The Billionaire’s Ex-wife

Chapter 19

The car engine was started and the driver zoomed off with Dante's hand never leaving mine.

"What happened?” He asked. I looked at him in confusion.

“Ummm…what are you talking about?” My voice sounded small even to me. He rubbed the watch on his wrist and smiled.

“I know what your face looks like when something is troubling you or have you forgotten” I nodded absent minded.

I was contemplating on telling him or not. I thought about it and decided to investigate on my own. If she was going to cause harm then I would find out myself.

“Nothing” I said with a smile but it didn’t look like he believed me.

“Don’t d…” he started but I put a finger over his lips cutting the rest of his words.

"I’m fine Dante. Let’s just go and enjoy ourselves” he didn’t respond.

We got to a very fancy restaurant and the gates were opened the car came to a stop. His security was already on edge. We walked into a private dinning room up and the table was already set. Steaming jollof rice grilled chicken, and desserts on the side.

The chef walked in with a smile, bowed to greet us and placed plates in front of us. It made me wonder if Dante also owned this place.

I started eating and halfway into the food, I caught him watching me. His eyes held a hint of amusement, like he enjoyed watching me eat.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked suddenly uncomfortable.

“Can’t I watch my wife eat?” I scoffed.

“No need for the act Dante, we are alone here or have you forgotten?”

“Still…I need to appreciate beauty. Can’t I?” I rolled my eyes at him. We continued eating in silence and when we finished, Dante wiped my mouth with his thumb with a smile.

“What’s really going on, Dante? You’re acting too sweet” I said dropping the napkin.

"I’m trying to be sweet. Is that not a good thing?”

“It just feels weird and moreover you don’t need to prove anything to me. We are divorced and only playing married couples for whatever reason you want”

“What if that’s not what I want?”

The question was like a bomb. I wanted to say something but only a gasp left my mouth.

“Let’s just go home. I don’t want us to fight”

After the bill had been cleared, Dante took my hand, opened the door for me too. The moment we were inside I turned to him.

"Are you dropping me off at home now?"

"No, Alessia. I thought we agreed on staying together now"

"Don't play with me!” He laughed softly and turned to me

“What do I do to bring you back home?"

Home? Home is where my son, Leo is.

"Nothing. Just drop me off at my place"

"Okay, one more place to go. After that, I promise to drop you safely at home”

“Okay”

"We'd be attending a conference tomorrow so let's pick out few items"

“Hmmm"

Minutes later, we pulled up at the same place that rejected me weeks ago.

"I’m not going in” I said, staring at the door

"You are” Dante said, squeezing my wrist. And you’re coming out looking like you own the building”

The guards opened the car door and we walked into the building The assistant recognized him instantly. Her eyes flicked to me, did the quick math, and landed on confused.

"Welcome, Mr Aquila" She bowed slightly. “Monsieur Deveaureux isn’t in today..."

"Good. Not her to see him” Dante cut her off "Private room, please"

I followed him down the hall clutching my bag. The private room was decorated with champagne, mirrors everywhere, racks of fabric that cost more than my monthly rent.

"Sit, baby" Dante said, dropping into the velvet couch. He turned to the assistant

“My wife wants to see the latest collections"

I saw a cream pantsuit and I walked to the rack and pulled it out. It looked professional, like something I would be comfortable in. The assistant brought an emerald gown next.

"This would look good on you, Ma”

I went to the changing room in it and put it on. It had a high slit that stopped at the mid-thigh and the neckline was too low.

The dress was very beautiful but it was also provocative.

"Stop hiding, I know you look so good in it" Dante said from outside the door.

"I'm not..…"

"You are. Come out"

I stepped out of the room and his eyes went dark. His eyes moved over my body then back to my face.

"We’ll take this one” he said

"Oh no, the slit is too much”

"Good. They’ll be too distracted to argue with me at the conference"

He was smiling when the door to the private room slammed open.

The French man.

He didn't look any where else, his eyes slid over me like I was inventory.

"Ah, Mr Dante" he said, not even pretending to be surprised “I heard you were here" His eyes landed on me

“Alessia, no? The girl from weeks ago. The manager applicant"

My stomach dropped. Dante stood up slowly

“Watch your mouth, Deveaureux"

He smiled, taking in the gown, the bags, the way Dante an was standing between me and the door

“No need to be territorial. I’m just saying..." He looked me up and down, walked closer and whispered.

“Got a rich toy now? Last time you were seeking a job that paid less than the dress you have on right now. What changed? The bed?”

The room went quiet. Even the assistant stopped breathing. Something in Dante's face went cold and he walked forward until he was inches from Deveaureux.

“You have ten seconds to apologize to my wife before I beat the s**t out of you” Deveaureux blinked.

“Wife?”

“Yes, my wife. So you better apologize this instant if you still want to keep your job” Dante said. Deveaureux face went white. He looked at me, really looked, and saw it.

“I….” he swallowed "Madame Aquila…I am sorry. I did not mean to insult you”

"Apology accepted” I simply said. Deveaureux mouth opened and closed and Dante turned to me

“You done here? I can have other dresses delivered to you” I nodded, walked back into the room to take out the dress while the assistant packed it.

As we walked out, Deveaureux called after me

“Madame! Wait..”

But, I didn't stop. In the car, I exhaled for the first time in ten minutes.

“You didn’t have to do that” I said.

“And let him insult you?” Dante was angry.

“I actually went there to look for a job and I didn’t get it. I thought you were the reason though”

He didn’t say anything as we went back. I knew he was mad.

“You think I didn’t see your face when he called you a rich toy?” he asked “You shrank. Like he still had power over you. I don’t want you to be afraid of anyone”

“I’m not afraid of him. He doesn’t have any power over me either. I only went there for a job which I didn’t get” I said with a shrug.

“I caused it. And I'm really sorry about that”

“It’s fine” He loosened his tie a bit and cleared his throat

“That gown though. I can't wait to see you walk into that dinner like you own it"

I didn’t respond and only smiled. I was already thinking about the dinner and somehow scared.

We got to my house and the engine stopped. The driver offered to help me put the bags inside but I refused. Leo's picture was hanging in the living room. I was not taking any chance.

“I'll carry them myself”

Dante kissed my forehead and stepped out of the car with me. I stopped him.

“You’re not coming in either”

“Yeah, I just wanted to escort you to the door” he smiled. “But next time I will. Maybe spend a weekend here since you don’t want to stay in my house”

“I told you not yet”

When we reached the door, he leaned in and kissed me. I kissed him back and I didn’t know how long we stayed like that until he stopped

"Go inside before I take you on the door step” he said against my mouth and I chuckled.

“That would never happen”

“Never say never” he said with a wink.

“See you tomorrow, Dante” I said with a smile.

“I can’t wait”