A Dark Shadow

Chapter 2: Introduction

Tia Elena is fun to be with. We spent an hour fixing my clothes, changing the sheets and arranging the whole room. She is a big chunk of relief for me. Without her, I might have been swimming in my own tears by now.

“Tara na iha, baka magalit si Cael kanina pa tayo rito.” Tama si Tia. Baka papagalitan pa kami kung magtatagal pa kami rito. Hindi ko pa nakikita kung paano magalit si Cael pero sa totoo lang, ayaw kong makita yun. Tia Elena guided me where the dining room is. Ang laki kasi ng mansyon na ‘to.

“Mi dispiace Cael, ci stavamo divertendo a parlare. Abbiamo dimenticato che ci stavi aspettando.”

[Translation: Im sorry Cael, we were having fun talking. We forgot that you’re waiting for us.]

“It’s okay, Tia. Finché è felice.”

He said while his eyes are locked on his laptop. I couldn’t take my eyes of him, him wearing glasses. He looks like a nerd s***h hottie at the same time. It feels like my heart is pounding for him. Ano bang nangyayari sa akin?

“Ang sweet mo talaga iho.” Tia Elena mumbled which caught my ears. Halata ang pagtili nito na ikinatingin ko sa kaniya. Confused at the same time. Tia was busy fixing and preparing the utensils while I help her putting some of the food at the table.

“Umupo ka na iha. May pupuntahan lang ako. Dito ka lang ha? Wag kang mag-alala, hindi ka ipapahamak ng alaga ko.” Tia said while giving me an assurance smile. I wanted to protest for leaving me with him. But just as much as she trusts me, I trust her too.

“Tia, dì a Federico di accompagnarti.”

[Translation: Tia, tell Federico to accompany you.]

It really felt like I should start studying using the Italian language. Cause hell I don’t understand any of the word they’re saying.

“Grazie, Iho”

[Translation: Thank you, Iho.]

Tia, waved at me and I waved at her too. Tia, please be hurry. After Tia left, I was quiet while pretending fixing the utensils while Cael was minding his own business. Ano ‘to tinidor?

“You can eat now.” His voice was still deep. Could he just soften that voice of his so that I wont be scared? I’m still afraid to the fact that I’m with a ruthless, fearless, dangerous man like him. If I was traumatized of his men, I would be ten times more traumatized if he threatens me. Just like he said, I prayed before starting eating. I pour a small portion of Risotto and Gnocchi on my plate. It feels awkward eating here while his not.

After a couple of minutes, I’m almost done eating while his not moving even an inch. Sometimes I caught him looking at me which creep me out a bit.

“Why aren’t you eating?” I urge myself to ask since I thought, maybe his waiting for me to ask him to eat with me. He then closed his laptop and gaze at me. And for the first time, he smiled.

No trace of anger, awkwardness nor disgust. It was a care-free smile from him, not showing his teeth. It took me couple of seconds to went back to my senses.

“My hands are quite tired and numb. I couldn’t ask you to serve me.” He said with emotion in his eyes. It’s nothing like that compared to his emotion around my dad nor with his brother. Of course, I’m aware about his emotion every time his with someone. I took notice of his actions that easily and quick. I took a small portion of Pasta and Gnocchi on his plate. I swallowed my fear around him then starting to raise a forkful of pasta for him to eat. I don’t know what is happening to me. But I found myself worried about his eating habits.

I watched how his Adams apple moved, then he partly opened his mouth to welcome the pasta I was offering. I saw how his lips curved into a smirk as I kept on serving him. For the first time, I wasn’t afraid of him. Even if I promised myself not to even get close to him. Yet here we are, inches far away from each other. Then a thought came from my mind.

“I want to ask you about— something if that’s okay with you.” I want to ask why he chose me over that damn money. What are his real intentions. I saw him nodded which game an opportunity to blurt out all of my ‘what if’s and ‘why’s.

“Why did you chose me over that Ten billion Dollars? Do you want to use me? Am I going to be your slave just like what men would do to woman like me? Is that—"

“What do you mean by slave?” he looked confused over the last sentence. He arched his brows still looking at me. I actually thought he will make me as his slave for eternity. If not slave, then maybe he’ll make me as his s*x slave. Which is much more worse!

“No— No. Haven’t you read the contract?”

Contract? What does he mean by contract?

“It states there, that you— Iona Del Roman will pretend to be my wife. Haven’t you read it?”

Maraming boltahe ang dumadaloy sa buong katawan ko ngayon. Hindi ko mapigilang lumunok mg paulit-ulit dahil sa sinabi niya. Ang tanga ko!

