"They are out." The reporter rushed towards the latest couple as they stepped out of the church. All this was Dante's plan, he asked Anthony to give reporters tips that he was secretly getting married.
"Mr. Dante is this the reason you went off-grid for two months." One of the reporters asked. Anthony did his best to keep them at bay and they were already taking photos of the couple.
"She is Roman Ricci's only daughter, do her parents know about this?" Another asked.
"When did your relationship start, or was it an arranged marriage?" The reporters never got tired of questions
"Yeah, I went off-grid to cool my head and fate brought this beautiful young girl to me." Dante smiled warmly and pecked her cheeks. Dante hardly accept interviews and whenever he was cornered by any reporter he would make sure the reporter never repeat it. The reporters were surprised to see the ruthless CEO to be smiling and acting warm toward a lady.
"It wasn't planned but I wouldn't have wished for a better bride." His arm was wrapped around Madonna's waist. She wanted to shove him away but she remembered his promises of deleting a picture or video if she acts well.
"So does her father know?"
"I am sure if he doesn't, you people would make sure of that." Madonna smiled warmly and Dante gave her a thumbs up in his heart for her great acting.
"I am sure you all have a lot to ask but I can't wait to leave for my honeymoon." Dante took Madonna towards the Ferreri that was parked a few feet away.
"Take care of everything." He instructed Anthony before driving away with the Ferrari whose plate number states 'Just Wedded.'
"Where are you taking me for our honeymoon." Dante had no plan for any honeymoon.
"Since you were so great with your performance, I would allow you to choose a place."
"My reward is having a photo deleted."
"Consider that a bonus, the happy man that was standing before the reporters was no longer there." Madonna felt a sense of dread and decided to drop the issue.
"Maldives, if I am to have a honeymoon, I should try my best to enjoy it." She muttered and Dante made a call to have his private jet ready.
"Maldives it is." He drove towards the airport as he was confident that Anthony would be able to get somewhere nice for him to spend his honeymoon.
When Dante and Madonna arrived in the Maldives, she was surprised at the house they had to spend their honeymoon. It suits her taste and she wished the honeymoon was truly from a marriage of love.
"I will always stay out of your way. I know you don't love me so I wouldn't expect you to fulfill your marital duties." Dante left without waiting to get a reply from her. He was determined to stay out of her way and let the poor girl have a moment of rest.
"Dummy, I will try my best to have fun." She stuck her tongue in the direction Dante went off to. "Now, it's time to take off the wedding gown." She went to the mirror to admire her wedding dress and thought it was the prettiest she had ever seen.
"If only it was with the man I love, everything would be perfect." She tried to remove the dress and discovered it was not something she could do alone. She couldn't even reach the zip and she feared if she force it too much she would damage the gown.
"Come on!" She yelled in frustration as the dress was impossible to remove. Because she was angry, she refused to eat anything all through the day. Now, she is hungry so she needed to step out of the house and go find something to eat. Dante was still not back and she felt she would strangle Dante if she saw him.
"It's all your fault, you devilish handsome dummy." Madonna gets frustrated trying to unzip the dress without damaging any part of it. Madonna started crying as she felt powerless in the situation, it first started as a whine but later became a full-out cry.
"What's wrong?" Dante asked the moment she entered and saw Madonna sitting on the floor crying.
"It's the gown, I can't remove it and I am hungry, I haven't eaten anything since morning. It's all your fault, what's sort of a man forces a girl to marry him then leave her on their honeymoon." Madonna cried and Dante moved over to her and helped her stand up.
"Turn your back." Dante's struggled not to show any emotions. He has lived his whole life bottling his emotions so he was confident that this time won't be any different.
"I have unzipped it, you can be able to deal with the rest." Madonna didn't bother to say a word, she went straight to the room and made sure to shut the door.
Madonna yelped the moment she saw her reflection in the mirror. She thought she looked hideous, her make was all ruined because of her tears.
"How many sides of me have shown him in less than 48 hours." She went straight to the bath to freshen up. Dante made sure to get her something to eat and instructed that whatever she needed be brought to her. He is not so heartless to have her lack anything.
Dante made sure to always stay out of her sight since he felt it would only spoil her day if she sees him. He would leave before she wakes up and only returns when he is sure she has retired for the night.
"Yes, we would be coming back in two days." He spoke with Anthony over the phone.
"Roman Ricci is beyond frustrated." Anthony made sure to give Dante every update. After their wedding, the reporters made sure to circulate the news with whatever means they could. They made the world believe that Dante fell in love with Madonna and secretly married her.
"He shouldn't be frustrated yet, there is more to come." Dante was at the beach watching the ocean and ignoring the ladies that keep staring his way. Since he arrived a lot of women have approached him to have a dirty secret with him. Even when he told them he is married, they didn't care about that since most of them were married too.
"I will make sure everything is ready by the time you return."
"Al..." Dante's words were cut short as he saw Madonna walking down the beach in her swimsuit. She covered her body with her scarf but her exposed thigh was enough to arouse Dante.
