The celebration had dwindled into a blur of hollow toasts and fake smiles. The clinking of champagne glasses, the murmuring of guests congratulating themselves on this union, the distant sound of music—it all felt like background noise to me. I was no longer in the ballroom but in the world of my own, trapped by the weight of the ring that now rested on my finger.
Tristan stayed close, his hand occasionally resting on the small of my back, a gesture meant to seem affectionate but that felt more like a chain. Every time he touched me, I tensed, the coldness between us was almost palpable. The room swirled with people but all I could feel was just him—his presence was overwhelming, suffocating. He was like a storm, silent and building, waiting for the right moment to unleash chaos.
His father approached us, his eyes sharp. "It's time". He said quietly, his implication clear. The ceremony was over. The celebration had ended. Now, Tristan and I were expected to leave, to consummate our marriage in the eyes of our families and the mafia.
My heart hammered in my chest, a cold sweat breaking out. I had known this was coming, but the reality struck me with a force I hadn't anticipated.
Tristan nodded and led me out of the ballroom without a word. The night air hit me like a slap as we stepped outside where a sleek black car awaited us. It was a long silent walk, the tension between us thick as we descended the stairs of the Romano estate. Tristan's grip on my arm was firm, but not painful. There was no tenderness, no hint of the man I might have hoped to see underneath the façade of the mafia prince.
Inside the car, we sat in a silence that felt like it could break me. I glanced out the car window, my mind racing with thoughts of what would happen next. My life was no longer my own, it was tangled with Tristan's in a way that felt unbelievable. The city streets blurred by as the driver drove us into the Romano territory, where even the shadows seemed more menacing.
When the car finally stopped in front of a nice, modern mansion on the edge of the city, my heart tightened. This was to be my new home, the place I would spend my nights, my days, my future. The driver opened the car door, and Tristan stepped out first, offering me his hand. I took it out of necessity, not out of trust, and together we walked up the marble steps to the front door.
Once inside, the house was eerily quiet. A few staff members hovered in the background, their eyes downcast, waiting for instructions. Tristan dismissed them with a wave of his hand, and they disappeared in the shadows, leaving us alone in the grand foyer.
"Come". Tristan said, his voice low but commanding. He didn't wait for me to respond, simply turning and walking up the grand staircase. I followed, my heart racing again as the inevitability of the night settled over me.
The master bedroom was massive, it's floor-to-ceilings windows overlooking the city like a watchtower. The bed was large and draped in dark silk, every inch of the room designed to intimidate and overwhelming. He closed the door behind us, and the silence between us felt suffocating.
He walked to the window, his back to me, hands clasped behind him as he stared at the city below him. I stood by the door, unsure of what to do.
"I won't force you". He said suddenly, his voice breaking the quiet. He didn't turn around, didn't move. "This is not about love. We both know that. This marriage is a means to an end."
I exhaled, a breath I hadn't realised I've been holding. "You're not what I expected." I found myself saying, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
He turned then, slowly, his gaze fixing on me. There was something unreadable in his eyes, a glimmer of curiosity or perhaps, something darker. "And what did you expect, Selena?" "A monster". I admitted. "Someone cruel. Someone who would take pleasure in this... arrangement." Tristan studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You don't know me", he said quietly, "But you will."
He took a step closer, and I stood my ground, refusing to flinch, refusing to show weakness. His presence was magnetic, drawing me in even though every instinct told me to run. He stopped just inches away, his gaze piercing through me, as if searching for something deeper within me.
"I will never hurt you", he said, his voice low, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "But don't mistake that for kindness. My loyalty is to my family, to my business. You are a part of that now. If you play your role, we will get through it. But if you cross me, I will show you no mercy."
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settled in. I understood the unspoken threat, the thin line I was walking on. This wasn't a love story and there would be no happy ending. This was survival, and I would have to navigate Tristan's world carefully if I hoped to keep my head down.
"Understood", I replied, my voice steady even as my heart raced. Tristan nodded, satisfied with my response. Without a word, he turned and walked to the door. "The staff will show you to your room," he said over his shoulder. "For now, rest. Tomorrow, we begin."
As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a long, shaky breath. I was alone now, but the reality of my new life had only just begun to sink in. The marriage may have been arranged, but the battle for control was only beginning.
*Oppsss tomorrow we begin what????*
Stay tuned for Chapter 3.....
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