CHAPTER 3

Stella Romilly's pov

         I didn't know how I ended up back in the living room. All I knew was that the divorce papers were in front of me. As well as Antonio and Lisa sitting across me, holding hands like new love birds. I hated the sight. I certainly didn't want to live with them acting like a married couple.

“It's been four years Antonio. Four good years,” I muttered, tears flowing non-stop. I couldn't believe he was throwing all that away. What was I expecting getting married to a Mafia boss? I knew deep down that something bad was going to happen. But not this way. Not this manner. Not this marriage! 

          Antonio and I had been married for four years. I needed someone to invest in my business so I made a deal with him. We fell in love.

I fell in love.

Then we married. We didn't want babies at that time so we were looking forward to spending time together. It was then that I found out he was one of the most powerful Mafia leaders in the world. It was a blow at first but I quickly got used to it except that the gut feeling buried deep within me couldn't stop bugging me. 

Well, until now. 

I pressed the ballpoint of the pen on the paper. It was a nice romance story between us. Like a damsel in distress and a prince.

 A struggling businesswoman and a billionaire. 

           I was worth nothing now. He was going to do whatever he wanted and I couldn't do anything. I signed the paper and handed it over to him. I wiped my tears angrily and watched as he examined the paper. 

“Good. You have two days to move out.”With that, he got up with his mistress and walked out.

              To be broken was an understatement. A void had been created in my heart. A deep dark void I couldn't fill. Whether my head was pounding or not, I couldn't care less. I was nonliving. I walked to the kitchen to see the dishes laid out. Anna must have heard; coupled with my red eyes. She looked at me in pity as if to comfort me. I spotted the slices of bread and butter, bacon, eggs, cheese, sausages, and pancakes with honey and I felt nauseous. I had lost my appetite. 

“Come eat” The old woman took a plate ready to serve me but I stopped her. 

“It's no use. I'm not a member of the house anyway.” I uttered going upstairs. 

I phoned my assistant to order Ken to pick me up and book a room at my hotel later in the evening. 

As I got out with my traveling bag, I spotted Antonio making a call and Lisa ordering the bodyguards to pick up her many belongings. She had brought them. I scoffed. 

I met them at the gate. Antonio cut the call to look at me. I had changed into a red turtleneck and black jeans. It was easier to move wearing that. I had left my blue dress in the mansion since it was Antonio's gift. 

Lisa smiled. 

“Have you packed everything?” he asked, looking at the single traveling bag I had. He really wanted me gone.

“Yep. I left all the dresses and jewelry you bought. You could burn them if you want. I don't care” I said out of spite. 

I wanted him to be hurt but he just nodded. I paused to stare at his icy blue orbs. 

“I don't want an ounce of your money. 

Don't include it.” 

            He stared at me in dismay. I didn't bother to look at Lisa as I passed by them. 

Ken helped me with my luggage when I got outside. I entered my white car and Ken drove me away. I looked back, just to see the guards close the door. I stared at the mansion before turning back to rest my head on the window.

          When I entered my hotel room, I fell on my bed. Ken brought my luggage in and I told him to call my assistant in. 

There was a knock on my door a few minutes later. 

“Come in” I hauled.

I heard the clinking of heels and turned to my side on the bed to talk to her. 

“Any information?”

“Yes Madam.”

I nodded for her to continue.

“The board has called. They want to have a meeting with you about the upgrade of your hotel.”

“Hmm and?”

“People are demanding a different product from your makeup brand.”

“Which different product?”

“Something like a waterproof makeup kit that is not harmful to the skin.”

“Oh,” I managed. Usually, an idea would immediately spring up to my mind but in this moment, none came.

“And?”

“Top skincare brand professor, Gerald Hardin wants to sign with you. He claims his daughter used your skin care product and she was happy with the results.”

“Good news.”

“Yes.”

“Get a model for the makeup brand and set up a meeting for the waterproof makeup with the scientists I talked to you about. We'll continue from there” I said, falling face flat on the bed. 

There was silence and I turned to face my assistant. 

“What are you still doing here?”

I watched as the lady moved from one foot to another, clasping the files tightly in her hand nervously. 

“Are you sure you are okay madam?”

The last thing I needed was pity right now. Now that she had shown the littlest care, tears welled up in my eyes. I turned my head to the bed so she wouldn't see.

“None of your business”

“Yes madam” I heard her clicking heels fade as the door closed. She must have wondered what I was doing late at night, out of my home. 

My ex-husband's house. 

Reality was hitting me hard and I didn't know what to expect anymore. 

“I love her!” 

Those words of memory vibrated within me. I remembered when he held Lisa’s hand as I signed the divorce papers. I cried myself to sleep that night wishing it was all one hell of a stupid dream.