My Mafia Marriage

7

Natalia's POV - a little over a week later

The day I left Enzo's house, Mike surprisingly wasn't home, and he hasn't been home since. I don't know where he is or what he's doing, but frankly, I don't care. It's refreshing not to get beaten every day, and I've relished it this whole week.

Throughout the week Ace, Jess, and James would often come to the bar to visit Lil and me while we worked, which was pleasant. It makes the day go by faster whenever they are around, and I appreciate the company.

I also feel way more protected and comfortable at work when Ace is around me. This job can be dangerous with all of the creeps that flirt with me, but Ace keeps them away from me when they get too overbearing. He's protected me and made sure to kick people out of the bar when they crossed my boundaries, which I'm thankful for.

Every time I saw Enzo this week, he was surrounded by flirtatious women again. Not only was he blatantly being flirted with by countless amounts of beautiful women every time he entered the bar, but he also would disregard me.

Usually, Enzo at least acknowledges me, but this week he hasn't even glanced in my direction, secretly breaking my heart. He always makes rude comments or attempts to annoy me for his entertainment when he came to his bar, but none of that happened this week, slightly disappointing me.

Whenever I wasn't looking or if men were flirting with me, I could have sworn I felt Enzo's icy blue eyes piercing through me, yet when I turn around, he wasn't looking at me. Instead, he had his arm wrapped around another woman, hurting me more than I'd like to admit.

There were times he'd be sitting at the bar, and women would have their hands in his lap touching god knows what while they batted their eyelashes seductively at him. They were all very handsy, and from what I saw, Enzo didn't mind their attention or touch.

It bothered me, I won't lie, but I brushed it off, comprehending I'm bringing this hurt upon myself with my unreciprocated feelings.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I tried my best to ignore him because the longer I observed his interactions with his lovers, the deeper he pierced a knife through my heart. I also decided to be immature by flirting with other men in front of Enzo since he was doing the same thing, surrounding himself with wanton women who attempted to seduce him every chance they got.

Whenever guys flirted with me, I would flirt back, purposely rubbing it in Enzo's face as he's been doing to me. I did it to provoke him, but I honestly couldn't tell if it bothered him or not. Deep down, I knew it probably didn't upset him at all since I'm just another woman in his eyes, and I always will be; The faster I learn that, the less I will get hurt.

I sigh at my thoughts and shake them away, not wanting to think about that man any more than I already do. Plopping down on the filthy couch in our living room that's broken with springs poking out of it, I close my eyes and enjoy the peace and quiet.

The silence is reassuring and comforting, reminding me that I'm all alone in this house with no one to abuse me. For once, I don't have to be scared in my own home.

A loud pounding on the front door made my eyes shoot open in panic. I gulped in terror as I deliberately got off of the couch, keeping my eyes trained on the locked door. My mind fills with haunting thoughts of who could be at the door; the main concern is if it's Mike finally coming home after a week of being gone.

I dismiss that thought, remembering Mike has a key, so he'd walk in without knocking, but that doesn't diminish my fear. I shuffled towards the door on unsteady legs, hoping it isn't anyone here to harm me.

I take a few deep breaths to calm my distress before I place my hand on the cold metal handle of the door and twist it. Reluctantly opening the creaky door, I gasp in shock when I see who's behind it.