Isabella POV
2 pm comes faster than I can imagine and I’m reeling in my seat. “what is he going to do?” “Will people be there?” I bit my lip, my heart pounding in my chest, this man showed up out of nowhere and now controls my every thought. I frown, packing up all I have left for the day, my assistant walks through the door. “A driver is here for you mam” she explains “Okay, I’ll be right down, you can go home,” I tell her grabbing my bag and heading outside, I slip into the car again and this time there’s another bottle of champagne and a champagne flute waiting for me. “Again what’s this man’s plan?” I frown to myself avoiding the drink. We stop in front of a boutique and I’m led inside by the driver to a woman in a blood-red suit. “Hello, I’m Sandra and I’ll be your stylist for today” She sends me a smile “Stylist?” I frown to myself, I’ve been styling myself my whole life, does this mean he agates the way I look? Is he trying to change me? My frown deepens, I’m marrying a controlling man as I can see, so I want to do this? She leads me through the boutique, the walls painted white and gold, racks of dresses, and the Ac cooling the air, I notice one thing, the boutique is empty. I frown turning to her and she guesses my question. “He reserved the whole building for you mam” She smiles dreamingly like I’m experiencing the most romantic thing on earth, but it just shows how controlling he is. Before we can take a step further we hear a loud knock on the glass doors, a pale tall woman of 6’2 in height, with short deep black hair that frames her face bright blue eyes, and thin pink lips, her mouth open up to us and Sandra turns to me a panicked look on her face. “I don’t like shopping alone, anyways, you can let her in” I shrug turning around to check the racks She nods and pulls the door open, I overhear her explaining everything to her and she nods walking towards me. “I’m so sorry dear but I needed a dress desperately and this is my favorite boutique” she sends me a smile I nod, watching her animatedly, she’s very beautiful I notice. “Grace Rossi” she stretches her hand out ready to grab mine. “Isabella Mariano” I accept her cool hands in mine. “So reserving the whole shop uh, that must be some man” she smirks looking through a rack of clothes her eyes on me. I shrug, not wanting to divulge any information. “Mam,” Sandra comes towards me with a red dress in hand. “He specifically selected this for you” she sends me a smile, the dress is a heart neck cut dress, short with the bottom shaped as roses, “it’s beautiful but red has never been my color” I shrug my shoulders “Then I’ll take it please,” Grace says beside me, “My man brings me here also and always makes reservations, and red is his favorite color, he would die tonight seeing me in this dress,” she says with a pout turning to me eyes practically begging I shrug, “Is there one like this in white?” I would prefer that please” I tell Sandra She nods, “Absolutely there’s a dress like that in white, I’ll bring it and ring it right up for you” She turns to Grace handing the dress over to her “Thank you so much, Good luck with your mystery man today” she sends me a smirk walking towards the till and paying for her dress I shake in my skin, I don’t know why but I don’t like her aura, I turn back around to Sandra and she comes out of the back room with a white dress in hand and shoes in the other. I pay for everything and head to the car, again the flowers and the gift from this morning are placed there and I remember I didn’t open it. I sigh to myself, “What did he get me?” I pull open the wrapper my fingers meeting with a velvety material I pull open the case my eyes meeting with the most gorgeous pair of diamond tennis necklaces, the diamonds glow in the dark car, with a pair of earrings beneath it as well as a hand bracelet. My fingers grab the diamonds carefully, my heart beating in my chest, I turn them around and notice a small word engraved at the back of the necklace “mine”Isabella POV“Mine”What does he mean by that? I knew it!! All of this is to make me complacent, able to control me, that’s all he’s trying to do, bold of me to assume he actually-“ I hold tongue, this is an arranged marriage and I need to treat it as such.I dump the necklace beside me and the car comes in stop of the saloon.My hair takes a few hours and soon I’m dressed up in the white dress, heels, and my makeup done.The necklace? It’s in my hand boiling, ready to hand it right over to him.“I will not be controlled I say when the car comes to a stop”I notice the environment is a country club every single socialite visits, it’s the De-Luca’s Country Club.I bit my lip, suddenly feeling nervous, is he going to do this right in front of everyone“Can I do this, I look down at my phone and notice Bianca sent me strings of messages”I calm my raging heart, reading the messages “Girl what a night”“How did you get there???”“Girllllll Dominic De-Luca sent me flowers!!”“What for?” I
