ULTIMATUM

Chapter twenty

BAYLYN

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I can see it now.

As I heard his voice, as intimidating as Dante's I put all pieces together. He was undeniably Dante's father. His gaze was intense as he looked at me, and ran shivers through my body.

"Stop it Angelo. You are scaring the poor girl." The lady said and Angelo pulled away, smiling fully, his white toothed smile identical to that of Dante's.

"Hello, sweetheart, I am Emilia and this is my husband Angelo." She said pulling me into her embrace.

"Hello, I am Baylyn."

I replied after she let me go.

"How are you my baby?" She said as she hugged Dante who seemed like he was not enjoying any part of this family reunion.

"That is enough hugging for the day mother. You know how I feel about this."

"Yeah, yeah. And I guess what , I don't care. You know I am still very mad at you, Dante. You got married and didn't think of informing your family."

"Yes, son. You could have informed us." His father interjected.

"And look at her, she is gorgeous." Emilia continued.

They were speaking about me like I wasn't there. But maybe it is better being the shadow, unnoticed and often forgotten. So I embraced it.

"Ok guys, that is enough. It is time for me to give a proper welcome to my little brother and his new bride." Someone said from the back making everyone keep quiet.

A tall woman who looked like she was in her mid thirties emerged from the other side of the room. She was absolutely beautiful and her beauty was very intimidating.

Her hair was long and brown just like her mother's. Her eyes were round, big and blue with a narrow nose and full lips that were painted maroon. She had the same beautiful smile like that of her brother and father.Intimidating.

To top it up, her fashion sense was exquisite. She put on a white beaded evening gown that was cut out perfectly for her body. It had a slit that ran mid thigh and had a string of pearls around her neck with similar earrings and cute black pumps on her feet.

She came up to me and threw her arms around me.

"Hello sister-in -law. I am Michele. I am very happy that I finally got a sister, though I don't really know at what price I got her." She said eying Dante who didn't seem affected by what she said.

"Be nice, Mich. Why would you say that?" Their mother says.

"Come on mama. We both know what Dante is like. I wouldn't be surprised if he dragged the poor girl into marriage for his own benefit."

She was a very smart person.

That was the situation but I kept quiet not wanting to bring more problems in my life than I already had.

Dante gave her a deadly glare that made her and everyone quiet.

"I knew I shouldn't have come here. Come on Baylyn. Let's get out of here." He grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the house with everyone running closely behind us.

I tugged at his hand making him stop. I knew I would regret this but I couldn't let him leave mid way. I had seen how much his family loved him and their pleas as we left made it evident.

"Don't do this, Dante. I know I am the last person you would ever listen to but look, that is your family. They love you. Please just don't leave them like this. I know they put in a lot of work with the preparations. Don't let it all go to waste."

He looked at me thoughtfully, a deadly glare that sent tremors through my body but I stayed firm. He looked at me once more and lowered his head to my ear.

"This is not over, wife." He said before turning and going back to the house.

I took a minute to catch my breath then followed behind him.

I didn't know what to expect, but I was ready for whatever was to come.

At that moment though, I chose to find comfort and pride in knowing that I had convinced him and put smiles on his family's faces.