SHADOW

CHAPTER TWO

The ride to the estate was long and silent. Aurora sat beside him in the backseat of the black bulletproof car. Thick glass windows, a silent driver, a wide space between them.His phone buzzed, but he ignored it.

De Cante's estate

The De Cante's estate looked like it belonged in a painting of power and blood. It sat on the hill like a silent monarch, It's architecture was italian modern, a mix of sharp lines and cool stone, all gray marbled and blackened glass.Not a single unnecessary detail blemished its structure.

Inside, the air was still and cold, silence clung to the walls like dust never dared to.The decor was minimal-too minimal. A single piece of art here, a dark velvet couch there-no warmth;Everything had sharp edges-like the man who lived in it.

She was led to her room-not their room.That was fine with her. She didn't want to share a room with a man like him anyways. A maid with downcast eyes and nervous hands helped her out of the wedding dress.When the door finally shut and she was alone ,the weight of everything that had happened today came rushing to her mind-how she's now married to the most dangerous De Cante.She walked to the window and studied her reflection, she had changed into her nightwear. Her eyes screamed innocent, her figure seemed small, unimportant, fragile.

Meanwhile,across the estate, Antonio stood on the balcony of his private wing, sipping his bourbon.He listened as his assistant read out her information, his mind couldn't help but drift back to the look he had caught on her face-though it was just a flicker, he caught and suddenly he was interested in knowing more about her. Also seeing her clean record he couldn't help but have some suspicions,it was clean-too clean it called out some doubts.

THE NEXT MORNING

The dining hall was colder than the rest of the estate. A long polished table strecthed across the room like a battlefield. At one end sat Antonio,at the other-Aurora,the new bride.

She wore a pale cream dress,silk sleeves brushing ,hair pinned into a soft braid.Her face was deviod of makeup making her face pale as well but even then she looked breathtaking.She looked like she belonged in a fairytale painting,not in the lair of the most feared mafia family in the city.And certainly not the wife of Antonio De Cante.

Antonio barely looked at her as he sat and ate his toast in silence.He hadn't spoken to her she since sat down at table.

After he was done with his meal and stood up to leave, she looked up at him and asked in a very soft tone-almost like a whisper "what about the banquet this evening".He stopped in his track and signalled to his assistant,who gave her a file "Memorize what's in that file it contains all the knowlegde and information about De Cante empire-the allies and foes"he said"I'll send someone over to help with your dress for the dinner". After saying that he left,walking away with his guards and assistant,his prescence reeking danger and command.

Evening came,and true to his words he sent two assistant who brought suitable dresses for her to try on.She chose a deep sapphire blue off-the-shoulder gown that bared her collarbones and teased the elegant curve of her neck.The fabric was smooth silk crepe,it had low back,silver beading along the bodice ,and a thigh-high slit for a touch of boldness.She paired it with a diamond earing, a silver clucth and strappy crystal heels.Her makeup was soft and elegant-lightly blushed cheeks,nude-pink lips amd a warm brown eyeshadow with a touch of shimmer.A sweep of mascara and a hint of highlighter that gave her a glowing,efortless finish-beauty that whispered not shouted.

She stepped down the grand stairs softly with her heels clanking with the marble tiles,and there he was sitted on the edge of the couch.His jet-black clung to him with quiet confindence,the white shirt beneath was crisp,top two buttons undone.He sat down in the silence like he owned it ,one legs rested over the other,an arm stretched lazily along the backrest,the other holding a glass of champagne,fingers drumming slow ,deliberate beats as he patiently waited for a particular someone lost in his own thoughts.

As she reached the end of the stairs,he finally looked up.

CLINK.