CAPO

18. Run, Forrest, Run.

Arabella wasn't materialistic in the slightest. Nor did she envy anyone.

But as she stood in front of the six story mansion, envy clawed at her chest, trampling on the thoughts her brain sent her to get over it.

Her astonishment was clear on her face and she had only seen the outside, she couldn't imagine what it looked like on the inside. She didn't even register the man that stood in front of her, patiently watching her.

"Honey," Giovanni said, pulling her attention away from the house. Her head snapped to him and she smiled.

He motioned to the man with his head, and she looked at him then. She frowned and he held his hand out and she looked at Giovanni but he merely smiled at her, basking in her confusion.

"Your hand, madam,"

"Oh!" She said, putting her hand out in front of him. He gripped her hand and flipped it around, her palm now visible. He put a stand on her wrist, and when she looked away, she frowned.

Guest of Giovanni Massimo Armani, The Great.

Her eyes shot towards Giovanni but he looked away, thanking the man and tugging her behind him. Her heels connected with the shiny marble stairs as she followed next to Giovanni, his long legs quickly carrying him up the stairs. She could stop looking down at her wrist, her brows pinched together tightly.

"Now, a few rules," Giovanni started, "Don't talk to men, you're allowed to talk to women but if they start asking questions about me, you excuse yourself and come find me. Am I making myself clear?"

She parted her lips, but Giovanni spoke again, "If a man named Enzo finds you, you do what he says. No matter how it sounds. Don't drink anything except water and if you do," He turned to her, making her bump into his chest, "I will find out, and you will regret it,"

Marcus' voice blared in her ears and she almost started trembling, but when Giovanni smiled at her, her heart stopped going feral in her chest and she visibly calmed down.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," She joked.

Giovanni's brows raised, "Sir? How obedient."

She parted her lips but Giovanni took a glass from a passing waiter. Only then did Arabella realised she was inside the massive house. She looked up at the ceiling and counter seven crystal chandeliers hanging from high up.

Then she noticed the people. Everyone was dressed exceptionally. Suits upon suits and sparkly, expensive dresses caught her eye. Giovanni watched as she looked around, her lips parted and her eyes wide. He felt a tinge of ego surge through his veins and he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. He pressed a kiss against her knuckles.

"I'll be with you in a moment, my love. Make yourself familiar with the bar whilst you wait, but remember my rule, yes?"

"Mhm,"

"I need words from you, honey,"

"Yes, Giovanni. I understand," She breathed, looking up at him. He smirked, "Good girl." He praised before he dropped his hand, motioning to behind her. She swung around and a equally sharply dressed man approached them.

"Enzo, this is Arabella Jones," Giovanni said once the shorter man took his stand next to Giovanni.

Enzo smiled, bowing slightly before her. "Doll, this is Enzo, my brother,"

Arabella smiled widely then, "Pleased to meet you, Enzo." Giovanni's heart clenched at her wide, kind smile. He then cleared his throat softly, making Arabella look at him, "Enzo will keep you company whilst I have some business to attend to,"