DESTINED TO BE TOGETHER

Chapter Two: Whispers in the Shadows

As time passed, the tension in the Rivers mansion did not get any better but grew thick by day. It didn't go unnoticed even to the staff as they began speaking in hushed tones and very cautiously. Whenever Carlo and Amalia were in the same room, the maids and servants could be seen exchanging glances.

Their interactions were very brief, minimal and cold the rare times they had spoken since the wedding day. It was even more formal than a boss and worker relationship.

It wasn't surprising to Amalia as she had expected this from the beginning. She knew her role in all this was just a business pawn and that Carlo didn't want to have sight of her. However, what she didn't expect was the impact it was having on her.

Something somehow felt different this night.

Just as Amalia was sitting in the huge and and beautifully decorated dinning room, playing with the food in her plate as usual, she felt someone take a seat across her, on lifting her head, she saw Wendy, Carlos younger sister carefully studying every part of her face and movements.

" What's the matter your food has barely been touched, are you fine?" Wendy asked in a very gentle voice.

Amalia hesitated before nodding. "I'm fine. Just not hungry." She said, feeling a little happy that someone was at least concerned about her.

" I'm okay" Amalia said digging and removing the fork from the food " I'm not just hungry"

She said as she recalled that Wendy was the one who had come to her room on her first night in the Rivers estate.

She had come to welcome her and tell her not to be scared of her brother as he may seem very cold on the outside but is very loving when he wants to be. She just had to do as he says and not cross the boundaries he had set for her.

She told Amalia to meet her if she encounters any difficulties and has been constantly checking up on her since then. Amalia has taken a liking to her and she was her only ally in the house.

"Ama you don't have to fake it with me. I can see the pain through your eyes and I see how you're being treated by my brother. I'm not blind you know." Wendy said but Amalia said nothing but just stared at the food as she continued to play with it.

There was nothing Wendy could do to help Amalia as Carlo was her elder brother, she had tried to talk to him sometime but he got very mad at her. The least she could do was to be there for Amalia.

" Like I told you Carlo is not a bad person. Have you tried talking to him?" Wendy continued.

"I have, I have done that on several occasions, but what do I do when he only sees me as an extra burden and inconvenience. It's better I stay in my lane".

" Ok let's leave that for now that's not the reason I came here". Wendy said frowning " you have to know something about Jesse. That's what brought me here".

" Huh, Jesse, what and why should I know anything concerning him". Amalia said as her brows furrowed.

Just as Wendy opened her mouth to respond, very heavy footsteps could be heard coming from the entrance.

Seeing Carlo, Amalia immediately became uncomfortable.

Carlo made his entrance into the room his face void of any expression.

His deep voice echoed throughout the room as he didn't even spare her a glance. " Wendy, I'd like to have a word with you" he said

Offering an apologetic glance toward Amalia, Wendy left behind Carlo.

" What could she possibly want to tell me about Jesse, hmm this is strange" Amalia said to herself letting out a heavy breath and leaning on her back. " Could there be any problem?"

Feeling restless and unable to sleep since the exchange with Wendy, Amalia began wandering around the house taking in every detail. It was very quiet as it was late at night. She then stood at the balcony which overlooked the garden. From there she admired how beautiful the city was when lit at night.

She began feeling very cold and when she turned to head inside, she froze as she noticed someone's shadow moving in the garden. "Who could be out at this time" she wondered.

She came back to the balcony and confirmed someone was actually there and headed towards Carlo's study. The person was clothed in black which made it difficult to tell who it was as places were dark.

Her breath quickened. " But why would someone be going to Carlos study at this hour, it can't possibly be him" she thought

Without a second thought she rushed down the hall to the study. She had no shoes nor slippers on as he feet collided against the cold floor. Though in panic, she wanted to know who had the courage to sneak into the cold Carlo's study.

When she reached the door which was left slightly open, she peeked to see the inside and the person she saw shocked her.

Jesse, yes the very Jesse Wendy wanted to tell her something about. He stood there rifling through the papers on Carlo's desk.

Her eyes flared wide in surprise at the sight in front of her. " What can he possibly look for among Carlo's documents" she thought. "Isn't he Carlos's elder brother?"

While stepping back not to get caught, she unknowingly let out a sneeze causing Jesse's head to snap up. There was no way for her to escape again she had been caught.

Everything went quiet for a second and it felt like the longest second in her life as they stood there eye in the eye.

"See who we have here" Jesse said as a smirk curled up his lips as he moved towards her. " My dear sister-in-law " he said in a low but menacing voice.

" Amalia, I must tell you something, curiosity is very dangerous". He said looking at her very dangerously.

His words repeated in Amalia's ears as she took a step back not showing how scared she was of him.

He tilted his head with a dark expression plastered on his face as he took his time studying her. " You can't undo what has been done my dear. So tell me after seeing this what do you suggest I do with you".

Trying to calculate her chances of escape, she looked through the hallway unfortunately for her, in less than no time, Jesse had covered the distance which existed between them with his very fast movements. She swallowed hard seeing him before her this close. She had never liked Jesse since she stepped foot in the Rivers man stand she didn't know why.

"You should have stayed in your room," he murmured, his voice low and almost amused. Then, before she could react, he reached for her wrist gripping it very tight.

" You were supposed to be sleeping and even if you weren't you should have just stayed in your room why are you loving about" he said grabbing her wrist with more pressure before she could escape sending shivers down her spine.

He tightened his grib on her wrist as he looked at her straight in the eyes. His eyes carried anger and hatred. " We have to solve this now don't we"

Amalia stood there knowing she had been trapped but refused to show how scared she was.