All Chapters of The Pensive Gentleman: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

AngelicaI still feel hollow.Not just in my stomach, but everywhere else.“I could’ve sworn my brother has a better personality than this,” Marina says as we settle in the backseat of her car. “But, going through this while you’ve been living on barely anything. Why didn’t you speak up?” She frowns.Earlier, back in the apartment, I’d told her that Marciano and I didn’t have any issues that I know of between us and she’d nodded slowly after what seemed like a careful thought. Then she pushed me into my room to change into something more suitable.“We’re getting you everything you need and don’t need!” She’d declared when I came out with a determined expression in her eyes.Now in the car, I’m on a silent mission: To evade her questions as much as possible, because I don’t think I’ll be able to lie to her anymore.“I just… I don’t want people talking,” I say, a little too quickly, even though it’s only half the truth. It’s the only version I want her to know. She stares at me long and

MarcianoYou’ve got to be kidding me.I’ve never been into movies or plays, because I thought they were a fucking waste of time. Even when my daughter had joined a drama group in school, I never went to see her perform, ever. But now, it seems I’ve married an actress.I let out a sardonic breath, ignoring her mouthed ‘sorry’ which I’m beginning to think is her favorite word. I’d left her to fend for herself, giving her a place of her own to do whatever she pleased with it, and she thought starving herself was the best option?My grip on the steering wheel tightens as I press down on the gas.From my peripheral, I see her clutch the seatbelt, soft breaths falling from her lips as she stares ahead with wide unblinking eyes, like missing a second might cost her her life.She is either an attention seeker, or she’s trying to prove a point. Though I’m leaning very heavily toward the former. I want to tell her that her performances have not

AngelicaI hardly entertain thoughts of dying, but if I could go back to that day, the day of my dress fitting, I’d change one thing.I would move Joey out of the way and take the bullet instead.Maybe that would be better than this new life where each day I can’t seem to catch a break, where I’m always worrying about my survival.I bite my fingernails as I pace back and forth. I haven’t been able to sit still since I woke up, or at all since the call with Marina, and it’s been two days since then. Marina had hung up shortly after her delivery and I haven’t heard from her. When I tried to reach her yesterday, she didn’t pick up or return the call. I understand her.No one would like to talk to the daughter of the man who was responsible for their mother’s death.I’ve been so lost, with no one to talk to. Too many questions and no answers. I drop my finger from my lips with a heavy sigh.How could Nicolas do such a thing? Or was it all

Angelica“We’re here, Signora.”Lifting my eyes from my phone, I take in my surroundings, realizing that the car has come to a halt outside a massive building. One that can almost rival the renowned D’amato Mansion. It has a massive land surrounding it, with guards dressed in all black making their rounds.Gabriele gets out of the car, turning around to get the door for me with a small, almost invisible smile on his face as his eyes meet mine. He drops his head immediately, the smile disappearing.“Forgive me, Signora,” he rushes out, while I sit here confused.He offers his hand to me and I take it, using it to get out of the car, wondering why he won’t look up anymore.“Angie!” Marina’s usually warm voice is loud and cheery, so it takes no effort to find her. Instead of the front door, she’s coming from somewhere behind, wearing an orange apron and a wide smile on her face.A small smile tugs on my lips, while behind me Gabriel takes out my little suitcase from the trunk.Waking up

Marciano"I hate you."Teary eyes and trembling lips flash before my mind and linger. I run my fingers through my hair, my grip tightening around the whiskey glass. "I hate you."I expected her to blow up. Hell, I wanted her to blow up. Right there, in front of everyone, in front of her father, whom she pretended to be prim and proper to. I wanted him to see and know he raised a liar. To be humiliated.Instead, she had a full-blown panic attack and ran away. Gabriele told me he'd taken her to my apartment."Ma che diavolo ti prende?" (What the hell is wrong with you?) "Why would you do that?" Marina was furious, seething even. "You lied to me and made me bring her here only to humiliate her?"I had no plans to attend the event. I hardly attend these kinds of events anyway. But hearing Nicolas was going to be in attendance was such a sweet opportunity to miss simply because my sister didn't want me there.In a way, I'd gone for her too. She understood my hate for Nicolas now and ha