Arianna's POV
...
"Why do you always treat her like she isn't your daughter?, now see what you've caused"
I heard mum's voice ring through my head as it cracked through the dark shadow that surrounded my eyes. Her voice sent a string of pain across my head causing me to open my eyes.
" Mom I know this is wrong and I'm sorry but dad is right, I can't just let my life be tied to a man that might not let me leave the house when I have a bright future ahead of me. I know Ari's hurt but she'll be fine". I heard Francesca say as their images started becoming clearer.
Mum faced Dad ,her face all red from shouting while dad simply stood there with an expressionless face. Francesca sat at the edge of the bed and I could feel her hands rubbing my legs.
"Urghh…Francesca get off of Me and stand up from my bed". I said as I kicked her off the bed while trying to sit up but couldn't as the pain in my head worsened making me release a soft groan.
"Baby, are you alright?How are you feeling now?I was so worried". Mom said as she rushed at me and brought me in for a hug.
" I'm fine mum". I said releasing myself from her grip.
I could feel dad's cold stare Pierce through my skin which made me wiggle uncomfortably. Francesca stood right behind him, her arms crossed against each other.
Daddy's Girl. I rolled my eyes at the thought.
" We are having dinner at DiCaprio's mansion. Take your drugs and be ready by 5pm. Dress nice". Dad said briefly before leaving the room, Francesca followed right behind him.
The expression on mum's face as her husband left the room made me chuckle a little inwardly before she turned her attention to me again.
"Let me go get your food. You need to eat , take your drugs and rest so as to be strong before 5 okay?". Mum said as she rushed out of my room.
I looked around the room and saw my phone. Suddenly images of my call with Ella last night and Michael's text came flooding in.
I felt my heart sink down to my stomach. The pain in my head increased 2x causing me to flinch in pain, calling out my mother.
…
The car halted in front of a very large mansion. It was way bigger than our house.
The mansion looked a little old and rustic on the outside with creepy looking leaves crawled up on the walls.
Guards stood at every corner of the house.
I wondered why.
Two carved scary looking lions stood at the entrance of the house sending thrills down my body.
"Ah!! amico mio, che piacere rivederti" Mr Matteo DiCaprio, a white haired man with shimmering blue eyes said as he opened the door excitedly and rushed to give my dad a hug. (Translation;"Ah!! my friend, what a pleasure to see you again)
"Matteo amico mio, come stai?" Dad responded with a very broad smile spread across his face.( Translation; Mateo my friend, how have you been?)
"Bene bene"( translation; fine fine) he said as his attention shifted to my mother who was now all smiles.
"Emilia!! quanto sei diventata affascinante in tutti questi anni." He said while placing a kiss on my mum's hand.( Translation;Emilia!! how ravishing you've become all these years.)
"Mi lusinghi molto Matteo, come stai?" She asked with a smile.( Translation:You flatter me alot Matteo, how have you been?)
"Bene bene bello"( Translation;fine fine beautiful)
"You must be Francesca" he said as he held Francesca"s hand giving it a light peck.
"And you must be the gorgeous Arianna." He said as he took my hand placed a light Kiss on it before leading us inside the house.
My eyes opened up in awe as we entered the house. It looked like a palace. Very expensive with gold plastered all over the walls.
A very large and beautiful chandelier glass stood in the middle of the ceiling as its lights lit up the place beautifully.
"Come on this way, dinner is ready " Mr Matteo said as he led us to the dining room.
A very beautiful elderly woman with dark hair I guess his wife stood at the dining with a very charming smile as she watched us come in
"Mr Lombardi,Emilia, how lovely it is to have you at our home again. Have a seat. Leonardo will be here soon"
We took our seats and my dad shot me the " you better behave" eyes.
"So Arianna!! " Mr Matteo said " I hear you are an artist"
"Yes sir "
"That's interesting, I would definitely love to see your work someday"
I sat there uncomfortable and unable to eat my food as Mr and Mrs DiCaprio threw all sorts of questions at me suddenly.
"Ah!! Finally there he is" Mr Matteo said as someone walked into the room.
His perfume filled the air as he walked in. His Black suit clung to his body like it was made solely for him. I could see his muscles stretch out the suit a little. He looked perfect.
A perfect combination of his parents. He took his mother's hair and father's sea Blue eyes that would definitely make anyone get lost in it.
He has this intimidating aura that surrounds him. I just couldn't place my fingers on it.
His six foot stature, broad shoulders and strong jawline definitely made him stand out even if he was in the midst of a thousand men.
"Arianna dear" Mr Matteo said " Meet Leonardo DiCaprio your husband. Oh I meant your fiance" this caused my parents to laugh as they all joked and seemed excited about the whole marriage thing.
I didn't find anything funny at all.
"Nice to meet you " I said as I stood and stretched out my hand to him.
He simply nodded his head as he shook hands with me before turning to face my parents.
I could see Francesca drooling as she couldn't take her eyes off him.
If she so desires him,why can't she act like my elder sister for once and take responsibility for this.
I rolled my eyes as the thought crossed my mind when I saw Leonardo looking straight at me.
We locked eyes for a few seconds before I quickly averted my eyes. I felt hot.
Dinner went on smoothly as both parents exchanged more pleasantries and were chatting loudly.
Questions were being shot at me and Leonardo once in a while. It made me so uncomfortable and I caught Leonardo staring at me more than usual with a cold look on his face.
It made me wonder what was going through his mind. I just wanted to go home.
