Chapter 1 : Home
Isabella only stares at her plate filled with so many fruits and meats with not many vegetables to balance the plate out. Loud cheers around her with her family and the Messina hanging out with their guest while Dante was nowhere to be seen.
She has to admit. Though she was not in the mood for the party, the whole decoration of the wedding reception was lovely. It was all gold and white theme wedding with fresh white flowers decorating the banquet room she was in. People dancing like it's their special day and no one seems to care about her seating alone at the bride and groom table.
Suddenly, a movement beside her made her almost jump in surprise until a hand rested on her shoulder.
"Calm, Bea. You look like you've seen a ghost." She turned to see her father-in-law, Lorenzo Messina. A man who was the exact replica of Dante but with grey streaks on his hair and wrinkles darting his handsome maturing face. Only his eyes were a dark brown and he was using a can as he took a seat beside her.
"How is the wedding? Up to your liking, piccolina?" His smile was warm and she had expected him to be this fierce of a man with a daunting persona that made everyone around him intimidated and walk around eggshells.
"I...It's alright. I like it." She replied softly.
Lorenzo smiled and release a long sigh. "You should. I spend a fortune on this to make your dream come true, piccolina."
She frowned and shift her body a little to see him. "My what?"
Before she could get her answer, she felt a hand holding her shoulder and Bella turn around to see her new husband.
"Dante. Good thing I see you here. It's not proper to leave your new bride unattended when there are many predators in our midst." Lorenzo's words were stern and there was a little pinch in what he said that made the hair on Bella's arms stand.
Dante's face was calm. "Forgive me, papa. I have to deal with a few matters in regards to Charles McMahon. He wishes to have an audience with you after this."
Lorenzo releases an exasperating huff. "On my eldest son's birthday. Have that man no brain. I'll deal with him. You stay with your wife, got that?"
"Actually father, I was planning to bring Bea to our new home. It's almost 4 so it's good that I bring her to rest for tonight's reception dinner." Dante replied.
Lorenzo stares at him and later at Bella. Smiling, he got up and Dante puts a little pressure on her shoulder, causing Bella to flinch and quickly stand up. She bowed her head for Lorenzo to only have him pushing her chin up so he could stare at her.
He smiled at her and kiss her cheek as she did his.
"Take care, piccolina. I wish for both of you to have a beautiful marriage and hopefully, some grandchildren for me to spend with until the rest of my years. Ti auguro ogni bene, piccolina."
When he tried to leave, Bella held his sleeve, causing both men to stare at her when she did.
"Have I met you before?" She frowned and she almost jumped from fright when Lorenzo second in command become nearer to her. Staring at her with a deadly gaze but only to back away when Dante steps forward. Pushing Bella behind him.
"Know your place, Tio." He gritted through his teeth. Tio didn't say anything nor his face was filled with fear seeing Dante was 3 times built bigger than him but Tio was taller and both males look formidable in her eyes.
A chuckle explodes between the two men stare down and Lorenzo cuts in with a grin on his face. He gently push Dante away and nodded to both Isabella and him before leaving.
It took her a minute for the current situation to dawn on her that she was alone with him and the revelation made Bella truly nervous. Her heart started racing though Dante looked completely composed and didn't utter as much as a single word to acknowledge her presence.
He held her hand and quickly brings her to the car situated in front of Lorenzo's mansion. Compare to her, Bella was practically looking at him with her neck stretch out almost painfully just by how tall he was. Her head could only reach his chest.
"Get in!" Dante said in an instant, with an almost scary, commanding voice he would use to his men when they reached his car.
Bella quickly fumbled through the car door. She felt her cheek burning a bit, almost embarrassed at why she was having a hard time opening the door but when she finally could, she clumsily gripped her long dress in an awkward attempt to sit down. It took her a while and Dante got upset.
"Can you stop fumbling with that freakin dress and sit in the car already?"
His eyes sent Bella a clear message—obey! Without thinking, Bella immediately sat on the passenger seat, almost ripping the bottom of her dress with her high heels in the process. The first thing that came to thought was her ripping her sister's wedding dress and it was a bad feeling. Nevertheless, marrying her sister's fiancée was already bad so compare to the dress, it was nothing.
The car engine started the very second she entered the car. Dante reversed the car so suddenly that Bella's whole body swung forward, and she screamed because she thought that her head would get hit by whatever she thinks might hit her head.
Dante took a quick glance at her and a grin form on his face. Of course, he was not shy to put that out for the world to see but seeing his bride was still with her eyes closed and terrified, he didn't care. He divert his attention to the front and stepped on the gas. The tires squeaked under the impact of the speed they were reaching.
Bella's head was spinning and she closed her eyes, praying to survive the crazy trip while holding on to the grab handle for her dear life. Even though she hadn't been keen or hopeful for a good, peaceful life during these past few days, dying in a car accident was definitely not her choice for leaving the world. But the most peculiar thing was that even when driving like a madman, Dante seemed to be fully in control. She noticed his cold eyes were wide open and focused on nothing but the road. He had a haunted look on his face.
Bella divert his attention back on the road, eyes focused on the images of the city passing before her eyes, and she dreamt of a different life that could have been, but never would be. Suddenly, they were surrounded by the threatening silence which continued until they reached their destination. From what she gathered, she was already entering the driveway of the most gorgeous, luxurious mansion she has ever seen.