CHAPTER 9Ariella I did not expect Luis to be such a jerk; after all, he is a moron. I needed to fix my hair and went to Kendy for help; I was curious why such a sweet and understanding woman would want to be in this hell of a mansion. What am I even saying? It is a mansion, after all, and who would not want to live in one unless it was me who felt suffocated here? When Luis dragged me out of Kendy's room, I witnessed his brutality.I did not have anything against the Delucas, even though they think they run Atlanta, but now that I have been forced to marry Luis, I believe my hatred has begun. I hope Emma can help me get out of this marriage, but how will I explain to Dad that I was forced? He might have a heart attack or something, which I can not afford to cause because he will think my life is in danger.I was still deep in thought when I heard a knock on my door and asked the person to come in. I did not have to guess who it was because the moment I saw her—Kendy—a smile appeared
CHAPTER 10Ariella Looks like all the men in this mansion really like getting their way with women. How could a man like Marcus even try to get anywhere close to me after all that bad stuff I've heard of him? Forcing girls into stripping and sometimes taking people's girlfriends away in front of them. How wicked could that be? I was still lost in my thoughts when the door opened and Kendy walked in. “Mrs. Deluca good morning I hope you had a great night would you—"“No, I'm fine. I'll have breakfast at Emma's house. You can get busy with something else, OK," I cut her off, but she gave me a terrified look.“Emma?" she asked, looking surprised."Yes, that is my buddy. We have an assignment together, so I will dine at her apartment, and you can just get busy with anything else," I answered, pulling my hair into a ponytail.“OK but have you asked for permission from Mr. Deluca?" she questioned."I am not his slave or anything; I have rights and won't—I mean, why should I do that—?”I wa
CHAPTER 11Ariella I just want to smack Luis hard, but by the time my palm touches his cheek, I will be dead. It is unbelievable that he had to bring me to the office to ask why I wanted to go study at Emma's apartment; he clearly did not understand what I was attempting to accomplish. "Are you sure you are just going to study?" he inquired, staring deeply into my eyes."Yes, I am, and I do not believe it is a huge issue since I am suffocating here," I responded, regretting my words because they may put me in serious trouble."I realize you are getting comfortable, but I would encourage you to watch your mouth because I will not be as kind next time," he cautioned, and I simply nodded as I walked out of his office after he dismissed me.I pondered what I had done to marry such a vicious monster. Death is the only thing that comes to mind when I stand near him, and dread occasionally gets the best of me, but I can not afford to appear weak. "Have you said your goodbyes to hubby?" Anni
CHAPTER 12Ariella Despite my deep-seated terror, I was unable to display it when the demon appeared at the door. I exited the vehicle as Luis opened the door and his security carried my bag inside. He was quite agitated about something. He told his sister, "Annie, go to your room," while I pondered what might come next. I stood there watching as he walked closer. "Are you aware that you are late?" he inquired, his tone composed despite the heated expression on his face.“No, but —" “Yes or damn no?" he cut me off.“Look here, Mr. Deluca, I understand that you're a Mafia and have rules, but I…I just want to leave my life and be free from all this misery,” I said not caring what would happen next."What makes you think that what is mine can decide to leave its way?” he asked, staring deep into my eyes."I have rights, and I will not stay here forever," I stated confidently."Ms. Lawyer, you can reserve your confidence for later and go freshen up, OK,? I have business to attend to,"
CHAPTER 13Ariella Only God knows what would have happened if that beast didn't get distracted. I've made up my mind to stay in this mansion, so I'll just escape when everyone is asleep. I have been here for a while now so I can do it without getting noticed. I packed my books and placed my bag on the rug. Everything in here doesn't belong to me, not even the expensive clothes.Luis bought everything in here and I'm not taking what's not mine as it's unethical. I took a seat on my bed and dialed Emma's number. “Arie…are you OK?” she asked immediately after picking up my call."Yes, I need you to do me a favor," I said, hoping she wouldn't say no.“Come on, it's late, can't I do it tomorrow?" she responded."I want to stay at your apartment and then figure out how to get home tomorrow," I added.She said, "What?! I mean, what happened to you staying at the Deluca's?”"I can not be here much longer. Therefore, I am leaving when everyone goes to sleep," I clarified."OK but is it safe?
CHAPTER 14Luis The rule is simple: submit or face my wrath, but Ariella seems to be getting more stubborn by the day. I tried to give her some privacy by having her stay in a separate room, but she has begun to plot her escape, so I can not let her stay in there any longer now that Marcus dares to enter her room.I avoided the Golden Room since it had been designed exclusively for me and my wife. Knowing how competent Ariella has grown, I can not keep her in my room since it has a lot of lethal objects, and most of the ladies I bring home come here for pleasure.I needed to prepare the Golden Room, so I spent time with Ariella there. Maybe she wants to know why I'm feared by many. The door opened and someone walked in slowly behind me. Everyone else was barred from entering except Annie and the maids, so I knew she was there."I hope you'll enjoy your new room," I murmured, turning to face Ariella, who appeared to be lost in concentration, her eyes analyzing everything in the room.
