Chapter-23 Plan (Part 1)

Gianna

“Don’t worry, you did great, and your ideas are amazing,” Teresa reassured me, her eyes scanning through my portfolio. “Seriously, you’ve got some incredible concepts here.” I pushed my plate of food around absentmindedly and shrugged.

“It doesn’t matter how great they are if the funding committee at Bellavanti doesn’t like them,” I muttered, my gaze flickering to my phone for what felt like the hundredth time.

I knew it was too early to expect a response from Maximus, but the anxiety was starting to take hold. This was a massive opportunity, and I wanted it so badly. I could have Leo talk to Maximus, but that didn’t feel right. Plus, as Maximus said, the decision rested with the committee.

“They’ll love it. I’m sure of it,” Teresa said confidently. “And damn his place looks amazing. You really hit the jackpot with Nicholas, huh?”

I blinked at her, unsure how to respond. She was visiting me for lunch, and then we’d go over some business before I headed to Amara’s for dinner. Nico, of course, was gone. He hardly spoke to me at breakfast, and I hadn’t made the effort either. I was pissed at him after the stunt he pulled at the gym yesterday—and that was just one of many things. The list seemed to grow longer with every passing day.

Trying to understand him was like chasing a moving target. One minute he wanted me, the next he was pulling away. One moment he was possessive, the next he seemed indifferent. I couldn’t keep up, and frankly, it was exhausting.

“Gi…what’s wrong?” Teresa distracted me. “Is everything alright?” I peeked up at her, again not sure what to say.

“What is it?” she urged, her voice laced with concern. “Please, tell me you’re happy with this marriage. Every time the topic comes up, you tense up—I’ve noticed it before. What’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s just that Nico…he’s…” I sighed and because Teresa was my best friend and could see right through me. I couldn’t hold the tears back.

“What’s wrong?” she exclaimed, almost jumping from her barstool. “What did that bastard do to you? I knew he was shady!” I let out a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, but the weight of it all came crashing down.

“It’s not real,” I whispered. “The marriage. It’s just an arrangement.” Teresa’s eyes darkened, her entire body going still.

“What the fuck do you mean?” I wiped at my face, but the tears kept slipping through as I told her everything that happened and the truth about this marriage. And a small part of me was glad Nico wasn’t here because by the look on my best friend’s attractive face, she may have killed him by now.

“And you agreed to this bullshit?” Teresa slammed her hand down on the counter, making me flinch. “Were you out of your fucking mind?”

I sucked in a breath, my hands curling into fists on my lap. “I didn’t have a choice. It was necessary. For both families.”

“Necessary?” she seethed. “So what, you just sacrificed your entire fucking life because some old men in suits decided it was a good business move?” Teresa leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Tell me one thing, Gi. When you were standing at that altar, looking into his cold, dead eyes, did you actually believe this would ever make you happy?” I averted my gaze.

Of course I didn’t.

“This isn’t about my happiness,” I whispered. “It was about…”

“Exactly,” she snapped, cutting me off. “Because they didn’t give a shit about your happiness, and apparently, neither did you.”

“No…nobody forced me. I wanted to do this for my family. It was necessary at that time, Tess. It’s not that simple…”

“Like hell it isn’t!” She cut me off. “God, Gianna. You could’ve had anyone. But instead, you’re here, married to a man who treats you like you’re disposable.” She shook her head, her expression a mix of fury and heartbreak. “And don’t even try to tell me he doesn’t. I see it in your face every time you say his name. I felt it the moment you told me about this whole bullshit of a marriage the very first time. God…if only I listened to my instincts and rushed here…”

“He’s—” I hesitated. “Nico’s complicated,” I dropped my gaze to my lap as Tess threw me a glare in response.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must’ve missed the part where that’s an excuse to treat you like shit,” she hissed. I squeezed my eyes shut. This is a mess. I shouldn’t have told her because this was exactly the kind of reaction I anticipated from her.

“It’s not like that. He’s just…he doesn’t know how to let people in. He’s been through things, Tess. Things that messed him up.”

She arched a perfect brow. “And that’s your problem because?”

“Because he is my husband!” I snapped, scowling at her. “And I love him. I have always loved him, you know that, Tess. I care about him! Because I see what’s underneath all of it. The way he holds himself back. The way he fights his damn feelings. And I know why.”

“Oh, do you?” she scowled harder, folding her arms across her chest.

I nodded, my voice quieter now. “His father was a monster. He used to beat his mother, and Nico had to watch. He grew up in a world where love meant weakness. Where caring about someone meant they could be taken from you, hurt, or worse.” My chest ached as I said it. “He loved once. And it destroyed him.” Teresa’s face softened at that, but only slightly.

“That’s awful, Gi. But you are not his goddamn punching bag,” she said.

“I’m not—”

“Yes, you are,” she cut me off. “You’re sitting here, crying over a man who takes whatever he wants from you and gives nothing back. Look, I get it. You want to believe there’s something real underneath all that ice. But Gi, you can’t love a man who refuses to be loved.”

Fuck. Her words hit like a gut punch.

“I’m trying to understand him,” I choked out. “But he just won’t let me in.”

Teresa watched me for a long moment, then reached forward and wiped a tear from my cheek. When she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Then maybe you need to stop knocking on a door that he’s never going to open.”

“I can’t just walk away,” I whispered. “We’re married, and that means something. I signed up for this—he gave me the choice to leave, but…”

“But you love him,” she sighed, shaking her head. “Yeah, I understand. But who said anything about walking away?”

“What do you mean?” I frowned at her, really not liking the evil glint in her eyes.

“You need to beat him at his own game, baby girl,” I stared blankly at her. What was that supposed to mean?

“Wh…what? How do I do that?”

Teresa tilted her head and smirked. “You fucking get under his thick skin. Make him believe you only want sex. No strings. Nothing else. Seduce him until he is all but a mush in your hands.” I was completely lost at this point.

“But I don’t just want sex. I want him to love me, too. Otherwise, what’s the point? I don’t want to just fuck—I want him to make love to me. And me, seduce him? Really?”

“Right,” Teresa snorted. “What era are you from? The 19th century? Hold your horses, Grandma.”

“Not everyone is obsessed with sex,” I glared at her.

Teresa scoffed. “So you’re telling me you don’t touch yourself to the idea of him? That you don’t want that delicious piece of a man to throw you on the bed and fuck your brains out?”

I pursed my lips, blushing furiously. Well…

“Exactly.” Teresa nodded smugly. “So, you give him what he thinks he wants. No expectations, no demands. Just sex. Make him think he’s the one in control, when really, you will be the one pulling the strings. Let him live the illusion. Because for men like Nico, control is everything.”

“But…” I protested, but before I could argue, a deep voice cut through the room.

“That,” the voice said, smooth and amused, “Is actually not a bad plan.” I whipped around, my heart lurching.

What the fuck.