Chapter 3 : Day One

Bella had thought that she would be left alone. Hiding in the corners beside a small table carrying a vase felt better than sitting in the middle of the room and getting the attention of anyone entering.

Her tears were still fresh on her cheeks and seeing the yellow stained on her dress made her tremble every second. It was moments like that did she ask herself what did she do to deserve this?

She had been such a good girl all her life. It was what she was taught all her life as a Granger. To be a timid, innocent girl that is responsible for keeping the good name of her family. Unfortunately, Beatrice had missed that class and decided to be a rebel.

Fighting anyone that wants her to do their bid. She wouldn't have it. Not even Bella can change her and she didn't think she ever want to.

The fire within Bea and the strength she had to fight their parents made Bella envy her twin sister. She could never say no to her family. Good grades, good at piano, good at dancing, those qualities that she had to spend years perfecting so she could never be a disappointment to her family.

To suggest her family was a dictator was not likely. The Granger is no doubt a family known for their wealth but the moment her father, Jared took lead as the patriarch of the family, things starts to go sideways.

He was kind when he wants to be but most of the time he was a complicated man. Manipulative man but not very business savvy yet never fails to act like he knows better than anyone around him. As the eldest son of the Granger family, he tries to take his responsibility as serious as he can but when one is known to spend their wealth more than they should just to impress, they were left with multiple debts which eventually causes distrust among the society.

No longer did people wish to do business with them and stories of their downfall were beginning to take over the Upper East Side.

Who would've thought that those problems can be easily compensated if the eldest daughter of the Granger family would marry the eldest and only son of the Messina fortune?

Known for their connections with their mobs and wealth all over the world, Dante was every family number one catch. Billionaires would throw their daughter at him with hopes of landing him as their son in law, getting the unimaginable amount of dowry from him as a gift. It wasn't even hard to urge their children to like him or accept him, the ladies themselves would've approached him voluntarily. Dante was a handsome man after all and rumours of his paramour all over the world due to his charms made him a popular specimen.

Unfortunately, the Granger daughters weren't interested in things like that. Especially for Bea seeing she has a particular interest in her own sex. She actually finds their neighbour's daughter to be a catch compared to Dante and unfortunately for her parents, Lilibeth finds her to be charming as well and reciprocates to Bea's attractions

Probably the black hair and piercing Bea has donned on herself and several tattoos she had all over her body. With a bob cut and dark makeup, her ways of making her face look different from her twin sister work like a charm. Unlike Bea now, Bella was the perfect combination of their parents. A natural blonde hair from her mother and a set of front emerald green eyes like their dad. While Bea has always been fit and owned tight abs from her time in the school swim team, Bella has a petite figure, embellished with her big breast and curvy behind, alongside a flat belly which was a gift from her mother.

Bottom line now, with how different the two sisters were, their parents finds it a hard time to pick who would be the perfect bride for Dante Messina though Bella could've been the perfect choice just from her interest in man and having to maintain her physical exterior as wanted by her dear parents. How in the world they decide to go with Bea was beyond her.

They had to know somehow that Bea won't go down without a fight. To be forced to marry a heterosexual and start making changes to her looks didn't sit well with her. That was probably why her parents had chosen Bea instead of Bella. To change her into the proper heiress a Granger could be proud of.

Unfortunately, their plan backfires just a few days before the wedding and who came to clean up their mess? Bella did and look what her now-husband had put her through...

She shivered in the corner of the darkroom. Only the bar inside the room has small lights on the cabinet.

When the door opens again, she gasped loudly and pulls her skirt tighter against her body. She covers her face on her dress as she hugs her knees. Heaving and no doubt about to pass out from her panic attack.

Heavy footsteps gradually approach her. When the sound became closer and stops right in of her, an exasperated sigh fills the room.

" I leave the room 30 minutes ago and you still wear that?" Danteasksk her. He sounded annoyed.

Bella just kept quiet. She was scared of saying anything back to her husband whom she beginning to see as a monster.

She flinched when she hears a crackling from him kneeling down and she didn't think it was possible to feel his burning gaze on her like that.

He finally sighed again and spoke to her.

"This silent treatment won't work on me. Nor do you crying your guts out or being hurt from what I do or say bothers me. You've made your fucking decision even after I warned you."

He stood back up again and walks to the door again. Bella knew that seeing she was speaking through the space from her crossed arms.

"The maids will help you to your new room. You'll have proper clothes there and not the same thing you had worn before. I do not wish to bed a woman who finds my body distasteful and I simply don't care what your sexuality is but you are my wife. You better act like one and if you ever try to bring your lifestyle into my mansion, I'll make sure the Granger family name will be wiped out for good. I can do that, Bea and I sure as hell will. A Messina's name is not a game. It's respect."

