Chapter 3: Definitely Messing Up

Azalea’s Pov

“Who the hell are you?” His forehead folded in angry frustration. 

While he moved towards me, my eyes weighed the options between making it to the door before he reached me or screaming. Unfortunately for him, his hand, which was still entangled with the IV wires, dragged the infusion pole forward and knocked the wheels off the floor. He wasn't fast enough as he tried to catch it, so it landed on the man's face and his eyes shot open.

“Mrs Dante?” Gerald's voice called from the entrance of the door before he walked in. At the same time, the man rose from the bed and fixated his intimidating eyes on me.

His orbs were a greenish shade of brown, but there was something very unusual about them that made me forget the situation I was in for a moment to focus solely on them even when they darkened and his forehead wrinkled.

“Mr Dante! Holy moly!” Gerald's voice echoed in my head as he rushed to the bed to assist the man up.

“Uncle Dan!” I whipped my head around in time to see a little girl run into the room and straight into the man's arms, almost knocking him back to the bed.

“Brother! Mama, he's awake!” Larissa, the woman who introduced herself to me, entered as well. 

The room was full before I even realized it and the man that had caused the commotion was already standing close to him. If they called him Dante, then he is my husband and a miracle has just unfolded before my eyes after three years of him being in a vegetative state. I slowly started exiting the door and I felt his eyes follow me as I slipped out of the room first.

What can I say? If that man is my husband, Dante Drummond, then I would have to run for my dear life because even in his weakest point, he represented danger and savageness.

Thirty-six minutes later, I stood on the staircase and took deep calming breaths to soothe my inner turmoil before joining the party surrounding the dining room. The whole family was present, both the extended families that I hadn't met yet and they all were all over Dante, who looked around the room as if he was searching for something he must've missed.

“I was so afraid, son. I let your cousin, Morris, take over management of your company and other private businesses while you were away. I also married a wife for you…”

“You what?” I finally heard him speak, more of a rumble.

I flinched subconsciously so that my bangles jangled and all eyes were suddenly on me. I started walking awkwardly down the stairs under their scrutinizing watch. Emma waved me to sit beside her,, and I sat down just opposite Dant,e, whose gaze accessed every inch of my body and flamed up my cheeks.

“I can't marry her! She's not my type!” Dante gruntled, his eyes still locked in mine.

“You haven't even known her yet and you're concluding?” Emma said in my defence, taking my hand in a gentle squeeze.

“I don't care to know her.” 

“You should because I have already signed a contract that binds all your assets to her and if she's leaving, she's going to take the lion's share of your property. How about that?” Emma said curtly.

“You didn't!” Dante's fist landed on the dining table, sending water and juice sputtering all over the table and cutleries bouncing off plates. 

“Brother, this could be for the best. You know very well that Aunt will never make any decision that wouldn't be for your good. You should let her prove her worth.” Morris spoke up as he stared knowingly at me.

“Who succumbs to arranged marriages in this present generation?” Dante asked, tearing his eyes away from mine and looking around at every face in the dining, then squeezed his eyes shut in distress. 

“You don't have to get so riled up, brother. You still need to get back fully on your feet before you start debating on these issues.” Larissa admonished as everyone noticed how very much he still needed to properly heal.

“I'll be glad if you sign the papers I had drawn up that still need your approval and signature before I assume the temporary position as the acting CEO while you're still recovering.” Morris jumped in at once. He is the best actor in the overall house.

“You can bring them up to my room later, I need to rest now.” Dante started pushing his seat back to leave the dining table.

“I will take over the company and every other business venture of yours while you're recuperating. As your wife, I know you understand that it is important I take up such an important role.” I said, to the surprise of everyone at the table. 

Well, I already know Morris’ true intention, and I have no doubt that my husband–Dante, would be signing out all of his assets to the swindling bastard. I'd rather his plans fail than keep pretending that I haven't found my landing a long time ago. Everyone still thinks I am that stuttering little girl.

“What are you doing? You can't formulate a proper sentence, and you've spent your whole life behind the walls of your father's claustrophobic mansion! How do you intend to run a company that is in the line of men's business, let alone handle other businesses?” Larissa struck home. 

I do want to believe she was looking out for her brother, but I don't trust anyone else in the room apart from myself at that moment after what I had witnessed when I arrived.

“Morris has a much versatile knowledge about every of Dante's businesses and hasn't disappointed me in the three years that you've been in bed, son. I must commend him for that.” Emma addressed, smiling satisfactorily at her nephew. “But I don't think there is any harm in giving her a try. Her confidence is reason enough.” She added admiringly.

“You want me to let this woman run my business in my absence? Do you have any idea how much risk I'd be taking? I could lose everything, Mother!” 

“Or you could gain even more! Your cousin will assist her and I can assure you that she is more interesting than everyone thinks. Her ability to make such a speech is all the impression she has to make. She possesses this sense of resilience.” 

Dante stood up and took a quick step toward the stairway, then stopped abruptly to glare at me across from where he stood, rage reddening his eyes.

“I give you thirty days to show me what you've got. If it turns out to be a bad idea, you not only lose rights to my assets, you walk out the door with nothing and pay for damages! If you're game, then I will prepare the contract and have you sign them to be effective immediately!” He said in one breath, his lips curved stubbornly.

“You've no idea what you've just gotten your sorry ass into, Pookie.” Larissa shook her head in disapproval.

“I'll gladly assist my sister-in-law in the best way that I can.” Morris met my eyes as I nodded in acceptance of the challenge. 

“You'll definitely do well, my dear.”

“I bet my life, she would!”