"Mia regina!" Raffaelle called out from the other side of the door after a few knocks
"Go away Raff, I'm busy!!" I yelled back as I lay sprawled on the king sized bed watching a certain comedy show.
"Aimee you're literally watching a show or something, you've been in there since morning" he said laughing
"It's important Aimee, we wouldn't want to get Luca mad. would we now??" he added moments later.
Giving off a tired breath, I lazily got out of the bed still in my pijama as I hadn't taken a shower the whole day and it was already evening.
" This better be important Raff, you made me leave my tv" I whined sticking my head out the door.
"Luca said to give this to you, he wants you ready by 6:30. He's taking you to dinner" he handed me a gift box.
"Luca?? Me?? Out of the house??" I questioned in confusion
"ya you heard right, I think my romance skills are rubbing off on him" Raff teased making me laugh
"As if that could ever happen"
"Do you need help with your make up? He said to call someone if you needed help" he recounted
"Nah, it's fine." I replied. Make up had always been a natural thing for me. I didn't need help when it came to that.
"Alright then. best to go get ready, it's almost 5:30 already"
"ya, thanks" I closed the door behind me before rushing to the bed to examine the content of the box.
A letter was placed neatly in it alongside the dress.
"Suitable only for a queen
Mrs Aimee Savedra"
I read those words over and over again trying to remember where I had seen it from, then it clicked. Those were the same words that came with his engagement ring.
I couldn't understand what was wrong with Luca and this whole kingdom charade.
I gasp as I held out the dress he had gifted me.
It was a short satin silk bodycon burgundy dress with spaghetti straps. It screamed expensive and sexy, I had instantly fallen in love with it. Luca did know how to go extreme every time.
I rushed into the washroom and did my business as time was running out. The show I had been watching was long forgotten by now. Walking into the closet, I skimmed through my undies and decided against wearing a bra as the dress didn't require one.
I sat before the vanity mirror, it was time to work on my face. I wasn't trying to impress Luca or anything of that sort so I decided on a simple smokey eyes and crowned it up with nude lips. The eyeshadow blending made my blue eyes pop out more but the choice of lipstick gave everything a cool look. I had to say, the make up was nicely done.
Slipping into the dress with its side zipper, it was a perfect fit. It hugged my curves and made my thighs look bigger, giving me this drool worthy figure. I stared at the mirror admiring the dress tracing it's v-neck which exposed the right amount of cleavage.
Unwrapping the towel from my damp hair, I started blow drying it.
After it was dried up, I straightened it and let my black hair pour down my back.
In my opinion, I always looked better with my hair let down.
I slid on my Louis Vuitton heels and accompanied the look with my clutch also from the same brand.
Giving myself a final look at the mirror, I was totally satisfied with who was starting back at me. It's funny how money and fashion covered up my empty life to the public.
Just then, the door opened and Luca walked into the room. He was dressed in an expensive black suit which made obvious his status in the society and also highlighted his breathtaking looks.
" Potrei dover cancellare questa data tesoro, sembri così fottutamente Incantevole"
(I might have to cancel this date, you look so fucking ravishing) his gaze never leaving me once as the Italian language rolled off his tongue.
"Luca you know I don't speak that much" I retorted
"You look beautiful tesoro" he complimented.
"Thanks" I curtly replied
"are you done? Could we leave now? Prima che cambi idea"
(before I change my mind)
"Ya, I'm all done"
We made our way down the stairs, none of us saying a word to the other. Although numerous questions stirred through my mind concerning this date, I decided against questioning Luca. At least not for now though.
"Isn't it our cutest couples" Raffaelle announced cheerfully as we made our way to the living room where he sat with Gustavo and Adam. I had just recently met Adam, he was said to be the third in command. Which meant in the absence of both Luca and Raff, Adam would be in charge.
"Shut it Raff" Luca grunted
"I'm only speaking the truth Luca" he said putting his hands up in the air in surrender
"You look beautiful Aimee, Raff is really rubbing off on you capo" Adam stated which made Luca snicker in irritation as Raff affirmed Adam's words
"Thanks Adam" I replied giving a smile
"We're leaving, try to not break anything" Luca said leading me away from the trio
"And begone before we're back" he yelled.
I sat in the passenger seat of Luca's black Bently as he drove not speaking a word to me.
I decided to make the best of the car ride and ask a few questions.
