Forced Alliance

Chapter 6

"Can I please go see my siblings and

mom?" I ask. He hesitates but finally a

nod. First time he actually listens to me.

He pulls up in front of my home. "I'll be

here" he says and I run up to ring the

doorbell. I hope dad is not home. Mom

opens the door. "Oh Isabella" she comes

up and hugs me. My mom is a sensitive

woman and cries almost at everything.

That's why father finds her weak and

cheats on her with other women.

She doesn't deserve this but has to do

as he says. "Is Marco and Sofia home?"

I ask exited. Her smile fades a little. I

know something's wrong. "What?" I ask

worried.

"He did some awful things to..." I don't let

her finis as I run inside to Sofia. She's

laying in her bed sleeping. I sit beside

her. Stroking her hair. "Isabella?" She

questions. "Yes I'm here" I say as she tries

to move but I see her struggle.

He has f*****g touched her. "Isabella I

can't move, it hurts" she cries. I wish I

could take her place. To make her pain go

away. "I won't let him touch you again" I

assure her that this will be the one andonly time someone will ever do this to

her.

She cries in my arms. I try to hold my

tears as I hug her. Shortly after she falls

back asleep.

I walk out to find Marco in the living room.

His face in his hands. "Marco"

He goes up to hug me so tight. He has a

bruise on his face. So he has been taking

hits too.

"I couldn't stop it" he says and this might

be the first time I've ever seen him

cry. We sit back down on the couch. "I

want you to promise me that what ever

happens you won't let him touch her

again. Marco she can't live like we did" I tell

him. He nods at every word.

"It won't happen again" he wipes his

tears. "Is he home" I ask scared of the

answer. "No"

Relief is what goes through my body.

"Promise me to defend her in every way"

"I promise"

"Someday it's his turn to burn in hell" I

tell him and he nods. "How are you?"

"I'm good I go to school as usual and Antonio

gets me home everyday. I get food and

a great bed don't worry about me" I say

making him feel a little better.

Antonio calls me meaning it's my time to

leave. I hug my brother and mother one

last time before I go.

I get back in Antonio's car and we drive

off. He's quiet for a wile but breaks the

silence. "Just so you know there will be a

ball in one week, everyone expects us to

be there. I do not want to attend but we

have to make it seem like this is a normal

marriage, for my reputation." He says, I

think for a moment. A ball. Sounds like

more fun that sitting in my room for a

week. "Sure I can fake a happy marriage"

I say.

Sofia, I'm so sorry.

It's been days and Antonio is having a party

downstairs. He tells me I am not allowed

to go down there. Apparently I'm not

invited. Rude. I think for a while. What

would he do if I went down. He already

hates me and I hate him so f**k it. I'm

going down. I put on a tight dress that

shows my figure and let my hair down. I

shake my head upside down then flip it

back to give it some volume.

Ready.

I walk downstairs. There are a lot of people here Dancing to the loud music. I spot the

table that got the drinks. I pick up one of

the drinks and swallow the whole drink

in seconds. I take another and do the

same.

When I take my third drink someone

approaches me from the side. "Who told

you you could have that" Antonio says. I

laugh as I point at myself.

"Me" I smile.

I drink up my third but can't finish it

before his hand drags it away from my

mouth.

"Hey that's mine." I tell him trying to take

it back.

"Get back to your room now, I told you to

not come down." he says sounding very

serious. But it's like what he's saying goes

in through one ear and out of the other.

"Gosh so many rules! Let me be for once."

I feel the alcohol kick in. When a song

I like starts playing I get all exited and

jump in place.

He looks at me then down my body. "I

know." I let out. He raises his eyebrow.

"Know what?" He says still holding my

drink.

"That I look f*****g good" I say as my

body rocks to the music. He doesn't

answer.

Without thinking I say, "I like your hair it

suits all this..." pointing at his whole body

dressed in black.

He doesn't answer to that either he just

seems annoyed I'm even here.

"If you are going to stay, you have to be

close to me." He says and I grab another

drink. Then follow him.

We walk to a group of people sitting

down on the couches. I take a seat beside

Antonio and we have never sat this close

before. Our knees touching slightly.

"Whoa! Who is this hot girl" one of the

boys say. Boosting my confidence even

more. "Isabella, nice to meet you" I say as

I take out my hand for him to shake it but

instead Isabella takes it and puts it down.

"Easy there" he hisses at the guy. My hand

stays on Antonio's lap and I keep it there just

because he told me to make this marriage

believable.

"So are you guys coming to the ball?" The group asks waiting for Antonio to answer but

I do instead. "Absolutely"

"So who are you going with, Antonio always

goes alone" one of them asks me. I turn to

look at Antonio as I smile. "I'm going with my

husband of course" I say making them all

shocked. I'm even surprised I said that.

Antonio just watches me talk.

***

Hours pass and I've gotten some more

drinks. And I think I've had too much

actually. Almost everyone has left. Only

some people left. I try to walk over to

where Antonio is sitting but fail. I grab a near

wall to steady me. Closing my eyes makes

it worse so I keep them open.

I watch as Antonio walks toward me. "I think

I need some help" I say. "I can see that"

he mumbles then he puts his hand on my

waist to help me walk. His hand is so big

and strong holding me up. His touch so

good in a way. I have to stop. I hate him I

remind myself.

He helps me to the stairs. "I got it from

here thank you" I say to him but he

doesn't walk away. "I'm sure you do" he

says sarcastically, watching me.