Perfectly broken

Chapter 10

Dante's pov:

After the press conference, photos and videos of me and Anastasia have invaded the social medias. In less than twenty four hours, all the world heard about my marriage. Hundreds of articles, in all languages, have been written about us. I should admit that the journalists have produced very creative titles to share these news: "Anastasia Perez, heiress to a chain of bars and casinos worth millions of dollars marries the handsome Italian business man Dante Russo", "An unexpected marriage between Anastasia Perez and Dante Russo", "Anastasia Perez, did what no another woman could do, and she charmed Dante Russo into marrying her." My phone didn't didn't stop ringing. Business associates, some distant family relatives and other mafia leaders have been calling me non stop to congratulate me.

On the other hand, for the last three days, I haven't spoken one single word with Anastasia. Every day, I got out of the house early in the morning and I returned back late at night so that I don't cross paths with her.

Today, I finished dealing with a man early. I owed him money. I warned him several times that he should return the money back but he kept postponing it. Apparently, he had no money to give me back and has been spending all the money that he borrowed from me on whores while leaving his wife and daughter at home without a single penny to even buy food. I invited him to the casino today. I had a very nice conversation with him, which ended with me killing him. I ordered my men to go check on his wife and his daughter and to give them money that will suffice them for the rest of their lives. Just because that man was a bastard  I don't want other innocent people to suffer because of his faults and his irresponsibility.

It is true that I killed in my life more men than I can count. But, I have never killed, not a single time, an innocent man. Every man who died at my hand, deserved his death. Tha't why all my men respect me. They all know that if I took a decision to end the life of someone it is to establish justice in my territory.

Once I reach the mansion at five in the evening, I head straight to my room. I change my clothes which were full of blood and I shower. Then, I go to my house office to continue working there.

I buried myself so much in work that I lost track of time. I don't know how long I've been closed up here, until I hear the knock on my door. Greta.

She enters and she says: "Come down. Dinner is ready."

"Thanks but I am going to skip dinner tonight." I reject her offer immediately, without getting my eyes off the papers in my hands. I can't imagine myself stuck in a dinner alone with Anastasia.

I notice that Greta is still standing by door and didn't leave. I lift my head. I am pretty sure that she doesn't like my response as both of her hands on her hips.

"I already told your wife and she is down waiting for your arrival."

"Did you threaten her or something. I am sure that she is not going to have dinner with me willingly ?" I say sarcasm visible in my voice. Greta doesn't share my humour with me. She stares at me without saying a word. So, she is still persistent to make go down there.

"Greta don't make me do this."
"Look Dante I am not blind. I know that this marriage is not a real one. You don't share a room with your wife. Thank god that I am the only one who has access to that part of the house where both of your rooms are located, or the rest of the staff with notice that you both have separate rooms."

She stays silent for few seconds, contemplating my face. I say nothing. I really don't know what to say. So she continues: "For the last couple of days, you kept ignoring her and you haven't even talked to her. At least pretend that it is a real marriage in front of the other stuff. Trust me you don't want people to talk behind your back."

Fuck. Greta is always a step ahead from me. She sees thing I don't see. Why is this woman so wise ?

"Fine, I am coming." I say reluctantly.

I get out of my office, I descend the stairs and I join my dear wife in the dining room.

She is already sitting on the head of the table her back to me. I take a seat at the other head of the table which makes me facing her.

She lifts her head. Hers eyes catch mine. Then,  without saying anything, she goes back to scrolling on her phone. She is ignoring me. Great.

The service starts soon after and the diner is served. We start eating in silence. Above from the sound of the knives and the fork against the plates, and the sound of the glasses of water on the table, an awkward silence fills the rooms. Each one of us has built a wall around himself and is lost in his thoughts.

For a moment, I wonder if this is what my life will be from now on. Spending all day working and eating dinner with her every night for god knows how many years and pretend that we are the happy couple in front of all the damn world. Will I really enjoy having such a life ? I really don't know the answer to this question. The only thing I know is that even before I married Anastasia, I didn't have an abnormal or a wide life. I lived in the routine. I woke up early, exercice, go to work, sometimes I spend the night at a casino and then I head back home to get some sleep. nient'altro (nothing else, Italian). So, I don't think that the arrival of Anastasia in my life would change a big thing. Maybe we will fight several times a week, as we don't seem to stand each other, and we will attend together the social events, that I was used to attend alone, that's all. Apart from that, each one of us will have his own life and I will live my life as I used to.

When dinner is over, I head again to my office to finish some work left from earlier.

By mid night, I quit my office and head to my room to sleep. Before opening my door, I take a quick glance at the door leading to her room. It is closed.

I wonder what she is doing ? Is she already asleep ?

Leaving my questions without any answer. I turn the knob of the door and I go to get some rest.
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