Chapter 8 : Not The one I used to Know

It was more than a week…

A good 13 days when he had avoided his wife after their wedding but he had a little pleasure of speaking to her occasionally. Getting to know his little wife.

He could've sworn the last time he sees her from afar, she wore so little fabric, belly button piercing, black hair, and making out with Lilibeth. If it wasn't for his grandfather ordering him to marry Beatrice and his constant curiosity to know more about the situation or people around him, he wouldn't have visited Azbaztoz, a club that is mostly occupied by the rich kids of the Upper East Side and known for their weak drug policy and figure out what kind of a woman his future wife would be.

It's not that he didn't enjoy the company of music and large crowds. God knows he wasn't a saint ever since he was in school but being a Messina, keeping things balanced was important seeing he would be the next in line after his father, Lorenzo. Once he was given the position of COO of the Messina Empire, he was solely responsible for making good connections with their current and future stakeholders, making million-dollar deals, and maintaining the respect and glory of his family name. While he's in charge of the official matters, his father would be responsible for the darker side of their family business, and being the true father he was, Lorenzo had made sure his son won't be a part of his sin.

Nor did Dante ask for it.

Coming back to his bride, Dante remembered how badly he was against the whole wedding and begged his father to not proceed with it.

Flash back:

~1 months before the wedding~

"I beg you, papa. Please don't make me marry that girl. She is not what the Messina needs." He says to his father who had sat in his office in Manhattan while Dante lean towards the table at Lorenzo.

"You know I have not much say in that. I want you to marry her but, the deciding factor is you having to follow your grandfather's will. Nevertheless, what do you think the Messina needs, Dante?" Lorenzo replied but he didn't even look at Dante when he speaks. His eyes was locked on the tablet he was holding.

"Perhaps a straight daughter in law or someone that does not show the Messina is just accepting woman that have no shame in displaying her sexuality in a club filled with the children of New York socialites."

That seem to capture Lorenzo's attention. The old man flip his tablet closed and stare at Dante.

"Homosexual? Jared daughter likes woman? I didn't know that. Hell, she didn't look like that as well."

Lorenzo shook his head and sighed. Smiling, he looks at Dante and say, "Don't worry about this matter. I will check for myself if what you say is true. Leave it to me, son."

Dante couldn't believe Lorenzo's response. "Are you kidding me, papa? I see it with my own eyes. She was kissing Arthur Gray's daughter in the middle of a night club."

Lorenzo chuckled. "Are you telling me that you have problems with homosexual people, Dante?"

Dante snorted. "If you are implying that I am sexist, of course not. I just don't believe one should force themselves to marry someone with different sexuality. I'm sure Granger's daughter wouldn't like it as well."

"She could be both, son. I heard that people like that are very common these days."

Dante shook his head as he cup his forehead. "Papa. I don't even know what you are doing at this point. Of all the woman you want to match me with, you want me to marry a lesbian and the daughter of a man who is rumored to be going bankrupt. It's a big world out there but you have made such a quick decision without even stepping out of New York.

You know what, papa. I don't want get married yet. In fact, it's the last thing on my list. Why don't you focus on something else like retire and visit Aruba? I hear the weather there is perfect for holiday."

Lorenzo laughed. "And do what, sit by the beach and watch other people play with their kids and grandchildren while I have nothing? No, son. Absolutely not. You want me to leave you alone once and for all? You give me a grandchild after marrying the Granger's eldest daughter."

"But papa…"

"No buts. Like I said, I will get in the middle of it. You can start your wedding preparation."

He wanted to slam the table so hard, he was willing to break his hand if that's what necessary for him to stall the wedding. But alas, if Lorenzo made up his mind on something, he won't change because of the thing his father always taught him ever since he was a kid was that, Lorenzo Messina never made any mistakes.

…

He had woken up a little late today. He didn't think he would sleep off till noon but McMahon, one of his investors practically forced him to stay and drink bourbon all night. He was having a pretty bad case of hangover.

Not only did he missed his breakfast, he also missed seeing his wife and the thought of it didn't really sit well with him.

He were so mad about being forced to marry Bea that he didn't really bask in what she had worn or look like at their wedding day. Only when she walks to the dining room with her lively dress and soft, wavy blonde hair cupping her beautiful face did he begin to notice what a gem she actually looks like.

