Chapter 33
A R I A N A
I ran out of the building my heart was pounding so loud in my ears the two guards at the door looked at me, their faces worried.
“Mrs Russo, are you p>
“Don’t follow me!” I yelled, my voice cracking, I didn’t look back and just kept running.
I reached the busy street and waved my arm wildly, a yellow cab stopped and I didn’t hesitate to jump in.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.
I gave him Natalie’s address, my whole body was shaking I could still feel my father’s hand on my throat, the taste of blood in my mouth from where he hit me.
The car ride felt like forever, I bit on my lower lip trying so hard bite back the tears cause the last thing I wanted was to break down in a taxi cab.
My father’s face played in my head, his words, all of it came back rushing to me like a wave of nostalgia… god I hate that man.
I regret the day you were born.
Tears filled my eyes again, but I wiped them away angrily, I would not cry for him not anymore.
I was done being a Melendez… I will no longer tolerate his crap.
Everything I did for him, I would refrain from it including my marriage to Dante Russo.
I’d be filing for a divorce.
Finally, the cab stopped in front of a familiar apartment building, I paid the driver and got out my legs felt weak as I walked to Natalie’s door.
I stood there for a second, taking a deep breath my face still stung and my throat hurt when I swallowed.
I knocked softly.
A few seconds later, the door opened. Natalie stood there in her pajamas, her hair messy like she had been sleeping her eyes were sleepy at first, then they went wide when she saw me.
“Ariana? What p>
That was all it took seeing her kind, familiar face.
The dam broke.
A huge, painful sob burst out of me, then another, I couldn’t stop, I just stood there on her doorstep, crying like my heart was breaking into a million pieces.
Natalie didn’t ask any questions she just opened her arms wide pulling me inside to avoid creating a scene to which I was greatful of.
Last thing I want is making the headline.
I fell into them, crying into her shoulder, she held me tight, her hand rubbing my back.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “You’re safe now, I’ve got you p>
I cried for a long time in Natalie’s small, cozy apartment until my head hurt and my eyes were swollen and there were no more tears left. Natalie just sat with me, handing me tissues and a cup of sweet tea.
When I finally stopped, I told her everything. About my father, his abusive characters, the horrible things he said, I told her about the secret he found out, though I didn’t say what it was.
I couldn’t say it out loud yet.
Natalie listened quietly, her face growing more and more shocked and angry. “I am so sorry, Ariana,” she said, her voice soft. “I am so sorry you are going through this. What kind of father is Ricardo Melendez? He is a monster p>
I nodded, feeling tired and empty. “He is p>
Then Natalie asked the question I had been dreading. “What about Dante p>
I took a shaky breath. “Dante and I… it was an arranged marriage my father forced me and now that I am done with my father, I will be filing for divorce, I am done with all of it p>
Natalie looked at me for a long time before sipping her tea. “Do you really think Dante Russo will just let you go?” she asked carefully. “Just like that p>
I shrugged, trying to sound brave. “Why wouldn’t he? It is not like we love each other It was just business for him too and now that my father is out of the picture, the deal is probably ruined anyway he will not want me anymore p>
Even as I said the words, a strange pain pinched my heart, I thought of the way he looked at me sometimes, the way he kissed my forehead. The way he has been less frustrating these past few weeks.
But that was just him being possessive, I told myself he thinks I belong to him it does not mean love.
Natalie didn’t look convinced. “I do not know, Ariana, the way he looks at you… I have seen it. It does not look like just business to me. I may have not seen in person but those photos, he looks at you like you’re his most priced possession”
I shook my head, pushing the thought away. “It does not matter, I am done, am getting a divorce p>
I said it firmly, like I was trying to convince myself more than her but inside, a tiny, scared part of me wondered if Natalie was right.
Would Dante ever really let me go?
I looked down at my hands. My voice was small when I spoke again.
“Natalie?” I said. “Is it… is it okay if I stay here for a while? Just for a few days. I just… I can’t go back there not to my father’s house and to… the Russo mansion”
I couldn’t even look at her, I was afraid she would say no that it would be too much trouble.
But Natalie just reached over and put her hand on mine. “Ariana,” she said, her voice kind. “Of course you can stay, you can stay for as long as you want p>
I let out a breath, “Thank you,” I whispered, my throat tight. “Thank you so much p>
“Don’t thank me,” she said, standing up. “That’s what friends are for, now let’s get you settled.