4

CHAPTER 4

He sets his fork down before speaking again. “The changes are noted and will be made.”

He joins his hands together. “Once we finish breakfast, I would love to introduce you to the two most important people in this house.”

Something new to talk about. Finally.

“Okay, that's fine. Do I get to work as a part of the household?” I can't help but broach the subject of not wanting to be a housewife.

He is rich, yes. But I have no interest in whiling away my days here doing nothing. I hate it.

“No, you aren't. As a Donna, it's not allowed for you to work, I do the working-”

“So, what am I going to spend my life doing?” I snap, dropping my cutlery as I feel my appetite take a fast dive to Neverland.

He doesn't say anything at first, just sits there, hands placed on the table as he slowly chews on his food like he moves at his own pace, and every other person should go shit themselves.

It's so annoying.

“Listen, Ariella, we have gone over the rules, but you seem to have forgotten, so I will refresh your memory.” He starts, his words calm but deadly, every word piercing through me.

Shit! I am going out of character.

“Rule number one, you are not allowed to question your Don, be it in public or private.

Two, no Donna of mine is allowed to work.

Three, do not speak when not spoken to.

Lastly, all you have to do is look pretty and bear me children when the time comes.

Obey all these rules and have a peaceful life here with me.” He speaks, every word like a hot knife to my guts.

I know I should shut up; he is the Don, and he will kill me. Besides, Ariella would never complain, so I should just shut up. But I can't help the burst of words that follows.

“Look here, Dermos, this is not 2014, where women's only use is in the kitchen and to bear kids. If that's what you wanted, you should have just bought a stupid robot. I refuse to follow those ridiculous rules.” I huff, placing both my arms under my boobs.

“Okay.” He smiles slightly, raising his hand to make a gesture.

Okay? Just okay?

“Is that all?” I can't help but ask. I was expecting a full-blown speech.

“I can't force you to obey, so you are free to do whatever, but every disobedience comes with punishment. Ones I won't fail to deliver,” he says, shrugging like he didn't just threaten his wife.

A shudder runs down my spine as I shrink back in my seat.

He didn't shout or get angry; he just calmly threatened me like he was talking about the weather, and that freaked the hell out of me more than anything.

“Carlos.” He calls.

“Yes, boss?” Carlos suddenly appears from nowhere.

This guy is creepy.

“Introduce Luciana to her.” He instructs, gracefully rising to his feet before strolling out like he didn't just cause chaos in me.

“Come,” Carlos calls, and a set of heels starts clicking on the tiles.

They sound uncomfortable and annoying. I mean, raise your damn legs, woman, you don't have to screech your feet like an attention banshee just to be noticed.

A deep sigh escapes my lips as I realise it's going to be harder than I thought to be Ariella.

I raise my eyes to look at her when she finally gets closer, and gosh, she is gorgeous.

Killer shape dressed in a tight red gown that shows every dip and curve, her hair is red compared to my black one, his lips coated in blood-red lipstick, topped with a nose so painted it's surreal.

How is she this gorgeous?

“This is Luciana. The Don's bedmate.” Carlos calls out, and my eyes widen as I take her in again.

She is his what?

Why the heck would he introduce her to me? Luciana glares at me in a way that is too familiar, yet I can't place my finger on it.

“You aren't much to look at.” She says, venom and disgust visibly dripping down her voice.

I shouldn't feel anything; I don't matter to Dermos, but at the same time, it stings. I don't say anything as I rise to my feet, literally racing to my room.

It was at that moment that it dawned on me that Dermos didn't care about my family and me. This marriage was just a contract to him.

I realise that this is exactly what Ariella would have faced also.

I hid out in my room all day, eating lunch and dinner there. I am swamped in the book I am reading on my phone when my eyes suddenly snap to the left, catching a strange thing.

Red blinking light.

It's small, just behind my curtain; I wouldn't notice it normally, but the whole room is dark, so I can.

What the hell?

My heart thuds as I move closer, snapping the curtains open, and there a small camera lies. Without thinking, I sent my foot at it, causing it to shatter.

Who the hell installed a camera here? I am still racking my brain when a message enters my phone.

I shouldn't have looked at it; my whole brain froze as I turned to stare at the message.

The same unknown number.

“You can smash the camera, but I am still watching, and I know.”

Who is this person? Does he or she live here?

This is beginning to freak me out. It is enough confirmation that nothing about this is a prank.

I am still contemplating when the door pries open, a lanky figure graces the entrance.

My heart thuds thinking it's Dermos, but once I switch on the lights, I am met with Carlos's buzz cut and cold gaze.

“What the hell!” A loud scream tears out of my lips. I literally fling my phone as my palms snap to my mouth.

“Shhhh!! Just came to tell you to leave while you still can. Leave before it's too late.” He says each word cold like a bucket of ice thrown over me.

In the name of what is going on?

Before I can respond, the door snaps open as an angry voice booms.

“What the hell is going on here?”