CHAPTER 15Ariella "Calm down, I am still trying to figure out what to do," I said quietly to Emma as we stood in the toilet."So you're telling me that that man will follow you everywhere?" She questioned, referring to the guard Luis had assigned to watch after me."Do not worry about him, Emma; my independence is what is important here; please assist me," I pleaded, clasping her hands."OK, but take it easy; Luis is a very dangerous man who may take both of us out if he finds out we are preparing to send him to jail," Emma explained, but I couldn't care less about what Luis would do.We stepped out of the restroom, and everyone stared at me in dread. It's as if I was some threat or something. We entered the classroom and displayed our project before moving on to the next topic. I was trying so hard to concentrate, but my mind kept sliding. What will happen to my career if I keep the monster's surname?I was still deep in contemplation when I saw that everyone had left, leaving Emm
CHAPTER 16Enrico I can't believe that Ariella had the nerve to walk out on me. I could not even instruct my guys to stop her because her guard would show up and we would all be in danger. It is not that I am afraid of Luis or anything, but I just need something more steady, and I have a terrific opportunity today. Both Luis and Ariella will be sorry they messed with me.The door opened, and Ariella's father entered. I watched him put his coat on the bed before clearing my mouth. He turned around and couldn't believe it was me. I could tell how angry he was solely from the frown lines on his face, but that did not matter. I needed his damn help."Mr. Johnson, it is so great to see you again," I replied, offering to shake his hand, but he declined.“Enrico what do you want?" he responded.“Mr. Johnson you do not have to be so serious, you know. Shaking my hand does not kill," I smiled, but the old guy maintained his solemn expression."I will not ask you again, young man," he remarke
CHAPTER 41Ariella Dinner was over and I surely felt like an outcast. Everyone was ecstatic, expressing their joy for Hope returning to Georgia. I had to pretend to grin every time they looked at me, but I was unable to maintain the act, so I left for my room a little early. I don't know why I was picturing myself in Hope.The laughing, the love, and the sensation of being secure with everyone she cared about. That was how I felt around my small family until I started pursuing my aspirations and everyone started chasing me.Knock. Knock. Knock.I heard a knock on my door and instantly requested Annie to come in since I knew it was her.“Hey is everything OK?" I asked, attempting to fake a smile."I am OK, but you are not. I will not go until you tell me what happened," she added, staring at me."Come on, hey, I'm OK. It's nothing; I'm just feeling a little tired,” I lied."Nice effort, but I am not buying it, Ariella. You can talk to me; you know I want to help, even if it is only a
CHAPTER 40Ariella That was terrible, and all I could do was swallow hard and grin every time Luis' daughter said, "Right Aunt?"Aunt? So I'm now Luis' daughter's Aunt. We had barely arrived home when the automobile suddenly stopped. “Daddy what's happening?" she asked Luis."I guess Uncle David will go find out, honey," Luis said as David hopped out of the car.“OK Aunt Ariella, do you have a daughter?" she asked me."No, honey, I do not have one yet," I said with a smile."OK, I assumed you had one, so I could play with them whenever Daddy goes to work," she said with a smile."Well, I will play with you instead, so do not worry," I responded.“You?" she asked with shock written all over her face.“Yes, is there a problem?" I reacted.“No, let's hear what Daddy has to say," she turned to Luis."Are you sure about this princess?” He inquired, perhaps hoping she would say no."Yes, I would be happy to have a playmate since Aunt Kendy is constantly busy with housework, Emily feels li
CHAPTER 39Ariella “Are you sure that's how the bullet was found?" Luis asked David."Yes, Boss, and there is no way we can delete the proof that it is yours," David said as I put my ear tighter against the door."Damn it, maybe you should contact the chemist; there is nothing science can not hide," Luis replied, and my heart rate quickened.I've been right this whole time! Luis is responsible for my father's murder and is now attempting to cover it up. I am not going to let such a thing happen. This beast has to go to jail, and I will make certain of it."Come here, I need you to bury this," he said to David, and I suspiciously opened the door."Madam,” David bowed his head."Sorry I…I just wanted to come tell you that —" "I have been monitoring you on video the entire time. Are you attempting to spy on me?” Luis inquired as I was busy figuring out how to defend myself.“No, come on, why would I do that?" I asked with a confident look."David, please excuse us," Luis murmured to Da
CHAPTER 38AriellaI feel terrible that the NGO nearly watched the shooting of two vicious beasts fighting over a woman who does not love either of them. I thought I was free, but now I am very sure that the beast has a tracker on me, and the worst part is that I do not know where it is. My books, body, pens, and even combs.When I went to the NGO, I just wanted to spend some time with the kids because my mother used to take me there as a youngster whenever we were free. I got to play with the kids and sometimes assist with serving. But I had not been there in a while, and just as I got there, I ran into Enrico, who was giving me some items.I could see that the caretakers and kids were afraid, yet they accepted his donations. When he attempted to strike up a discussion with me, I made an effort to keep diverting from him, but even that failed when Luis entered."Madam, you have not eaten breakfast; do you want me to cook you something?" Kendy asked with a smile."No, I am OK," I said
