Chapter 5

• Ariana
• I watched my Dad ascend the stairs until he disappeared. Greta was standing behind me, still smiling like a witch, watching her portions cook. I was confused and didn't know what to do other than ask questions.
• "What is he talking about?" I turned to Greta and asked. But she hissed, paying no attention to my question. "Go upstairs and sleep." She simply said and Left. I wasn't thinking straight. I didn't know what was going to happen tomorrow, but one thing was for sure: tomorrow was going to be a very long day.
• *RENZO’s POV*
• My mind wasn't settled as I paced around the room. Ariana had never behaved like this. She always picked up my call; if she didn't, she would text me she was home safe. But this time was different. She didn't pick up my calls, and she read my text without replying.
• The worst might have happened. I couldn't imagine it. Was she kidnapped on her way home, or was she caught by her stepmother? I needed to do something about it and quickly.
• I decided to go search for Ariana. I didn't care if I had to break down that house to take her out. I must have her, and they will know I don't joke with the one I love.
• "Sir," I heard Cyrus call from outside as he knocked on my door. "Come in," I replied, and he opened the door. He was surprised to see me fully dressed up to leave and not in bed. His eyes accessed my black pants and black hoodie, and he knew there was danger.
• "Is there a problem, sir ?" He asked. "Ariana isn't replying to any of my texts; she must be in danger," I replied with my voice filled with concern and worry. "But, sir, she got home safe. I followed her to ensure that." he tried to calm my nerves, and I was a bit relaxed.
• "But my calls and texts?" I asked. "She must have gone to bed, and you know, she turned off her phone so her parents wouldn't notice. I am sure she will be fine, and she will surely come tomorrow. You don't need to worry." he said, and I sat down on the bed. He was right; she was probably asleep, and I overreacted.
• "So why are you here?" I asked. I didn't remember calling for him. And his eyes and face were tense. "He is here," he said, and I frowned. "Who the hell comes to my house unannounced?" I roared in anger as I stepped out.
• A man in a black suit sat on the sofa, one of his legs crossed over the other as he stared at me. He didn't stand when he saw me, he just remained there, like he owned the entire place.
• “Who are you?” I walked closer to him and stood before him.
• “You shouldn't keep a guest waiting for long, you know.” He said in a deep hoarse voice. “Who the fuck do you think you are to tell me what to do?” I glared at him, his eyes held a bit of amusement in them as he stared at me.
• Slowly he stood, matching my height.
• “We finally meet, Renzo,” he said and extended his hands. I just stared at him. “Are you deaf or something?” I asked, staring at his hands without shaking them.
• *ARIANA’s POV*
• The night was too long and cold as I turned a million times before falling asleep. The sun was already up in the sky, and surprisingly, Greta had not come to wake me up with cold water. I slowly got up from the bed, and to my greatest surprise, my hurt ankle was wrapped with bandages, and it felt better than before.
• "So it wasn't a dream." It had taken forever before I fell asleep last night, and I had a dream that my mother had come into my room, massaged my leg, and wrapped it with bandages.
• "It was Greta," I hissed as reality hit me. What were they up to? Why was she suddenly taking care of me? This wasn't right and was going to be bad. I stood up from the bed only to find a delicious breakfast of toast, scrambled eggs, and a cup of milk.
• "Do they plan to kill me by poisoning me with that?" I asked myself. There was no way this meal was mine. Something was wrong; I was never fed or treated this way. I was lean and thin because I didn't feed well. Why do they suddenly want to take care of me?
• This was the pig method. You feed the pig well to get fat before taking it to the slaughterhouse. There was going to be a slaughterhouse for me.
• I sat down on the bed and dragged the food closer to me. I don't care if it was poisoned. I was living in hell, so I would rather die. I ate it hungrily and hurriedly.
• The door opened, and Greta came in with a white dress in her hands. "It's yours, isn't it beautiful?" She asked, taking the words out of my mouth. It was a long white dress, so beautiful and simple. It looked very expensive, and I wondered why I was given such a dress.
• "Why?" The words left my mouth freely. And I was ready to receive the hottest slap to my face, but she wasn't angry at all and only laughed. "You are getting married today. And this is your wedding dress," I frowned as she spoke.
• There is no way in hell I was going to get married to someone I don't even know. How is that even possible? Why was I not allowed to choose the one I love? Do I have to be their toy? Why do they have the right to choose who I will spend the rest of my life with? I asked myself these questions, but there was no way I could get answers. They concluded my life on their terms and did not bother letting me know about it.
• "I won't get married to someone I don't know," I spoke, my voice authoritative as I looked straight into her eyes. Her response shocked me. "You don't have to know him, and my dear, you don't have a choice in this," she replied and sat down beside me, holding my shoulders.
• "Ariana. I would like to advise you on something. I don't like you, but I will advise you not to try anything stupid like running away. Don't even think about it because your husband-to-be is watching you and won't delay killing you if you try to be a nut job or try to be stubborn. He has your life in his hands and will do whatever he likes with it. Don't try anything funny. He is the devil himself." She spoke quietly, and I could see the expression on her face. It was that of fear.
• My heart sank into my stomach as I stared at her eyes. She meant everything she had said. If he was as cruel as she had said, why was I giving to him as a wife? Do they hate me so much?
• "Clean yourself up and put on your dress. We leave for the church by five." Greta instructed and gently placed the dress on the bed and stood up to leave but turned back. "You had a fall and hurt your ankle. I never pushed you, Okay?" She spoke, and I nodded.
• The door was shut, and I heard her lock it. They did not plan to set me free, and this was getting serious. I was about to be sold off to God knows who.
• I needed to tell Renzo about this. He must have been worried sick about me. There was no way I could communicate with him. My phone had been damaged and was taken away from me. I was on my own; there was no way I could get to him.
• It was over. My life was no longer mine.
• *GRETA’s POV*
• As I walked into the room, Nevio was sitting there, waiting patiently for me.
• "You gave her the dress? Did she try it on? Does it fit?" He asked as soon as he saw me. I could see the pressure and intensity in his face; there was no way he would be in a stable state. He was selling his daughter to one of the most dangerous mafia in all of Italy.
• There was no room for any mistake; the littlest mistake would not end well for us both.
• "She took her meal, and she is probably in the bathroom taking a bath. You don't need to worry. I will make sure she is ready before five."
• "Greta, we can afford to let her escape again. You know how he reacted to her disappearance last night. I almost lost my life; we can't make that same mistake." he said, and I nodded in agreement.
• "I locked all the doors; there is no way she can escape," I reassured him.