Wife, a wife, Iona.… I’m going to to be a dangerous man’s pretend wife. Asawa, Iona. Magiging asawa ka ng isang lalaking kagaya niya!

“W-Wife?! Me, pretending to be your wife?! I don’t even want to be with a man like you!” I unexpectedly shouted, imagining me with a man like him forever. It can’t happen! Absolutely not! Plus, I’m too young for marriage!

“It’s just play- pretend, what the f-ck is your problem?!” he replied, his fuming eyes met mine. Just play- pretend?! What if a lot of people would simply accused us for lying. I don’t want to lie! And exactly, I don’t want to lie when it comes to marriage. Buo ang konsensiya ko.

“I don’t want to lie to other people, Cael. My conscience is clearer than my dad’s.”

“I see you don’t like the idea. But you don’t have any f-cking choice, Iona. Whether you like it or not, you will be my f-cking play-pretend bride!”

I winced when he raised his voice. I know his fuming mad right now. I can see anger in his eyes. His eyes we’re in dark shades, like his looking at a dark figure.

While his looking at—Me. I hate how I looked like a dark figure on his eyes. I hate it. It reminds me of when my dad used to abuse me.

“I-I’m sorry.” My head lay low. I don’t have any rights to shout at him or even arguing about what he wants from me. After all, I’m his possession now. He can do everything what he wants from me. And I don’t have any rights to stop him. Yeah, I’m a puppet. His puppet to play with.

I saw how he rubbed his forehead breathing heavily. I know his trying to calm himself because of me. Gosh.. Please come home Tia, before anything gets worse. Please come home. I quickly washed the dishes, avoiding from him. It still lingers on my mind of how angry he was. I have experienced getting beat up by Papa, using the word ‘ Disciplining '. I know that it’s against our human rights but we know that Papa has good intentions. He would always get angry around me. I’m basically used to it.

But him getting mad at me? It felt like my guilt ate me because I was against about his proposal. Maybe because I still couldn’t trust him. Pretending to be married to him? Hindi ako marunong um-arte kagaya ng ibang artista.

“Ok ka lang ba, Iona? Para kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa.” Tia said worriedly as I buried my head on the pillow. I used to do it whenever I needed to calm. Oo, Tia. Sana lamunin nalang ako ng lupa ngayon!

“Tia, I’m going to pretend to marry him, Tia. Marriage is supposed to be sacred. It’s supposed to be for couples who loves each other. Vows to have each other for a lifetime. I don’t even know who he is. His real name. His favorites. The real him, yet I’m going to be living with him until he divorce me. Tia, ang tanga tanga ko! Kung binasa ko lang yung kontrata, hindi mangyayari ‘to!”

I should’ve read it before signing. Ang tanga mo, Iona! I know a lot of girls wants to marry him, but not me! I’m not interested being married to anyone even if I know it’s just pretend. Still I couldn’t lie to people. Pretending to be his wife could mean s****l intimacy. Kissing in front of people just to prove that you two are married tears up my conscience. I may have been a bad girl, but I couldn’t lie to people even if it means that I’m under their possession.

“Caelus Stefano Moretti—Owner of the Caliona Real Estate Company. The Supreme Leader of the Stécatto Organizzazione. If you want to know more about me. I’ll be glad to introduce myself if that’s okay with you.”

Like how I felt earlier, I was frozen in place. I hate how I always reacted when his there. Now I literally look stupid, shoving my head on a pillow. Dali-dali akong bumangon…

…..Nahihiya.

“You look cute when you pout your lips.” He said while sitting at the bed next to me. I suddenly looked away, blushing like a female lead from an anime. Galit ka diba? Bakit may pa-blush blush pa, Iona?

“Iona Del Roman— a Psychiatry student from a well known university. Loves to read books and paint. Has a favoritism when it comes to desserts especially ice cream sundaes, milk tea and loves the color— Beige.” He proudly said as I looked at him— who’s grinning like he knows more about me. Gwapo ka sana kaso stalker, at pala-desisyon.

“Please don’t tell me you know every single thing about me.” I used my hands to cover my face. I am literally shy yet creep out right now. Parati ba niya akong pinagmamasdan? May camera ba siyang nilagay sa kwarto ko?!

“No, not everything.” I breathe out a small relief. Marami akong kagagahang ginawa pagkatapos kong ma-discharged sa ospital. I regretted going to clubs with my friends. Partying— a little bit of drinking got me haywire. I knew for the fact that I was breaking my Papa’s laws, but it was just a one time thing. I hated how my five years lost of consciousness got me way out of league. Months of therapeutic procedures, thankfully I regained some of my memories and health. I was homeschooled then when I step on college, that’s where everything turned into chaos that I wouldn’t allow to happen again.

