7: Invitation

Mariella's Pov 

As the car drove into Ricci's compound, I couldn't help but panic. My hands clenched at the hem of my dress as I looked out the window.

It was too late to go back. I couldn't.

Tatty's hands were tightly locked in mine, her cute smile brightening the air but still, I couldn't breathe.

I was suffocating.

“We are here.” The driver looked behind and smiled at Tatty, “Grab your bag pumpkin and go dear.

Tatty grabbed her bag and then turned to me as she asked, “Ain't you getting down?” 

“Of…course.” I stammered. 

I got down from the car, and just when I shut the doors, a car drove roughly, parking just right beside me.

It was a yellow Lamborghini. 

I was about to cuss out but then-

Leonardo got down from the car.

My words hung at the tip of my lips. I could feel the thumping sound of my heartbeat. My feet stumbled backwards, until my butt hit the car behind me.

“Mariella??” Leonardo seemed flustered.

“What are you doing here?” 

I didn't even get the chance to respond when Tatty dashed into her father and then said, “Aunt Mariella is here to give you an invitation.” 

“Invitation?” Leonardo looked at me with a rather confused countenance.

“Umm..um…” I quickly took out the invitation card and stretched it forward. “The school function, it's next week. All parents are expected to be there.”

His eyes looked down at the card and then at me, “Did you come here just for this?” 

He took a step forward and it only caused tremors down my spine. 

I couldn't utter another word, when he held the card, he snapped it off my thumbs and then wavered it across my face.

“Are you here because of this, Mariella?” 

“Yes I am.” I pursed my lips and heaved in a deep breath.

He scoffed, his countenance clearly shows he didn't believe me.

“I don't think I can make it.” 

“Daddy!!!” Tatty screamed instantly.

Her eyes reddened as she walked closer to Leonardo.

“Daddy, I'm giving a recital. You haven't been to any of my functions. Can you come please?” 

“Your nanny will go with you.” 

And that was it. Tatty flared up in anger and threw her bag on the floor.

“I'm not going if you don't come.” 

“Tatiana Ricci!” Leonardo thundered.

It felt as though my heart had lunged out from my chest. I could feel his anger in the air. My eyes opened wind, I couldn't imagine what the poor girl had felt.

“Don't make me teach you a lesson. You will go to your recital and it's final.” 

He walked towards her and grabbed her arm. Tatty was quivering so much that it felt as though she was losing her breath. 

“You are not a spoiled brat, I didn't raise you like that.” His gaze darkened as he glared into the poor child's eyes.

“Leonardo…” I snapped. Pushing him off and hugging Tatty. “How could you scream at her like that?” 

I quickly went on my knees, and gently shoke Tatty as she seemed frozen.

“Tatiana, look at me, it's okay. It's alright Tatty.” She didn't respond.

She looked as though her soul was separated from her body. Her gaze was fixed on Leonardo and instead of helping, he only squinted his eyes further.

There was nothing I could think of, Leonardo needed to apologize.

“Apologize.” 

“What?” He scoffed. 

“Apologize to her, Leonard.” I insisted but I only got on his nerves.

“How dare you?”

“Excuse me?” I was perplexed. 

“How dare you teach me how to lecture my child? Who the hell are you?” 

“Leonardo…” I muttered softly.

“Leave.”

“No…” 

“Mariella, leave.” 

“I won't. Not until you apologize.” 

He seemed baffled. There was not a single word that escaped his lips. He stared at me with nothing but disgust. 

I could feel his contempt, they were as fierce as his gaze. 

After a while of unspoken words, I held on to Tatty's arms and said, “I will take you to your room Tatty.” 

She instantly gripped my hand, and looked away from Leonardo. I thought he would stop me from entering the mansion, but he didn't utter a word, neither did he move an inch.

Asshole! 

“It's okay Tatty. Don't be scared.” I caressed her hair and she stared into my eyes. Her tears fell helplessly as she sat on her pink soft bed.

“Daddy hates me…” 

“Tatty, that's not true. It's not true sweetheart.” I hugged her. “Daddy is stressed from work, he didn't mean to raise his voice.” 

“He always raises his voice at me.” 

I could sense her hurt from her tone, and years of unspoken words and resentment. She was only five, and yet felt all kinds of emotions kids her age are never supposed to be exposed to. 

“I promise you, Daddy is going to come for the school function and he is never going to raise his voice at you again my angel.” 

I wiped the tears from her eyes as I assured her, "It's okay sweetheart." She leaned on my thighs and I gently continued patting her hair.

It didn't take long until Tatty cried herself to sleep. Nothing I did was able to stop the anger in her heart. 

After a long while, I looked over at the clock only to notice it was 8pm.

I quickly grabbed my phone and quietly left the room. When I shut the doors and turned, I found Leonardo standing just right beside the door. 

He seemed to have been standing there for hours.

“So what are we playing? Good cop, bad cop?” He raised his brows.

“I'm not playing any games with you.” I leaned closer to him. “Come for the recital and apologize to Tatty. That is no way to raise a child.” 

“What right do you have to tell me what's best for my daughter?” 

I couldn't bear to listen to his nonsense, I rolled my eyes at him, about leaving, but he grabbed my arm and dragged me to the other side, into a room and shut the doors.

“If you want to debate on how best to raise Tatty, why don't you accept my proposal?”

“Leonardo…” 

Before I could utter any further words, he lifted my hands above my head and pinned them together against the wall with one hand.

His free hand slid down my waistline and he grabbed my butt. 

“Let's see if you'd still reject me after this…”

I panicked. 

My heart was beating fast as his hands traced my body up to my breasts. 

“Leonardo…” I moaned but he took my lips into his.