CHAPTER NINE

She felt love for this man−no woman could hate Major, not with the good-looking head he had on his shoulders−but there was also pain and deep anger.

okay fine, so he loved that other woman and he was stuck with her instead but did he have to punish her for it?

It wasn't easy leaving the mansion of the Ricci's where she was caged most of her lifetime and living with him, having no experience about men because her mafia father wouldn't let no-one come near her and even the daring ones feared his reputation.

She told her over-protective dad on the eve of the wedding that she could handle this man, and he should give her space and she would use her seductive charm. But she wasn't sure anymore. 

Who was this Aria? why did he call her particularly call her name of all the names of the women he has slept with? 

And as she closely watched his facial reaction to all sections of the fashion show, she saw his morose eyes light up when they fell on a particular model. It could be nothing, but it wasn't going to stop her from finding out what she needed to know. 

****

He motioned to his body-guards, his hands flicking to his wife's direction. 'keep her busy'.

She pushed forward through the crowd; the paparazzi asking him a million questions about his new clothes line, others greeting him congrats and swarms of models.

He searched round for her, his head a bit taller than the rest.

Finally he saw her and came up to her. She was backing him, her eyes on the train of models ahead. He lightly touched her, his palms tickling at the touch of her soft forearms. She spun back startled, then speechless.

Major smiled to himself pleased. Good to know he still had that effect on women especially Aria.

'how are you? He smiled down at her. The bright overhead lights made her lips look more full and lush unlike before. The plush redness of it made his hormones rage like crazy. He wanted his lips on hers, now.

'Ah, Major, I thought you forgot about me' Aria stuttered as she fell amiss in the twinkling pools of his aquamarine eyes.

'I wouldn't dare to forget' he said, grabbing her by the waist and whisking her into a room which was, thank god, empty.

The fast movement stole her breath away and he didn't let her recover as he placed his lips on hers. The headiness of the rush of dopamine at the collision made him go gentle at first.

But then he started to remember how much he has missed this woman, how much he has craved his body on hers, that he might never get to see her after today.

The kisses became demanding like he wanted to taste every contour, memorize every soft edge, the flavour of her cherry lipstick with the suppleness of her lips and smooth lines of her hips.

His hands strayed to her perky butt swollen with arousal and he pushed her against his hard core. Aria didn't resist. She took it all in like a dessicated sponge absorbing water, thirsty for more. She crossed her arms over his neck not wanting him to stop. The chaotic noise of the after event just behind the closed doors didn't register in her head, and she pushed him towards the doors.

A sharp knock halted them immediately. 'Boss' a voice called. 'The managers of the event are looking for you'.

Aria's heart thudded violently against her chest in fear. She was in a very undignified position with Major, it would be improper for anyone to find them like that.

Major reluctantly dropped her. He kissed her one last time. 'You have my number, I'll call you' he whispered into her ear, her body involuntary shivered on ecstasy.

As he quickly slipped out, her heart fell. He would call her, he would sleep with her, and he would completely forget about her, maybe until they crossed paths in the later future.

And she would oblige, she would willingly share his bed, and it would take her another 365 days to purge the memory from her mind again.

****

Aria ransacked her closet like a beggar scavenging a dump for food. She planned to wear the best, the brightest, the tightest of clothes. The last time, she let Major slip through her fingers, but this time her figure will be etched forever on the forefront of his mind, she'll make sure of that. He won't turn her world upside down and leave on a quits notice, this time she'll have him come back begging for more. 

****

The post-event dinner was rather cold. Too cold for comfort. Her dad had showed up without any warning and even though she was married off to the Bacuzzi's to keep the peace, the bad blood between the both families still made the air stale.

Conversations were hushed, and the way Major made her feel invisible despite the attempts to cozy up to him so her father will notice nothing amiss was like the scratch sound of the cutlery on the glass plates scratching against her heart and making it bleed.

For goodness sakes she loves this man, why was it so hard for him to reciprocate, to at least even see it.

For a few moments no sound was made, just the scratch scratch sound of the cutlery on the plates as both families tore at the food on their plates.

Her father didn't notice the way the Bacuzzi's tore at their food with vengeance, he kept flicking his glance between Major and she.

Finally he cleared his throat. 'You amazed me today my child' he said, nodding to her. 'The way Laves was managed with such flair and perfection. Congrats on that. I'm so happy for you'.

Sienna's heart swelled with pride and her eyes warmed with tears at his nice comment. Major didn't care to appreciate her or the fact that it was her meticulous planning that was responsible for the 2.7 billion sales he made today, the Bacuzzi's treated it like it was nothing, despite she having worked tooth and nail to make it the most flamboyant fashion show in all of Europe.

He was the only one that appreciated her. The dangerous most feared Ricci who has a soft spot for his daughter. He came down from Poland just to see her even. 'Thank you Daddy. Your words means so much to me' she leaned towards him and he kissed her forehead.

The Bacuzzi's were quiet as they watched their affection. As Sienna leaned back from her dad's kiss, she felt a warm manly hand cover hers. She turned, shocked that he even touched her. 'I'm sorry, I was so caught up in all the activities to even thank you. Thank you so much. You're the best wife on this planet'.

She was still stunned as he leaned down and kissed her hair softly with practiced charm. She smiled at him warmly. She knew he was faking it because of her dad, but still…'You are the best husband on this planet too'. 

After the dinner, Ricci begged to leave though Major pleaded that he stay back a little time to discuss business.

Sienna saw him off at the car Port, Major watching her from the multistory glass windows. 

'I have a keen sense My Child. He's maltreating you'.

She chuckled nervously. 'Ahh Daddy, no oh'.

'I kept my word. I kept off his borderlines, I spared his men cruel deaths, the condition was that he'll take good care of you'. He fondly placed a hand on her shoulder. 'If he's not taking care of you as you should, you can tell me. I'll teach him not to mess with a Ricci'.

Now she laughed out loud. 'Oh Daddy, that's not necessary. You have thought Major a lot of lessons, he's just a stubborn man'.

Ricci was a thick-set man so he was breathing heavily as he scrutinized his daughter.

She looked back at him, batting her eyelids in innocence. 'Remember why you are here. Don't fall too hard for a man that don't give a shit about you'.

I remember Daddy, she silently muttered under her breath as the doorman banged his door close and the car drove away, leaving her standing there sad.

 The same sad she was when he drove away on her wedding day with his words. 'You are going there to help me find his weakness and bring his cartel to their knees'.

'Daddy, I love him. I can't spy on him for you'.

He tucked stray flicks of her beautifully styled hair behind her ear and patted her cheeks fondly, yet he voice was harsh as acid. 'You know he detests you. You can sniff it off him a mile away.'

'I'll make him fall for me'

'And if he doesn't?' She was silent.

He continued. 'Then there'll be no need to pledge loyalty to someone who hates you. You make him fall for you, you fail, then you get me what I want'. He patted her cheeks again, but this time there was nothing gentle about it. 'Agreed?

She nodded, thinking that Major Knight may be huge and scary but he won't refuse good sex.

6 months later, she's dejectedly standing in the carport, Major looking down on her from the building, thinking how very wrong she was.