"why are you suddenly taking me out of the house" I questioned to which he totally snubbed, his eyes still fixed on the road
"Luca"
"Dal momento che non smetterei di parlare"
(since you wouldn't stop talking) he said giving off a sigh
"we're going to one of my hotels. I figured you'd need a break from the recent happenings" Luca stated
"Uhm thanks" I replied as Luca pulled over
"one more thing Aimee, there'll be paparazzi here and I expect you to be quiet and let me do the talking." He ordered
" Paparazzi?? How'd the press find out? "
" Word goes around real fast and this is our first outing as a couple. They'll definitely be on our trail" he said before we exited the vehicle.
"Good evening Mr Savedra" the valet greeted as Luca handed him the car key. Probably to park in some private place I guess.
Luca's hands stayed by my side as we made our way into the hotel.
" squisito"
The Italian name given to his hotel meant 'exquisite'. This was a suitable name for the hotel in my opinion as everything of the Savedra's always screamed exquisite.
"it's the power couple!" I heard a female yell before the press huddled around us cameras flashing and multiple questions were asked.
Luca's body guards cleared the way for us taking in different measures to push the people aside.
"Mr Savedra what can you say about your wife" a man questioned Luca as the others awaited a response.
"Perfect and beautiful. Never once a disappointment to the Savedra family" a smile plastered across his face as he looked at me in total admiration.
It was fake, he was putting up an act for the cameras and the people. I should have known this was all a publicity stunt.
Nevertheless, I returned the smile. Putting up the best act I could. I knew better than to misbehave or speak out of place.
"Mrs Aimee how does it feel to be a Savedra"
"Is it true this marriage wasn't your choice?"
"What about your rumoured fiance, a certain Maximiliano? "
"are you considering a divorce?"
"Are you happy with the ties between your families"
Numerous questions were bombarded at me but only one was currently swimming through my mind.
Maximiliano
Of course no one knew he was dead. They must think he's still at Russia and has moved on.
My heart instantly broke at the thought of him.
Luca held me tightly to his side, parading me like some trophy as we entered the hotel. I must say, it lived up to its name - exquisite
We had a private dinner reservation seeing as Luca was the owner of the hotel after all.
It was at the top of the building. It was decorated nicely and gave a perfect view of the outside from the see through glass.
Luca and I were seated as I let my eyes wander around. It was indeed magnificent.
A bottle of champagne already set on the table upon our arrival.
"care for this" Luca asked pouring himself a drink.
"Ya sure" I replied
"This is beautiful Luca, thank you" I genuinely appreciated as he drank from the wine glass.
"Well I think Raff is really rubbing of on me" he said making me giggle.
Luca wasn't so bad sometimes, he was fun and caring in a way but his mood switch ups were what made everything sour.
If I wasn't already into Maximiliano maybe there would have been a future for us.
The ringing of his mobile phone interrupted the comfortable silence.
"excuse me" he said before receiving the call.
" Sì, parla Rico".
(yes speak Rico) he grunted into the phone while I stared at him.
" I'll be right back" he mouthed at me before getting up from where he sat.
This was supposed to be a sort of date and a break from my life and this phone call had somehow enhanced my joy. If I was lucky enough, Luca would spend the whole time on the call while I'll enjoy my dinner in serenity.
"Usa qualsiasi metodo necessario, Rico, voglio che quelle informazioni escano da lui"
(use whatever method necessary Rico, I want that information out of him) his voice fading as he got farer.
"Hello Mrs Savedra, your husband had already pre ordered, should we serve now?" a boy who I'm guessing is the waiter questioned, his teeth flashing from the beautiful smile he had on.
" Ya sure" of course Luca would already place an order for both of us, my opinion never mattered in this marriage.
With a quick nod, he exited and returned moments later with the meal, both mine and Luca's. His was covered up awaiting his return.
My mouth watered immediately I saw it was my favorite dish, - lasagna
"This is really good" I compliment moaning at how delicious it tastes.
"I'm glad you like it ma'm we serve only the best here"
They'd definitely serve only best seeing as it's a Savedra establishment.
"it's deliciousss" I stressed taking a second bite.. Not to get me wrong, Catherine made good food also but I guess the freedom I got from this environment also added to its scrumptious taste.
"I'm sure your meals would taste even better" the waiter said with a broad smile plastered on his face. His sentence made me giggle at the irony. I wasn't an excellent cook
The sound of a gun being shot was heard, blood splattered on my face and chest before a body fell lump on the diner table ruining everything.
The waiter had been shot, right before my eyes.
