I stand at the reception desk . The receptionist is colder than before, her eyes louder than her silence. I can't afford to lift my chin and walk like I did the first time- she must already know what happened two days ago.
I knock on the hard wooden door.
It opens, and my eyes meet the man who never seems to leave Dante's side.
"Come in. He's been expecting you"
Expecting me?
"You came earlier than I thought" Dante's voice is calm. Firm.
I don't look away. I want him to think I'm not scared, even though I am. Without wasting time, he slides the contract to me again. I see two new conditions.
No dating
Public appearances
"No dating? I don't belong to you"
"What would people think if they saw Dante Cross's wife, dating some...lowlife?," he relaxes into his chair. "and think about Micah"
I scoff at his arrogance and pride. I take a deep breath, my eyes never leaving his. My hands shake above the pen.
I remember Micah's face.
Bella's warning echoes.
I put the pen down and sign.
My heart beats even faster as I stare at my signature boldly written on the paper.
"Good choice" He says and picks up his phone. I hear him speak to someone on the phone, but everything else fades away. I still stare at the contract, I had a very bad feeling. I was sick to my stomach. I felt caged. The walls seemed to close in on me.
"Welcome to my life, Mrs. Cross." Even if we were not legally married yet, it hits me hard.
I walk out to the reception with Dante Cross closely behind me, one hand resting lightly at the bend of my waist. I catch the receptionist's reaction- her mouth hangs slightly open. Disgust flickers across her face.
"I'd advice you keep your chin up. You're Mrs. Cross now"
My heart sinks.
I subconsciously lift my head up, catching my bottom lip between my teeth. My phone buzzes repeatedly inside my bag. I knew it's Bella. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye to her and Micah. I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking straight into a place I wouldn't be allowed to leave. The thought makes my chest tighten.
We step outside.
My eyes land on the most beautiful luxury car I'd ever seen- a Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail. I was good with cars. It costs around thirty to thirty-two million dollars.
My hand flies to my mouth in awe.
A man steps out from the driver's seat, dressed in a crisp corporate attire, white gloves, and a cap resting neatly on his head. He extends his hand towards me, the other tucked behind his back.
I glance at Dante.
He tilts his head slightly, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
From a short distance away, another car pulls up. The same kind.
"Make sure she gets there safely" Dante says.
The driver bows respectively and turns back to me. Dante walks toward the second car and gets in without another word.
It's all too much. My hand trembles as I place it in the driver's gloved palm. He opens the door for me. I glance down at my clothes, then at the immaculate interior of the car.
The contrast is almost embarrassing.
"Please get in, miss" He says gently, a faint smile on his face.
I nod slowly and slide inside.
The seats are soft- impossibly soft. Silky. I sink back, easing my aching spine as the door shuts with a quiet, expensive click. The car smells warm and rich, something woody and comforting. The interior is honestly breathtaking. Elegant. Unreal.
I close my eyes and take a slow breath, running my fingers over the smooth leather.
********************************
"Miss?
My eyes flutter open and dart around in confusion. I jolt upright, momentarily disoriented. Then it all comes rushing back.
I fell asleep.
Typical Alondra.
"Miss, we have arrived"
I take his hand and stepped out of the car.
My jaw nearly drops to the ground.
Slowly, I lift my gaze to the mansion before me. Then I look at the driver.
"I-is this where I'll be staying? This belongs to Dante?"
"Yes miss"
I turn back to the mansion.
How does someone acquire this kind of wealth?
"You should go inside now, Miss"
I am directed into the building by an elderly woman. Another younger woman takes my coat and bag. The elderly woman guides me towards an elevator and pauses, stretching her hand towards the open door. I glance at her briefly before walking inside. She follows, pressing a button labelled PH.
Could that stand for...Penthouse?
My eyes took in the beautiful surroundings. It is absolutely breathtaking. The elevator dings and slides open and she leads me down a quiet hallway before stopping in front of a door. She pulls out a card and turns to me.
"This opens the door to your room, miss"
She presses the card against the lock. It clicks softly and the door opens. My jaw dropped again- for what felt like the hundredth time today.
Long, silk curtains drape from ceiling to floor. A crystal chandelier hangs above, it's lights almost blinding. The room was ridiculously large. The woman moves around effortlessly, adjusting things as though she's done this a thousand times before. She grabs a remote and points it towards an opaque glass wall. The panels glide open slowly, revealing a balcony.
I take careful steps towards it. My heart swells at the beautiful view.
"This is amazing"
I turn back to her. She's holding several shopping bags-many of them-some resting near her ankle.
"Mr. Cross thought you might need these"
I take the bags and peer inside.
Clothes.
"Why would he bring me clothes?"
She gave me a neutral, unreadable look.
I offer a faint smile. "Thank you"
She hands me the key card and the remote. "If you need anything, feel free to press that button" She gestures towards the remote. I nod slowly. "Thank you"
She bows slightly before leaving the room. I set the bags down and return to the balcony. I pull the pins from my bun and let my hair fall freely, the wind brushing through it. I inhale deeply and close my eyes.
This is gonna be a long year.
"You look like you're planning your escape"
I gasp and spin around. Dante Cross stands a few feet away.
"When did you get in?"
He tilts slightly, glancing towards the door.
"Wait, how...did you get in?"
"This is my penthouse"
I clear my throat. Of course.
"Come," he says calmly. "We have things to talk about"
I sit on the bed while he remains standing, hands tucked into his pockets, leaning casually against the vanity.
"We need to set boundaries."
He pauses, as if expecting a response. I give him none and he continues. "I won't touch you unless you want me to" His gaze shifts away from mine as he says it. That sounded unexpectedly gentle. "No public argument. Do not contradict me in front of others. I would not tolerate it" He adds. Something in the way he says it, made something inside me tingle. I frown slightly, masking the strange reaction his words provoke.
He straightens. "Now...is there anything you'd like to add?"
I don't hesitate. "Don't humiliate me. Don't treat me like I'm replaceable. I deserve respect too...as your wife"
A small smirk touches his lips, his eyes narrowing slightly. His fingers lift and graze my chin. "Noted."
My breath catches.
"This is only...temporary." His thumb lingers a second too long before he drops his hand. "And one more thing...Don't enter my office without my permission. No questioning certain business matters. No snooping. Don't make this harder than it needs to be"
"Am I your wife," I ask quietly, "or your PR strategy?"
His gaze lingers on mine. He's standing too close now, I can feel the warmth radiating from him.
"Alondra" My name sounds different in his mouth. "You think this was easy for me?"
There it is.
The slip.
He jaw tightens. Then he straightens abruptly, stepping back. The softness disappears. His expression turns cold again. "That will be all" He turns towards the door.
"You don't scare me" I snap.
He pauses. Slowly turns back. Studies me.
"You should hope that never changes"
Then he walks out.