Camila
I didn't know when my fist connected with his face. I shifted back in anger. "Don't you dare touch me," I spat, pointing my fingers at him. The shade of his eyes was not in their usual form.
It happened so fast that I wasn't able to control it on time. I winced in pain when he dug his finger into my cheeks. His breath fanning my face. "Don't make a mistake of raising your filthy hands on me ever again. I don't forgive. I will deal with you later, but first we'll go see my parents," he seethed. I'm sure his nails will leave a scar on my face because the pain was so intense.
He released his hand from my cheeks, nevertheless, slid them down to my wrist, pulling me away. "Why are you dragging me? I can practically walk by myself." He paid no heed to my words and kept pulling me at a fast pace. I had to walk extra fast to keep up with his pace. And the heels I wore were not helping the matter.
He unlocked the door and pushed me in, locking the door with a loud thud. "What sort of stupid behavior is this?" I uttered the moment he entered the car.
He turned to me with fury in his eyes. "Say that again and I promise you will get a slap." My body didn't fail to shiver at his words. The look in his eyes undoubtedly tells me the man is serious. I turned my face to the other side of the window while he drove to his said parents' house.
Even when the car came to a halt, I said nothing and didn't make a move. "Don't expect me to open the car for you. You have hands," he said, passing me a look of disdain.
"Well, I didn't expect you to," I spat back, opening the car door. A vast mansion greeted me. However, I didn't get time to dwell on it when his voice sounded by my side. "Let's go."
I rolled my eyes at his back and followed suit. I can't explain how big the surroundings were. Everything screamed luxury. We passed by a sculpture with a water fountain. We stopped at the entrance door with two bulky men standing side by side the door. "Welcome, Sir," they greeted with a slight bow. Antonio didn't even answer them. Acting all bossy and arrogant.
He dared to kiss me. The way my heart almost ripped out of its socket when I felt his lips on mine. The heat I felt down. I know that wasn't my first kiss, but the feeling was something I've never felt in a long time. I snapped myself back to reality when an unfamiliar female voice reached my ears.
A beautiful yet elegant woman welcomed me with a smile on her face. She wasn't wearing makeup, but she had that kind of natural look. "Welcome, my daughter-in-law," I was taken by surprise when she pulled me in for a hug, not giving me the chance to take in everything.
"Good day, Ma'am," I said when she pulled apart. She flashed me yet another smile, which I found quite amusing for someone meeting you for the first time. It's nice.
"Call me Mother. We're now family. Come," she urged, pulling me away toward the sitting room. I was about to sit when I got interrupted by Antonio. "I want to have a word with you," he said coldly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. If not for his mother's eyes that were on us, I would've given him a straightforward answer. Who does he think he is? Ordering me around like his possession. He should remove the mindset of claiming me. He won't get any of me.
"Behave yourself around. I don't want to hear or see any silly mistakes," he muffled out, marching forward. I shifted back, giving enough space between us. "That is left for me whether I want to behave or not. You can't teach me how to talk or how to behave."
"I'm warning you, woman. Don't forget I have a pending punishment for you. Don't add fuel to the fire."
"Do your worst." With that, I turned on my heels and walked away. I knew I had pushed his buttons. Deep down, I was scared by the way his dangerous eyes were piercing through my skull. I had a private investigator to get me the information on him since there weren't any on the internet. He had achieved a lot, working as an underboss with the largest casino in the whole of Italy. He was known as the "Dagger Don" because he knew the strategies of the business like the back of his hand.
He knows who to cut loose when they no longer serve a purpose to him. His name was known, but not him physically. A man working with a mask. You can imagine he's not just a normal person to deal with. Yet, I'm entangled with him. For how long? I don't know. Maybe forever.
"I guess you don't remember me," Antonio's mother said. My brows raised in question. Antonio was no longer in sight. He can do whatever he wants to do. For all I care.
"You know me?" Okay, it won't be surprising. I might not be that popular, but I've gotten enough recognition for people to know me. Especially through the interview I had, which was on Forbes.
"Of course. You dined at my restaurant one time like that. I think it was with a client."
"Oh..." I trailed off, not sure of what to add.
"Welcome to the Salvatore family. Don't mind my son. Sometimes he acts weird."
Or even more. Arrogant and wicked.
"And I know everything, so feel free. I was actually relieved when I heard the news that Antonio got married even before knowing who the girl is. But now I'm more relieved because he married you and not one of the rich, spoiled ladies out there."
Relieved? Everyone is relieved while I'm not, and I don't think I will ever be. In as much as I know who I got married to and the reason why I married him, I won't allow him to control me. He doesn't own me. I will make him regret getting married to me. I might as well start with his mother.
I heaved out a sharp breath and let out a smile. "You're right, Mother. He made me agree to his demand against my will and even threatened to slap me. Is that how a husband should treat his wife on their first day as a married couple?"
Her eyes went wide at my words. "Antonio said that?"
I nodded in answer, forming my lips into a thin line. "Don't worry, dear. He will get an earful from me. For now, let's eat lunch, and then you tell me more about yourself."