Rules are rules
1259 Words
In the interior of a black bugatti centodiec, Giovanni and Olivia sat in an uncomfortable silence.
Giovanni could not risk anyone finding out about his just concluded marriage ceremony, so he drove himself
Olivia refused to ask for their destination. Her thoughts kept her preoccupied.
Would this marriage really save her from her ugly past?
“It was nothing but an accident” A voice in her head said, and she tried to convince herself that it was the truth.
Giovanni stole glances at her from the centre mirror. He wondered what the glum look on her face was all about.
Other women would be ridden with joy at this moment, but she looked depressed.
Was he that bad?
“Well-” He said after clearing his throat, breaking the silence “You should know that I have rules, rules that you must go over”
Olivia shifted her cold gaze to him
“First off, you have to drop the formalities. You are to only address me by my name from now on, got it?”
Olivia couldn't imagine calling her former boss by his name. She would never have tried it in the past
“Go on, try it” He said, as if he had read her mind
“Alright - Giovanni” Olivia stuttered with flushed cheeks and he gave a satisfied nod
“Under no circumstance are you allowed to discuss the details of our contract to anybody. Doing so will be a breach of contract, which immediately terminates our agreement” Giovanni stated sternly
“Yes sir, I mean Giovanni” Olivia responded
“Thirdly, you're going to have to get used to physical intimacy. If we're going to make this work, we have to make it look as real as possible” Giovanni paused “And by that I mean holding hands, hugs and if need be, kisses”
“What about -” Olivia stopped in her sentence as she realised she couldn't bring herself to say the word.
She suddenly felt embarrassed. Why was she shy around him?
“If you're asking about s*x then you don't have to worry. I don't have plans of laying a finger on you behind closed doors” He declared and a wave of disappointment came over her.
She was really not his type. She shook off the thoughts. Why did she care anyway, she didn't want him either.
“Behind closed doors? We'll be sharing one room?” Olivia inquired
Giovanni chuckled while handling the steering wheel as he took a turn to another road
“If we don't stay in one room together, how else would we be able to convince my parents that we're truly married?” Giovanni asked, the corner of his pink heart shaped lips pulling into a smirk
Olivia was dumbfounded
“Your parents?” She asked again and only then did she notice the car had come to a halt. Rusty iron bars that stretched towards the sky was all that stood in front of them
In a few seconds the gates pushed open and a mansion with an opulent surrounding was revealed. Olivia took in a sharp breath. She had never encountered such display of wealth
“Put this on” Giovanni flung a small red box at her. She opened it and found two rings. An engagement ring and a wedding band.
“My parents are usually hard to convince, so be at your best” He informed her
“You didn't think to mention that I would be meeting your parents?” She asked in confusion
“We both know this means nothing but a fat cheque to you, so don't act like you care about what they think of you” Giovanni spoke dismissively and his words hit Olivia like an arrow.
In a few seconds, the car was surrounded by heavily built men in suits.
“Remember, be at your best” Giovanni said and stepped down from the car
“Welcome home Mr Verona” The men chorused and Giovanni gave a curt nod. He walked over to the other side of the car and opened the door for Olivia.
His pretense infuriated Olivia and she shot death glares at him
He took her hand as she stepped out of the car
Hand in hand, they both walked into the mansion
***
At the doorway, Giovanni's parents stood, ready to welcome him. They were shocked to see him with a woman
“You are such a beautiful girl!” Giovanni's mom, Esmeralda said for the umpteenth time.
She couldn't stop gushing over her son's new bride. She was obviously excited. Finally Giovanni had brought a girl home!
“Is this any way to treat your parents' son? You get married without our knowledge?”
Mr Antonio Verona asked, a hint of disappointment evident in his tone.
“We wanted something small and intimate dad, without the noise” Giovanni explained
“I see,” Antonio said. Just as Giovanni had expected, his father was not convinced. The man might seem feeble. But his sharp senses and intelligent mind never failed him
“Well, welcome to your home, il mio fiore” Antonio said to Olivia who was all smiles
He reached out and pulled Olivia into a light hug, planting kisses on both of her cheeks
He took her hand and led the way to the already set dining table as the rest followed behind
“I hope our Giovanni here hasn't given you such a hard time. The boy can be such a hard nut to crack sometimes” Antonio said as he pulled out a chair for his daughter in law as they all settled down for dinner.
“I know my way around him” Olivia said teasingly, exchanging knowing looks with Giovanni.
She fought hard to keep her eyes away from the grandeur and luxury she was surrounded with. Expensive upholstery, priceless paintings and luxury furniture graced the entire room. On the table, different meals had been served. Olivia had never seen so much food.
“Can I take a look at the rings?” Esmeralda asked and Olivia stretched out her hand
“Oh my son has a good taste after all! These are gorgeous”. Olivia didn't expect his parents to be so jovial. His mom especially. But apparently she was wrong. Esmeralda's brown hair which mixed with gray strands fell over her shoulders elegantly. She was beautifully dressed in a blue flay gown. Age had nothing on her and Olivia was mesmerised.
“How did you two meet?” Antonio threw the question and it felt like a bomb had exploded with the silence that followed
“Actually -”
“We met at the club” Olivia chirped into say, interrupting Giovanni
“Right. I was on my way to the bathroom, when this pretty blonde spilled her drink on my shirt” Giovanni continued, taking the hint
“I offered to clean it up and the rest is history” Olivia added and fake laughters followed
Antonio put up a fake smile. He knew his son all too well to be convinced by the charade.
“Giovanni, and how did you propose?” Antonio asked, shooting his shot again
“Oh Antonio darling, enough with the questions already”, Esmeralda cut in to say “Let them enjoy their meals. They must be tired from the long drive here”
And with that, Giovanni let out a sigh of relief
- Writer