Isabella POVI take his promises to heart, stretching my hand out while my head bobs up and down in the yes direction.It was the first time I'd seen a genuine smile on his face, but it quickly disappears and he wears me the ring, easily fitting my finger perfectly.He stands on his feet handing the roses to me, “I hope you remember that for the rest of our lives,” he says turning to the side, “Dinner?”I stare down at the ring and the roses in my hand, “How did you know?” “Know what?” he turns to the side, leading me back to the garden doors“The ring?” I turn slightly to him as he pulls the door open.“Intuition” he shrugs leading me back inside the building We are led through the doors through the general hallways and I can feel eyes from guests burning into my soul.Eyes follow us, and the whispers follow.“Is that Dominic Deluca?”“Who is the lady?” “Why is she with flowers?”“Is that a ring?” “Is that Mariano's daughter?”“The falling company? No impossible”The whispers alm
Isabella POV“Oh my gosh, I saw the video, when were you going to tell us?” spasms of messages wake me up followed by continuous dings from my phone.With sleepy eyes, I reply to the message from Hannah, “What video?” I frown“Congratulations” another message comes in from Rachel making me frown.“The one on the news silly” Hannah replies me.That wakes me up immediately, I immediately tune into all my social media apps to find a video of Dominic’s proposal to me everywhere.“So that’s why he was so nice last night? Because he was recording the entire thing for social media.I frown to myself a message from Dominic popping up on my phone.“Family dinner at 6 pm tonight, dress nicely” I read the message, a frown covering my face. Already giving instructions and expecting me to follow them.I quickly dressed up for work heading downstairs, after the incident with Dad, he stayed at the hospital for a few days but came back last night but I never got to greet him because as soon as Domin
Isabella POVAs soon as I get home I grab a bright red dress pantsuit and gold jewelry, I join my parents downstairs, and we all head to the location for dinner.The De-Luca’s Villa, it’s the single most beautiful place I’ve ever been in.The house sits on a hill, vintage lights decorate the whole path up the hill, and rows of trees and flowers decorate the path up the house, I spot a tennis court, a lit-up basketball court and then the house.Our home is large but this is a castle.“Woah,” Matteo says beside me.“Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous” my mum stated rearranging her dress repeatedly “What if they don’t like us?” Mom says, her eyes bouncing from Dad to Me.“Mom, relax, I mean they can’t be that bad right?” “We all have money,” Matteo says innocently My eyes meet with Dad, for a few more months and we will be dead broke, my marriage to Dominic secures the family’s wealth.“Yea but they are like old money” she frownsI shake my head turning my head to the window as the car comes
Isabella POVThe next morning, everything is in a rush, Bianca comes around the house and we go shopping together for a dress that’s not Red.“I can’t believe you’re getting married to every woman’s dream man” Bianca giggles lying on my bed while I change into a nude flare dress we found, “Girl you’re so lucky” she turns to me “Gold heels” she replies when I raise two heels in the air, silently asking her to pick“One, he walked off after the entire proposal to chase his ex-girlfriend” I roll my eyes pulling on more jewelry.“Secondly, he has been nothing but controlling and a really good actor” “Hmm” I raise my brow at that, “I mean he could almost convince me that he was already in love with me,” I say “So you are feeling something for him? You bad girl” she giggles pointing a finger at me“No I don’t” I frown “Did you skip all the other parts I said?” I raise a brow at her standing in front of her with two purses“His beautiful aura and Money are enough for me to ignore that” she
Isabella POVThe next day is a Saturday and I finally feel free, no meetings or parties with Dominic.My dreams are bashed by my mom pushing my door open, “Dress up Isabella we have to go flower shopping for the wedding” she instructs shutting the door close and walking away swinging her phone from ear to ear.I almost want to throw a tantrum but I stop myself, finding a simple yellow dress and sandals, placing my blonde wavy hair in a rough bun, I don’t bother with makeup and I head downstairs.My mom is quick to lead me out of the house, “Maaaa breakfast” I whine turning to the car“Should have thought about that waking up by 10 am” she tuts sliding into the seat next to me and closing the door.“Rupert let’s drop by a restaurant for breakfast first and then we go to the flower shop” she sends me a side smirk while I celebrate happily.We have breakfast in some outdoor restaurant while my mom tells me all the gossip surrounding my Engagement.“And Maria called me up and told me her
