Cuapter 6

[ ARIA’S POV ]

I slumped on the edge of the mattress, my stomach twisted into knots. I couldn't stop staring at the door, just waiting and praying for the handle to turn.

Finally, it clicked open. A guard stood there tall, cold, and looking every bit as dangerous as Luca.

"Time’s up," he said, his voice flat. "The boss says you can come out now."

I tried to stand, but my legs felt like jelly. I didn't just walk out; I practically crawled out of that cage. When I finally reached my own room, there was a tray of food waiting on the bed. The smell hit me instantly, and my stomach growled so loud it was embarrassing.

"Easy now, ma’am," a quiet voice said. It was the maid. She stood by the corner, watching me with pity in her eyes. "I’m so sorry you’re being put through this."

"Thanks for the food," I managed to say between bites.

She shook her head. "Don’t thank me. It was the boss’s order."

I almost choked. The nerve of that man, locking me away like an animal one minute and then playing the concerned host the next. It was exhausting.

But I forced myself to keep eating. If I’m going to get through this, I need my strength. I have to stay sharp until my sister comes back and explains where the hell she went.

This isn't my life. This isn't my marriage. And I’m going to make sure it stays that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I was still fast asleep when I felt a hand tapping my shoulder. I snapped my eyes open to see the head maid standing right over me in my room.

"It’s time, ma’am. I need to get you ready," she said.

I looked at her, totally lost. "Ready for what?"

"The gala," she replied, looking surprised. "Didn't the boss tell you?"

"No," I snapped. "He didn't say a word to me about a gala."

The maid sighed and started pulling things out of the closet. "Well, there's a big business gala tonight. He needs you by his side as his wife, so we need to move fast."

My stomach dropped.

Of course. Another gala, another night of pretending this mess was actually a marriage.

I sat up slowly while the maids rushed around like they’d practiced this a thousand times. Boxes were dropped on the bed, and makeup brushes were lined up on the vanity.

The head maid gave me a polite smile. "The boss wants you to look perfect tonight."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "How thoughtful of him."

She acted like she didn't hear me. One of the younger girls opened a big black box, and I actually lost my breath for a second. The dress was dark red, deep, like wine and it looked expensive. Really expensive.

"No," I said, my voice flat.

Everything stopped.

"I’m not wearing that."

The younger maid looked like she was about to cry, but the head maid just sighed. "Ma'am, the boss picked this out himself."

"Then he has terrible taste."

The poor girl holding the dress looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor. The head maid stepped closer, her voice dropping. "Please, don't make this hard. We were told not to get on his bad side today."

That shut me up. I hated it hated how everyone in this house lived in fear of Luca’s moods.

"Fine," I muttered, getting off the bed.

The relief in the room was instant. For the next two hours, they poked and prodded at me like I was a doll. They curled my hair, did my makeup, and zipped me into the dress.

When they finally turned me toward the mirror, I didn't even recognize the girl looking back. I looked... polished. Like I actually belonged in his world. It made my skin crawl.

"You look beautiful, ma'am," one of them whispered.

Before I could say anything, there was a knock. The maids all straightened up immediately.

The door opened, and Luca walked in.

The room went dead silent. He was in a black suit, looking cold and sharp as usual, but he stopped dead when he saw me. For the first time, he didn't have anything to say. His eyes traveled over me slowly, and it made me feel uncomfortably warm.

"The madam is ready, sir," one of the maids whispered.

He didn't look at her. "Leave us."

They scrambled out so fast the door almost hit them.

I crossed my arms, feeling awkward. "If you don't like the dress, blame yourself. Apparently, it was your choice."

He finally looked me in the eye. "You look beautiful."

I blinked, totally caught off guard. "You don't have to pretend."

"I don't pretend."

The way he said it made my heart do a weird little skip. I looked away quickly. "Well, this whole marriage is a lie anyway."

Bad move.

He stepped closer, and I could smell his cologne. He was way too close.

"Must you argue about everything?" he asked quietly.

"Must you control everything?"

He stared down at me, his expression unreadable. "You’ll stay by my side tonight. Smile when you have to, and watch what you say."

I narrowed my eyes. "Or what? You'll lock me up for another day?"

His jaw tightened. For a split second, I thought I saw a flash of guilt, but it was gone before I could be sure.

"Just don't push me tonight, Aria."

Suddenly, he reached out. I froze. I thought he was angry, but his fingers just gently tucked a stray curl behind my ear. It was a tiny thing, but it felt way too intimate.

He seemed to realize it, too, because he pulled his hand back fast.

"Let's go."

I finally let out the breath I’d been holding and followed him out. But something felt different. And that scared me way more than he do

I froze for a second.

“Pray you come back alive.”

Elara’s whisper felt like poison in my ear.

She was standing by the stairs in a silver gown that fit her like a second skin. She had this sweet smile on her face, but her eyes were full of pure hate. To anyone else, she looked beautiful and harmless. But I knew better now.

I turned around slowly. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Her smile only grew. “You’ll find out.”

“Elara.”

Luca’s voice cut through the air like a knife. Just her name was a warning.

She immediately changed, her face softening as she glided down the stairs. “I was just joking,” she said, trying to wrap her arm around Luca’s. “You’re so protective lately.”

My stomach turned watching them. Luca didn't even blink; he just calmly moved her hand off his arm.

“Enough.”

I saw a flash of real anger on Elara’s face before she masked it. She looked at me again, cold, jealous, and dangerous. It hit me right then. She didn't just hate me because of the marriage. She hated that Luca was looking at me at all. Even when he was being mean or controlling, his attention was on me, and she couldn't stand it.

“Enjoy the gala,” she said sweetly. “If you can.”

Then she just walked away.

I swallowed hard, a heavy feeling settling in my chest. Luca opened the front door.

“Get in.”

I hesitated before following him out. The night air was cool, but it didn't help the knot in my gut. There were black cars lined up outside and armed guards everywhere. It looked more like we were going to war than a party.

I looked at Luca, my nerves getting the best of me. “Why would she say something like that?”

He didn’t answer right away. That silence scared me more than anything else.

Finally, he looked down at me. “There are people there tonight who don’t like me.”

“That’s not an answer.”

His eyes hardened. “It’s enough for you to know.”

I felt the frustration boiling up. “I’m not one of your workers, Luca. Stop acting like I don’t deserve to know what’s going on.”

He just stared at me for a beat. Then, he put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the car. It was a gentle move, but firm.

“You ask too many dangerous questions,” he muttered.

“And you hide too many answers.”

For a split second, I thought I saw the ghost of a smirk on his face. He opened the car door.

“Get in, Aria.”

I did what he said this time. He was clearly already annoyed, and I didn't want to push it.

The car was quiet, way too quiet. As we drove through the gates, my heart started racing. Elara’s voice kept looping in my head: Pray you come back alive.

I didn't realize my hands were shaking until Luca’s hand suddenly covered mine. His palm was warm and steady. I looked at him, completely shocked.

“You’re scared,” he said quietly.

I wanted to lie and say I wasn't. But I was terrified. And he already knew it.