TIES THAT BIND

Chapter Four

I stared at the gatekeeper dumbfounded and shocked.

"Enzo asked you not to open up for me till he arrives ?" I asked again to be sure I heard him right.

”Yes ma'am ", he answered, looking at me apologetically.

What!

Why would he do that ? This was supposed to be our wedding night, what's going on?

So many questions ran through my mind as I walked over to my car to get my phone.

I called several times but no response, so I decided to spend the night in my car and question Enzo when he returns tomorrow.

Waking up in the morning was the worst, I'm never sleeping in a car ever again !

All my body hurts.

I slowly opened my car door and saw Enzo coming down from his.

When did he get back? That doesn't even matter.

" Enzo!" I yelled, rushing to him holding up my wedding gown as I walked.

"Why would you ask them to lock me out ?" I asked trying to sound as polite as possible but all i got was just a cold stare

"Enzo!" I gasped as I watched him walk briskly into the mansion. I couldn't understand what was going on here or in his mind and it was frustrating.

I followed in with the maids getting my things from the car as they showed me my room. After they were done helping me arrange my things and left, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

This wasn't a way to start my married life, I couldn't just forget the look I saw on Enzo's face a few moments ago, it was filled with hate and disgust.

Does he hate me?

Does he regret our marriage? No, he wouldn't, right ?

I kept contemplating as I cried, I needed answers and now. I got up, had my shower and changed into comfy casual clothes before heading downstairs to speak to Enzo.

On getting there he was excitedly speaking to someone on the phone, I waited until he was done before speaking up.

"Enzo" i mumbled causing him to turn to me with a cold stare

"Why did you ask that I be locked out on our wedding night ? And why this sudden change in attitude huh ?"

He prodded "What change in attitude ?"

"You're suddenly acting cold Enzo"

"Cold? Did i ever f*****g bond with you ? Who the f**k gave the idea we're actually something huh ?"

"We're married Enzo, this is not something"

"Correction. You're married, isn't that what you wanted ? " He glared angrily.

"I wanted ? This marriage was done by both of us, Enzo" I retorted.

"No ! It was done by you and your good for nothing family. But i promise this marriage will be your worst nightmare, you absolutely disgusts me you f*****g gold digger" He hurled at me spitefully.

Confused, I asked "If you didn't want this marriage, you could have regretted it, Enzo, why marry me huh ? What have I done to deserve this ? Why?!" I demanded as tears welled up in my eyes.

I stared at him expecting answers but instead he turned on his heels and walked away leaving me with a million questions running through my mind.

I couldn't stop the tears from falling, as I wiped them and rushed off to my room.

For the first few weeks of my marriage, Enzo barely spoke to me. I tried getting his attention or talking to him but he'd either shun me or yell at me in disdain.

The house was suffocating, even when I tried throwing a little party to celebrate his winning of the GEM awards, it all turned out horrible. All my attempts to get through just seemed to make him despise me more and it hurt.

"Emilia!" I heard Sara call out to me before walking into my room. She was Enzo's nanny and has been my only friend in this hell house.

"Hey Sara" I greeted with a small smile.

"Won't you come down for breakfast ?" She smiled back.

"No Sara, I'm not hungry. I'll eat later"

"Emilia, i know you're not happy but please be a little patient with him" She pleaded.

"Sara this marriage is the best thing that had happened to me, because i love Enzo but it hurts knowing he doesn't feel the same and yet married me to torture me. I've barely had a happy moment since i got here, he makes everything unbearable for me" I lamented as i stifled my cries by palming my face

"Dear, Enzo is a hard man to love because he grew up alone with his brother. He never received love from anyone and had to struggle for everything, just be patient dear" Sara advised as she softly kept brushing my hair.

We were still talking when a loud noise made us rush downstairs, only to see Enzo lying unconscious on the floor.

"Enzo ! Enzo !" I yelled rushing to him.

He was unconscious and his body was burning up.

"Sara, what's wrong with him ?" I called to her as she got closer, tears already falling down my cheeks.

