Niccoló's wife |✔|

5. Explainations

The sound of hissing and grunting echoed in the bathroom, as Scarlett dressed her hand and knee wound, as fast as the sleep came to her, it drifted away faster than it came. She woke up extra early as she dressed her wounds, which still looked raw and painful. She applied the medicine and wrapped the soft gauze she found in one of the cabinets.

After a quick warm shower she decided to wear something loose, which would not stress the wounds, and she has to wear something suitable so as to cover her wounds. She sighed as she picked up a pair of loose jean and a long sleeved golden silk shirt, one of the few good things she owned, slipped into her white converses, she went to her dresser to do her hair. Combing her hair till there were no knots left, she braided them into two braids as she skipped the stairs, lightly and slowly. Scarlett never needed makeup, unlike her twin sister who bathe in the foundations and fake blush every day, Scarlett had natural rosy pink cheeks.

She quickened her steps placing them lightly and softly, so as to not make much noise, as she reached the kitchen, the events of last night came rushing to her washing her in a wave of sadness, which made her throat clog as a sob threatened to erupt, she buried her fist into her mouth biting on the skin, so as to stop the pain which made her heart ache, and also to stop any of sound escaping her. As Scarlett took deep breaths to calm herself, she made the batter of pancakes, which made her wince in pain almost every time she stirred the batter.

She hurriedly made breakfast for everyone, keeping it on the table, as she quickly made herself a toasted bread and quietly slipped out the house, the walk to the orphanage was slow, excruciating and painful, Scarlett stopped every few block to gasp, her ribs were still tender, as she deeply inhaled every time, she was worried how would she react, when any of the kid would hug her, but she would never push them away, they were only human, who embraced her and unknowingly soothed her.

Scarlett sat in a nearby park before entering in the orphanage, as it was not yet the time for her shift. She nibbled on her blueberry toast as she looked in the distance, she felt the raw pain in her heart as she looked at the kids playing with their parents; father and mother. How she wished she would also be able to play with her parents like that, but ever since her sixth birthday, her father even looked at her distastefully, she didn't know what wrong did she do, she had always loved him, he loved her until then. What happened now?

What changed? She was still the little girl asking for love, obeying everything he asked, or told.

But no one fulfilled what she wanted, everyone wanted their own good, her father arranged a marriage for her, its tomorrow, is he apologizing for the rude behavior he ever did to her, if he would love her, she would happily be the same old Scarlett which she was and which is currently was too?

Scarlett wiped her cheeks as tears fell, as she remembered when all of them came to play in the park as well, the wind slapped on her already damp face, making a shiver run down her spine.

Shaking her head, she stood up as she started towards the orphanage.

*~*

Meanwhile...

The Martinez mansion was quiet, eerily quiet. That's how the mafia king liked his house, he wanted his peace.

Niccoló sat in his chair as he worked on the recent contract with the oil company, for merging the business. Turns out that the Italian mafia king is also a business tycoon, Niccoló didn't looked a day older than twenty three. And sure, he was the rough mafia king, and business man, he was a self-made billionaire, girls swoon at his feet, but never caught his eye.

Niccoló was a busy and an impatient person, but the thing which frustrated him the most at the moment was that what was taking his men to collect information on a simple girl, she was enchanting, Niccoló couldn't remove the image of her long shiny hair flowing in the air as she played with the kids, her smile was contagious, as though spreading light everywhere she passed.

But Niccoló was filled with darkness, he had a past, which he hated to recall, but whatever happens in the past, stays in the past.

No matter how anxious you become after an event which already happened, you cannot change it. And no matter how much you make yourself regret your past actions, you cannot change it.

Niccoló was the storm, a dangerous storm.

The door was knocked twice firmly as Niccoló muttered a rough 'come in' as the door was pushed open, one of his most trusted men, whom he had given the responsibility to collect information about the girl, Niccoló felt his frustration heightened as the man moved slowly, but he couldn't show it, emotions were long ago hidden, and he didn't plan on breaking the façade anytime soon.

His fingers clamped tightly on the fountain pen, he held in his hand. The man stood in front of Niccoló as he placed the file in front of Niccoló with a photo of the girl visible on the front, Niccoló picked the file, as emotionlessly as anyone ever could be, his heart thumped more loudly in his chest as he took the photo and placed it on the table, he would scrutinize the beauty later, and started to read the information written on filled, hand written, they couldn't afford the leak of the talk that the mafia king had asked about a girl. It read-

'Name-Scarlett Benson.

Age-20 years.

Mother-Diana Rodríguez.

Father-unknown.

Step father-Jon Rodríguez.

Siblings-twin stepsisters.

Status-single.

Education-high school graduated, currently in a local university, but dropped in the second year due to financial crises.

Jobs-no odd jobs.

Eye color-blue.

Hair color-black-'

Niccoló slammed the file shut, he knew there was more, but was not written due to private matters. His men were clever. The knowledge in the mind worth more than the knowledge in the papers.

He leaned back in his chair as he dropped the pen from his hand and his fingers in front of him in a cool and calm manner, emotionless as ever.

"Parlare."

(Speak)

The man cleared his throat as he opened his mouth to speak, his broad chest puffed out, not too bulky, neither too skinny, his fit physique showing he worked out often.

"The girls' name is Scarlett. No odd jobs, had been working since she was fourteen years old, all cook jobs, she currently works at the orphanage where we yesterday visited, and as for that matter, it is confirmed Marcello is using the kids for drug delivery. The girl works as a caretaker of kids for few hours and cook. All the reviews from all the restaurants she worked at, were positive, too good to be true." The man took a deep breath and shifted on the foot as he had already seen the interest on the girl, he didn't know what to expect from his boss after this.

"Her mother is currently in coma, after a car accident from 12 years ago. The bills are paid on Scarlett Benson' name. Her father... step father... Jon Rodríguez, gambles. And yesterday..." the man again took a deep breath, as the next words were not so good.

"Non ho tutto il giorno, Ethan." Niccoló grumbled as his eyes narrowed, anyone casually looked would've missed it, but Niccoló' important men couldn't.

(Don't have all day, Ethan.)

"Yesterday, he made a deal with Marcello, about his daughters, if Jon won, he would be freed of all the money he owed to Marcello. But if he lost he would have to marry one of his daughter to Marcello. He made a deal for Scarlett Benson. Stronzo ha venduto sua figilia!"

(Fucker sold his daughter!)

"Quand'è?" Niccoló rasped with clenched teeth as he looked at his watch, it read 9.30 AM. He toyed with the massive gold ring on his finger as he looked down to it, looking preoccupied.

(When is it?)

"Domani." Ethan sighed as he informed Niccoló about the day of the wedding. Niccoló' eyes snapped to Ethan as he looked at him with cold eyes. Niccoló stood up as he dusted his pants clear of any wrinkles and took the blazer top placed neatly on the arm of the couch. He wore the blazer, the burgundy silk shirt complimenting his tanned skin, the rings on his fingers blazed as he passed by the fireplace, fixing his cufflinks, he murmured, as looked at the heated flames rising in the fireplace, the warm golden light enhances his handsome face, his chiseled jaw more clear-cut and sharped in the warm glow, his dark obsidian eyes empty and his shiny brown hair looked more smooth and mellifluous, his wet full lips naturally pink and tempting.

(Tomorrow)

"Venire."

(Come)

Voicing those words he marched towards the big doors of his study his steps calculated and steady, confident and flawless as ever.

He was going to fix this, and place things where they belong, the kids in a deserving orphanage, and Scarlett Benson, with him.

Beside him, as his wife, that's where she belonged.

No explanations.

Because Niccoló Martinez, do not give explanations.

**