Chapter 8

Enough!”

We all turned to the door to see Mrs Thornton standing there with a blank expression on her usually warm face.

Their laughter all died down as they scrambled away from me. “Mrs Thornton, she's just being difficult and we don't want to keep Mr Castelli waiting” Kelly said coming forward.

The aura Mrs Thornton possessed at this moment made me feel like she was the real boss of the house. “Let her be,” her voice was firm and steady. “Mr Castelli may have certain expectations, but those don't involve forcing his wife into something she doesn't want to wear”.

I expected their protest but they were completely silent. “Mrs Castelli will choose her own outfit” her gaze softened when she looked at me. “If he doesn't like it, then he can deal with it. But you're not going to dress in clothes that make you feel uncomfortable”.

I couldn't stop the subtle smile that graced my face as they started tidying up in an awkward silence that was in contrast to the loud and prideful aura they came with.

“Mrs Castelli, get dressed”. Mrs Thornton said as she stood up, “when she's done, finish up her hair and makeup”.

I quickly went to the racks of clothes and after a few minutes of searching I found the perfect gown, it was a turtle neck long sleeved floor length black lace gown.

I went into the bathroom to quickly clean up before changing into the gown. It was actually a struggle but I was able to get it done after some time.

I walked out and saw that most of the girls had gone leaving just Kelly, the platinum blonde and the red lipped one. The three main antagonists of my life today.

“Let's get your hair done,” Kelly said with a scowl.

“Could I leave my hair open?”

“Mrs Castelli, a turtleneck should be matched with a ponytail or bun and I think a ponytail would be best”.

I nodded knowing fully well I did have quite the number of wounds on my head from the amount of things that were smashed on it and I had no idea if they were completely healed. I sat in the chair and they got to work. “Not too tight please"

I didn't get any response and just felt them tug at my hair, straightening it and tying it up. My makeup was done like I was a sculpture, different tools were used even the different makeup products were more than Tiffany's own.

“We're done,” Kelly said, stepping to the side.

I looked at my reflection and honestly I did look pretty, the makeup was flawless and my hair looks as straight and shiny as pins.

My head did feel restricted as I felt constrained when I tried to turn around. “I think it's a bit tight, can't move my head”.

“Are you experiencing pain in your head?”.

“Not really”.

“Then it isn't tight”.

Looking back at my reflection, my eyebrow looks higher than it usually was and my eyes looked taut.

They helped me put on my heels and I couldn't help massage my temples trying to release the tension I was feeling.

Mrs Thornton walked in again, her face looked like a surprised mother, “You look pretty, honey”. She approached me. “You sure the hair is okay, it sure looks tight”.

“Mrs Castelli said she isn't feeling any pain so I don't think it's that tight” Kelly interjected.

Mrs Thornton passed me a questioning look and I nodded to the best of my ability. She led me out of the room where Leo was apparently waiting.

Upon seeing him, he didn't look handsome. I diverted my gaze from him to avoid looking at him for a long time.

“Mr Castelli, Mrs Castelli is ready” he looked up from his phone, his gaze slowly moved from my feet up to my face, a small smirk appeared on his face.

“Shall we?” He asked and as I nodded he led me outside to one of the cars that were waiting. I was about to reach for the back down when a guard appeared in front of me opening the passenger's door and gesturing me in. I looked over to Leo who was talking to Marcello before entering the car.

Leo entered the car taking a few seconds to adjust everything to his comfort before looking at me. “Put on your seatbelt, doll”

I turned and quickly did so and he drove off. It was a silent ride and I suddenly remembered what was on my mind since last night.

“Who was…that man from last night?” I said clutching onto my seatbelt.

He turned to me and let out a short laugh, “He's just an unwanted family guest that shows up and makes a fuss when he feels bored but that should be the least of your worry”.

Family guest

“Right,” I whispered looking out the window as buildings were passing in a flash.

“Tonight, no mistakes will be pardoned, understood”. His voice was calm but hard.

“Understood”.

We got to the venue and the place looked grand, there were people around us coming down from their various cars. My door was opened and a guard helped me out of the guard as Leo came to my side. My hand wrapped around his arched arm.

On the inside, there were many types of couples as it was not hidden. Majority of the girls here looked visibly weak and controlled and some looked way worse while some looked confident and smug.

I was glued to Leo's side as I didn't know a single person here. Immediately we got in, we were surrounded by apparently acquaintances or business partners.

They had a lot to talk about and I was here standing in these heels, with a stiff head and a throbbing headache.

I saw a girl approaching us with a wide smile, “Leonardo Castelli, where did you find this pretty little thing? Don't mind me, I'm just going her away from you men and your boring talks”

She is probably from an influential family.

I was pulled to a group of ladies who were arguing about who's husband was stronger.

“Ladies, look what I found” the lady that pulled me here said in a shrill voice.

“And who is she?” One of them said with a disgusted look.

“Leonard's plus one” with such a short statement, I now had all of them looking at me with different emotions swirling in their eyes.

“Castelli?”

“I'm Hannah” the lady finally introduced herself, “she's Rachel, Susie, London, Courtney, Genevieve, Juan and finally Madison”. Hannah pointed at them as she introduced them to me.

“Hey, I'm Lena”

“I've seen you somewhere, haven't…”

“So what exactly are you to Leonardo?” London asked rudely, cutting off Juan.

“When did you meet him?”

“Where did you meet him?”

“Were you paid?”

“I'm his wi…”

“The strip club…you’re a stripper” Juan said, cutting me off.

“What? Leonardo with a stripper? Juan?”

“I'm sure, Nate and I went there, I think last month and I saw her on the stage performing”. Their tensed faces all released as they laughed.

“Just a stripper”

Someone tapped me on my shoulder which made me flinch and turn with more force than my head could allow which made the headache worse.

His mere presence made me flinch internally as my guards were instantly snapping up. He took me back to his group of friends. As much as I felt awkward standing here, I was glad I was away from those ladies.

Mid conversation, Leo passed me a look before looking back to the person he's talking to and with a single nod the person left.

He then fully turned to me, his eyes narrowed. “You're bleeding”