THE MENDOZAS 2

ADELA

THE HOUSE IS beautiful. And when I say beautiful, I mean it in every sense of the word. The drive to the Mendoza's residence was both fitful and long. The energy in the car was highly combustible. While I sat angry and mind racing with different plots, I'm pretty sure Stephano was both stewing in his anger and little victory. He didn't spare me a glance, just sat straight, tapping his index finger against his thigh.

By the time we arrived the house, it was eleven pm. The size of the house was just so vast to be occupied by just father and son. But oh well, they're billion dollar mobsters, so how can they not afford this? Arms crossed under my breast, I trudge after Stephano into the house.

Stephano

"This house is beautiful", I hear the girl following after me say. I angle my neck to look at her. Her eyes roam over the interior of my home. Black locks of hair frame her petite face and those large doe eyes.

Thankfully, she followed and didn't start a ruckus when we arrived the house. Because for one, I do not have the strength to talk much. I'm still upset over the fact that Vince stopped me from killing that fucker, Montes.

I bury my hands in my pockets and start to ascend the stairs when the girl's voice stops me.

"Ehm Mr. Mendoza Jr where am I going to sleep?", I pinch my eyes shut still keeping my back to her and lick my bottom lip. Turning to face her, I ask,

"First, what is your name?", She rolls her eyes, sassily. Oh, the Montes girl has an attitude after all. Not just a wide mouth, but a wide mouth spiced up with a sassy attitude.

"Adela, my name is Adela", I nod, taking her in. From my height, she barely reaches my shoulders, and I bet even on heels she'd still barely reach.

"Adela...", I test out the name. And oh, how perfectly does it roll off my tongue "... The last time I checked, I'm not your steward, or servant, or handmaid. So, figure that out yourself, or ask one of the maids and leave me alone", I growl at her, and continue on my way to my bedroom. But guess what, she follows me.

I have to give the girl some credit. For someone as small as she is, she has more nerves than I would have guessed. I push open the door to my room, and she follows in after me.

"What a beautiful room! It's way bigger and better than mine back home", she exclaims, looking over the room. I stop her when she makes for my bed.

"What do you think you're doing?",

"I'm not doing anything",

"So, get out of my room", she rolls her eyes at me and snatches her hand out of my grip.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?", I exhale a harsh breath and look at the Montes girl. With every passing minute and every next word that she says, she steps harder on my nerves.

"Now listen and listen good, because I'm not going to repeat myself. I don't answer to you. If you need a room to sleep in, ask my father who invited you over. The next time you repeat this trash, I'll gift you that pretty little hole between your eyes", I step away from her

"Now, get out", I grit out.

She glares daggers at me for a few seconds, and scurries off, out of my room. I sigh, now that should give a break from her too busy mouth. Adela Montes. I slip out of my dress and go into the shower.

Today was a long, annoying one. All my plotting, all the ways I relishes the feel of Montes blood painting my skin, washed down the drain and replaced by a girl. One who's so loud, and doesn't know when to shut it.

***

My father, a.k.a Vince Mendoza storming into my room, cuts my sleep short. He's literally breathing fire, as he glares down at me. Oh. Fuck. I puff a breath and sit up.

"Can't I wake up peacefully in the morning?", I ask with an eye roll.

"How nice of you to greet your father with such sarcasm, hmm?", It might have sounded like a joke to some other people, but I know it's the sound of Vince Mendoza seconds away from exploding.

"What. Is. It?",

"Did you send the girl to ask me or any of the soldiers for a room to sleep in?", He narrow his eyes at me, obviously upset.

"Well, obviously I did", I say as a matter of fact "So what? Came here to spank my ass for sending the girl to you?", His eyebrow rises slowly at my question and tone. I know it sounded disrespectful, but I'm still pissed over Montes.

"We will discuss this later. Need you in my study, in five", he says after clearing his throat. I scoff at that.

"Why?", I notice my father's jaws clench. He's getting really pissed.

"Mendoza Jr, you'll speak to me with respect and not question my orders. Sì?", He seethes. I resist the urge to roll my eyes, simply because I am not ready to lose them. I've really pushed Vince past his breaking point. The next shove and I'll be missing something.

"My apologies father", I drawl. Vince nods dismissively; I knew I loved the old man for a reason. He barely takes anything to heart.

"It's five minutes, boy", he returns with equal fervor. I manage a tight lip smile.

"Of course", without another word, he turns and exits my room. I groan. Amazing. Just Amazing. I can't even go back to sleep again.

I swing my feet out of bed, and stalk towards the bathroom for a shower and a brush. I try hard not to waste any more time so Vince doesn't chew my head off.

I close the door to Vince study, and stand against it.

"If you wouldn't like a seat, you could stand. It's fine", he says it without granting me the courtesy of a glance. Well, that's as much of a probe you'd ever get from Vince for anything. I saunter up to the chair, and take a seat, crossing my ankle over my knee.

When he doesn't speak for a while, I decide to approach the matter for him.

"With all due respect. While this is so uncalled for, I'll appreciate if we went straight to the point and the reason why I wasn't allowed to wake properly",

"The girl, Montes, I like her", he stands from his chair and comes around the table to stand behind me. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he continues.

"And since you're next in line and would need someone by your side, I came up with an idea", For a reason, I know I wouldn't like where this is going. Anytime Vince gives a pause between his speech, it's because he wants to drop a bomb. A big fucking bomb.

"You marry her", I slap his hands off my shoulders and scramble to my feet. The fuck did he just say? I scoff.

"Marry what? Marry who?", I ask rhetorically. I know what he's going to say but just to be sure I heard the first time.

"Montes' daughter", I shake my head negatively at his suggestion.

"No. No. No. No. No. Jesus. I can't even stand her", I all but scream. What the fuck is he thinking. Cazzo. Vince shrugs, casually waving my protest off.

He goes back to his seat, relaxing into it like a king on his throne, looking at me from under his lashes.

"You'll get used to her",

"Get used to her?", My voice rises an octave "This is not game of thrones where Lord Tywin imposes marriage...", He cuts me off there.

"On Cerci and Tyrion. I know and you will not raise your voice when speaking to me. You will marry Adele...",

"Adela", I correct him through gritted teeth.

"Whatever her name is, and that's final. As a plus one, I forgive your insolence. I take it it's impulse, fueled by shock from the news. Now, be happy and be nice to your future wife", he emphasizes the 'word' word.

"You can take your leave now, I have a load of work to do",

With rage coursing through my veins, I push back my chair and head for the door. I head downstairs for breakfast, and Adela is already there picking on her food. I don't give her my attention and settle down on the opposite side of the table, waiting for Morris to bring me breakfast.

When he finally serves me, I angrily dig through mine and run off to work. My mind reels with better ways to get out of this fucking marriage. I could kill her in her sleep, I mean strangle her. I scoff at the thought. Vince might be old, but not stupid. He'd know it was me. I pound the steering.

"Fuck", I cuss, puffing out an enraged breath. Something in my gut told me to put a bullet through that bitch's skull the moment she interrupted, damn, why'd I not listen?

Now I'm stuck with her for God knows how long. We've barely known ourselves twenty-four hours and now we're supposed to be engaged. Touché. Why do I have a feeling Vince had this up his sleeve the whole time, just waiting for the perfect moment to execute it?