chapter 18

The evening went on with introduction and congratulations.

Ermanno told, no wait... ordered Rose to stay close to him.

He talked to everyone and Rose just stood next to him smiling.

He didn't even look at her but anytime he walked towards someone or somewhere he looked at her to follow him.

She didn't like being treated like this but looked around and saw all the women with their men. She thought that's how they do it but she also noticed the men smiling at their women, laughing with them and holding them close not like Ermanno who just made her stand next to him.

She was lost in her thoughts when she felt someone circle their hand around her waist and pull her away from Ermanno.

She looked at the person and smiled at him.

"Oh god, Vincenzo." And hugged him tight.

Vincenzo, Arlo's son. Ziggy and phoenix, Bruce's sons and Brad with Aria went to the same school with Rose.

Phoenix and Aria were two years older than the rest of them and studied a class above them but all talked and hung out together.

Vincenzo and Rose were inseparable before Rose had to leave to California after Sofia's death.

"Come, the whole gang is hanging in that corner. Join us" said Vincenzo.

"Ahhh.. " started Rose looking back at Ermanno.

"He'll come to find you when he realises you are gone," said Vincenzo and dragged her towards the corner.

Rose was excited to meet everyone.

"I didn't see you at Julius's wedding," said Rose to Vincenzo.

"I and Ziggy attended the main wedding and not the rehearsal. Hey, I heard you graduated early. Congratulations." Said Vincenzo and hugged her.

"Ya. I had time to finish it." Said Rose.

"We all were shocked when we came to know you were marrying Ermanno. But we were also happy you are going to be part of our family now." Said Aria.

"Yes. And now that you are somebody I will love to dress you up" said Julia.

"Oh no that means she is going to starve you to death." Said Ziggy and everybody laughed out loud.

Rose was actually laughing and enjoying herself when she heard her name being called. She looked at the direction of the voice and saw a very angry Ermanno looking at her with a death stare.

"Shit," said Brad.

"Come," said Ermanno and gave his hand for her to take.

Rose smiled at everyone and took his hand. He roughly pulled her away from everyone and walked towards the corridor which led to the restrooms.

He walked in one of the restrooms and checked if anyone was there and when he was sure no one was there he locked them in and went close to Rose and slapped her.

Rose held her cheek and had wide eyes and stared at Ermanno.

"I told you to stay close to me. I was looking for you everywhere when I couldn't find you. I don't like looking for anyone. People come looking for me. Next time I tell you to do something you better do it. Understand?" Said Ermanno.

Rose looked away and shed tears and said "you hit me"

Ermanno looked at Rose and knew he couldn't screw up now just before the wedding.

"Oh god Rose I am sorry." Said Ermanno and went close to her and hugged her and continued "baby I was frightened to not find you close to me. Do you know how scared I was? I looked for you everywhere. You left without telling me. Now tell me whose mistake was it." Asked Ermanno.

Rose thought for a second and said "I am sorry"

Ermanno smirked and thought 'this is going very easy'

"It's okay. I am here to teach you what's good and bad. I am a very understanding person, Rose. As far as you obey me, we will be good. We are starting a life together. We will learn to stay together with love and trust." Said Ermanno.

Rose looked up to him and said "love?"

Ermanno smiled and held her face in his hand and said "yes, love" and kissed her lips. He kissed her more and pushed her to the wall nearby. The kiss got heated and Ermanno started running his hand on her body and that's when they heard a knock on the door.

Ermanno broke the kiss and said, "can't wait to have you tomorrow." And smiled at Rose.

Rose looked at Ermanno and shy smiled at him and looked down.

He opened the bathroom door and saw Sabrina and Cindy standing outside.

"Oh my," said Cindy.

"What's with you and women's restrooms?" Asked Sabrina.

"That's where I find my girl alone," said Ermanno and pulled Rose close to him.

Rose blushed and looked down.

"Oh god, look at you. Your cheeks are turning red with blushing" said Sabrina mistaking the redness from the slap.

Rose only smiled and looked down.

"It's time to leave Rose. And you can be in his arms tomorrow" said Cindy and laughed. Sabrina joined her.

Ermanno gave Rose a sinister look and said: "enjoy your last day of freedom." And kissed her lips and let go of her.

Rose said goodbye to Sabrina and left with her Mom.

Ermanno hugged his mom and asked, "are you Happy?"

"I will be happy when you are happy. And I think you will be very happy with Rose" said Sabrina.

"I know I will get what I want from her," said Ermanno and hugged Sabrina and continued "it's so nice to hug you without being interrupted by dad. By the way, where is he?"