RESILIENCE

Chapter 3

Matteo's POV

I just reached my hotel room after bidding my parents a safe flight and having to find the right opportunity to get away from the crowd downstairs.

My whole family attended the event Giana's dad was hosting here at the hotel I am staying at. I would have refused to attend and would have remained in New York, if I had a choice in attending. My life is still being dictated by my parents, until I'm officially married.

Thus, I can only fly back home tomorrow as I'm having breakfast with my so-called fiancé and her parents to discuss the wedding.

I sat on the couch with my eyes closed and head on the backrest of the couch. I was deep in thought, trying to make sense and figuring out, which direction my life is being forced in.

Not that I had any choice in the decision to marry Giana Russo in about six months. You can call it an arranged marriage, the same as my parents had. They don't care if I'm happy or not. They think that because it worked for them that it would work for me.

I don't love her at all, on the other hand, I find her annoying and pretentious and fake. Her character matches her exterior. Fake!

Unfortunately, in the Mafia, when you take over, you are only afforded a certain amount of time to settle and marry to produce offspring that can carry forward the next generation of mafia leaders.

My time to remain single was over, so my parents decided to make the decision to marry me off to their friend and business partner's daughter. It's already 3:00 in the morning and I should head to bed because I'm way past tired.

The elevator dinged and a few seconds later, just as I was about to head into my bedroom, I heard heels clicking against the marble floor.

It can only be one person, and I already hate where this is headed. As I turned my head, I saw the very fiancé making her way over in my direction.

She situated herself next to me as I sat there with my head turned towards her, staring at her with a questioning look, not lifting my head.

Her perfume always gave me headaches. It's just too loud and sweet smelling.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" she asked looking at me expectantly, like a deer caught in headlights. Though, there was nothing innocent about her.

"I don't mind, but it will have to be the couch" I said, standing to my feet as I made my way towards my bedroom.

"Matteo! We are going to be married in six months. We might as well start living together now instead of waiting" she said, following behind me.

I turned and walked in her direction, meeting her halfway. In a split second I gripped her by the throat and slammed her back against the wall as my anger and frustration with this whole situation was on full display. I didn't even care if I hurt her.

"I have told you countless times and I will remind you for the very last time. I do not love you and I don't have any interest in fucking you ever again. We will get married, but we will live separate lives and sleep in separate bedrooms. You got me drunk once and seduced me and that was your first and last time. Now get the fuck away from me before I kill you" I said, with finality in my voice. Her eyes glossed over with unshed tears that was about to fall any second.

"Why are you making things so difficult for me and yourself!? Why can't you get it in your head that this is a marriage of convenience and nothing else!" I shout, making my way into my bedroom, leaving her in the hallway and locked my door. I don't' trust that bitch for one second.

I undressed and walked into the shower as my mind drifted to the face that has been haunting me for years. I don't know why I still think about her, but that's a face that haunts me to this day.