Whatever you are doing,” Nonna continued, placing her wrinkled hand over mine, “you must keep doing it, you’re are good for him.. I may have judge you the first time p>
Her words surprised me.
I thought she didn’t like me.
“I also want to thank you,” she said, her voice sincere. “And I want to say I am sorry p>
I looked up, confused. “Sorry? For what p>
“For today’s horrible incident that should never have happened to you under my roof.” Her face grew stern for a moment. “And… I am sorry for being so hard on you when we first met.” She sighed. “You have to understand, I am very protective of my family. Dante… he has been through a lot and I just wanted to make sure his heart was safe p>
I nodded, finally understanding. “It’s okay, I get it p>
We talked for a little while longer. She told me funny stories about Dante when he was a little boy stubborn and serious even then.
I found myself smiling and feeling a little bit relieved.