Chapter Eleven

Gabriella

It wasn't what I expected the place to look like. It wasn't just a normal date, it was a business meeting and I was his date, his trophy wife, one he could show off to his hungry-looking friend.

“Shit!” I muttered when I almost tripped, and he squeezed my hand lightly, staring at me.

“Are you okay?” He asked and I rolled my eyes.

Why was he acting like he cared all of a sudden, I adjusted my dress looking away.

“You don’t have to act like you care we both know you don’t give a fuck about me, this is just a facade, to deceive your gullible and evil friends.”

“Maybe, but then it’s better you behave yourself or I won’t hesitate to waste you here!”

I stiffened immediately; something about his tone told me he was serious. Was he earnest?

So I wasn’t even safe here?

“And do not drink anything here or you might end up with your father!” He added.

Shit! That was insulting but necessary. I was going to pour myself a glass of tequila to maybe loosen up and force a smile but now he had warned me against it I kept my hands to myself and stayed close to him like flies attracted to bad meat while I watch his numerous friends greet us, I maintained a fake smile that hurt my face so bad but I had other plans in mind.

I was going to escape! I don’t care how, but I’d make it happen. It was a luxurious party filled with so many strange faces, there is no way in hell Marcello would notice me slipping out.

My eyes scanned the room, everyone was present with their significant other but the men all had fat smoke on their hands and the ladies looked sophisticated and fake.

I bet half of them were married against their own will.

“Let’s sit here,” Marcello led me to a table where we sat opposite one another not saying anything but watching, he was frequently checking his time as though he couldn't wait to leave.

“Of course!” I said with my hands wrapped around myself, he leaned close, his breath warm against my ear.

“Stop acting like you don’t belong, act like you’re the wife of Marcello Ricci."

“Well, I don’t want to be!” I said trying hard not to yell at his face, he retreated with a defeated smile spreading on his face.

Good! He was disappointed, that was what I wanted!

“Marcello Ricci!” I heard a familiar voice call out, I turned to see Stefan approaching us, damn! He seemed well, just a few scars on his neck where Marcello had stabbed him. “I thought I would never see you again, mate.”

“What do you want?” Marcello retorted, keeping a cold look on his face.

“I wanted to see how Gabriella is holding up, judging by the fact that you killed her father,” he said, his voice rising so he caught the attention of the people in the hall but Marcello didn’t seem threatened, instead he held my hand firmly and kissed it.

“As you can see she’s holding up quite alright, but I can’t say the same about you, because I almost killed you the last time!” He growled and Stefan broke out in a manic laughter, yet I could hear the angry edge of it.

“I’d never forgive you for what you did to me!”

“I don’t need your forgiveness!”

Stefan nodded and then winked at me before storming off, Three men in black followed him.

“I need to use the restroom!” I blurted out, Marcello shot me an icy gaze.

“You have five minutes.”

I nodded, “Of course, I’ll be back in no time!”

As I stood he held my hands, “Don’t even think of escaping, you can’t leave without this!” He held out a golden card, the invitation card, shit! He was always two steps ahead and that sickened me to the belly.

What do I do now?

“Yeah, I know that!”

I pushed past people and headed straight to the restroom. As soon as the door closed behind me I leaned against the sink staring at myself in the mirror. I was even lankier than I thought!

“What do I do now? “ I thought to myself.

He said it himself, I couldn't leave without a card.

I gripped the sink as an idea came into mind.

What if I steal a card? I smiled to myself, stepping out of the restroom just to bump into a tall hunk.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s alright!” I smiled at him, genuinely captivated by his blue eyes, but my eyes caught something else, a gun, he was holding a gun, I stiffened immediately, we were both alone in this place, and I was the only one who had walked in, so it wasn’t safe.

“What’s your name, pretty?” He asked, his eyes scanning over me as if I were some prey.

“None of your business!” I retorted, trying to walk away

My time was limited and I had only one chance to steal a ticket from someone else, someone unarmed.

He pushed me back, “You don’t walk out on me! Do you know who I am?”

“To be honest, I don’t really care, so please let me leave.”

“Not so fast,” he groaned, pinning me against the cold wall, I struggled to wriggle out of his grip but he was too strong, “I’m going to teach you some respect, Bitch!”

“Let go of her !” I heard Marcello's voice bark, and instantly relief rushed all over me. Finally, he was here to save me but I could still feel this whiff of sadness inside of me, I’d also lost my chance of stealing the ticket.

Marcello strode in slowly yet confidently, his eyes never leaving mine and his hands curling into fists.

“No one touches my prized possession!” He added.

The man chuckled softly and cleared his throat, “And who are you?”

“The inferno!”