A Woman's Empire

XVI

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"So, Audrielle, are you pregnant yet?" Leo's great aunt, Patrina asked, smiling at Audrielle who quickly glanced at Leo.

"Well, hopefully she is pregnant. The wedding was only a couple of days ago so the results probably won't show for at least another two weeks." Leo stated calmly, picking up his glass of red wine.

"Hush, child! We asked Audrielle, not you." Aunt Patrina scolded Leo. "Do you want a boy or a girl?"

Audrielle looked down at her stomach. She wasn't even pregnant and the only thing Leo had gotten from her was one or two intimate kisses, let alone a child. She looked back up and smiled.

"I would love to have a baby girl."

Apparently that wasn't the correct answer because all of Leo's aunts and uncles looked at one another and Christian burst out in laughter.

"What is so amusing father?" Leo seethed and Audrielle squeezed his hand for support. The thing was, she didn't know if she was the one giving or wanting support.

"Son, I can tell when you're lying. Audrielle isn't pregnant, for crying out loud, she's still a vergine, it's obvious! And a girl?! As a first child? That's basically a curse. You want a son, one that can control the business and pick it up when it falls -" Christian yelled before laughing, like this all was a joke.

(Translation: virgin)

"No. I don't mind what the gender of the baby is Christian. As long as it carries mine and her blood, then I am happy. I will love our children endlessly." Leo snapped, staring straight into his father's eyes, daring Christian to continue his little rant.

And he didn't, but Audrielle stood up and walked away, shaking like a leaf. It wasn't until Audrielle made it to the master bedroom before she broke down crying. Leo ran into the room, grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her in for a hug.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have wished for a daughter, our first child will be a boy so it can run t-the business." Audrielle sobbed.

"Don't worry about children for now, let's just get this week over and done with and then we will come up with an idea, hm?" He asked, pulling her hands away from her eyes so that she could see his face. She nodded her head, making Leo smile and place a kiss on her forehead.

"Tonight." Audrielle whispered and Leo looked at her for a second. "Tonight will be the night that we try and make a baby." She mumbled to herself, almost like she was preparing herself for later this evening with a mini one on one pep talk. Leo knew exactly what she was talking about. She wanted him to take her virginity so that they could have kids to keep the peace with his family.

"No." Leo said simply.

"Why not? I don't want to be the reason for your family's falling out." She whines and Leo rolled his eyes and letting go of Audrielle for a split second so he can run his fingers through his hair.

"I said no, Audrielle. We will sort this out at a later time. For now, we will enjoy the sun and wine that Italy has to offer us. Do not worry about my selfish family ok?" Leo growled and Audrielle huffed loudly.

"It's not up to you, Leo. I can take control of my own body and don't think for a split second that you're the only one with daddy issues because you're not. My family is fucked up too. I mean, they arranged my marriage and two months ago, I didn't even know who the hell you were! I didn't agree with all of this! I just wanted to turn twenty one and get a house of my own but I can't!" Audrielle yelled, finally breaking out of her shell.

Leo was taken back by her words and tone of anger before he fought back. "Yeah?! And you think I expected to be twenty five years old and forced to marry a little bitch that cries about everything under the sun? I've been trying so hard to keep my cool and to try and find a way of getting something out of this marriage but all I'm getting is shut down!" He boomed, his deep voice echoing around the room which only made his voice seem fen times louder and his words to hurt Audrielle ten times more.

Audrielle bit her lip, trying to keep her tears in. "You really think I'm a little crying bitch? I know I'm emotional but I never actually had a childhood, Leo. I couldn't go out with school friends, I wasn't allowed to go to parties, I wasn't allowed a boyfriend. I don't know what heartbreak feels like, or when to laugh or how to tell jokes, simply because I wasn't allowed too. I was kept inside the gates of my family's estate for your benefit. They made me completely pure just for you and so I'm sorry you've ended up with a crying little bitch as your wife." She choked, walking out of the bedroom, not looking back at Leo.

Leo reached out to grab her but was too slow. She had already walked down the hallway. They had just had their first fight as a married couple and Leo was unsure of how to fix it.

Audrielle stormed down the hall, trying to find her way back to the kitchen where she could get a drink when she was suddenly dragged into a room. She tried to scream but the person who held her captive was quick and put their hand over her mouth. The other hand was wrapped around her neck, pushing her into the wall as she trembled.

"Shh, we wouldn't want to make a scene won't we?" The stranger chuckled, their voice deep and strong. Audrielle knew it was Christian and she was terrified of him.

"Here's what we're going to do about this marriage sweetheart." He whispered into her neck, as she tried to look away. "After your honeymoon, you will be expected to move into the Amour estate with my son Leo. You will have his children and you will act like a happy couple." He listed the things he wanted to happen with this marriage.

"I will be watching your every move, Audrielle, from the moment you leave this country and step foot in my private jet, I will know everything about you. And when you move in, I will teach you how to become the perfect wife for my son. You step out of line, I will put you in your place. You will learn that you are just his wife, someone to give birth to the next generation. These fairytales you read about love, they're all lies. You will understand the real meaning behind this marriage." Audrielle went to push him off of her when the air was suddenly cut off from her.

"And if you pull another tantrum like what just happened earlier, you will have consequences for your actions. I will not be having a whiny little puttana as a daughter in law." He seethed one her face as she choked for air.

(Translation: Bitch)

He let go of Audrielle's throat and her body dropped to the floor as she gasped for much needed air. Christian chuckled darkly and left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Audrielle left alone with her dark thoughts and his harsh words ringing in her head.