“How about we leave the flower picking to you and my mom,” I say in the silent room, “I mean you are the expert” I send her a smile hoping to crack her Cold Demure.She turns to me with an angry and intimidating stare directed straight at me which makes me shake in my shoes, “if you are going to be the future Mrs Deluca and retire me, flowers are something you need to know at the palm of your hands” she almost screams “I knew you were lazy but not to the extent of asking me to pick out your wedding flowers”“I mean how is she going to plan all the charity balls and events for the family?” she laughs with the attendant “I mean your hilbilly mom should have taught you better” she laughs again I watch my mom's eyes cover with a sheen of tears, her head shinning with sweat even though the room is cold, I mean I could stand in a boardroom and face a load of men and argue about numbers but I can't stand up to a woman who is going to be my mother in law because she comes from the wealthiest
A car is sent by Dominic to pick me up and I'm led into the restaurant, the lights are dim and there's no one but the waiters in the restaurant.This immediately makes me halt in my steps, “what is this man planning?” “Nothing out of the normal for a couple about to wed” his voice filters through the room, walking towards me“I just wanted to talk, there’s no need to pretend to like me Mr Deluca” I reply folding my hands across my chest.“Then let’s talk.” His hands cup my waist pulling me towards the table, a single rose flower on the table.“You know, I don’t like roses” I pick up the rose, taking a seat opposite him, “Maybe Grace liked them,” I say my voice filled with a hint of jealousy.His lips lift in a smirk, “Tell me what you like Isabella, and I’ll hand it to you on a platter of Gold” “Your money doesn’t impress me either” I blink at him turning my eyes around the room, The waiter approach us serving champagne “But here you are, about to marry me for it, you are never rea
GRACE POVHe turns back to the guard“Call the boss” he sighs heavily turning back at meI smile widely, “That’s good, you can explain to Dominic himself why you are treating me like this,” I say with confidence.I hear the phone ring in the background and I immediately take that as my clue.“Ahhhh, it hurts!!” I yell out my voice over the top“It hurt so bad!! Aaaahhh” I continue to yellThe guard turns to me with wide eyes, “you can’t do that mam” he says shaking his head.“I can and I will, let’s see who Dominic will defend!!” I smirk looking up at him.The other guards nod at him, a worried look on his face.“Don’t you think we should just let her in? Is she really worth all this trouble?” He whispers next to him, his hard expression falters filling me with hope “You should really listen to your friend, just let me in and we can all go on our merry way” I smile sheepishly from the floor.“I mean what do you have to lose? I will even consider not firing you when Dominic and I marry
GRACE POVI sigh heavily pacing my living room as I think about what to do next.“Ringggggg!!!” A sound blows from my couch.I immediately leap to my secret phone, gripping the metal I see it’s Rafaelle “Hello” I whisper into the phone, my lips shaking in fear as I hit my lip.“Why are you whispering?” He asks his deep voice turning icy, “Are you around Dominic?” He quickly asks“No…no” I cough shaking my head, my voice rising as I speak.“How is the plan going along?” He says and I can just imagine him pacing with a glare on his face.“Uh..well” I mutter under my breath, biting my lip slightly “What? I warned you, Grace, you didn’t have Dominic underneath your thumb for long enough” he snickers into the phoneI roll my eyes, “I will get it done Tonight and you can finally leave” I say pacing my living room.“Do it quick and do it smoothly, I need to be out of here in a few hours or they will figure it out soon,” he says worry in his tone“Bella is still drugged but she will wake up
DOMINIC POV The car comes to a stop in an old warehouse, the stale air and smell of garbage filtering into my nose. I spot my men surrounding a gate that leads to junk yard. “Well? Where is the car?” I ask walking toward them in long strides “Sir we found the truck but,-“ one of the men starts, pushing himself to the side revealing an already smashed car. “What’s this?” I frown looking up at him, irritation my forefront expression He sighs, “sir seems they are three times ahead of us, before we can make any move, it seems they have made the move already,” he says quickly casting his eyes down, his shoulders slouching from exhaustion. I look up at the smashed car, a million things running through my mind, I turn to him calmly, “What about the car plate number?” I say “The owner of the car?” “The woman with the heels? We can still get more information from there” I spin around allowing him to follow me “We are currently tracking down the owner of the car sir, and t
DOMINIC POV I snort in disgust as Grace spins around leaving immediately as I ask I sigh turning back to the video, “Does this mean he’s working with a woman? Because I know that’s not Bella” I say turning back to him, a bit of confidence in me. At least now there’s a lead to my missing wife and Rafaelle. He nods, we think so, and the truck is currently being tracked as we speak. I nod, send me the location when you find it, don’t approach till I’m there” I instruct my voice cold, “I really want to be the one to kill Rafaelle” He nods at the instruction, “Okay sir, and the other file?” He lifts a brow at me. “You can go, I will call you when I need you,” I tell him standing up He waves goodbye leaving me in the living room alone. I sigh gripping the files in my hand, I don’t know why I don’t want to rush, I guess I’m still processing the betrayal from Rafaelle. I head into the bar, pushing the glass doors open, I put my drink, and the first scene to pour into my mi
