CHAPTER 6: PLAYING WIFEY

Celine

I leaned against the balcony of the time-kissed Gray villa, surrounded by acres of land, my grip firm on the cold steel railing. From where I stood, I could clearly see the beautiful olive groves, green cypress trees, and vast vineyards, creating an ambiance that was supposed to feel peaceful and homely, yet somehow missing that presence.

Today was more shitty than any other day. I had gotten an email early this morning from one of the colleges I'd applied to in New York that I'd gotten admitted with a partial scholarship. But I had to give that up because I was trapped here….in this gilded cage. If only Armando hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't be here. I would have been living my dreams. I'd never be able to forgive him for ruining my life.

“What are you doing over there?” Antonio's domineering voice came from behind me, polluting this serene moment.

I turned, my mood souring even more as my eyes landed on his rooted frame by the entrance of the balcony.

My happiest moments were when he was away at work. But the minute he returned home, it felt like a thousand tiny insects were crawling up my skin. Even though he had some of his bodyguards watching me like a hawk, it couldn't compare to his nauseating presence. I hated it even more that I had to share a room with this grumpy man. Now I have to see his annoying face wherever I look, and also deal with his arrogant attitude.

“That's dangerous,” he added. “Move away before you hurt yourself.”

“Why do you care?” I muttered rhetorically as I released my grip from the railing and slid past him into our bedroom. I wasn't in the mood to deal with his nagging. Not today.

“I don't,” he responded, trailing behind me. “I just don't want you dying on me before paying up.”

I whirled around to face him, a scoff escaping my lips.

“Change into that,” he instructed, tilting his head towards a black diamond-studded dress lying prettily on the bed.

“What's that for?” I questioned, eyeing the dress suspiciously. He had already gotten enough clothes for me in accordance to his taste. I wasn't even given a chance to bring over my own stuff the day I was literally bundled here like a common thief. Everything I needed was provided for by the servants on his orders. Even down to my underwear.

“We're going to have lunch with some important business investors,” he explained.

“Could you at least spare me a minute of torture?” I said in an exasperated tone, shooting daggers at him with my eyes. “Why do I have to sit through your boring company meeting?”

“It's a casual lunch, not a meeting,” he retorted.

“Whatever,” I blurted. “Lunch, meeting, same ish.”

“They insisted I bring you along,” he said, his voice annoyingly calm yet I could sense the building irritation simmering underneath. “Do you honestly think I’m doing this because I enjoy your company?”

“Well, thank heavens!” I exclaimed in dramatic humour. “For the first time we actually agree on something.”

His eyes shut lazily, his jaw tightening as though he was forcing himself to stay calm. Then they swung open, a slow exhale escaping his nose. “You're such a handful, you know that?” he said, his tone barely masking his frustration.

“Says the arrogant jerk,” I shot back. “Can’t handle a little girl like me? Why don't you let me go then?”

“Would you just wear the damn clothes already?” he said as he let out a tired sigh, rubbing his forehead.

“I will,” I remarked. “but just so you know, I'm not doing it because you asked me to.”

He scoffed slightly as his hand fell to the side, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

I walked up to the bedside and grabbed the dress, his eyes on me as I did. “Well?” I snapped. “Are you going to watch me change?”

He shook his head like he had given up entirely, and turned away without a word, disappearing out of the room.

One minute we were out of the villa for lunch and the next, Antonio, Matteo and I were heading out of the elevator of the five star restaurant with all three of the Arab investors. It was just the six of us today. No bodyguards and whatnot, which was something Antonio did once in a while, especially when he had to meet very important people.

The Lunch had lasted for about 3 hours, the most part of it spent on rich men chit-chat, almost boring me to death. So much for a casual lunch. I nitpicked at my food the whole time, barely able to stomach anything, and the ever-observant Antonio hadn't failed to notice, his eyes subtly flickering to me every now and then.

Somewhere along the line the conversation diverted to a more casual one. The Arabs seemed very family orientated, doing everything to ensure I wasn't left out of a discussion I didn't even want to be a part of. I had contemplated feigning a headache to get away but my plans were soiled as they went on and on, asking questions about my family background, how and where Antonio and I first met, and when we were planning on having our own kids.