"I leave for few minutes and you're flirting with my employee!" Luca yelled from behind me but I stayed rooted in place too shocked to speak.
"I'm talking to you Aimee!!" anger flared in his tone as he walked in front of our table.
My eyes were fixed on the body before me, the body which had a smile on its face few seconds ago. It now lay unmoving as blood slipped through the bullet hole and soaked the table.
"I wasn't f-flirting with him Luca" my voice came out weak.
"Then what was this rubbish!!" he yelled again
"look at him Luca, he's no more than nineteen. Do you think I'd flirt with a nineteen year old???" I questioned in disbelief.
"Are you talking back at me!"
"You monster!!! You killed him!!" I screamed as reality started kicking in.
"Sta 'zitto"
(shut up) he roughly pulled me out of the chair, dragging me out of the restaurant through a new route. I think it's a private one as there was no paparazzi or anyone else for that matter.
At the entrance of the hotel, Luca's car was already parked up front and the valet from before handed the keys to Luca before hurrying away.
"Let go of me you killer" I struggled in his hold as he kept dragging me over to the car.
"I SAID LET GO OF ME!!" I yelled
"Don't make me hit you in public tesoro" his tone held so much anger as his eyes dared me to challenge him. That was enough to shut me up.
"Get into the fucking car" he roared.
The car ride was painfully quite. I kept stealing glances at Luca as he drove. His eyes fixed on the road with much intensity, his hands clung to the wheel so tightly his knuckles began turning white.
It was at this moment I began fearing for my life. Luca could possibly kill me and no one would know about it.
He parked at the driveway as I quickly flung the door open to hurry my way into the house in order to hide.
"Dove cazzo pensi di and are"
(where the fuck do you think you're going) his hands grabbed a large chunk of my hair as he began pulling me with him.
"Luca p-please, I swear I wasn't flirting with him. You're hurting me please" the burning sensation on my scalp increased by the second.
Unlocking the door, he pushed me into the house.
"You whore!!" he yelled as his hand came in contact with my face, sending me flying across the room.
We were currently in the living room and the couch somewhat stopped my fall.
"back home already??" Raffaelle's voice came from the kitchen. His eyes widened as he saw the state I was.
"Luca, what's wrong??" he questioned as he approached his friend.
"Raff please don't let him hurt me" I begged backing away from them.
"Chill man, she's already got blood on her face. Don't hit her anymore"
Luca stood there, his eyes tearing holes into me with his chest heaving with anger. He kept clenching his hands as he stared at me.
"Stai fuori da questo Raff"
(stay out of this Raff) he said through gritted teeth.
"Non sto cercando di intromettermi Luca, ma non picchiarla. Calmati"
(I'm not trying to get in the way Luca, but don't beat her. Just calm down) Raff said in a soothing manner.
"Partire"
(leave) Luca simply said. Although this was his best friend, Raffaelle knew when Luca spoke as a friend and when he spoke as a capo. The number one rule in the mafia is to always obey the words of the boss.
Raff gave Aimee a quick look of pity before Exiting the Savedra mansion.
"Luca please you have to believe me, I wasn't flirting with him" I begged dropping down on my knees. If this was the way to survive then I would suck up my pride.
"just few minutes and you're whoring around?!?" he yelled as he took large steps towards where I knelt. A sinister laughter raked through him.
"I was-..." the sentence was left incomplete as Luca's foot connected to my stomach. He kicked me really hard to the point where I found it hard to breath.
His eyes raked through my body in the tight dress that had torn from all the harsh treatment. He dragged me by the hair and tossed me carelessly on the couch. His hands tore off whatever was left of the dress on my body before he started working on taking off his cloths.
"since you love being a slut so much, I should treat you as one"
"Get a-away from m-me you PSYCHOTIC BEAST!!! " I yelled as tears poured from my eyes like a tap that had been left running.
"You better watch that pretty mouth of yours before I have it carved out" grabbing my cheek harshly, he threatened lowly.
"You're a monster" my voice came out weaker than intended.
"I know tesoro. And this is my world, your underworld" he trailed open kisses down my chest before backhanding me. My head wiped to the other side from its impact.
He got off me before making his way upstairs to our room. The house shook as he banged the door shut in rage.
I lay unmoving on the couch, my body in severe pain from the slaps and kicks but I was utterly grateful he hadn't forced himself on me.
The tears continued flowing freely out of my eyes as sobs after sobs raked through me. Nothing in this world was going to take me upstairs in a while.