"Arianna darling," Mrs Camilla, Leonardo's mum, called out to me." I booked an appointment at the most luxurious bridal shop in town and I think Leonardo here should take you"
I looked at Leonardo whose complete attention was now on me. He had this annoying smirk on his face.
"You really didn't have to, Ma'am. I can go by myself." I said all tensed up trying to ignore the intense pair of blue eyes that stared directly at me.
"Nonsense!! You are going to be my daughter-inlaw and I need you to look astonishingly beautiful that day. Moreover it's a chance for you guys to get to know each other since the wedding is around the corner". She said with a warm smile on her face as she concluded the conversation.
I am now forced to go choose my wedding gown with a guy that looks like he could suck my soul out of my body anytime.
Can my life get any worse?.
.....
Michael hasn't called since he left that text, but he has been active on social media. That jerk!!!. Same with Ella.
"Was I surrounded by my enemies all these while? I thought Ella was my best friend, I thought Michael loved me. Why is this happening to me?" I asked myself out loud as I went through their Instagram pages.
The car came to a halt in front of a very large building. It looked like a mall. I never knew bridal shops could look like this.
An elderly woman opened the car door with a welcoming smile on her face.
"Welcome to II Giardino della Sposa, Miss Arianna" She said as she handed a glass of champagne to me.( Translation: The Bride's Garden)
"Mr Leonardo DiCaprio has been waiting for you" she said as she led the way.
I was surprised at the interior design of this building. The glass mirrors shone brightly as the Sun hit it heavily from outside.
I could see women trying out their dresses with families or friends with them - mostly women and I was filled with jealousy as I heard their joyful screams.
Why is my life like this? This wasn't how I envisioned my wedding to be.
I always saw Michael in my future. I had planned our whole wedding out in my head as I waited patiently for him to propose to me one day.
But clearly, I wasn't in his plans.
"This way ma'am " The woman said as she led me into a hallway different from the ones we had passed before.
It had "VVIP" boldly written at the top in red.
"Mr Leonardo DiCaprio is right behind that door" she said as she bowed , gesturing at the door.
"Thank you but you really don't have to bow to me" I said hoping she would change her posture.
"Ohh okay!!"
I made my way to the door as I noticed she wouldn't change until I had gone inside.
I opened the door and saw Leonardo sitting down with his legs crossed. His face was buried in his phone.
I took a few seconds to admire what a beautiful creature he was. I could see glimmers of light radiating through him. He looked like a cartoon character.
"Mmmmm" I cleared my throat trying to get his attention
"You're late!!," He said,his face still buried in his phone.
It was the first time I heard his voice. He was quiet all through dinner at his parents place. I thought he was dumb.
"Ugh!! Excuse me!! A hi would be-"
"I said you are late" He cut me off and walked straight to where I stood.
This made me stagger behind with a shocked expression on my face as my back pressed against the door.
He came so close to me I could feel his breath on my face. He had this look in his eyes that made me shudder with fear.
"You are 15 minutes late and I hate people who waste my time" he said looking directly down at me with a look that could kill. Our faces were inches away from each other.
"I.. I'm sorry " was what I felt dropping from my mouth.
"Bring them" He said as he withdrew from me.
I felt my heart beat like it was dancing to the sound of music and the room suddenly became hot even though the air conditioner was on.
"This way ma'am" A young waitress said she gestured to me to follow her into the dressing room.
I looked at Leonardo who had now gone back to pressing his phone.
….
The gowns were beautiful but I didn't see what I wanted.
I didn't want to wear a ball gown, I have always dreamed of wearing a mermaid styled wedding gown since I was a kid.
"I really don't like anything you've showed me here"
"I'm sorry ma'am but you have to choose one from these options here. These were all selected for you by Mr Leonardo "" She said, trying not to look me in the eye.
What? He can't control what I wear on my wedding day.
"Look, you are going to get me what I want. I don't care who told you what. Just get me what I want" I said as I took steps close to her.
Who is Leonardo to tell me what to do? I am Arianna Lombardi, and I listen to no one well except my dad.
"Did you get that?" I asked her while she bowed her head, refusing to go get what I wanted.
This time I was so angry but I couldn't pour my anger on the poor girl who was just doing her job. When the real culprit is out there in his magnifying glory.
"What the hell?" I yelled at Leonardo while walking up to him and stopped when I was a few inches away from him.
"Why are you shouting?" He asked, still not paying attention to me.
"Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what I can wear on my wedding day?" " HUHH?"
He rubbed his eyes and sigh before looking up at me " look Arinda..Aenna"
"Arianna, my name is Arianna. You jerk!!" I shouted.
I could see that got him annoyed as he stood up and looked at me with a stare that could probably kill me if it were possible.
"Arianna, first you waste my time and now you are giving me a headache" He paused for some seconds while staring hard at me " Be a good girl and pick one from the options I chose for you or else-"
"Or else what?" I shot back at him with my arms crossed. I couldn't let this beautiful creature standing in front of me scare me.
"Stop tempting me Arianna" He said sternly as he clenched his jaw and I could feel fire literally coming out of his eyes.
I got scared a little but I couldn't give up just like that
"Ok fine " I said while raising my hands up and taking some steps away from him.
"Fine I'll do what you want unless you do what I want first"
He looked at me with raised eyebrows.
"Let's make a deal, let's sign a contract" I said while looking at him with a smirk on my face.
I knew he wouldn't like this with his arrogant and proud ass but a girl's gonna get what she wants if she wants it
"What?"