GRACE POV “Grace?” His deep voice calls out. I lick my bottom lip staring at him from top to bottom, his wide shoulders, and strong legs deliciously covered by a black suit. I swear I will have this man to myself, not only is he handsome but he is rich as hell, I can’t believe I made the mistake of ever cheating on him. “What are you doing here Grace?” His voice calls out hard and irritated “Is that how you will welcome the former love of your life?” I call out trying to follow him into the house. But he spins so fast I stumble, and he doesn’t steady me, his eyes light up with a fiery intensity, his fists clenched in anger. “What the fuck are you doing here Grace? Get out!!” He yells pointing his finger at the door I sigh, okay so seems he is very angry about Bella’s kidnapping. I feign innocence my eyes dying out, “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I frown trying to move closer to him, my fingers rise to touch his cheek but he immediately moves back in anger. “Bella wa
DOMINIC POV I frown running up the stairs, in seconds I reach him and he guides me through a door to Rafaelle’s closet “Well, what is it?” I call out watching him in the small space He smirks pushing over the dressers to the side revealing a door. He turns the handle and the door opens revealing a dark room. I follow him into the room as he turns the lights on, the lights reveal something so daunting and disgusting. My eyes open wide as I look from the tiled floor covered with dead flowers and ribbons. My gaze moves across the floor to the wall covered in different and numerous pictures of my wife plastered to the wall. “Bella” I whisper looking up at what looks like an obsession “Sir I think he is obsessed with your wife,” The man next to me says and the other men crowd into the room watching in shock I move forward, goosebumps covering my entire body, “How-?” I whisper to myself gripping one of the pictures, it’s a picture of her at work, looking down at her lapt
DOMINIC POV He gulps, his eyes moving around the room, the atmosphere tense.“Mr DeLuca, as much as we enjoy your support-” he starts “I don’t want any excuses Devon” I call out his name, “I put you in this seat to do my bidding, I give you the lifestyle you enjoy now, my money and power make the city, I don’t want excuses,” I say coldly “Seaports I can shut down sir, flights I can delay but for only twenty-four hours sir or it will cause a ruckus,” he says shaking his head “The people will wonder why” he tries to explain further “I don’t care what people think, my wife is fucking missing!!” I yell out causing everyone to jump in fear “Everything will stay closed down for the next twenty-four hours and I need my men stationed at every entry, Rafaelle must be caught!” I yell anger filling my veins “Of course sir!” He nods bowing his head slightly he turns to his assistant barking out a few orders. I simply ignore him walking past him and back into the cool evening. My heart
DOMINIC POV “Find that man even if it is the last thing you do!!” I yell out in anger at Luca, my second In Command as I walk out of the empty warehouse “But boss how did he know we were coming already?” he says next to me a confused look on his face and his gun fixed to the back. I sigh no words leaving my mouth as I stand confused also, we were supposed to get him, I was meant to teach him a lesson and now he has disappeared with my wife and unborn child. My emotions get the best of me, anger filling me up as I punch into the wall next to me. Blood oozes from my finger from the hard punch, but it's not compared to whatever pain Bella must be going through now. “Where should she be? What did Rafaelle want?” I sigh heavily sliding into the car, banging the door behind me. I roll the window down to talk to my Luca, I want you to find out if there are any cameras around here, private or government-owned, and get a hold of them. Find the car or truck they used and we can track th
DOMINIC POV “What do you mean she is not there??” I yell out my voice harsh and filled with anger. “Sir she’s not here, we pinged his phone and this was the location we got but-“ He says into the phone apologetically “Uggrhhhh!!” I yell out gripping the phone tightly, I throw it across the marble floor watching it break into pieces I watch the phone shatter, pain, and anger engulf me, “I can't believe this happened, how-?” I stand there confused and shattered “Dominic, please you need to calm down,” my mother says trying to move closer to me I turn to her my eyes narrowed, “Don’t fucking tell me to calm down!!” I yell out my voice rising with each word “My wife who is pregnant with my heir, the heir to the entire Deluca empire is missing!!” I yell pointing my finger sternly at her “How do you expect me to feel?” I frown heading towards the table by the side, I grip my second phone when a video pings into my phone I gulp, pulling open the video, Rafaelle appears on my scr