Chapter 8
As we approached the mansion, the sight made my heart break into a thousand pieces; I felt my heart fall apart. When is this going to end?
"Hello, Princess, we are here," a voice said, calling me back to reality.
As they carried me into the mansion.
"You thought you could escape, Ella," a voice said as I entered the mansion; it was Alessa.
The thought of everything that had happened came flashing back. Why did I let my guard down by following a stranger to the hotel room?
These thoughts filled my mind as I didn't hear anything else Alessa said, but I could see her lips move.
"You are getting married to Lorenzo today." These were the words that brought me back to reality.
"W...what?" I asked, my lips parted as I stood there trying to understand what I just heard.
So Dad was seriously going to let me marry Lorenzo?
Suddenly, I felt a sharp, stinging pain bringing me back to reality. My father's hand had connected with my cheek in an unexpected slap. For a moment the room seemed to spin, and I could feel heat rising from where he just struck.
"How dare you try to escape?" he said, his voice laced with anger and rage
I turned to look at my father, the man whom I didn't recognize anymore. How could his hunger for power turn him into a monster? For the first time, I felt grateful. I realized it was better to stay and die in Lorenzo's hands than stay in this house.
I stood there, my gaze on him, his face cold and masked with anger. I don't know who this man is; he's definitely not the father I knew.
"Rebecca, please take her upstairs to get dressed; Lorenzo and the mafia families are on their way," he demanded, heading to the dining area for his breakfast.
Rebecca, my stepmother, approached me with a smug smile, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She took my arms, her grip strong and firm, guiding me towards the stairs. I could feel the weight of sadness on my shoulders.
Rebecca led me to my room and shut the door. She turned to me, her eyes a mix of satisfaction and disdain.
"It's time to get you ready," she said, her voice dripping in false sweetness, letting out a soft laugh.
I looked around my room, the place that once felt like home, now looked like a cage. I looked at Rebecca as she was happily setting the items needed to get me ready.
"This is your wedding dress," she said, laying out an old-fashioned wedding gown that hung in the wardrobe.
"Alessa and I had specifically prepared this for you," she said, her voice soft yet laced with mockery.
I didn't even care if the dress was old-fashioned or not; I just wanted everything to end.
"Don't sit there like a statue; help me get you ready," she snapped.
I looked at the gown lying right next to me; it was a simple, plain white gown with long sleeves and a high neckline. The hems were uneven, giving the gown a rustic appearance.
The veil was made of a coarse, plain material, lacking the delicate lace or intricate details often seen in more elegant designs.
I gently removed the gown I had on and slipped the wedding dress on. The loose fit didn't accentuate my figures, but I didn't mind. Lorenzo doesn't deserve the stress.
Rebecca moved closer to me with the makeup kit in her hands.
"I don't need makeup," I said.
"Oh, you do, Ella; you won't go downstairs looking stupid," she responded, pushing my face upwards as she started applying the makeup.
I didn't want to cause any more trouble, so I sat there waiting for her to finish.
My mind drifted back to last night; it was nice being free with the mystery guy. Funny how I forgot his name so quickly, but I wanted that freedom.
Thinking about it, my dad didn't say anything about his men seeing me in a hotel room with a man; didn't his men tell him? Wasn't it the mystery guy who exposed my location? Did he leave before they came? Lost in my thoughts
"We are done," Rebecca's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Thank you," I said, trying to get up from the seat.
Suddenly, I felt her firm hands on my shoulders. "Remember," she said, meeting my gaze in the mirror, "Don't embarrass this family."
Staring at those cold eyes of hers, I took a deep breath. "Thank you," I replied, releasing myself from her grip.
"Stay here; I will come get you when they arrive," she said, heading to the door.
I heard the doorknob creak, "Don't try escaping again; the security is very tight," she said, her lips curved into a mocking smile.
I knew she was right; the security was tight now, and trying to escape would only make matters worse. I was soon lost in thoughts; remembering what happened last night made my body quiver. How could I have given a man so much pleasure like I did?
I suddenly started dripping, remembering how good it tasted taking his come in my mouth. Though the man had left me that night, my body still craved him.
"Did he say his name was Alex? No, I guess Mike. No, not Mike." I whispered, trying to remember his name.
How could I have possibly forgotten the name of the man who took my virginity and gave me the best night of my life?
Lost in thoughts, I didn't realize when the room door opened. "Seeing the smile on your face, you are just pretending not to like Lorenzo," a voice interrupted my thoughts.
The name Lorenzo ignited this irritated feeling in me. It brought back the frustration that had died a few minutes ago.
"I see you like your wedding dress," Alessa said, stepping forward towards me.
"Alessa, what do you want?" I asked gently, but my voice was laced with anger and frustration.
"What can you possibly give me, Loser?" She gurgled, "Anyway, I'm here to see you wallow in sadness. You know I enjoy seeing you cry, but here you are smiling. What is funny, loser? She queried, moving towards me.
I knew I wasn't going to be able to control myself if she dared touch me. I could take a hit from my father, an insult from her mother, but from her, I wouldn't take it today.
The anger was already building up inside me, but a voice interrupted
"Ella, it's time to come down. They are here," Rebecca said.
"Alessa, this is not the time for this." Rebecca whispered to her, but enough for me to hear.
This was the first time she had stopped Alessa from trying to bully me; I guess it's because I was serving as a pawn in their game to give them power.
"So you are taking sides with this loser now, Mum?" Alessa queried, immediately leaving the room in anger.
Rebecca, who I guess wasn't ready for that, stepped forward, grabbed my hands, and guided me out of the room.
As we walked down the stairs, she whispered in my ear.
"Be on your best behavior; don't embarrass us," she whispered.
My heart pounded in my chest as we walked, but I tried to maintain composure.
Entering the sitting room, I heard a familiar voice. A voice deep and resonant with a chilling edge yet laced with authority and menace, the same voice that sent shivers down my spine last night.
"Oh, she is here," My father interrupted their conversation, drawing attention to where I stood.
My gaze met with the familiar figure standing with my father. The owner of the voice I just heard, my breath caught in my throat, my heart skipped a beat, and I felt a cold wave of disbelief run down my spine. It felt as though the ground had shifted beneath me, leaving me unsteady and disoriented. My eyes widened in shock.
Standing there was the mystery man I had spent a night with; he was Lorenzo De Luca.