Chapter 3 My Father's Enemy

• Giulia
• Days Later
• "I don't know why you're complaining so much," Antônia said, running her fingers over the chic clothes displayed on the racks of a designer store. She was my only friend and loved buying expensive clothes and jewelry. "You have everything you want. Your father spares no expense on your allowance, and I bet Pablo will pamper you too. You just need to give the guy a chance. He's kind of cute."
• "You can marry him in my place," I mocked, feeling angry at what she said. "Pablo is a misogynistic jerk; he just wants to sleep with me and will treat me like garbage after the wedding."
• "Just like all of them, Giulia. You can't forget we're not in a fairy tale. But if I were you, I'd learn to seduce him and make him worship me, not despise me."
• "If it were up to me, I'd cut off his dick just to avoid marrying him." I huffed, crossing my arms and feeling frustrated. "And I don't want to talk about it."
• I lost track of time. My friend wouldn't stop talking about her life and how I should be grateful for mine.
• I left the store without any bags, just anger and frustration. We stopped at a café, and I thought about having a coffee. We sat outside, enjoying the fresh air and the bit of sunlight.
• "Let's go out tonight?" she suggested.
• At least that interested me on this dull day.
• "My father is quite grumpy this week because of my reluctance to marry Pablo, but going out might help, and maybe, wanting to please me more, he'll agree to it."
• My father had been rather tolerant lately. This made me suspicious. Whenever he gave me something, he would demand something in return later. I'd have to be much smarter than him if I wanted to free myself from all the commitments he might impose.
• ***
• I had to lie to go to that club. If my father knew where we were going, he obviously wouldn't let me leave. My real problem would be when I got home because I knew he had his men following me and was aware of everything I did.
• It was risky to provoke him when he was being so lenient, so I knew my escapade would earn me some punishments. However, it had been a while since I went out to places like this.
• I entered the club, feeling like I should behave, but not too much. If I was going to get "grounded," it might as well be for having a lot of fun.
• Antônia was the daughter of a corrupt bureaucrat who stole from everyone. That's why he was so rich. Lately, he had been the talk of the town and accused of the obvious, but not even that could dampen his daughter's spirit, who spent the money as if it were an endless source.
• "I was surprised your father was so... nice about letting you come with me," she said near my ear because the music was too loud for normal conversation.
• "I didn't tell him where the party was." I laughed before taking another sip of the pink strawberry-flavored drink I ordered. "My night won't end well."
• "Let's go to the VIP area. It's too crowded here." She grabbed my hand and led me up the club's neon-lit stairs.
• As I climbed, I watched everyone below, grinding against each other and drinking alcohol like it was water. In the VIP area, we could talk normally. There were comfortable leather sofas, tables, chairs, poufs, and an exclusive bar.
• Antônia and I watched the people on the lower floor while she told me more about her father's scandals as if they were no big deal. Then, over her shoulder, I saw him. He was with two other men. I think one of them was his brother Lorenzo. But he, in particular, was staring at me with a slight smile.
• I turned my attention back to my friend and tried not to look uncomfortable, even knowing he was still watching me.
• "I need something stronger." I walked away from her and headed to the bar.
• I felt butterflies in my stomach just thinking that he was there and watching me. I had no idea why I felt this way. Dante didn't want anything with me, nor did I with him. Besides, he was worse than Pablo. I should keep a wide distance from mafiosos.
• "It's a surprise to see you here," his deep, intimidating voice sounded in my ear like a cold wind that paralyzed me.
• Act naturally.
• "From what I know of Marcos, he wouldn't allow his only daughter to come to a place like this."
• I gave a slight smile, feeling motivated to respond in kind.
• "My father is a smart man, Mr. Mitolli: he gives me something and asks for something else in return." I was glad my drink arrived quickly. "Besides, I'm not in a brothel. It's just a party with my friend."
• "A party with plenty of alcohol and drugs." He raised an eyebrow.
• I shouldn't look at him so closely, like the other day. He had strong features and a charm that few possessed, attracting attention. Everyone always said Dante resembled his father the most. And I must admit that this man, despite being more than twice my age, made me attracted to him and completely destabilized.
• "I don't need you to look after me. He already does that job," I said before walking away without looking back, or I would lose the little courage I had mustered to respond.
• I confess that, inside, I felt proud of myself. Few women, I believe, would have responded to him that way.
• ***
• My best friend simply disappeared with some guy and left me stranded in the VIP area. When I came out of the women's bathroom, she was no longer there, and since it was time for me to go, knowing I shouldn't provoke my father more than I already had, I decided to leave.
• I went down the stairs, hoping to find her in the crowd. However, knowing Antônia, I knew she was probably making out with someone somewhere in that noisy club. I moved on, ready to leave, when someone grabbed my arm. They did nothing more than that.
• Then I looked back and found Dante, who, without saying a word, led me in the opposite direction of the exit. I had never felt so helpless and scared. Not that he could do anything bad to me, but something about him triggered a flight instinct. Maybe it was my brain trying to warn me, but for now, my body was simply manipulated by the good vibes that came from that simple touch on my hand.
• I didn't know why all this was happening; I just followed him. Then, in a somewhat secluded corner illuminated by some neon lights, he said nothing, just pressed me against the wall and kissed me. It felt strange at first, but then I was flooded with a good feeling of warmth and pleasure. His hands on my body touched all the right places to turn me on completely.
• I wrapped my arms around his neck while one of his hands on my thigh moved up my thin, shiny skirt. Nothing but "more and more" crossed my mind. I had even forgotten where I was and with whom.
• Suddenly, a flash of awareness woke me up.
• "I have to go before my father comes and drags me out," I said, breathless and drunk from that kiss.
• "A minute more or less won't make a difference." He opened a half-smile on his beautiful lips.
• "Believe me: every second, he gets angrier," I explained, unable to stop staring at his mouth.
• Without giving me space, he kissed me again, now with more speed and urgency, taking the remaining air from my lungs.
• "You are mine now, Giulia Santini."