THE DEAL

Six

"Ashanti, you're twenty, right?" Lena asked as they ate. Ashanti nodded, "Yes, I am." "That's pretty young," Andrea said and his mother rolled her eyes.

She was about to say something when Marcello walked in. Her eyes lit up with joy as she saw her eldest son.

"Tesoro, sei tornato," she said with happiness.(Honey, you're back). Marcello smiled at his mother before sitting at the head of the table, beside Ashanti.

Ashanti's heartbeat sped up as his sandalwood scent filled her nose. She was frightened to look up to see him. He didn't even bother to acknowledge her.

"How was work, son?" Leonardo asked him. "Fine as usual," Marcello answered as a maid placed a plate of food in front of him. "Glad to know that I'm not important," Camilla stated with a huff as she stabbed her food with her fork. Ashanti smiled knowing that it was a tactic to get his attention.

Marcello chuckled and looked at his sister, "I sincerely apologize, sorella." (Sister) Camilla smiled and nodded, "You're forgiven."

Up until then, he still didn't acknowledge Ashanti. She felt left out but she chose not to speak, it's not like she wanted his attention.

"Won't you acknowledge your fiancée?" Lena said to her eldest son making him frown. "Who?"

"She's right beside you," Andrea said to him. Marcello gave Ashanti a glance and clenched his jaw on instinct. "You got a black girl," he said through gritted teeth. Ashanti glared at him. "So he's a racist," she thought to herself angrily.

"Marcel!" Camilla and Andrea hissed.

"I don't not wish to marry," Marcel said. "Son, it's time you settled down," Leonardo said to him and Marcel chuckled. "With her?" he pointed at Ashanti and she wished she could cut off his finger. That was the last straw.

"Look here Mr. I'm so perfect! It's not like I agree with marrying you. Why in the fucking world would I marry a douchebag who is also racist?" She snapped at him.

"Watch your fucking mouth!" Marcel hissed at her. She hated his guts then and there. "Or what, you're going to torture me? Do your fucking worst, bro!" She sneered at him and stood up. She turned to Lena and gave her a smile. "The food was delicious but I'm sorry, I've lost my appetite," she said and turned to leave.

This felt like a repeat of past events.

"Douchebag," she mumbled as she walked out of the dining room filled with anger and rage. She was shaking as she made her way up the stairs.

By the time she got to her room, she was already crying. She was crying profusely because she couldn't contain her anger. She wanted to take it out on something or someone but she couldn't. She didn't want to destroy anything.

"I hate him!" She screamed as she sat in her bed and buried her face in her hands. She hated the feeling of anger, it always made her cry.

She didn't even know when Camilla entered the room.

"Ash?"

Ashanti raised her head to see her and Camilla felt for her immediately. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.

"I'm sorry for earlier," Camilla said. Ashanti sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the sleeves of her sweater. "It's fine, I cry whenever I'm angry," she said and Camilla felt guilty.

"I'm sorry. Marcel changes his mood sometimes, " she said as she approached her. "He's fucking bipolar," Ashanti stated and took a deep breath. Camilla knew that she was actually right.

"I need sleep, "Ashanti mumbled. Camilla nodded and stood up. "Goodnight," she said and Ashanti nodded as she watched her leave.

She didn't even bother to change her clothes and laid on the bed. Her eyes were sore from crying and it made her feel frustrated.

"He's lucky I wasn't with my pocket knife. I would have carved out his fingers," she mumbled as she fiddled with one strand of her braids. She was offended by how Marcel belittled how.

How will she survive a marriage with him? He even discriminated her. "Fucking racist," she hissed and closed her eyes.

Thoughts of her family flooded her mind. She missed them so much. Especially, Nina.

______

Ashanti was busy cleaning the slab in the kitchen when Marcello walked in. She turned around to see him and then rolled her eyes before continuing what she was doing.

Marcello rolled his eyes at her before abd went to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Good morning," Ashanti spoke up. He raised a brow at her, "I thought your heart was full of malice?"

She turned around to glare at him. "I'm not like you. Unlike you, I don't keep grudges," she said as she took in his appearance. He was dressed in a Brioni suit and his hair was messy but neat at the same time. He was effortlessly handsome.

"Your mouth will soon put you in trouble," Marcel said and gulped down the content of the bottle. Ashanti's eyes widened as she watched his Adam apple bob up and down as he swallowed and she felt her cheeks heat up.

Then she turned around, "Are you going to stay for breakfast?"

Marcello raised a brow at her. "How am I sure that you haven't poisoned the food?" He asked and she rolled her eyes. "That method of killing is for coward. I'd rather kill you myself," she said as she continued what she was doing.

Marcello chuckled and approached her. A gasp escaped her mouth as he pulled her back towards him. Her back was pressed against his chest and heat radiated from his body on hers.

"Listen here, Principessa," he whispered in her ear, making her knees feel weak. She forgot how to breathe. (Princess)

"I have no intentions of settling down. I do not wish to get married," he said. "Neither do I," Ashanti said and he chuckled making her heart speed up it's beat. "I am not a racist. I just didn't expect a black girl to be my fiancée," he said and kissed her ear before leaving.

After he left, Ashanti let out a sigh of relief and placed her hand on her chest. "What the fuck was that?" She asked herself as she tried to calm herself down.