chapter 6

Maria

I couldn't breathe. At all. The instant we drove into my parents' daunting compound, my nose and mouth decided to stop functioning. In that moment, my childhood home looked like something straight out of a horror movie. And I was just like the foolish characters in the horror movies who willingly walked to their doom.

I didn't even realize that Alvize had gotten to my side of the car until a cool breeze brushed my exposed skin. I shivered and only partly from the cold.

I ignored his burning gaze as I stepped out of the car. We walked quietly, side by side to the doorstep. The closer we got, the closer my breath seemed to fail me. I didn't realize my hands were shaking until a giant one enclosed my right hand. I stilled instantaneously because why were his rough hands so warm and soothing?

“Relax.” He said under his breath and I did exactly as he asked. Or at least I tried to.

Barely a few seconds later, the door got opened and a maid I didn't recognize ushered us in.

The hand holding mine slowly let go

but before the disappointment could take root, I felt it snake around my waist. I couldn't even stop the shiver that rattled my body. When I looked up at him, he wasn't looking at me. His eyes were straight ahead and I just knew I was the only one affected by his presence next to me.

I could hear the silent chatter and forced laughter even before we turned the corner and my oh my did I enjoy the look on their faces when we stepped into the room.

First shock. Then disbelief. Then shock again. Then definitely anger. My father looked ready to explode and in that moment, the gratification their reactions brought me made me forget the nerves raiding my belly.

“Hello family.” I said with a smile that was so genuine it lit up the room.

I led Alvize to the side of the table that had two extra seats available, which placed us directly across from Lucas and Alice. The latter had this huge scowl on her face that only increased my satisfaction.

All eyes were on Alvize, my presence completely forgotten, replaced by the giant enigma in the room. My father broke the silence.

“Giovanni.” He said, his voice holding barely contained anger.

“Vitalio.” Alvize drawled. With the way he was lax against the chair, you would never believe this was the same man out to get my father.

My father's eyes flashed.

I cleared my throat and exclaimed with a gasp, “Oh my God of course I should've started with an introduction. Alvize, this is everyone and everyone, this is Alvize.” I paused, “my husband.”

Then I leaned back on my seat and watched all hell break loose.

My father rose up abruptly from his seat, nearly knocking his chair down. My sister's eyes were so wide I was tempted to gouge them out with my fingers. The look on my mother's face was one of pure shock and Lucas, I simply ignored the way his stare burned into my skin.

I looked to Alvize but he simply checked his watch and went back to looking like the epitome of nonchalance.

“I want this man out of my house, right now.” My father said.

“My husband is not going anywhere. If I must sit through this dinner, then I must do so with him.”

He looked shocked by my response and I realised that nothing felt nicer than standing my ground against my father.

“How could you be so, so childish??” He demanded.

“The only person being childish right now, father is you. Look at you throwing tantrums like a child simply because I chose to marry someone you clearly detest.”

“So what? Your sister got married to the man you wanted to marry and then you go ahead and marry the first person that gets between your legs? Stop this childishness sweety and come back home, there are other men out there who would accept you the way you are.” My mother was the one who spoke this time, apparently over her shock.

Now, it was my turn to be in shock.

“It's crazy you think I'm going to come back to your house after tonight. After everything you just said.”

“You will end this nonsense-”

“No. I won't end anything because I'm done with all of you, done listening to whatever mind games you want to play on me. From now on, I plan to live my own life, how I want to live it and the first step to doing that is getting rid of all your toxicity.”

The table was silent. The anger was clawing at my chest. I wanted to scream. Who would've thought that the dinner we didn't even have will go this way.

A hand I was growing familiar with snaked around my shaking hand which I didn't even notice was shaking and held it in place.

He brought his face close to my ear and I was vaguely distracted by his warm breath on my skin.

“Why don't you go get your things Vita mia, then we leave?” He was talking to me, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. The words of endearment caught me off guard and I couldn't hold back the warmth that pooled in my belly.

“Of course.” I said with a nod, then I got up from the chair and walked surprisingly steady out of the room.

The instant I stepped into my childhood room, I could finally breathe well again. I knew from the start that this dinner was a literal waste of time. I knew it wouldn't go well, with the kind of people I had for family.

Looking around my room, I expected to feel emotional about having to leave it behind but really all I felt was relief. The only memories that came with it were feelings of being trapped and alone. I had always been lonely in this house and nothing felt more right than escaping it.

Thanks to Alvize I had enough clothes and accessories that I didn't need the ones bought with my father's money. I was yet to thank him for it but I would when we got back.

I grabbed a few things I wasn't ready to part with, which were very few to be honest. I was trying to make a point to my father that I didn't need his money to survive even if that included letting go of my favorite bags and jewelry.

I was still getting my things set when I heard a knock on the door. I paused at first then decided to ignore it because I wasn't in the right state of mind to deal with whoever was behind the door. But then the knock came again and I stomped to the door.

Imagine my horror when the person I discovered behind the door was Lucas.

“Hey.” He opened his deceitful mouth and said. I couldn't help but wonder what on earth I did to deserve such a shitty week.