Someone get me a fucking bowl to barf in.

Antonio on the other hand kept cutting in to answer their questions on my behalf, telling them how reserved I was and didn't like talking much just to shut me up from revealing the disgusting truth behind our supposed marriage. Thank heavens I was an expert at managing my anger in public spaces or I would have messed this up so badly for him. I could never really understand why anyone in their right minds would want to do business with a mafia who murders people, whether or not he was a great businessman, but what do I know?

Now we were heading down to the second floor which was a luxurious mall, where Antonio proceeded to show the investors the best stores to get souvenirs for their families back home like a sweet little host. Whereas I was forced to walk beside them like the perfect wifey, wearing a plastic smile.

God! These heels were killing me, but I couldn't even take them off. All this glam and glitz wasn't my thing, but I had to adapt to it all because of that control freak, Antonio.

Soon enough, we were finally outside, saying our goodbyes.

As the flashy cars of the investors drifted off, my eyes locked with a man peeking behind a pillar ahead. He averted his gaze, quickly ducking behind the wall. Although it was for a fleeting second, I could still make out his face. I'd been seeing that same man everywhere we went. From the lobby, to the restaurant, to the mall, and now outside. I'd even caught him staring a couple of times. Something about him just felt off. Being around Antonio had made me somewhat alert. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

“What's wrong?” Antonio’s voice hurled me out of my trance, my head snapping up to meet his gaze. His brows were furrowed, his eyes carefully assessing me.

“I thought I….” My words hung in the air. “You know what, never mind.” I brushed it off. “It's probably nothing.”

“Get in,” he said, holding the passenger door open for me. I slid into the car seat absentmindedly, my anxious eyes wandering. He leaned down, tucking the dangling hem of my gown inside before shutting it.

Matteo tossed the car keys to him, and Antonio turned around to the driver's side. As he yanked the door open and dropped behind the wheel, Matteo hurried over to the other car behind.

In less than 45 minutes we were driving through the vast acres of land that led to the main gate of the villa. Suddenly the car came to an abrupt stop and I was thrown forward, the seatbelt straps holding me back in place.

“Are we getting down here?” I asked as my eyes scanned the area in confusion. The car behind had also halted, Matteo already out.

“Stay in the car,” Antonio ordered as he pulled out the gun he always carried around from his suit jacket, throwing the door open.

“Wha…what's going on?” I asked in agitation as he got out, shutting the door against me. “Where’re you going?” I questioned, watching through the rearview mirror as he hit a man hard on the head with the back of his gun while Mattoe firmly held him down, bringing him to his knees. I got a clear glimpse of the man's hardened face and I recognised him as the person I had locked eyes with earlier.

That was when it registered.

Of course Antonio had also noticed him tailing us. There’s no way he wouldn’t have when he was always on high alert. He probably didn't attack at the restaurant because of the investors.

Without warning, a loud bang rang out in the air, startling me. I flinched in my seat, my head ducking in reflex. After less than a second I lifted my head cautiously, my gaze on them as Antonio’s raised hand lowered from the air with the gun he was holding, his eyes holding no mercy as he aimed it at the man's head.

“No,” I muttered under my breath, my eyes widening with terror.

I knew what was coming next.

There was no way I would sit here and let him kill someone.

I uncuffed the seatbelt around me and rushed out of the car, diving headfirst into the scene, and I instantly regretted my impulsive actions.

“Who sent you?!” was the last thing I heard Antonio growl before another man sprinted out from behind some bushes, angling his gun at me.

I froze with wide eyes, fear paralysing me in place.

“Celine,” Matteo called out in panic as he spotted the 2nd man coming at me with full force. And at the same time, Antonio’s head quickly snapped from the man on his knees to me, horror flashing in his eyes. He spun around in urgency, and with a swift movement he raised his gun in my direction, and BANG!!

A scream tore out from my throat as the gunshot echoed in the air, the 2nd man dropping to the ground as his head blew up like a watermelon right in front of me. My body jerked in reflex, my eyes squeezing shut as his warm blood splattered across my face. I jerked again as another gunshot rang out almost simultaneously, my eyeballs hurting as my eyes squeezed even tighter.

Silence descended, the only sound, the loud thumping of my heart.