Then silence filled the whole room. None of us talk anymore.

“Gagi ang awkward.” I mumbled out of control. I facepalmed hoping he didn’t hear it. Yet a few seconds.

I heard him chuckle.

“S—orry, hindi talaga ako marunong makipag-kwento pag may kasamang babae.”

He said while holding his laugh, preventing to piss me off. Instead of getting pissed, I found myself surprised.

My eyes we’re widened the same as my mouth is. Marunong pala siyang mag-tagalog?! I started punching his shoulder which made him laugh even more.

“Gago ka! Pinahirapan mo pa ako! Akala ko talaga magiging American citizen na ako buumbuhay! “

“You should’ve asked me!” he said, still laughing like I was the stupidest person ever. I continued punching his shoulder till I was satisfied. I saw how his eyes squinted while his smiling from ear to ear. Now I notice how much handsome he is while laughing rather than being serious. Bakit bigla nalang nag-iba? Kanina kinasusuklaman ko ang pagkatao niya. Pero ngayon, nandito ako sa tabi niya tumatawa. Is this a sign that I have to agree to his play pretend?

“You should laugh more, Caelus.” I honestly complimented referring to his smile. I saw how he flinched when I called him Caelus, which made me wonder why.

“Hindi mo gusto tawagin kitang Caelus?” He was taken back before I watched how he shook his head.

“Nah…It’s just that— you reminded me of someone I knew.”

He replied as he raised from sitting on the bed. I can see an emotion of yearning on his eyes which felt like stabs on my body. I didn’t want to entertain that kind of feeling since it’s dangerous for me to be worried or curious about someone else’s life.

“I think you should sleep. Feel at home, Iona.” He muttered walking to the open door. I was telling my own opinion and sorrow to Tia Elena, I never expected that he would come to my room after what happened a while ago. I lay on the bed and tucked the blanket below my torso.

“If you don’t want to play pretend with me, it’s fine. Wala akong pakialam sa pera kung mababayaran mo ba yun kapag may pagkakataong gusto mo nang maging malaya. My house isn’t a jail ,Iona.” He stop then tilt his head to gaze me. He had this wry smile that I took notice.

“But as a father who wants to see his child build a family. I couldn’t take that away from my father. If ever you change your mind. Just let me know.” He mumbled before closing the door.

Minutes turned to hours. Now my conscience is tearing me apart because of what he said. Hindi ako makatulog sa sinabi niyang iyon. So his dad wants to see him have a family of his own. That’s why he offered her a play-pretend marriage. But that would even tore her conscience apart if ever his dad finds out that it was all fake. That it was all a lie.

Just like what I did earlier, shoving my head on my pillow. Praying god to help me fall asleep.

Thankfully, God heard my prayers.

“Iona! Your parents are looking for you.” I saw a silhouette walking towards me. I noticed that his wearing an expensive suit which suits him well.

“ Wait—who are you?” I asked confusedly while standing. He replied with only a smile escaping from his lips. I wrinkled my forehead hoping that he would answer me. I wanted to see clearly his face, but the light was too bright that I couldn’t.

“It’s me, Iona. It’s me your Tesoro.” He said as he offered his hand for me. His hand feels soft and comfy to hold on to.

“Amore mio.”

I breathe heavily as I woke up. Then I roam my eyes on the entire empty room. I sighed in relief. Panaginip lang pala. It actually felt real in my dreams, how he called me, how his hand feels so soft pressing mine. It was my first time, dreaming about a man. I shook of my head and stood up from the bed. I need water… like I felt thirsty after that dream.

Its still dark outside as I gaze at the open window. I quietly went outside, carefully preventing to wake them up. The whole house was dark, nothing but some streak of light coming from the rooms. I began walking to the kitchen, just a few steps away when I heard ruffle and footsteps then a switch-sound coming from the kitchen. I was curious who it was.

But I am starting to regret peeking when I saw Caelus. Caelus who is half naked in front of me while drinking a glass of wine. He’s half naked, Iona! I want to punch myself for not leaving. I am still peeking at him! Those eight-pack abs of his caught my full attention. His body is a masterpiece. I wouldn’t deny how attractive he was on his Calvin Klein’s. I’m openly minded about different parts of a person’s body. But it is exciting when your seeing it live and in full detail!

“Amore mio—” I heard him say before sipping the wine left on his glass. He was about to leave so I hurriedly went back to my room. Still thirsty but better yet, hungry this time.