Chapter 18
1091 Words
I was still staring at the suitcase by my door when his car pulled up. My phone buzzed.
"I'm outside. Don’t make me come carry you"
Dante.
My fingers were shaking on the zip of my small bag cos a part of me felt like I was still lying to myself. I opened the door and there he was, leaning against the car in a grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up. There was no driver today.
His gaze held mine before slowly moving down, from my face, down to my ankles, then back up to my lips.
“Can you stop checking me out?” I muttered and he cleared his throat.
"You packed yet?" he asked, but he looked past me to the tiny handbag I was holding.
"I can’t"
He didn’t argue and just opened the door for me.
"Get in, Alessia"
The car smelled like his perfume and I did as he asked and shut the door in his face. When I got in, he didn’t start the engine right away.
He turned to me and pointed to the black SUV behind our car.
"I made the driver and bodyguard drive in the other car cause I wanted us to be alone. I thought you would have something to say"
I didn't have anything to say. I was only reminded of the fact that two weeks ago I was worried and making calculations for my son and my aunt.
Now I was in Dante’s car wondering if I made the right or wrong decision. My aunt kept calling after she saw the pictures online yesterday but I didn't want to talk about it yet. I kept thinking of Leo.
What would he think of his mum? Dante cleared his throat as he started the car.
“You’re thinking too loud” he stepped on the brakes and soon we were out of there.
The car was silent for a while. I looked out of the window and didn’t bother about him. Then he reached over, took my hand off my lap, and laced his fingers through mine.
"Alessia, please." His voice was low and his tone pleading, “Pack into my house today"
I tried to remove my hands from his but he didn’t let me.
“That was not our agreement”
"You're my wife” I scoffed.
My mind was running haywire. I wanted to stay, remain married to him and live with him and our son. But that was a huge decision and there was the fact I hadn’t told him he had a son. It felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff.
“After the stunt at the restaurant, people will start talking. The board, my uncle, everyone. It would be unbelievable that my wife isn’t living with me”
"The board? Why? Isn't it only important that we show up as husband and wife?"
"No, it's important that you're in my house and my….bed" he said it plainly that I almost choked.
Then all of a sudden he pulled the car to a stop, undid his seat and leaned over. Before I could grasp what was going on, he kissed me but it was only for a moment.
"Be my wife. Not just on paper and on the screens”
I couldn’t answer. But my yes was stuck in my throat.
We didn’t say anything to each other for the rest of the ride. We arrived at his company. We walked in together.
"You’re the CEO’s wife, keep your head high” he whispered.
I smiled briefly when the security joined us and they echoed a good morning to both of us. The reception floor went dead quiet when we walked in then the whispers started.
"Is that her?"
"She's really beautiful in person"
"She looks familiar too"
What are they saying? I look beautiful from the pictures online too. A talk man walked in our direction stopping directly in front of us.
“Good morning Mr and Mrs Aquila”
Mrs.
I didn’t remember being treated like this in the early days of our marriage. Dante squeezed my waist and I looked at him.
“Morning, Mr Jack . Clear my schedule for lunch. I’m taking my wife out"
He said 'my wife' like it was a title he’d been waiting to use.
The minute we were in his office, my back was against the door and Dante was kissing me like a hungry, possessed wolf. I pushed him away.
“You’re moving too fast Dante”
“I’m sorry, I was caught off guard” I raised my brows.
“Caught off guard indeed. You have a b***r” I muttered and he smirked.
"That’s what happens whenever I’m around you. Now, the whole world has seen us together” he said with so much excitement. He was like a child who had been given he’s favorite candy.
That morning, he dragged me to the boardroom to sign off on a deal. I didn’t know his plan but I went.
"Gentlemen, my wife, Mrs. Alessia Aquila will be consulted on all community impact projects going forward"
They all turned to me and they must have seen the shock on my face. Dante just smiled at me.
The family photo on one side of the wall caught my attention. It was a picture of Dante, his late dad and mum. It made me think of Leo. I wanted him here. I wanted him to have a complete family.
I excused myself and went to the bathroom and cried for three minutes. Then I fixed my lipstick and came back out. The meeting had ended and Dante suggested that we go for lunch. He held my hand even though I tried to protest. The press was already waiting outside.
Cameras flashed as the glass door opened and Dante pulled me closer, tilted my chin up, and kissed me. Right there on the steps of the big building. Someone whistled and I heard a woman.
“She's so lucky"
No, he's the lucky one, I thought
We walked down together, to the car when something from across the street caught my attention. Someone wearing dark glasses and they had red hair.
Immediately she saw me, she smiled and drove away. My blood went cold and Dante must have felt me stiffen.
"What?”
I was too stunned to speak. I just slipped my hand into his and held on tighter.
Maybe I was overthinking it and she was nobody.
- Writer
