2

CHAPTER 2

The ride back to his home is one of the longest ever. I literally press myself into my seat, trying hard not to feel depressed as I think of how I always thought I would have a magnificent wedding. 

Now, I am sitting in my husband's car, drenched in blood in my sister's wedding dress. 

This sucks, my whole life sucks.

And the deathly silence in the car isn't helping a bit. 

Dermos is seated beside me and pretending that I don't exist, while Carlos drives the car, a Tesla. 

The silence gets to me until I can't stand it anymore. My head slowly turns to look at him, my husband.

I see now that he is buried in his phone. 

“Are we close?” I can't help but ask. The dress is sticky and itchy, plus the idea of someone's blood drying on me makes me want to puke.

“Soon be there, Mrs Salvatore,” Carlos responds while Dermos doesn't even move an inch as if he didn't hear a single word I said.

Instead, he remains deep into what he is typing on his phone, not even sparing me a glance.

I take that as my cue to shut up. Slowly letting my body slide down the seat, I once again turn my head to stare out the window.

The road is empty, devoid of life, just endless green trees. Lord knows where he is taking me to. 

Will I ever become who I have always dreamed of being? Will I ever open my boutique? Or is my life as Ariel Hannah Boone over?

I don't get to think too much when the car swerves. The buzzing sound of a giant gate pulling open has me sitting up straight.

“Whoaaa!!” I can't help the gasp that escapes my lips at the sight before me.

It's a freaking mansion. The whole place is like an estate, the building is so big and painted completely cream in colour with some gold streaks attached to it. As we drive in the long concrete aisle filled with guards on both sides, in front, I see a big fountain; it's so large I can't help but gasp.

The whole place is so beautiful, I snap my head to the side only to find a maze made out of beautiful flowers. 

I wasn't expecting this at all.

The car comes to a quick halt, and Dermos pushes his door open without even sparing me a glance.

I don't really mind; the less attention he gives me, the better it is for me to pass with my act as Ariella.

“Come on, Mrs Salvatore, I will show you to your room.” Carlos' voice draws me out of my thoughts. He's the only one making an effort to be nice. 

I nod, quickly rushing out of the car as I march behind him. The door squeaks open, revealing the largest living room I have ever seen.

It looks like a hall, and has different couches placed at strategic places with a wide plasma hung on the wall. A beautiful chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

Everything is painted in cream and gold. 

Classy.

Is this my new home or my new hell? I can only wonder. 

My lips are parted in amazement as I tug my hair from my face.

Let's do this.

“What the hell?” I can't help the words tumbling out of my lips as the door to my room creaks open.

The room is large, but every single piece of furniture is pink. The bed, drawer, closet, and down to the damn TV.

What the hell? I hate pink, that's Ariella's best color– oh crap.

“You don't like it? Don said it was your favourite color–”

“Of course, I love it. Thank you.” I cut him off, swallowing the lump of disgust I feel rising up in my throat.

“Alright, settle in. The Don will be with you soon.” He says, a small smile gracing his lips, yet the way his eyes twinkle gives me the creeps.

“Thank you,” I repeat, shuffling backward. He nods, then turns, pulling the door open before walking out.

My heart drops as I force back tears from dropping.

Don't cry. This is nothing to cry about. I clench my jaw tight. Just how long can I cope?

“I hate you,” I whisper with my eyes closed, pretending Ariella is right here with me. 

It is something I heard so many times from her, but I never had the guts to say it back to her face.

Ariella's words from a few years back slam into me, causing my breath to seize. It's not true. “You always take everything from me, but still, you never amount to anything.”

My knee buckles as I slump on my bed, not mine. It's hers.

She wasn't right. I never took things from her. My whole life has been hell because my sister hates me, thinking I take what she wants. 

This is the only time I accept that because I am married to the man of her dreams.

How will I do this? When she gets back, what will happen? Where did she run to? What if Dermos finds out?

A sharp sting bites into my skin, causing me to realise that I am still in the bloodied dress.

Moving my body on autopilot, I push out of the bed, stalking to the bathroom to bathe and change. My body goes through the motions without my mind.

Once done, and wrapped in a comfy robe. I step out of the bathroom only to meet a figure standing in front of my window.

“Ahh!” A tiny scream tears out of my lips as my body jolts up in surprise. 

I didn't hear him come in. Dermos is now dressed in casual joggers and a sweatshirt that still manages to show his ripped arms.

 His green eyes look deeper, much darker than I saw earlier, his blonde hair now gelled to the back, giving his face a younger, and much hotter look.

Damn, he is handsome.

“What are you doing here?” I murmur, forcing my eyes not to rake down his body again. 

I can't look at my sister's husband.

She will be back soon, and I will leave as if all this never happened. I will go on to achieve my dream, I will open my boutique, and get my master's degree. I will prove her wrong.

Once she is back, I will forget all this ever happened, so that means I can't find him attractive.

“What do you mean? We are married, and this is our first night, so I am here to have sex.” He states plainly.

My eyes widen as my arms automatically fly to my mouth, and I stumble backwards, causing my robe to open slightly, showing an eyeful of my boobs.

“Don't look.” I cry out, snapping my hand forward to cover my pride.

His lips twitch as a sly smirk covers his lips, “Why shouldn't I? You are my wife, aren't you?” he asks, raising his eyebrows at me. “Are you shy? That is surprising.”

Shit! Ariella wouldn't make a big deal out of this. I have to think fast. 

My lips move as a fake hard cough splutters out of my lips, my hand slams to my chest as I keep the fake cough coming.

“Honey, please, can we postpone it? I am not feeling quite well, and I wouldn't want to give you the flu.” I lie through my teeth, hoping I sound convincing enough.

His eyes squint as he watches me for a while before nodding. He pushes himself off the desk where he had leaned before stalking to the door.

“Well, this is quite odd, Ariella. I expected that you would easily adjust,” He says, pushing the door open before leaving.

Shit! How would Ariella have handled this? Perhaps she would have thrown herself at him.

We aren't best of friends, so the only side I know is the bitchy hateful witch side she constantly showed me.

Ping.

My eyes snap to my phone lying on my bed with the screen now on. I move over, grabbing the device to check it.

My whole being freezes at the text displayed on the screen. I stumble backwards, letting the device out of my hand.

It can't be. It has barely been a day.