"Hello? Hello?"
"I will call you back." Dante hung up and started at the beautiful lady he now calls his wife. Ever since he met Madonna, he hasn't had any intercourse with any woman and he thought he had it under control, but seeing the alluring figure of Madonna made him think otherwise. Without stopping to think, Dante stood up and stroll towards Madonna as she fills his thoughts.
Dante was just a few feet away from Madonna when he stopped. He scoffed as he realized he just lost control of himself. He was about to go back when he saw two men walking up to Madonna."I thought this island is only for couples, why do people approach strangers for a one-night stand if they came here with their couple." Dante was now feeling frustrated by the people of the island."Hello, pretty girl." One of the men said as they approached Madonna. Madonna was wearing a pair of sunglass so they didn't see her roll her eyes, this wasn't the first time she was experiencing such."I am married." She was quick to tell them and continued walking."I don't see no ring and no man beside you. He must be stupid to have left such a beautiful girl to roam free." Madonna didn't bother answering them and continued walking down the beach."Come on lady, let's just have some fun." The two guys followed Madonna and kept bothering her. Dante just followed behind keeping enough distance for them not
When the two came back to their lodge, neither of them spoke any word. Madonna stood behind Dante with her face down and Dante was embarrassed about his actions."Have they always been disturbing you?" "Yes." Madonna answered with a frown."We still have a week to spend, I will always be with you till then." Dante left the lodge immediately after speaking. He left with the excuse to go get food but in truth, he feared he would lose his cool if he stayed a moment longer "Evil tyrant, leaving after speaking his mind." Madonna muttered but didn't hate the idea of Dante tagging along.True to his words, Dante always tags along with her whenever she steps outside. Though they don't talk to each other Dante made sure to provide all she needed and Madonna made sure to make use of the opportunity."I would like to have a glass of grape juice." Dante glared at her but still went and got her order. Madonna was having the best time of her life treating the Mafia boss like her personal shuffle.
"I can't even be appreciated for the stress of carrying her in, bridal style." Dante complains to nobody in particular as he sips the cocktail he ordered in the bar. He knew that Madonna wasn't wrong in being careful. Judging by what he did, he was already surprised that Madonna hasn't planned to poison him. "You are here?" Madonna came looking for Dante after waiting for one hour. "What do you care." Dante didn't look back to know it was Madonna. The night was chilly so the scarf Madonna wrapped around her body wasn't enough. Though she knew she was right in being cautious, she still can't shake away the guilt she was feeling. "Come let's go back." Madonna thought she was feeling guilty because not for once has Dante tried to do anything funny since they arrived in the Maldives. "Don't worry, you would feel safer with me not sleeping under the same roof." Dante took a sip of his cocktail and can't remember how many of those he has taken. The alcohol content wasn't much but he was
"Boss, there is an emergency." Anthony's voice brought them back to reality and Madonna was the first to move away. She floated to her end and looked away thereby backing them."What's the emergency?" Dante felt a pint of sadness and a load of anger at what just happened."Ricci is moving towards the market revenue." Dante let out a low growl and looked at the daughter of his rival. He dare not admit to himself what was about to happen."Ready the flight, we are going home now.""Everything is ready boss." Anthony bowed and left the two to talk. Anthony was oblivious to what he had just done."Get ready we are leaving.""I thought....""Don't question my word, if I say we are leaving we are leaving. Go and back up your belongings woman." Dante was never the type to shout but when he spoke with strong emotion, the density would be felt even without raising his voice. Madonna felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she left the pool to do as she was told. Madonna didn't hear what Anth
Chapter 10"You mean they are back?" Roman Ricci asked his personal assistant John."Yes, they are back, it's already all over the news.""Where are they now?" Roman loved his daughter so much that he never wanted to expose her to the world he is living in."He took her to his mansion, it's his wife after all.""Wife? Are you mad? There is no way that monster would think of my angel as a wife. This is what you call legal kidnapping." Roman fumes. He has been trying to get hold of his daughter ever since he saw the news of the marriage but he couldn't."What do you suggest we do?" John asked. He had known Madonna ever since she was born so she was like a daughter to him and he had his personal plans for her."I heard Madonna is back, why isn't she here yet." Mrs. Ricci barged into her husband's study without knocking."She went to Dante's house.""Good, we can go meet her there. How could she get married without informing us." Mrs. Ricci knew of her husband's business and knew about th
Dante stopped in front of Roman Ricci and the tension between them was so thick. Dante has no regard for his father in and the feeling was mutual. "I want to see my daughter." Roman gritted but Dante only smirked. "It's rude to keep your guest outside." John remarked. Dante didn't allow them to get past the gate. "Not when the guest is trying to steal my treasure." "Steal? Boy, you and I know who the real thief is." Roman was boiling with rage. "Don't lump me together with you, I am not a kidnapper." Dante smirked as he made Roman remember what started all these. "You want the government project back? I can give it back and even compensate you." Roman doesn't care about any of that with his daughter's life in danger. Now he feels what his business oppositions feel whenever he kidnaps their loved ones to make them surrender to him. Roman is not a saint and he knew one day he would pay for the crimes he has done but he didn't want the payment to be his daughter's life. "How kin
