Chapter 5

Gabriella 's POV

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I pondered the overwhelming situation I found myself in. The night had been restless, leaving me with little sleep. However, I knew I had to rise much earlier than him to prepare myself. The last thing I wanted was to create a negative impression that could lead to unfavorable gossip about me.

Having already dressed myself, I opted for a modest navy blue dress and paired it with white heels. That was the way we were taught to present ourselves. Whether it was a dress or an elegant combination of pants and a shirt, heels or sneakers, we were expected to maintain a certain appearance in case we had guests. Sneakers were reserved solely for activities like the gym, yoga, or pilates. Generally, my outfits were chosen to be presentable even if we had unexpected visitors.

Although it was already past nine in the morning, I had already completed my makeup. This was the norm in our family, regardless of the hour.

Taking a deep breath, I rose from the bed and made my way towards the living room. We had spent a considerable amount of time being engaged, and during this period, I frequently came here to discuss matters with him and to organize and prepare for the wedding.

From time to time, he would come to my house to pick me up for our dates. As for our wedding, we decided to travel to Russia to have the ceremony there.

"Ms. Gabriella , is there anything I can fetch for you?" a maid asked, catching my attention. I smiled at the woman and nodded, scanning the surroundings, only to find that there were no others present except for the maids.

"A cup of coffee would be lovely, thank you!" I replied, glancing at the floor. "Where is everyone?"

"They should be joining us shortly. Breakfast is typically served at half-past nine during vacations," she informed me, and I acknowledged her response. Taking a seat on the couch, I reached for my phone and patiently waited for the maid to bring my coffee. It wasn't until I heard footsteps descending that I lifted my gaze, following the sound.

Diego glanced at me, adjusting his suit, and then strode into the living room. His gaze met mine, and he arched an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my early awakening. I swiftly kept my phone aside, standing up to meet him, and crossed my arms defensively. "Good morning, Diego ," I greeted, my tone matching his chilly demeanor.

"I have some work to attend to after breakfast, and later this afternoon, we have a reception to attend together. I expect you to be prepared for it," he stated, scanning me from head to toe. I fought the urge to shrink under his disdainful gaze. My heart raced in my chest, and as the maid approached with a cup of coffee, I observed him roll his eyes before turning towards the door. "I won't be having breakfast, Clara . If Mrs. Lopez desires anything to eat, serve it to her. I'll return to pick you up at two."

Diego didn't wait for my response; he marched towards the door. Shaking my head in disbelief, I followed closely behind. I quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist, halting his progress. He turned around, his eyes filled with anger, and forcefully pressed me against the wall, raising my hand above my head.

"What on earth do you think you're doing?" I demanded, my voice laced with frustration.

"I should be asking you the same question, Diego ," I retorted, my gaze piercing into his as I struggled to push him away. 

Despite my efforts, he tightened his grip on my wrist, causing me to flinch. His eyes remained fixed on mine, waiting for my response, while he toyed with different comebacks, refusing to release my hand.

"Listen, I understand that neither of us wants this situation. Trust me, I have no desire to be involved with you in any way. However, we did get married just yesterday, and as a newlywed couple who are supposed to embark on a honeymoon, it doesn't make sense for you to go to work."

"I am going to work, and as for you..."

"Diego Lopez , please try to think rationally without anger for once in your life. I won't stand in your way, but could you at least stay in the house while you work? Please, for the love of everything..."

"Who the hell do you think you are to question me like that?" He interrupted, bringing me to a halt. My heart raced, and my stomach churned with a mix of emotions.

The anger I felt towards myself for allowing him to treat me this way was indescribable. However, I knew that if I wanted to protect my reputation, I had to endure this.

"I am your damn wife, for crying out loud."

"On paper." He stated firmly, lightly tapping my forehead. "I cannot fathom the thoughts swirling within your mind, but let me make myself clear, and I won't reiterate it."

His unwavering gaze pierced into mine, and the intensity of his glare left me feeling diminished. Even during my time with my family, who were known for their severe treatment, I had never experienced such a display. This was simply beyond acceptable.

"You hold no significance to me whatsoever. Your presence in my house, sharing the same roof, is solely due to the contractual agreement we have signed. However, if you delude yourself into believing that you hold any importance to me, you are gravely mistaken, Gabriella ," he declared, fixing me with a piercing gaze. Inhaling deeply, he stepped back, releasing me completely. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought fiercely to prevent them from spilling. I turned towards the door, and in response, he emitted a derisive chuckle.

"Make sure you're ready by two-thirty. I have no intention of being late for this," he stated, opening the door. "And do make an effort to compose your facial expressions. I don't want others to witness your current... 'pathetic' state."