Chapter Five
1205 Words
Dante De Luca returned from his outing in the evening. As he entered his room, he met Giulia sprawled on the sofa, fast asleep. He studied her briefly, staring at her well-carved eyebrows, pointed noise and small-sized lips. For the first time, he had to admit Giulia was indeed, a beautiful lady with a petite frame.
He moved silently, not wanting to wake her, but she stirred when his phone buzzed. She rose up sharply to see him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Dante said courteously.
“It’s okay, I’ve gotten more than enough rest than I need,” Giulia said in an after-sleep tone.
We’d need to get you some necessities before grandpa arrives. He would be staying for a few days. Also, you'll be staying with me in my room throughout his stay,” he announced with an unreadable expression.
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of sharing the room with him, but she assured herself that Dante was a gentleman, but she was still skeptical. “Fine, I’d take the couch.”
Dante furrowed his eyebrows. “Take the bed instead; I’d sleep on the couch.” He moved to the door about to turn the knob.
“Wait—Where are you going?” Giulia asked.
He paused. “To skin Serena alive.”
---
Serena was lying on a beach wooden chair , magazine in hand, cocktail on a table beside her. Dante took firm and long strides towards her. “If you’re here to kill me, at least allow me to enjoy the wine first.”
“Don’t patronize me,” he snapped. “ How dare you arrange fake marriage papers for me, Serena!”
“Well, you never asked me to stop looking out for you.” She said without remorse.
“You thought it wise to make a decision as important as marriage for me without consulting me first?”
“You wouldn’t have agreed if I told you. Yet if you don’t get married, you could lose your inheritance.”
“Serena!” He growled.
“Okay, Fine,” she added quickly, her voice low. “I was only trying to help.”
“By committing crime?” He laughed darkly. “Didn’t you think it could put you in trouble?”
“I know you hate how Grandpa has been match-making you with his friends' granddaughters. It was so hurtful to see how embarrassed you felt the last time. That’s why I decided to help.”
Dante glared at her. “I didn’t need your help, Serena, I was handling my life just fine!”
“Look at it this way, brother. This marriage helps you keep Grandpa off your back and you get your inheritance. Giulia gets security, you get your peace. Everyone wins!”
“You deceived her,” he said.
Serena bit her lip. “That was the only way to get her to agree to this. I told her you were our family driver.”
“How kind of you!” he replied sarcastically.
Serena gave a pleading look. “Please, don’t be mad at me. I didn’t want her to shy away if she knew she was being hooked with a billionaire,” She said cautiously.
“Leave my sight, now!”
She stood mumbling as she walked away. “You’re most welcome.”
How has he been withstanding the craziness of both Serena and his grandfather? He wondered.
---
Giulia was awakened by the rays of sun that pried into the bedroom. Turning to the other side of the bed, her phone’s ringtone brought her out of her sleepy state immediately.
“Hello?”
“Giulia! The client is waiting for you?” It was her employer, practically shouting on the phone. “The client has called you several times! Large house, huge money, no excuses.”
Giulia jumped from the bed. “Oh, no!” She scrambled for her joggers pant and sweatshirt.
She dashed downstairs trying to hurry for her appointment. She collided with a tall figure with a sturdy body. A familiar cologne invaded her nose. Dante. She almost fell, but he caught her quickly with his hands.
“Why the rush so early? You almost knocked me down,” he said, surprised.
Her face flushed in embarrassment. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you coming.”
“Sure, you didn’t.” He replied with sarcasm.
At that moment, Giulia noticed Dante’s tailored black suit, with well-balanced shoulder pads that made him command authority.
“You look sharp!” She complimented him.
Dante face turned into a playful smirk. “I always do, wife.” He winked. “Do you need a lift?”
“No, I’ll just get a bus. Thanks.”
“Alright, wifey! He made a fake bow.
She rolled her eyes as she stepped out. “Such a weirdo!
---
Giulia paid her fare as she observed the address for the appointment. It was an old building beside Lake Como. Beautiful yet eerie. Its paintings were already faded.
She walked into the house with her brushes in readiness to bring the walls back to life, totally unaware of the torture lying in wait for her.
Apparently, the client who had requested her services wasn’t a lover of art. It was Siena. Her ex-best friend.
The same person who snatched her Vincenzo, her ex-fiancé, unapologetically.
As she got closer to the hallway, she heard a familiar voice in the visitor’s room.
Siena.
“Giulia Rossini,” Siena called her name from the doorway. “Are your dreams still alive?”
Anger welled up in her. “How dare you trick me, Siena" After you betrayed me.”
“Oh, don’t bring up old matters. Let bygone be bygone, Giulia. Siena said coldly.
Giulia shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I used to think you were my friend.”
“Let’s put our differences aside and let’s discuss business,” Siena said, interrupting her rudely.
“Business? I won’t continue with this nonsense. I… ”
“Oh, you will, Miss Fiesty.” Vincenzo interrupted the conversation. “A contract was signed for this.” He threatened.
Giulia’s breath almost stopped. A man she loved dearly had turn out to be her worst enemy. She turned slowly. “I don’t care about the contract, you can sue me.” With that, she walked out shaking with anger and hurt.
---
Meanwhile, back in Milan, Dante’s phone rang.
“Filippo,” he answered sharply.
“Boss, one of our top clients from the Como villa,” the assistant said. “She needs a mural for her workspace. Same artist… Giulia Rossini.”
Dante went silent for a while. “Rossini?”
“Yes. She was highly recommended. Do you want me to look up her profile?”
Dante fiddled with his pen, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Yes.”
“Should I inform her of your coming?”
“Tell her,” he said calmly yet with anticipation, “the husband is coming.”
He hung up, placed his phone down and relaxed on his chair.
Things were about to get interesting.
- Writer
