ALANA

10

ALANA

I should have asked for Father's approval. I shouldn't have assumed it would be okay just because the Donna had sent the dresses.

Father is right, I learn nothing. Even after I am punished, I do not learn. That is why he has to keep teaching me. It is painful because he has to teach me so many times.

If I could just remember his preferences.

I feel numb as the Donna leads us from person to person, introducing me. I give out polite greetings, but all I can think about is Father's words and his look of warning.

I shiver, thinking of how the sky had heavy clouds today. It will rain.

He's going to lock me up again in the dark and the storm will come.

I accidentally whimper out loud, making Xanders head shoot towards me. His eyes question me but I quickly look away, avoiding them.

He suddenly excuses the both of us and leads me through the crowds of people, holding me by the elbow. We stop on a secluded balcony, that is hidden away by heavy curtains.

"What the fuck is wrong? You look like someone has just threatened to take your life." he sneers, making me flinch at his grip, now tight on my wrist.

That would be a kind thing to do.

"N-nothing, I just, I have something in my eye that is very uncomfortable." I lie through my teeth. He furrows his eyebrows.

"Was that an attempt at lying? It was horrible, tell me-"

"Ladies and Gents, the House of the Godfather officially announces the future Don and Donna of the Italian Empire, Ares Xander Moretti and Alana Iris Colombo." The announcement goes off.

Xander grunts, making me look up at him nervously.

"The new couple will be out for their official engagement in the presence of the famiglia and the board shortly."

"Ares?" I whisper, forgetting my own concerns for a second. That's pretty.

"Do not fucking call me that." he spits, making immediately recoil. He mumbles something in Italiano, walking away after, leaving me standing there for a second. Dazed.

Soon, I am pulled towards the steps to the stage and again, find myself next to him.

Ares.
It is such s beautiful name. Why does he not like it?

He takes ahold of my hand again, leading me up onto the raised platform. His mother is standing there with two servants holding trays with boxes on them.
I assume they are the engagement rings.

This is all so brandish.

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears. My hands shake as we stop in the middle. Feeling a thousand eyes on me and my head spins. The Donna smiles at me, making me feel like I am being ungrateful.

She looks so happy. I should be happy.

In a haze, I am handed a thick silver band, and Ares holds out his hand for me.

I hesitate, looking up into his eyes, hoping mine communicate all of my doubts and worries.

His eyes burn on mine, asking me to just leave. Maybe asking if I am sure. But I can't leave. I wish I could.

With trembling hands, I place the band on his finger and let out a shaky breath. I drop my arms at my sides, feeling like they weigh a thousand pounds. I feel like I am going to pass out.

"Tesoro, give him your hand." I hear the Donna say, with a squeeze on my shoulder.

I hesitantly bring up my hand, it's trembling but Ares grabs it quickly and gives it a firm squeeze. That makes me look at him, my blurry eyes focusing on his face.

His eyes catch mine for a moment, his thumb running over my knuckles once before he looks down at my hand.

He gently slips the big, shiny ring on my finger, and before I can even process the life altering addition to my vanity, I hear loud cheering and clapping, reminding me where we are.

Everything after that was a blur. I got separated from Xander because we both had to meet with different people.
The Donna was with me the entire time but when she stepped away, I feel the cold, chilling presence that has haunted me forever.

"Finally they leave you alone for a second. They were stuck to you like leeches." He seethes, right behind me. My blood runs cold at his close proximity and the tone of his voice.

"You have proved that you cannot be trusted to even pick a dress for a night, without looking like a puttana." he seethes again, his grip on my forearm so tight I wince, whimpering out with pain.
(Whore.)

"This pain is nothing compared to the embarrassment you have caused me tonight, dressing like a harlot, just wait till you get home tonight-" he stops talking suddenly, jerkily letting go of my arm.

My confusion is short lived when I hear footsteps.

Some people come over and start speaking but I just tune them out, panicking at what my night has in store for me.

After another 20 minutes of being forced to stand beside my father, he grips my arm again, dragging me towards the Don and Donna.

"We ask for our leave now sire, your daughter in law will be ready to be of service whenever you request." he informs them.

The Donna frowns, but pats my cheek with a smile. Soon, I am dragged out to a car and shoved in, on the way to my doom.

My head is still numb, it doesn't even feel like tonight happened, and all I can picture is myself bleeding in a dark room with the thunder terrorizing my very soul.