*Evangeline's POV*
"Should I continue making the food or do you want to waste my efforts again?"
I turned to find Deena's firm stand with the spatula,a small bowl of tomatoes and a hard at me.
"Don't worry,I think I actually have appetite this morning."
"Well that's a relief."she says,returning to the kitchen with swiftness"I didn't want to resort to Vincenzo inspired methods."
I chuckled but the name included in the sentence didnt let my mirth last too long.
I followed Deena to the stove and almost got stunned by the array of foods being made and already made.
Delectable looking gourmets,very precise fruit tower art works and the brewing tea danced in my nose,making my stomach yearn even louder.
Had Marlene not personally fed me yesterday,I was sure this was going to be the thing that made me break my hunger strike.
I strolled around the kitchen,admiring everything,from the food to the floors and the beautiful rich crimson tiles on the wall.The gold accents here and there clashed harmoniously with the blue dishes Deena was presenting the food in.
"Are we expecting guests?"
Deena raised an eyebrow,her face forming into a scowl.
"Did you invite anyone?"
"Not exactly,"I say,I was thinking about having Marlene over to discuss my inheritance but that's the thing,I was thinking,I hadn't voiced it out yet. "What's with the feast?"
"Vincenzo asked all your favourites."she replied,throwing the chopped tomatoes into the pan and stirring them gently.
I only began to notice how much every dish in here was something I would have called for myself back at home.
I don't remember having the conversation outright with anyone here,much less him.
The realization hit too close to home and I realized how uncanny the feast now felt,it felt like an intimate part of me had been thrown under a big spotlight for dissection.
Like he already knew so much of me and I didn't have the same advantage.
In my undetected wonder,my eyes caught a rather plain dish sitting out of place in the pile,the toast was just--toast.
"He thought I liked toast as well?"I asked sarcastically. I didn't particularly fancy and it felt nice that he had one thing wrong.
"Yes."Deena replied although I could tell she picked up on my sarcasm.
She lowers the heat under the pan and comes to my side with a small can of condensed milk.
"Let me finish setting that up for you."
She indented the milk and spread the the liquid on the toast with a swirl.
I stared at the simple action vividly but couldn't quite figure out where I've seen this before--or shake the feeling of déjà vu I had.
"Try it."she urged after I silently stared at the plate for too long.
I sighed and guided the lonely toast to my lips,after a small prayer to God that all this sugar somehow turn into different nutrients in my body,I took a bite.
Crunch,sweetness and–
"Cinammon?"I asked.
"Yes."she smiled proudly at me "It's quite impressive for how simple it was huh?"
I nodded readily.
This was surprisingly so good,it felt nostalgic. It wasn't my favourite before but I could tell it would be.
"So was he right?"she asked.
I took a another bite and gave her a playful glare.
"I think it was lucky guess."
She chuckled and returned to cooking.
"By the way,have you seen Vincenzo?"
"He went out."
"Do you know when he'll be back?"
She shrugged.
"Hopefully before tomorrow."
My shoulders dropped and I let out an exparrated sigh. I had spent the better part of last night devising a plan to somehow save Luca.
A contract.
That ensured two crucial things--Luca's safety,my autonomy and in exchange I would be a complaint,obeying wife who would make the marriage look normal foe the public's eye.
That and a strong clause the marriage will end the second any of us broke the rules.
That seems to be the only way I could ensure Luca would be safe and get myself a way out of this somehow.
The house and Deena were nice and all but even a castle one couldn't leave was still a prison.
I was absently chewing on another crunchy peice of toast before one of the maids came to the kitchen.
"Good morning"she greeted.
"Morning."I replied.
"What is it?"Deena asked behind me.
"Madame Marlene Hidalgo is here."she says and stares blankly at both of us.
"Do you want to see her?"Deena asked me.
"Of course,"I nodded, "Let her in please."
The maid nodded and left.
"I told the security to halt her at the gate because when she left the other day,you were in an even worse mood than when she came."
"Yes but–"
"If you dont want to see her again,you could let me know and the men at the gate would handle the rest."
"No,no–infact,she's allowed unlimited access here,she's family."
Deena's lips raised with something that resembled sympathy,I must be seeing wrong.
"Whatever makes you most comfortable."
I dont know why it seemed like she didn't want Marlene here,so far she was my only connection to my family and with all this on hand,the last thing I needed was to drive my people away.
And I could tell Deena wasn't just any main given she was still here after barging that day,she might even be Vincenzo's informant.
I shouldn't let myself get too familiar with her.
I wiped my hands and patted my lips.
"I'll take the rest of my breakfast in the dinning room with my mother."
I walked to the dinning hall and found Marlene sitting with a tight frown.
"Good morning."
"These workers are so rude."she says loudly. "They told me I had to have an appointment–do they know who I am?"
"I am sorry."I said,slipping in the seat besides her. "I ensured that wouldn't happen anymore."
She turned to me with her face laced in disapproval.
"That's just too much."
"I know but I did run away so security was just being extra-"
"I'm talking about your clothes."she said,pointing at the nightgown under my robe. "That's too much cleavage."
I pulled the robe over my chest and fastened the lace.
"What were you thinking wearing that anyway?"
"I just woke up Marlene."
"Well you couldn't change before you came downstairs?"
I was beginning to get angry so I decided to find another topic.
"How's Robert?"
"He's good."
"He hasn't come to see me yet,"
"Well."Marlene takes off her sunglasses and sets it on the table. "He is taking over the family business,you don't expect him to have time to pay you visits–"
"Right–"I didn't need him present for the other preposition anyway. Every one knew Marlene was the one who ran things.
"You'll see him at the wedding."
Deena and a handful of maids bring in the food and I promptly thank them before they leave.
Marlene stares at the table in disgust.
"Be careful."she whispers to me. "I wouldn't be too sure that some of these weren't poisoned or at least drugged–"
I glance at her.
"Are you okay?"
"No"she shakes her head and pressed her temples. "I am so so tense."
I chewed on despite her suspicious look at the food.
"You know how much I want you to leave this place,right?"
"Sure?"
"I was hoping–well Robert and I were looking for ways to buy you back–"
So I was really on sale.
"But we are in so much debt right now and that explains why Hector even thought about accepting Vincenzo's offer,I just didn't know it was this bad."
"It's fine.Dont blame yourself."I say. "I've made my peace with this,I think we all have sacrifices we need to make and this is mine."
She nodded approvingly.
"I just have to secure myself somehow,I have drafted a contract and all I need now is something to build upon--I've been meaning to ask you about my inheritance as well."
"Yes,that is another reason I came here for,I met wjth the lawyers and tried to see if I could get you something to secure yourself financially but I found out,"Marlene took a big deliberate sigh.
I dont like where this is going one bit.
"You were removed from the will before Hector died."