He didn't even need to convince her that.

..

She knew it was morning but the cool air penetrating her thick sheets and hugging her bare skin made it impossible for Bella to wake up from her heaven like slumber.

Smiling as she sleep felt so good and she knew the moment she decides to wake up and come down, it would mean her new life as Dante Messina's fake wife would start.

She was so terrified by it that she pulls her comforter over her head and continue to cuddle with her new pillow in her new room.

"Ruff!" A tiny bark oh-so-familiar to her made Bella gasp. She knew that tiny roar anywhere and when she get out of her sheets. She looks to her left and right but sees nothing was there until she sees a little on the corner of her left is being scratched, she leans forward and cried in joy.

Her precious Maltese, Juliet or better known as Juju was reaching out to her in her pretty pink bow collar and a sunflower mini clip holding her long hair intact. Her body was trimmed short but she still has her signature long white hair and the cutest set of brown eyes that never fails to make her day.

She lean forward and carried Juju to her chest and tears filled her eyes.

"How did you get here, precious? Mummy miss you so much." And indeed she has. When Bella was reached out to replace Bea, she had no choice but to ask her neighbour to take care of her.

Being so busy and how hectic everything has become, she literally forgets about her tiny best friend.

When Juju starts to jump excitedly on her lap and start licking her face uncontrollably, Bella heard a small chuckle near her and she looks up to see who it was.

"She is a very cute dog." It was the older maid, Miss Nona.

She has short hair that curls around her head. Quite a typical hairstyle for an older woman her age and it was a dark brown colour with grey highlight.

" Yes. Indeed she is." Bella replied with a smile. "You must be Miss Nona. I'm _"

"Oh, everyone in this house knows who you are madam Beatrice. Young master Dante's new wife."

Bella blinked. She nodded and smiled at her.

"Y..yes. Beatrice. His new wife. Of course."

Saying that was more like a reminder to herself. A reminder of who she was and she smiled.

At least until Beatrice returns that is so she can continue to live in her studio apartment with Juju and her books. The one she read and the one she had wrote ... or beginning too but never had an inspiration... ever.

"I apologise for bothering you at this hour but I was told that you have not eaten anything last night. You were... drunk, am I right?"

Bella frowned and immediately, the memory of Dante forcing her to chug alcohol down her throat resurface. Her body froze and she looks down as if in shame.

"Its okay, Mdm Beatrice. It was your wedding night after all. Its understandable for some drinking to be done last night but I saw you were not handling it well. The chefs have prepared you something for your hangover. It is being cooked right now so if you can start fleshing up yourself, I'm sure your breakfast will be warm by the time you finish."

Bella nodded. " Of course. I appreciate that Miss Nona but please, just call me Bea. The Madam thingy just doesn't work for me." Not to mention she was much older than Bella so it was pretty rude to begin with.

The older lady chuckle and shook her head.

"It's alright Madam. You are my employer after all no matter how older I am to you. I am happy to serve you and dare I say, you have been a wonderful addition to this family. Unlike his past conquest... truly disappointing." She made a face of annoyance.

Bella nodded and a little 'ouch" from hearing about Dante's old flames... wait, why? She was hitting herself on her head.

Miss Nona checked her watch and her eyes widen in surprise. "Oh my, I'm going to be late. If you'll excuse me madam, I have to go down and check on the kitchen supplies. Will I be seeing you at the dining room later?"

Bella nodded. "Of course and thank you again for my Juju. By the way, before you leave, how did you come upon her?"

Bella pointed at Juliet who was lying on her back and pawing her tiny paws near Bella's chin.

"Oh, it was your mother. She was told you had left your dog at your place so she passed Juju to me this morning."

"Wait, she was here? Why didn't she say anything to me? Meet me at least?" She was sounding more disappointed than she should.

"I'm sorry madam but I don't know. All I know is that she ask us to give you this dog as it place a special place in your heart. Moreover, your time here could be a quiet one seeing young master Dante is always busy."

Bella nodded. " I see. Okay then, you may leave, Miss Nona."

"Thank you, madam." As soon as the older lady leaves her room and close the door, a long sigh escape from her lips and she lean back to the bed post. She looks down at Juju and smiled.

" I miss you little one. This place right here may be our last, depends on how smart Bea can avoid them."

She looks up and admire the paintings that seems to light up her dull grey room. She had seen the exterior of the house being grand, bright colours and just beautiful so seeing her room was nothing but white, her curiosity made her hopeful she will be able to learn more about the new home she was in.

Dante's Mansion.

She kinda likes the name... even for a little bit.