3

Gabriela 

This must be a dream. I turned around and saw him eyeing me with his vicious glare as I stepped back into the large house in front of me. The stairs are too intimidating, to begin with. 

Being one of the Mob families, I thought our house was beyond extraordinary. It was luxurious because my mother loved shiny things and my father cannot eat his pride when it comes to his possession, but seeing this house right now? It looks like an entire village of elites can fill the place. In fact, it looks like a customary kingdom built only for him. 

“ Better hurry, Santoro. My meeting will start at five,” he coldly said, pushing me towards the giant door while I saw his servants bringing the baggage behind us. 

I cannot help but stop and turn around so I can face him. “ T-This is your house?” 

He merely glanced behind me. “ Our house,” he corrected before sighing deeply and stepping forward to yank my arms, pulling me inside of this mansion. Even my thousand-dollar worth of boots felt so small the moment that I stepped foot inside of the perimeter. 

This feels so magical. Every damn corner of the house was flashing with only the mixture of white and gold, like a castle in a medieval period. My eyes cannot stop shining as it admires the interior design of everything. The furniture is all cream while the chandeliers above us can cover half of our house. 

We passed some doors and spotless hallways which made me stop in the middle because of the frames that are hung in it. Three great portraits show how powerful this family is. 

“ As much as I love for you to meet them, Santoro, we’re going to be late,” his raspy voice made me bolt behind before he continued to pull my hands away from the portrait. I just can't stop thinking about it since I am damn sure that someone from there is familiar. 

“ Great. I can’t even enjoy the night of my wedding,” I silently murmured to myself as I trail behind him. 

Giovanni Dela Vin let out a choked laugh.  “ I know a way how both of us can enjoy our wedding night.” 

“ Pervert.” He only smirked before he stopped in the middle of the hallway. 

Looking a few steps ahead of us, fear washed over me as I stared at the largest wooden door in front of us. 

Wedding happens inside the church but marriage happens inside the room. My heart pounded thinking about what will happen behind this door. The conversation earlier made me confess that I am a virgin and that I have no experience when it comes to pleasuring men. 

But Dela Vin also says that he won’t force any women to give him what he wants. Should I really go inside the room with him? 

I felt his warm presence behind me. His stubbles pricking over the skin of my nape and his large frame covering my back.  “ You know what will happen,” he whispered and before I knew it, the door made a clicking sound before it opened right before my eyes. 

Dela Vin pushed me inside. “ I told you. I’m not into forcing women.” 

His cold charcoal eyes scanned my trembling body before it stopped in my chest where I can totally feel his stare because I am only wearing a heart tube top to go with my plaid skirt. 

“ Pick some elegant dress,” he pursed his lips. “ The pink one in the middle is your drawer. My assistant already filled your wardrobe with dresses that you can use for gatherings. You owe me one since I am not dealing with your body tonight.” 

My breath hitched the moment that I opened the drawer that he mentioned. Instantly, my hands reached for the most expensive dress in the collection; the elegant black satin dress was enough to cover half of my thighs— something that the other dress in this collection cannot provide. 

I heard him snort. “ Next time, remind me to fire him. That’s too short,” I absentmindedly nodded, agreeing. 

“ This is the longest though.” 

Giovanni stared at me for a moment after I appeared back in front of him wearing the black satin dress. I thought it would cover half of my thighs but it barely covers anything. The edge was enough to only cover what is needed to cover, revealing my pale skin. 

The clearing of his throat makes me flush. I looked like a small lamb being criticized by its owner because of how intense his stare was. Dark ocean wide, his stares feel too much. 

“ One minute,” he said, flicking his index finger before turning around and getting his phone. I couldn’t hear what exactly he was saying but I could hear him cursing loud enough to startle me when he was finished.  “ I changed my mind.” 

“ W-What?” 

He swallowed hard. “ I can’t let anyone see you with that dress.” 

“ B-But I can change.” 

“ Nothing to wear here,” he said, glancing over the wardrobe. “ You’re right, Santoro. We should enjoy our wedding night.” 

“ Dela Vin,” I said in a whisper. “ Y-You cannot force me.” 

“ You keep repeating that, though?” he smirked.  “ I’m a man of my word, Gabriela. Do you love movies?” 

I stepped back, deeply staring at him.  “ M-Movies?” 

Dela Vin shrugged. I cannot understand what he is thinking right now.  “ This house has a built-in theater. We can use that to celebrate our marriage.” 

I fixed my gaze at him in awe of his sudden idea. Strangely, I found myself staring more than necessary. When I was told that I needed to make a great sacrifice for the family, I gave the mirage of a perfect wedding and husband. 

Dela Vin held out his hand.  “ Come here, I’ll tour you around.” 

I didn’t move from my spot. 

“ Santoro.” 

As his threatening voice echoed inside the room, I flushed with embarrassment because of the words trying to come out of the tip of my tongue. 

Giovanni Dela Vin is a ruthless man, right? But he saved my family. 

My pulse was slowing when I reached his nape and let our bodies collide with each other. 

“ Can we try for our marriage to work?” I took a deep breath and waited for his answer. 

One minute. Two minutes. 

He looks at me exasperated. “ No,” he said, making me stunned.