When it ends

Two

"Hello?"

"What is it?" Dante got straight to the point without delaying any second. Relaxing himself in his seat he closed his eyes and exhaled once more. There was silence from the other side. "Tell me." He demanded.

"It's your parents..-"

"What about them?"

"They called. They want us to attend dinner tonight." Her voice sounded hesitant and unsure.

"Be ready by 7." He ordered in an authoritative tone and hung up without waiting for a reply.
Dante had been married to Gabriella for almost 4 months. It was an arranged marriage that their parents fixed. He knew that Gabriella was unhappy in this marriage but she had no way out. Not until the deal between him and her father was finalised. He was to take over her father's empire, as well as his shares in business. Joseph Greco, Gabriella's father, was the Don of his organisation. His syndicate was almost as powerful as Dante's. It was almost time for him to retire and he knew he had to hand it down. He was not blessed with a son so he married his daughter off to his best friend's son. He trusted that Dante was able to protect his family and his organisation. Dante agreed to the terms laid down by him and he was willing to marry his daughter for the sake of the merge.
Dante knew he had been the worst husband to Gabriella but he felt no remorse. He had specifically told her not to expect anything from him and that he would never be the husband she wanted. Gabriella was indeed the epitome of beauty with brains. She was the C.E.O of her fashion industry and she was at the top of her game. With a ravishing body, perfect curves and extraordinary mind she was everything a man could possibly ask for in a wife. There was a twitch in his pants breaking his trance. He let himself wonder too far thinking about her. He shook his head and scoffed. It wasn't romance he was looking for.

Gabriella was nervous when her in laws called but she was petrified when she made a call to Dante informing him about the invite. She heaved a sigh of relief when he cut the call. It was almost 4 months and she was still afraid of her husband. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, he demanded respect. His direct and assertive nature always managed to make her nervous and wary. The colour of his eyes, his physique, his sharp jawline, his stature, his confident strides and his face. He was so handsome. And his body! Goodness! He was so well defined. She wondered how it would feel like to touch his skin, his abs and his chiseled chest. She blushed beetroot at the thought. She stirred from her dreamy reverie and started getting ready for the dinner.

It was 6:45 when she slipped on her stilettos and took a final look in the mirror. She decided to sit and wait for her husband in her bedroom. 'Husband' the word still seemed so foreign to her. She should have been accustomed with that word and the endearment, but no. She knew absolutely nothing about the man she called her husband. She knew all along that this marriage was a sham and nothing more. Dante had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. She started fiddling with the metal band on her hand, she felt the cold metal touching her skin. This metal band was supposed to mean so much to her. It was supposed to be the token of the love she shared with her husband. It was supposed to warn everyone that she was taken and her husband was The Dante Ricci. Yet it meant nothing to her but a constant reminder of her captivity. She always believed in love and she wanted to marry someone who she could trust, someone she was in love with. Not a total stranger who treated her like she didn't exist. She wondered for how long this would continue. She knew she had no choice but to stay in this marriage. She also knew about her husband's many mistresses however she could care less. Although it did hurt her to see him with his flings, she kept it to herself. She would never interfere in his life. She would not act like those clingy, pathetic wives who always tried to gain their husband's attention and approval. She would never do that. She was Gabriella Greco. If he acted indifferent towards their marriage then she would too.
There was a knock on the door. She stirred from her trance at the sound. She stood up, fixed her dress and walked towards the door. She took a deep breath for she knew what was waiting on the other side.
She opened the door and was a bit disappointed to be greeted by James, Dante's personal driver slash chauffeur.
"Mr. Ricci could not make it so he instructed me to escort you to the event." James informed.
Gabriella was not shocked. She was expecting this from him but she still hoped that it was him who had come to get her. She nodded and followed James as he lead the way towards the car.
The ride to the Dante's parents' house did not take long and it was spent in utter silence. James never spoke a word. She looked outside the window and realised they had reached their destination. She was feeling jittery and tensed. She took few deep breaths to calm herself. The door suddenly opened and a hand reached out for hers with an open palm. She was startled at the sudden movement and stared at the hand debating whether or not to take it until someone cleared their throat.
Dante.

AN: I know it's a short chapter but do Vote and Comment! ❤️