Marco

"Where are you coming from?" Isabella asks confronting me as I walk into to the house tired.

"You saw me leave for work."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"From work obviously," I say jingling my work bag in front of her.

"So why would you exchange your Mustang for that thing he calls a car?"

Did she have me trailed? If she did, I'd be in a big mess because she wouldn't hesitate to run to her father and that's the last thing I need right now.

"The boy has always admired the car so I gave him to go for a spin, he's been doing well at the office, fetching us promising early-stage startups. It's the least I could do for him."

"Whatever. Babe, I missed you."

"I missed you too," I reply lacking the strength for any tantrums.

"Go freshen up while I make dinner."

"OK. Thanks."

As I walk into the closet Valentina and I once shared, I notice all her boxes are gone. Did Alfred put them in the store while cleaning today? I never asked him to except Isabella did!

"Ella?"

"Yes, Amore?"

"Valentina's things are gone," I say trying to sound as neutral as possible.

"Oh, that?"

"Yes?"

"I gave them all to charity as they were occupying too much space."

"You could have waited for my instruction before doing that."

"Amore you should be thanking me. You constantly talked about giving it to charity so I helped you since it was taking you forever."

"Isabella.."

"You mean Ella?" she corrects.

"This is my house and I would appreciate it if you talk to me before carrying out any moves."

"Then you must know that I cleared her art studio and moved the rest of my shoes in there."

"Perdono? What shoes?"

"My shoes. I moved fully in today."

"If I understand what you are saying clearly, you mean you've moved all your stuff into this house?"

"Sì. Durh.."

"We aren't even married for Christ's sake."

"Which we would be discussing soon so why waste time?"

"Where did you keep her artworks?" I ask calmly, my head throbbing.

"I set them ablaze."

"Oh, Lord."

"If she needed them, she should have come back to get them. It's been two weeks since she got dumped. I don't want memories of her lingering."  

I stare at her bewildered. I'm not even married to you and you want to rule my life? That's not happening. It's bad enough that Father and Mother are already doing that.

"You know what? I think I've lost my appetite."

"Where are you going too?" she asks as I pick up my car keys.

I would rather crash at Giovanni's place than sleep in this house tonight and maybe every other day. I don't know how long I can deal with this bratty attitude of Ella and this is someone who my father wants me to spend the rest of my life with. As much as I hate to go against his words, I don't see this being feasible.

"Didn't I just see you some hours ago? Do you love me that much?" Giovanni asks as I walk into his villa.

"You wish."

"What's it?"

"Isabella has fully moved in."

"You don't say."

"I'm crashing here tonight!"

"Good for you."

"I need a drink."

"You know where to get it."

"You still got that art right?"

"You know I have so many of them?"

"I'm talking about the one you said you purchased from Valentina."

"Oh, so now it's suddenly of importance?" Giovanni says, pissed.

"You said you wanted to tell me about the painting."

"That you clearly said you didn't want to hear about?"

"Because father was there. Are you going to tell me about it or not?"

"It's too late."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You already divorced her."

"I still want to know what you wanted to tell me about the painting."

"If you insist. It portrayed so much pain.  I came over to your place one time and she was on the balcony and had just finished painting. Her use of dark and tumultuous colours, the distorted figures that conveyed emotional struggle, and the stark contrast between light and shadow. The clenched fists, furrowed brows, and other elements that symbolized inner turmoil. I bought it alongside a few others. You and your parents made her go through hell man."

"I'm not proud of my actions. If only I had control over the situation."

"Pfft. She was your wife!"

"Somethings are better left unsaid. Having said that, I want to buy the painting and every other one you collected."

"Bought, point of correction."

"Whatever, I want to purchase them."

"Sold it out to the highest bidder immediately after it got on the market. Made some very cool cash."

"I want to know who bought it."

"What can that solve? The deed's been done already."

"Isabella has disposed of everything and anything that can remind me of her."

"I'm sorry, there's not much I can do."

"You are an art collector, there should be something you can do about it."

"My hands are tired. I'll try my best to see if there is anything I can do."

"Thanks."

"Any of the extra rooms are available at your disposal and they all have essentials in there. I'll get you something comfy to sleep in."

"I would crash on the couch."

"OK then. I have a few pieces of art I need to read about for the exhibition. I'll be down when I'm done."

"OK. I'll just go freshen up."

I first laid eyes on Valentina at an art exhibition, and truth be told, Giovanni practically had to drag me there. While he caught up with an old art-curator friend, I got lost in the vibrant paintings hanging on the crimson wall.

But then, in the midst of all that color, I spotted her—a captivating redhead tracing her hands over a painting in a bodycon white dress adorned with feathers, and those gladiator leather sandals completing the look. She had this magnetic presence that drew me in.

Summoning the courage to approach, I struck up a conversation by complimenting the artwork she was examining. When she turned to acknowledge me, her blue eyes and pointed nose had me hooked. In that moment, I just knew she was the one I wanted to spend my life with. Like a love-at-first-sight tale.

Beyond her undeniable beauty, it was her innocence that truly captivated me. I tried my best at subtle flirting, though she seemed somewhat oblivious. After some persistent charm and a fair share of pleas, we exchanged numbers. From that day forward, our conversations became the highlight of my every day. Her calls and texts brought warmth to my world, and the anticipation of seeing her again filled me with joy.