"Please help me pick him up"

We managed to take him to one of the rooms downstairs because we couldn't take him all the way up and then called the doctor.

"What's wrong with him ?" I squirmed

"He'll be, just give him his medications on time. It was due to the stress load and coupled with the cold"

That's true it was winter and Enzo had never once worn a coat out.

"Thanks so much doctor, how long will he be unconscious for ?"

"For another 5-9 hours, I gave him some injections. He needs to rest properly" he replied and left.

I sat beside Enzo for a while before getting his clothes and helping him change out of it. Despite everything, I couldn't stop myself from loving him.

I'm a fool I know, but he's my first love and first love's aren't easy to get past. Thoughts kept roaming my mind and I didn't know when I drifted to sleep.

I woke up to a phone ringing, I looked around and noticed it was Enzo's phone. I didn't want to initially but the personal kept calling so i had.

"Good evening sir", the person from the other line greeted me and I contemplated remaining silent or talking, i went with the latter.

" Mrs Lombardo speaking, Mr Enzo is currently indisposed. What's the matter ? " i asked

"G…ood evening ma'am, Mr Enzo was to make a jewelry design at the earliest which is to be submitted to enable us seal a groundbreaking deal but he's yet to present the designs " he revealed and stood up from the bed shocked.

Enzo can't design anything right now, he isn't even conscious.

"When do the designs need to be submitted ?"

"In the next 5 hours ma, the meeting is scheduled for 5 hours from now"

"Give me 3 hours. I'll send in the designs. How many do you need ?"

"At Least two different designs, one modern and the other traditional Italian jewelry designs"

Hmm

This wasn't going to be easy but …

I'll do it.

"That's fine," I said , hanging up. I rushed to my room and got to work.

Enzo might have been an asshole to me but he did help my family's business and I can't sit and watch his collapse.

Creating the designs took me alot but it was beautiful, my best work yet. I called in the driver and sent him to deliver the designs to the office.

While I went back to stay beside Enzo. He looked so handsome as he slept peacefully, since our marriage I've never been this close to him.

I took the opportunity for granted and touched his hair, brushing it slowly. His hair was so soft and silky, just as I thought it would be, I stared at his facial features in awe.

He's really handsome.

I was too busy gawking at him. I didn't know when Sara walked in.

"When is he going to wake up ? It's been over 5 hours now" Sara asked, startling me as I turned to look at the worried expression on her face.

"I'm sure he'll be up soon Sara, you don't have to worry okay ?" I assured her.

"You should probably go prepare dinner, incase he wakes up"

"Yes you're right, I'll instruct the maids to start and I'll oversee the arrangements"

"Something light please Sara, like a soup or something"

"Yes ma'am" she answered before stepping out.

After what felt like forever, though it was barely 30 minutes, Sara left the room and Enzo slowly regained consciousness.

"Hey" i greeted awkwardly

He stared at me for a while without response.

In an inaudible voice he asked "Where am I?"

With a soft smile i readjusted his pillow then responded "One of the rooms downstairs, when you fell unconscious we couldn't carry all the way upstairs so we brought you here"

"So, why are you here ?"

Sara harrumphed "she took care of you throughout while you were unconscious, so don't be grumpy or harsh"

"Oh" was all he said as he held his forehead and squeezed his eyes shut

Sara asked, "What's wrong ?"

"Just headache Sara, I'm fine"

I stood up from beside him and walked out, i wanted to go get him some food. I brought the food in no time and despite a little reluctance from him, I fed him and gave him the medicine.

We both stayed in silence, neither of us talking.

"You wouldn't go to sleep ?" His deep voice echoed through my ears as I looked up from my phone, he sat up on the bed and I on the couch.

Shocked by his show of care i answered "I'm staying with you Enzo, I'm fine"

"You don't have to, I can take care of myself," he said, stretching a bit.

I wanted to reply, but if I did we'd end up arguing and I really don't have the strength.

"Can you just get some rest Enzo, I'm not going anywhere"

He shrugged "What

ever"

I stared at him for a while, he hadn't changed one bit. He's still just as he was from childhood