Camila
Just because we're married doesn't mean he can invade my privacy and think he can boss me around. No matter what, I will not succumb to his demands. Never. Before, I intended to work from home, but now I couldn't care less. If we stay under one roof for another day, we'll end up killing each other. That's for certain. He has his ego, I have mine. Birds of the same feather flock together.
I settled for my normal work outfit, grabbed my bag, and sauntered out. I planned to remind Sam to fetch me my things quickly. From there, I would head home and get my car keys. I was surprised when I opened the door to face Antonio. At first, I wanted to speak, but I decided to just turn a blind eye. However, I didn't take more than two steps before he pulled me back. "Let me go," I muffled out as calmly as I could.
"You will leave only when I give you permission to," I yanked my hand away forcefully.
"I'm not your toy. You can't tell me what to do," I spat back defiantly. He took predatory steps toward me, getting to my eye level. "I have every right to order you around. You are my wife. It's compulsory for you to respect me."
A chuckle escaped me. Look at a man who doesn't know the meaning of respect, telling me I should respect him. My body was on edge with our close proximity, but that didn't make me succumb. "I don't think you know what respect means. Because if you do, you wouldn't have done what you did. You have no respect!" I let out the last word in a high pitch. Something flickered in his eyes. Rage. I think I'm about to get myself into more trouble. My mouth seems to work on its own.
"I will only turn a blind eye because of the guest we'd be having. You will surely get punished for always running your mouth anyhow. Pull yourself together and come out." There was no denying his words held authority. No one could convince me otherwise of how dangerous I felt whenever he came too close to me.
As much as I hated his guts, I had to play pretense. It's too early for me to show my dislike towards him in front of my parents, especially my mother who has been dreaming of the day I would get married. However, this is not the kind of marriage I want. Not a marriage based on demands or forced upon me. By the time I made my way out, Antonio and my mother were seated in the living room. It was her first time meeting him, and I bet he would give her a wrong first impression so I wouldn't be able to convince her of his true character.
"She's here," Antonio said as I approached them, wearing a smile. The smile I dreaded so much. If there were a way I could wipe it off his face, I would. Forever.
I mustered a smile. "Welcome, Mom," I greeted, trying to sound cheerful. "What can I get for you? A drink or-"
"No, I'm fine. I'm actually running late. Your father couldn't come along due to an urgent meeting. I decided to come since I didn't get to witness the wedding."
She was making it sound as if it were a real wedding. What we had wasn't real. And it will never be real. At least, I knew that. "We're sorry it came as short notice to you. Camila and I will pay you a visit one of these days," I replied politely, subtly shifting back when I noticed Antonio's hand about to grab mine. I wouldn't let him touch me; that's the last thing I'd allow.
My mom stood up. "Take care of yourself. We'll talk more next time." Something didn't sound right in her tone. My mom wasn't the quiet type. She should have been asking me all sorts of questions, but she remained unusually quiet. I just hoped Antonio didn't say anything to her.
I threw him a look, and that same smile was plastered on his face. "Let me walk you to the door," I announced. I was about to follow suit when Antonio spoke up.
"Aren't you going to get your bag from the room and leave for work?" Mom and I exchanged looks. What game was he trying to play now? If only I had my bag with me. I guess it slipped from me when we were arguing.
"Go on. We'll talk next time."
"Mom, I will just fetch the bag and we'll leave together."
"No argument. I know how you can be. Before you fetch the bag, I will miss my appointment. After all, we're not heading in the same direction. I'm off."
"Thank you, Ma'am. Expect us soon," Antonio exclaimed. He didn't even move an inch from where he was seated. That showed how disrespectful he is. He should have shown some courtesy at least.
My insides burned. I waited until my mom was out of the room before I attacked him. "What the hell did you tell my mom?" I yelled, marching up to him. He rose from where he was seated and began walking towards the dining area.
"I'm talking to you, give me an answer."
He poured water into the glass and gulped it down, fixing his dangerous eyes on me. "Exactly what needed to be said."
"What was that! Don't play games with my mom. Her behavior was unlike her. If you succeeded in taming my father and brother, you won't be able to do that with me and my mom," I warned, pointing at him with my index finger.
His mouth curved into a smile. "Well, it depends on how well I play the cards. And you're not going anywhere." I was about to walk away when I stopped in my tracks upon hearing his words.
I turned around. "You must be joking, right?"
"Do I look like someone who fancies joking around? You can resume work when I give you orders." I don't know why he thinks he can order me around and make me succumb to him. Maybe he doesn't know who Camila is.
This time around, it was my turn to smile. Maybe we should go ahead and kill each other in the big house. If we do, no one will be able to tell who killed who first. "Listen here, Mr. Antonio Di Salvatore, you married Camila Castellano, not her character or her body. I'm an independent woman, and no one dares to tell me what to do. Not my parents or you," I stated word by word. And that seemed to alert something in him. That should serve as a reminder for what's coming his way.
"I will leave this house with my own two legs, and you can't do anything to stop me," I uttered before turning around and walking back to the room. And I'm serious about what I said. If I allow him to have his way with me, he'll continue doing that. I will see how he'll stop me from leaving the house.