Poison and Passion

Chapter 12

Arthur's PoV

I held her hand. Her hand was small compared to mine. It felt weird the way I was holding it, so I changed it. I intertwined my fingers with hers.

I could feel her fingers tightening its hold. A nervous reaction probably.

The elevator stopped and we got out.

"Paul, any suspicious activity detected, you will take her to a safe place" I whispered to him.

"Yes, Capo."

"Don't show any signs of fear in his presence. Try to be composed. You show fear, you lose" I warned her. My father is a monster who feeds on people's fear.

"You go to Paul or come to me if you run into a problem. Do you understand?" It was a command for the future.

"Yes."

"Good."

We were in front of the room. I could recognise my father's men at the door.

"I need another permission from you."

"Hmm"

"I might hold your waist too."

"Yes."

I let go of her hand. I put my hand on her waist and pulled her closer to me.

They opened the door and we entered.

My father and his close aide, Denny Kraft, were seated at the table. My father sat on Marcus' seat. Denny sat to his left.

Enzo was sitting to his right. They were having a conversation.

I pulled the chair to the right of my seat for my wife to sit. Then I got seated.

Rebecca was seated in her usual place. As known, Marcus was missing at the breakfast.

"So, you are the bride?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. She looks scared but she is holding up well.

I would interfere but it is better to not, given my father's temperament.

"Tell me about yourself," he asked.

All the servants standing behind the chair began to serve. Today William was present in the room as well.

She remained silent for a few seconds and then began to speak.

"My name is Srishti Romano. I am educated in culinary. I owned a cafe back in India before moving here after marriage" she babbled in nervousness. Once she was done speaking, she ate at an unusual pace.

"I had a history with your father. Are you aware of it?" My father asked nonchalantly. But I could sense the anger behind his words.

My wife's father cheated my father in business a very long ago. He promised top-quality goods and asked for two thousand crores in their currency to get the job done on behalf of the Asian table. Five hundred crores were paid in advance.

Money wasn't a big deal for my father but his reputation was. The goods were to be distributed to different nations by my father. When my father made the deliveries, they were returned. The goods were contaminated, they found foreign substances in them.

My father would have been held responsible if it weren't for his clean record and his prestige. The dealers asked for penalties for the delivery of contaminated goods and my father paid them.

It hit him hard.

Killing him wouldn't have been what he desired. He wanted his money back. And more importantly, he wanted to make him suffer.

My father asked for his daughter's hand in marriage for me as a security deposit. He also planned to turn it into an opportunity to occupy a place at the Asian table but that wasn't possible due to their rules.

He made it harder for her father to pay him back. He showed him poverty and suffering.

But he somehow managed to pay it all back.

I still have no idea why my father didn't break my marriage arrangement with her.

He didn't care when I informed him about my marriage to her. He had no intention of pushing me towards it or against it. I find it suspicious.

"No, sir," she replied.

"Your father cheated me. He made me lose three thousand crores back then in your currency." My wife remained silent. That was a wise decision.

My father began eating.

There was complete silence in the hall.

"Rebecca," he called her.

"Yes, father." Rebecca improved. She was collected and didn't stutter like she usually did in front of him.

"How old are you?" I could see where this was going.

"Twenty-two, father," she said.

I looked at her. She was pale.

"Marriageable age."

There was a sudden clink sound. It was made by Rebecca's knife that fell on the plate.

"You need to be taught etiquette again. Why don't madam Darla Kraft teach you and that lady during our stay here."

Darla Kraft is Denny Kraft's sister. She was also known as the 'Devil's mistress.' She was stern in her teachings. She taught etiquette to all the children of prominent members.

I remained silent. If I defend, it will only prove to be worse for them.

"That is a very good suggestion. I will think about it."

"I wasn't seeking permission," he said and got up to leave.

Enzo and Rebecca immediately stood up. My wife followed their action with a second delay.

He moved outside the room followed by his aide.

"I think I need to use the restroom. Excuse me," my wife said and rushed out of the room. Paul accompanied her.

"Brother, I don't want to get married," Rebecca pleaded in a low voice.

"I can't help you, Rebecca,"

"You did it once, you can do it again" she argued.

"I will keep you alive, that is all I can do for you. Rest, you are on your own." I said and stood up to leave.

I took her out of my father's house, I sheltered her. I fulfilled my obligation.

She can't fight for herself, no one can.

If not today, she will be married off tomorrow. If not this guy, it will be some other guy.

But, I will fulfil my promise of keeping her alive.

I went in search of my wife.

"Andrew, stay with Rebecca and Enzo."

"Yes, Capo."

"Where is she?" I asked Paul who was standing guard when I got out of the elevator.

"In the room, Capo."

"Something wrong?"

"She was shivering on the ride up, Capo."

Shivering? Did I miss something?

"Investigate her past," I ordered him and walked to my room.

I placed my hand to push the door open but was having second thoughts.

I seem to be caring too much for her, more than I should and more than I would.

Do I go in or do I walk away?

————————————————————————

To be continued...