My Mafia Husband

CHAPTER 7

I nod my head again, not trusting myself to speak. Matteo's eyes flicker with approval before he continues. "Great," he says. "Now, in public, you will be expected to address me as 'darling,' 'my love,' or something along those lines. You know, the typical pet names couples use. Got it?"

"Yes I got it" I say.

Matteo nodded in approval. "Good," he said. "Now, let's talk about appearances. Your appearance is everything in this business. You will need to maintain a high standard of grooming, style, and fashion at all times. I will be overseeing everything to ensure that we maintain our public image. That means regular appointments with your stylist, hairdresser, and makeup artist. And you will need to stay in peak physical condition, so exercise and diet will also be part of your routine. Understood?"

I nodded my head, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of details and expectations he was laying out. This was going to be a lot more work than I had anticipated. Matteo seemed satisfied with my response, a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "Good," he said. "Now, when we're in public, you need to remember to act accordingly. This includes being polite, engaging in conversation, and always putting on a happy and loving front.

"We need to show everyone that our life together is perfect, that we love each other deeply. Any sign of tension or annoyance between us will be noticed and could potentially damage our reputation. So be prepared to put your best face forward at all times." Matteo leaned back in his seat, studying me closely. "Any questions so far?"

"Is this everyday that we will be in public?" I asked without hesitation.

Matteo chuckled softly at my question. "Not necessarily," he said. "We will have plenty of private time at home, of course. But most of our time will be spent in public, attending social events and functions. It's part of the business, and it's important for us to maintain our public image."

"However," he continued, his tone becoming more severe, "there will be times when we need to be available to the public at a moment's notice. Unannounced public appearances, impromptu interviews, that sort of thing. I need to know that you'll be ready and willing to play your role in those situations as well.

I swallowed hard, feeling a knot forming in my stomach at the thought of being put on the spot like that. But Matteo seemed unbothered, already moving on to the next topic. "Finally," he said. "There is one more expectation I have for you."

I looked up at him, waiting for him to continue with baited breath. "You're going to have to give up your personal life," he said bluntly. "No more socializing, partying, or anything that could jeopardize our public image. Any friends you had before our marriage will have to be limited or cut off altogether. And if you're currently involved in a relationship, that ends right now."

"Don't worry, I never had friends anyway" I say.

Matteo's demeanor shifted slightly at my statement, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Was he actually taken aback by what I said? I couldn't tell. "Well, that's convenient," he muttered, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. "In any case, you won't have time for friends or a social life going forward. You'll be busy with our public appearances, household duties, and maintaining your appearance."

Matteo continued "And don't forget, we can't afford any slips up. Any signs of weakness, or any hint of our arrangement being anything other than true love, could have severe consequences. So make sure you are always giving your best performance in public. Understood?"

I nodded my head weakly, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of expectations and demands being placed on me. Matteo studied my expression for a moment, a flicker of something resembling empathy crossing his face. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by the cold, calculating expression I had come to expect from him. "Good," he said curtly. "Now let's move on to other matters."

Matteo launched into a discussion about household logistics, such as the hiring of staff and the management of the estate, but my mind was struggling to keep up. I felt like I was treading water, just trying to stay afloat in a sea of information and expectations. As he went on, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness creeping in. This was my life now, forever bound to Matteo and his demands. And there was no escape.

Matteo finally finished his discussion, standing up and straightening his suit. "I'll be busy with work for the rest of the day," he said, his tone dismissive. "You're free to do whatever you want, within reason. Just remember everything we discussed today." He gave me one final, intimidating look before striding out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I sat there for a moment, my mind swirling with all the information and expectations that Matteo had just laid out. I felt like a prisoner in my own home, my life utterly under his control. But as I sat there, a small spark of defiance flared within me. I may be trapped in this marriage, but I didn't have to be a puppet. I would do my best to maintain the illusion of a loving spouse, but I would not give up my sense of self or my autonomy.

As I sat there, lost in thought, Matteo's words echoed in my head. "No personal life, no friends, no freedom." It was suffocating to think about. But as the initial shock wore off, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of determination. Just because I was married to Matteo now didn't mean I was completely helpless. I could still find ways to reclaim some control over my life, even if it was small, subtle ways. With a newfound sense of resolve, I stood up and made my way to the kitchen.

As I entered the kitchen, I was surprised to find several staff members busy preparing lunch. One of the chefs, a middle-aged woman named Teresa, noticed me and greeted me warmly. "Buongiorno, signora," she said with a smile. "Can I help you with anything?"