The Pawn in Everyone's Game
1147 Words
The De Luca dining room was colder than usual.
The atmosphere was almost freezing with tension despite it being summer time, The arrival of the prodigal daughter which should have been a celebration is the direct opposite.
Her father did not welcome her with open arms and he made no business hiding it.
Giovanni De Luca made sure the mansion was always enchanting and everything being bright. It was sparking and shiny but Elena’s stomach was in knots.
She sat at the far end of the table, across from her father, who barely looked up from his coffee as she stirred her now cold tea.
She knew something was coming.
It had been three days since she came crawling back, the silence was more daunting than ever, she preferred him talking to just being quiet, things were too quite and that called for alarm. That was not her father’s thing at all and it did not suit him.
Three days of her father watching her with those cold, calculating eyes, like she was a broken pawn he had finally gotten back into position.
“Elena,” he said without looking up, “you’ll be wearing the black Dolce gown this evening.”
She blinked. “What?”
“We’re having a guest for dinner.”
“Who?” She blurted out
Giovanni finally met her eyes. “The man you’re going to marry.”
Her blood went cold, Yeah, now he was acting like the De Luca she knew.
She set the spoon down gently. “You didn’t even ask if I wanted to ……”
He cut her short sharply
“I told you what it would cost to come back here.” His tone sliced through the air. “You agreed.”
Her jaw clenched.
“You’ll smile. You’ll be pleasant. And you’ll say yes when the time comes.”
She looked at him, fury and regret gathering in her chest. “Who is he?”
“Aaron Moretti.”
The name dropped like a stone.
Her stomach twisted. “The arms tycoon’s son?”
“Very observant.”
“Yeah, He’s older than you, arrogant like you and a misogynist.”
She looked disbelieving, she did not believe her father would be this cruel.
Giovanni sipped his coffee. “He’s also discreet. Loyal to his family. And his father is looking for an alliance in Europe.”
Elena laughed bitterly. “So I’m the dowry.”
Giovanni’s eyes turned to steel. “You’re the price of peace. Something you cost me when you ran off with that traitor.” He thundered visibly mad
Her hand curled into a fist, nails digging into her palm. “I’m not a pawn.”
“No,” he said coldly. “You’re a De Luca. Which means you do what’s required.”
That night, the doorbell echoed like a warning.
Elena stood at the top of the staircase, dressed in the black gown her father ordered, sharp lines, no softness. Her hair was pinned high, her lips red again, but this time controlled, deliberate and her expression purposely unpleasant.
She only said she would come back, she did not agree to be a pet.
Well did she?
She waved the thought off.
She had turned herself into armor.
The butler opened the door.
Aaron Moretti stepped inside like he owned the floor. Dark grey suit, sleek black tie, polished shoes. His hair was slicked back and his dark eyes unreadable.
“Elena,” he said smoothly, spotting her as she descended the stairs. “You clean up better than I imagined.”
She gave him a tight smile. “While you reek of expectation and smell of disappointment”
He chuckled. “Feisty. I was told you might be difficult.”
“I like to keep expectations low.”
He leaned in slightly, not touching her. “Well, we’ll fix that, won’t we?”
She frowned deeply not trying to hide it
Giovanni appeared behind them. “Aaron. Welcome. Let’s eat.”
Dinner was a silent war.
Aaron spoke with that smooth arrogance Elena hated, talking about weapons, markets, politics. Every now and then, he’d look at her like she was another deal he’d already closed.
She sipped her wine, listening. Calculating.
“So, Elena,” Aaron said mid-meal, cutting into his steak like it was the most exciting thing on the table, “how does it feel being back in the real world after your little rebellion?”
Her fork froze mid-air. “You mean after I got tired of the world out there, I want some quiet now?” She said with forced smile
Aaron smirked. “Some might say it was bold.”
“Some might say I’m not interested in being anyone’s puppet.”
He tilted his head, amused. “You’re charming when you’re angry. I like a challenge.”
She set her fork down with a quiet clink. “Good. Because if this marriage happens, you’re going to have the fight of your life.”
Giovanni cleared his throat sharply. “Enough.”
Aaron sat back, unbothered and confident. “I like her fire. We’ll tame it in time.”
Elena’s eyes shot to her father. “Is this really the deal you want to make? Trading me to someone who talks about ‘taming’ women like horses?”
Giovanni’s face didn’t change. “You gave me your word.”
“So that’s it? You’ll sell me to the highest bidder so your business thrives?”
Aaron chuckled. “You’re not being sold, Elena. You’re being… aligned.”
“Spare me the PR language,” she snapped. “You want me to be pretty, polite, and permanently silent. That’s not going to happen dad.”
“So much for promising to do anything” He threw her a glance
“You’d be surprised what a little time and luxury can do to change someone’s mind,” Aaron said casually.
“I’d rather marry a sewer rat.”
“Well,” he grinned, “that’s not off the table.”
Giovanni slammed his glass down. “Enough. Both of you.”
Elena pushed her chair back, standing slowly. “Thank you for dinner, Father. And thank you, Aaron, for showing me what hell smells like.”
She left the room before either of them could speak again.
In the hallway, her breath came fast.
The anger, the shame, the helplessness all came washing over her and she held the railings around the hallway for support. it was all rising again, like fire under her skin.
She wanted to scream.
But instead, she walked to her room. Shut the door. And finally, when the silence swallowed her whole
She cried.
Not for Dominic.
Not even for Liam.
But for the woman she used to be.
And the one she was being forced to become.
- Writer
