I

In my world, it's eat or get eaten alive. You have to be sly as a fox in order to make it to the top of the chain. Be the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Giovanni-" Luka didn't even let the judge finish, he turned and walked out annoyed. I smiled apologetically and took the marriage certificate and followed him out. Our marriage was already off to a great start.

"Where did it all go wrong?" I thought to myself, exasperated. An image of my dad shouting at me when I'd confronted him flashed in my mind and I shook my head, pushing that memory aside.

The chauffer bowed politely and opened the door for me. I silently got in and put the marriage certificate between us, not surprised when he completely ignored it. I sighed audibly. He threw me a piercing glare that sliced through my soul.

The ride back to my new 'home' was painfully awkward. The tension was tight. I wanted to work to work, so as to at least keep myself busy. But unfortunately, being a Giovanni meant I couldn't be part of the Adia business anymore. Even though it was obvious, my father was running it to the ground.

I gazed outside the window watching the people we drove past. How nice it must be to live an ordinary life. Where you were actually in control and not just a puppet.

I wondered why we had to go all the way and our relationship was bound to go public eventually.

I held out my perfectly manicured hand and stared at the ring, bought from a conveniently placed jeweler opposite the court. From afar, it was aesthetically pleasing, but argh, it repelled me. I slipped off the ring without a second thought, took my bag and dumped the ring.

I checked the time. We were still approximately half an hour away.

I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard him conversing in Italian, and he didn't look very pleased, though on second thought I might have been the cause of his displeasure. My eyes wandered to his hand and I noticed he'd also removed his ring and rolled up his sleeves. My tongue slipped out, wetting my suddenly dry lips as my inner goddess drooled and screamed for more. I looked away quickly, not wanting to make a fool out of myself. What was wrong with me? I shook my head agitated and mentally face palmed.

"George, drop me off at the office." He said as he ended his call.

The disappointment that washed over me was overwhelming. I couldn't help the words from spilling out, "But today is our wedding night…"

He looked at me like I had said the stupidest thing on this planet. "And?"

"Shouldn't we consummate the marriage?" I asked him, trying to keep my expressions neutral.

He let out a harsh, bitter laughter. "That's Adias girl for you," he finally said in a cynical tone.

George had already pulled into the parking lot. He got out and opened the door for his boss. "Bring the car back to me before you go home." George nodded and closed the door silently. So many emotions swirled within me, but I decided some wine would calm me. And ice-cream. And cake. In conclusion, anything sweet.

A few minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of my new 'home'. George parked right in front of the doorstep and sat waiting for me to get out. Of course, he'd never show such behavior if his boss was around, but I was too tired to give a shit about all the servants' shitty attitudes towards me. After all, they saw how their master treated me and I was the princess from a collapsing kingdom, so I deserved no respect since I had no power whatsoever.

I sighed and dragged myself out along the other side as I grabbed the certificate on the way. Ordinarily, I would leave it there for 'the master' to find it, but it was of more importance to me than him.

I headed upstairs to my bedroom and went directly to the bathroom. Shedding my clothes as I went. I scrubbed myself clean, washed off all the makeup and whatever dirt that stuck to my hair and when I felt like I was clean enough, I stepped out of the shower, dried myself up, dried my hair and pulled it into a high messy bun. I pulled on my bunny onesie and put on a face mask. Beauty and brains were a killer combo. I never slacked on maintaining either.

I went round picking up the discarded clothes and put them in the clothes basket. I went, lay on the bed and closed my eyes. I needed to collect myself and regroup. All this had happened too fast, I barely had any time to register it. The important thing was, I was married to a Giovanni. The wealthiest foundation that dealt in literally anything and everything, from hotels to banks to children's homes. I had the opportunity of a lifetime here. I just had to be smart about it. Very strategic. I knew for a fact Luka was a force to be reckoned with. It wouldn't be so easy to have my way. But I was an Adia. Larissa Adia to be precise. I could outsmart whoever I had targeted. Right now, I need a piece of that Giovanni wealth for my cause. And I had the best piece, I just needed to play my cards right.