CHAPTER 3
1289 Words
My heart was drumming rapidly in my chest as he placed his hands on the wall, trapping me between them. I bet he could hear it.
He looked into my eyes, his right thumb gently caressing my face, then brushing behind my ear. Just when I thought he was going to do something stupid, he pulled his hand back and stared at it.
“There’s foam behind your ear. You should bathe properly. I like my woman clean.”
“I’m not your woman, Dante and I’ll never be. Don’t ever touch me without my permission again,” I snapped.
“We’ll see about that, Eleanor,” he said smoothly, then turned and entered the bathroom.
“How am I going to survive sharing the same house, let alone the same room, with this man?” I muttered, quickly slipping into my dress.
I sat on the king-sized bed, annoyed at the fact that Dante had my phone. I couldn’t even contact Natalia and Anastasia, my best friends. They must be worried sick.
But then an idea struck me.
I started opening drawers, hoping to find another phone. It was stupid, but better than nothing.
I was still rummaging when the bathroom door clicked open. Dante walked out, wrapped in nothing but a towel, water dripping down his body. The towel sat dangerously low on his hips, showing off his V-line and chiseled abs. God, those abs.
I refused to be distracted. I wasn’t some female lead in a fantasy book who instantly forgets herself.
He caught me staring and smirked. His hand reached for the towel and I instantly turned around.
“Have some shame! Why didn’t you get dressed inside the bathroom, considering I’m in here?” I said, irritated.
He ignored me and began dressing. “I won’t be home for a few days. You’ll stay here. You’re not allowed to leave until I return.”
I spun around. “You can’t be serious! I’m not your toy, Dante. You can’t just decide my life!”
“I don’t care what you want, Eleanor. Do as I say. You don’t want to know what happens when you go against me.”
“I hate you,” I spat. “More than words can describe.”
He stared at me blankly. Then, without a word, turned to leave.
“Wait! Can I at least have my phone back? I need to talk to Anastasia and Natalia They’re all I have.”
“I’ll think about it,” he replied coldly, then walked out.
I felt the sting behind my eyes, but I refused to cry. No. I laid back on the bed and took a deep breath.
But the tears came anyway.
“I’m going to make your life a living hell, Dante. Just watch.”
Meanwhile...
Matteo was already waiting in the living room. He stood up when Dante entered.
“Are all the arrangements in place?” Dante asked.
“Yes, Dante. Everything is ready.”
“It’s good I acted fast. I had a feeling something would go wrong.”
“You just got married,” Damian chimed in, handing Dante a file. “Shouldn’t you spend time with your bride, at least for one day?”
“No time. Watch over her in my absence.”
“That’s not fair, brother! I have a life too,” Damian pouted like a child.
Dante gave him a hard glare.
“Okay, fine! I’ll babysit her.”
“We’re leaving now, Matteo,” Dante said, and left. Matteo followed behind. Dante paused briefly to instruct Lucas before walking out.
I was still sulking in the room when I heard a knock. Reluctantly, I opened the door.
“Greetings, my lady. I’m Liliana. Master Damian assigned me to attend to your needs,” the girl said warmly.
I looked at her. She does not look like a servant all, but my mind was too crowed to question her.
“What I need is to get out of here. Can you help me with that?”
Her smile faltered. “I’m sorry, my lady. I can’t help you with that.”
“What should I prepare for you? You haven’t eaten since you arrived.”
“Nothing.”
My stomach betrayed me with a loud grumble. Embarrassed, I added, “Just... prepare anything.”
Liliana smiled gently. “Alright, my lady.” She bowed and turned to leave.
I followed her, locking the bedroom behind me.
As we passed the hall, Damian appeared with a bright grin.
“Hello, sister-in-law! Sorry your husband abandoned you today. He asked me and Lucas to babysit you.”
I laughed. “I’m not a baby. and you don’t look like a good babysitter.”
He chuckled. “You’re right, but I don’t have a choice. Your Batman husband insisted.”
I burst into laughter. “Batman?”
Damian winked. “I have to take care of something, sis-in-law. Be right back.”
I went into the kitchen where Liliana was setting out ingredients. She smiled when she saw me.
“Are you the only worker here?” I asked.
“Ehn,,,No, my lady. But the Boss doesn’t like too many people in the house.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll be making bruschetta. It’ll be ready in 10–12 minutes.”
“Alright. Can I relax in the garden till it’s ready?”
“Of course. The door to the left leads there.”
I walked into the garden, large, beautiful, serene. A few guards stood at their posts. One kept eyeing me. I ignored him.
But he approached me.
“Who are you?” he asked, arrogantly.
“I’m Eleanor.” I responded and kept working.
He grabbed my arm. “Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you. Do you even know who I am?”
I yanked my arm back. The commotion caught the attention of the other guards.
“I’m Dante’s wife,” I said. “Not proud of it, but I didn’t have a choice.”
The arrogant guard burst into laughter. “A new worker, huh? And already lying? Boss’s wedding would shake the world, and you’re saying you’re his wife?”
I glared. “Hey! I didn’t ask to marry that monster. I hate him!”
He snarled, “How dare you insult the Boss, you slut—”
TAAI!
I slapped him hard.
Everyone went silent.
His face darkened, and he slapped me back. I fell to the ground, blood at the corner of my mouth.
“You’ll regret that. I’m a high-ranking guard. I’ll get you killed.”
I smirked. “Try me.”
Then I kicked him in the groin.
The other guards stepped forward but Liliana and Damian rushed into the garden.
“What’s going on?!” Damian asked, hurrying to my side. Liliana gasped at the sight of my bleeding lip.
“Who did this?!” Damian demanded.
The guards froze as Liliana addressed me: “My lady, are you alright?”
The arrogant guard stammered, “I didn’t know she was the Boss’s wife”
“She’s what?!” The others immediately knelt. “We didn’t do anything, Master Damian! Just him!”
Damian punched the man, breaking his nose. “Do you know what you’ve done?!”
Lucas came running in. He looked at the scene and said coldly, “You’ll pay for this.”
Then Damian’s phone rang. His heart dropped……it was Dante.
He picked up. “Hello?”
After a few seconds, the call ended.
Dante was returning.
Something came up. He wasn’t traveling anymore.
Damian looked at Lucas. “We’re so dead.”
Lucas nodded. “Yes, Damian. We really are.”
- Writer