There wasn't any ounce of the woman he had seen that night. Her innocent, timid and soft features was like a wave of fresh air to his face. Her smile in which she dedicate to Miss Nona was so beautiful. it reminded her of his childhood crush, Brooke Shield. Even her green eyes was so bright and mesmerizing, he had to fight his inner soul from being sucked into it.

It was a shame to know that such beauty could never be his no matter what legal bond they have with each other. The silky, white nightgown she wore when she drank the hot milk looks absolutely sexy on her curvy body. Him, towering her small body ignites a sense of protectiveness inside him that he never felt for anybody.

Was it just because Bea is his official bride?

Not to mention the attraction he felt for her. Dante can feel his need for her building up and fear that it would scare her at some point. He is a gentleman indeed but nothing about his lovemaking was gentle.

It's always something quick, brief and all the women he had spent the night with would be strangers the next morning. His life was so hectic, he barely had time for vacation no matter how many times his grandfather ask him to do so.

Nevertheless, he is someone's husband now and, his duty is not only for his company but for his beautiful bride as well. Getting up from his bed, his hair was long enough to touch the middle of his forehead so he swiped them back and grab the hot black coffee on a small drawer beside his bed.

Walking to the wall window beside his round bed, he sucked in the glorious afternoon sun. He sighed and begins to enjoy waking up without a thing to think off. Maybe, his father was right. A vacation would be the best thing he can do.

As his eyes dragged down to his beautiful backyards, a movement near a vegetable garden Miss Nona made him stops drinking. His eyes widen and her lips open in surprise at what he is witnessing.

Beatrice, his wife alongside with a few of his gardeners was doing some gardening's near a spot where the cabbages grow. From afar, he can see her pearly white teeth when she laughs at whatever his old gardeners was saying to her. It must be funny since the other two female gardeners laughed as well. Her fair cheek has dirt smudge under her eye and wearing her round straw hat made her looks adorable. Even the blue jeans jumpsuit and pink inner shirt she wore looks cute on her.

Her dog was having the time of her life too since the little blob of cloud was running nearby with Louis. He suspected his dog has never been laid before and seeing such beautiful female around, he just can't help himself.

So was Dante. He was amazed and just practically astound. Beatrice was surprising him again and again. What other things he will see later?

Heck, he wanted to know more now.

Marching out of his room, he passed by the servants and per usual, Odessa would lean back and greeted him in a giddy voice. Why she thinks that looks attractive, he didn't know why.

Good afternoon, sir. Would you like me to prepare you some food? I can make it qui…"

Dante ignored her and walk past her. He didn't have time for that. When he goes to the kitchen where the door there heads to his backyard, Dante come across Miss Nona and speaks to her.

"Miss Nona."

She turned around in surpised.

"Young master. You are finally awake. Somehow I figured that out so I just reheat this meal. Do you want to eat before or after shower?"

"Forget about that first. Why is my wife gardening over there? Did she just start today?" His voice sounded stern but his expression was nothing of that sort.

Miss Nona frowned at first and shift her gaze across the kitchen window. Later, she finally understood what Dante was talking about and replied.

"You mean the garden? Yes, the young mistress started helping out Matthew the third day she was here. Our mistress has a green thumb. She knows well how to make not only the vegetables and fruits grow. Even the flowers too."

"You sure about that? It's real and not just her faking it?"

"Of course, young master. Even I was surprised that she was lending a hand doing the whole thing. With the dirt and fertilizers, I would've though a woman of her breed to…"

"To what?" Dante rolled his eyes. "Relax and shopping all day?"

"Sure. Why not? I heard she was a Granger, no? She comes from rich family. Must've had help too but even when it comes to cooking, she likes to help me out."

Dante crossed his arms. "When did she do that?"

Miss Nona wave her hand to the plates fill with delicious food, about five of them with different dishes and cuisine that made him drool.

"Who do you think made all these? She was concern about you waking up late so she assumed a big meal would help you out. Very smart woman, even she knows that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach. What lucky wife you have here, young master."

Dante nodded. He looks back at Beatrice and a smile perk form his lips.

"I guess I am."