CHAPTER 37Luis I suspected Ariella was up to something, but her collaboration with Marcus was unexpected. I have been asking her to explain what she meant by truth, but she simply told me not to worry. Sometimes I feel like marrying this woman was a bad idea. She's driving me to my grave."Ariella Johnson, will you speak up, or do you want me to make you speak up?" I inquired about seizing her arm, recalling that she was already in agony."I will talk, OK? I was just asking Marcus to teach me how to shoot because I want to be excellent at it," she explained.“Why?!" I'm her husband, not him.“Huh? I am thinking of going hunting in the woods sometime," she said, smiling."Look, I am not joking; either you tell me or I deal with you in the best way I see fit," I threatened her immediately."Luis, please, I already told you the truth; you can go ask Marcus," she pleaded, and I hurried out of my room to meet the frog—Marcus.I stormed into his room and grabbed him from his chair. “Lui
CHAPTER 36Ariella I can not believe that beast of a man locked me in here without a second thought simply because he feels I am to blame for his sister getting drunk at the party. I assumed she was going to have fun with Emma but not go to that level, but I was mistaken. I tried calling Emma and Annie, but neither of them wanted to answer.I tried Kendy's, and she picked it up. "Kendy, please tell Luis to come open the door; I am late for something," I pleaded, but she did not appear to hear anything.“Hello, hello can you hear me?" She responded, and I was weary of repeating what I had told her, so I decided to continue banging from the inside.I became exhausted and walked to the balcony, but nobody was there, and the guards could not hear me.I was ready to give up hope when Luis and David walked out. Just as he was about to get into the car, I threw water on him from above, and I could not believe how quickly David pointed the pistol in my direction before putting it back whe
CHAPTER 35Luis This woman is becoming a hazard, and I am not sure why I am showing her so much sympathy. After all that transpired, she is just being normal, if not a little strange.I just hope there's nothing I don't know about. I have seen her partly nude several times and must agree that she has great form, but what she looked like in the dress simply stole my breath away.Ariella is damn gorgeous.When we arrived at the Red Rose event, I did not anticipate her agreeing to play Chess with a McDonald's maid, but what surprised me much more was that she beat that Monica woman.Something difficult for anybody to perform, even after several efforts. I wanted to congratulate her, but I was not ready to seem foolish.‘I'm your wife not some damn slave!” her words echoed in my head."Boss, we are home," David announced, and I immediately got out of the car to open the door for Ariella, who was furious."Please excuse me," she murmured as she stepped into the house, and I followed her,
CHAPTER 34Ariella Monica sat on the opposite side of the table, flashing me a nasty smirk. Simply glancing at her, one could tell she was dressed boldly. The chandeliers illuminated the space, and I could tell Luis was worried, though it was not evident.I've studied my devil husband."Too bad it looks like you are ready to lose when we are still not well into the game," Monica said coyly."Confidence without prudence is a hazardous habit in our world, especially when it comes from someone unfamiliar with Newton's third law, don't you think?" I replied looking into her eyes."It is not that essential anyway, I am far better at these than you would ever believe, so do yourself a favor and surrender," Monica grinned as she moved her knight."I enjoy the attitude; I only hope it lasts," I reacted, keeping my eyes on the board and moving my bishop.“Take a look at that sweetie," I added."Hmm, pretty good for a beginning, but pros do not worry," Monica grins as she scans the board."I a
CHAPTER 33Ariella “What have you done?!" Luis questioned in a gruff tone, but I had to remain cool and appear as if it did not shake my feet.“Seriously now? I thought you knew you are not just my husband but also a wonderful brother, so let your sister live her life and enjoy the world beyond these walls," I said, going to walk away when he took my hand.“Uhmm would you like anything?" I asked."We will be attending an occasion tonight; prepare to meet my designer and appear like my wife or else—""Will there ever be a day when you stop threatening me?" I cut him off before walking away.I made my way upstairs and met Marcus at Kendy's door. “Arie…—”"Please get rid of that smile I have not forgotten about our bargain yet, so get ready because I will need you tonight," I remarked before walking away.I entered my room and shut the door before standing in front of the mirror and taking a deep breath. I stroked my cheek and gently brushed away the tears that had made my eyesight clou