Chapter Four
1161 Words
Giulia Rossini paced through the room frantically. The air-conditioned room started to feel very hot.
With shaky hands, she glanced at the ‘fake’ marriage certificate one more time. “No, no, no, this is impossible! Serena promised it was not real!”
The marriage certificate carried Dante’s bold signature with golden ink presenting her to the reality of her new status. Stamped. Sealed. Legal.
Her heartbeat tripled. “How could I be so stupid?”
Her mind drifted to her past relationship. “If only Vincenzo was honest.” She wallowed in self-pity before she was interrupted by a message notification. She didn’t want to check, but her curiosity got the best of her.
Siena.
The pictures downloaded quickly: Vincenzo pulling Siena into a tight, romantic embrace. The second picture, Vincenzo’s hand rested on Siena while they made a love sign with their fingers.
Below the pictures, a caption read: Getting married in two weeks. Love to see you there!
Anger rose up in her.
Just three days ago! She was on a date with Vincenzo. He held her hands, professing that living life without her was for him, a suicide mission.
That lying cheat!
Look who is now taking pre-wedding pictures with her best friend.
Tears flowed freely on her cheeks as the gravity of betrayal hit her again. “He deceived me… and she was aware all along!”
All these years, she had been a fool. She saw signs but chose to be blinded by love. She had always been the supportive girlfriend, but what had she gained from all that?
Giulia picked up the marriage certificate again. A bit crumbled but authentic. “This marriage is the only real thing in my life now. Let’s explore becoming Mrs. Dante Luca.” She muttered.
---
Dante arrived in casual clothes hours later: his aura commanded quiet confidence and authority. He dropped a brown envelope on the table.
“You asked for terms and conditions?” he said with a calm voice.
Giulia frowned slightly. “Yesss, if we are supposedly a couple, we need to define our boundaries. I wasn’t ready for this in the first place.”
Dante brought a printed contract from the brown envelope. “Then, let’s make it real.”
Giulia couldn’t believe her eyes. “You… already made a contract?”
He gave a coy smile. “I like to stay a step ahead of things.”
She skimmed through the document quickly. The contract contained privacy, confidentiality, presence. Those were not out of the ordinary until she saw a line that made her heart skip a bit:
“The wife must fulfill her duties when necessary.”
She raised her eyebrow. “What duties are you referring to, exactly?”
Dante relaxed on the sofa, his eyes had a spark in them. “Now that you are my wife, you’re required to attend social events with me. Protect the secret. My grandfather is conventional. He likes to show up unannounced. He likes social activities.”
Giulia’s stomach turned. “And you expect me to act like your wife?”
“As believable as possible,” he said simply.
Her eyes widened. “Believable?”
Dante raised a brow, intrigued by her query. “Relax, Signora De Luca. I’m not going to do anything against your will. Unless you want to, of course.
Giulia felt her face turn red."No, No!”
He chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I won’t coerce you to do anything you’re against.”
She sprung from the seat. “This is crazy. I can’t do this. I hate this arrangement so much. We need to cancel this tomorrow. I don’t care about your family culture.”
Dante shook his head in exasperation. “Why the haste?”
“Because we are strangers,” she yelled. We don’t have any form of relationship—no feelings at all!
He covered the space between them until she had to lift her face to match his gaze. “Marriages built on feelings do not last, only those built on purpose do.”
“It’s so easy to turn a motivational speaker… you’re privileged, rich and powerful.” She swallowed. “People like you can make things happen with the snap of your fingers.”
He chuckled softly. “It’s not a bad thing, you know.”
“Of course, it’s a bad thing!” She snapped. You can’t just marry someone with the snap of your fingers!”
“Stop making it sound as if I ordered it like pizza in an online food store,” he said, frustrated. “My family needs to see me married to give me my inheritance. You need a shield against your ex and best friend’s taunting. It’s a win-win situation.”
Giulia sighed, “This sounds more like a business deal.”
“Perhaps it is.”
“I’m not a commodity, Dante.”
“Nobody said you are,” he said, stepping closer still. “I’m keeping this professional because I want you to be assured that you’ll be treated right.”
The room fell silent for a while. The atmosphere was stuffed with emotions of two people unwilling to succumb.
Eventually, she spoke, “You have no idea what I faced in my past relationship.”
“I’ll listen, and I won’t judge you, Giulia,” he said with a gentle voice.
Feeling a little reluctant, she spoke. “My relationship with Vincenzo messed with my mental health badly. I nearly ran mad. Then, I vowed I would never expose myself to that kind of heartbreak again.”
Dante’s straight face relaxed a bit. “I won’t break your heart, Giulia.”
“I may not be able to trust anyone again,” she whispered. “At least, not yet.”
He observed her, much calmer. “Giulia, I won’t hurt you. I promise. We can set ground rules, terms and conditions, how you want it. But don’t disappear just because you’re afraid.”
Giulia’s eyes went moist. “Dante, I don’t kno…“
He reached for her hand, rubbed it gently. “Give me a chance, Signora De Luca, that’s all I ask.”
Her pulse raced. “Alright, Dante.”
His gaze matched hers. “Thank you, Giulia.”
A satisfied silence fell on the room again. This time, both of them had unspoken peace about the decisions they'd made.
He walked towards the door before he turned to speak. “Here’s my card, shop for some beautiful dresses. Grandfather is joining us for dinner tomorrow.”
Giulia opened her mouth in surprise. “I thought you said he'd visit in a week’s time.”
“He just sent a text. He changed plans,” Dante said, stepping out of the room.
Giulia let out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t expect that assuming the role of Dante De Luca’s would be this early.
Well, this has become her life now.
- Writer
