Perfectly broken

Chapter 25

Anastasia's pov:

I wake up the next morning at seven. Before I wash my face, I stare at my reflection in the mirror of the bathroom. My eyes are puffy and my lips are swollen from crying. After I change my pyjamas, I get out of my room and I head straight downstairs to have breakfast because I am starving.

I hope that Dante has already left. I am sure that I am ready to face him after what happened last night.

I reach the main floor of the mansion. And, I can say that chance is not by my side today because Dante is at his usual spot at the head of the table.

I stop by the stairs to observe him. I take in his appearance. He is wearing one of those blue suits that I am obsessed with. Why does he have to be so handsome even this early in the morning?

As I slip into my usual chair, he lifts his head. For once since I began living here, he leaves the ipad he has been staring before I come, on the table and he looks at me.

Unexpectedly, he asks me : « Did you sleep well ? » That's new. No. That's so strange. Why the hell is he asking me this ?

«Yes.»

«Do you feel better ? » He is asking way too many questions than it's normal. Is he concerned about me, or that's just what occurs to me.

« Yes.» I answer again. At the end, I feel the need to add «thanks.» I am not a terrible person after all. My voice came out so low but I can tell that he heard me because he lifts his eyes brows in surprise as soon as the words left my mouth.

Last night, not in a million years, I would have expect him to show up, to stay with me and to hold me the way he did. I didn't suffer in silence or cry in the shadows like I always do. He was there to get me through it all. A part of me feels really grateful for him.

He brings the cup of coffee to his lips and he takes a sip out of it but his eyes don't leave me even for a second.

I don't know where we stand now towards each other especially after what happened at new years eve, the kiss we shared and we never discussed it, and last night. It's like we both want to be enemies, to hate each other but in some part it feels like we are not anymore. It's like uncounciously we made some sort of a silent truce.

Suddenly, his phone rings causing him to break our eye contact first. It's probably Nevio. He says that he will meet him in thirty minutes.

When he hungs up, he gets off the table. But, he doesn't leave immediately like he always does. Why the hell do I know by heart each move of Dante's daily ritual ?

«Anastasia, try not to leave the mansion these days.» It is not an order this time. It's rather a request. That's a progress actually.

« Why ? » I don't think my husband cares that much about my safety.

«Business issues. It's not safe for you out there.» He keeps the reason vague. He still doesn't trust me enough to tell me.

«I can protect myself. I am not one of those mafia princesses you are very acquainted with.»

«I pretty well know that. But, stay here.»

«Uh okay. Fine.» I say though I am not so sure that I can keep my word on this.

A smile shows in his lips. Mr grumpy is finally smiling. Wait. Is he making fun of me ? If he is, he is a dead man.

«What ?» I ask.

«You accepted so easily. This is the first time you don't be a pain in my ass.»

I roll my eyes at him. «Don't push your chance.»