Madonna was filled with joy when she arrived at her father's house. Dante returned her phone to her and she made sure to reply to most of the messages on her phone. Since she wasn't so close to any of her friends, she didn't feel like she owe any of them any explanation. They were all about her sudden marriage and even her ex asked about it. "My daughter, I missed you so much." Mrs. Ricci took her daughter in a tight embrace. "I missed you too mother." Mr. Ricci watched the two most important people in her life hugging each other. He half doubted Dante when he said they would be visiting. "Dad, you haven't aged a day." Madonna hugged her father and took everything in him not to cry. "Why not go catch up with your mother, I have something to discuss with him." Roman pointed at Dante. "Oh, my husband." Roman winced at her daughter calling his archenemy husband. "Gone on dear, I have some things to discuss with your father." Dante urged Madonna and she left after a moment of hesita
"This is Williams, my P.A's son, I have always thought they would end together." Roman said loud enough for only Dante to hear. "These two have always been inseparable in the past." Veronica fanned the fire in Dante's heart without even knowing. "How long has it been? You promised to visit but you never did." Madonna broke the embrace and sat back with William seating beside her. "I have been busy, so what is this I am hearing about marriage?" Williams asked and Madonna rolled her eyes. "Long story, this is Dante." She turned and introduced Dante. Dante didn't miss the fact she didn't use the term husband. "Hi, I am Dante." "Hi, I am Williams." The two men stood and shook each other with Madonna sitting in the middle. Roman smiled as he loved what was happening so he decided to use the situation well. "Tell me, Williams, how is firm?" Williams is a law and not a corrupt one. Though his father is Roman's assistant, Williams didn't want to get involved in the business. "Great,
Madonna's heart pounded in her chest as the words she had just spoken hung in the air. She hadn’t meant to say them, but now that they were out, she couldn’t take them back. And the truth was, deep down, she didn’t want to. Seeing Dante’s intense gaze locked on hers only heightened the feeling that she needed to salvage the situation, but her mind swirled in a storm of emotions.“I know… I know you didn’t want to hear that,” she whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability. “Our marriage, it—it started off on the wrong foot. And I know you might think this is just some form of Stockholm syndrome, or that I’m playing a game. But it’s not. I promise it’s not. I’m not asking for you to say anything back, or to feel obligated to reciprocate. I just needed you to know how I feel... and admitting it, it makes me happy.”Her breath hitched as Dante’s gaze didn’t waver, his eyes penetrating deeper than ever before. The silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t empty. It was full—full
While the world around him slept, Dante lay wide awake, his mind consumed by one thing—how deeply he had wronged Madonna. He wasn’t heartless. He knew the weight of his actions, and guilt gnawed at him. Any other woman would have erupted in fury by now, but Madonna’s quiet endurance only amplified his shame.“What’s keeping you up?” Nana’s voice broke the silence as she descended the stairs, finding Dante brooding on the sofa.“Nothing, Nana. Why are you awake?” he asked, trying to mask his troubled thoughts. Nana, however, was one of the few who knew how to see past his hard exterior.“When you reach my age, sleep becomes a luxury,” she sighed, a touch of bitterness clouding her face.“You’re not that old, Nana,” Dante scoffed softly, a rare tenderness in his voice.“For all our sakes, I hope you’re right.” Nana chuckled softly as she settled into her chair, her sharp eyes studying him. She had known Dante long enough to feel the turmoil brewing in him, even when he wouldn’t voice it
Dante followed his wife obediently as they entered their room. The silence between them was so thick that it made breathing difficult for him. If his enemies and allies saw him now, they wouldn’t believe their eyes.“Are you hungry?” Madonna finally spoke, but she still didn’t look him in the face, which unnerved him even more.“No.” How could he be hungry in such a situation?“You should go and bathe. I’ll make you something to eat,” she said, seemingly ignoring his response or simply not caring.“I said I’m not hungry,” he repeated louder, frustrated. This time, Madonna raised her head to look at him. Dante sat at the edge of the bed, while Madonna stood closer to the door.“You shouldn’t cultivate the habit of not eating when you come home. I won’t allow that,” she said firmly. Though anger laced her voice, the care in her eyes was heartwarming.“I could settle for fettuccine al pomodoro,” Dante relented, knowing it was late but certain Madonna would ask the maids to prepare it.“Al
Dante drove to Anthony’s apartment since he couldn’t spend the night at the mansion. He parked and waited outside, knowing Anthony had to drop Nana off before coming home. Dante didn't call to rush him; instead, he decided to help himself to some whiskey while waiting. He had a lot on his mind.“What’s keeping this fool?” Dante checked his watch. It was already past 10 p.m. “I should be in the arms of my woman, not here waiting for him,” he muttered, scoffing as he thought about how much he'd resisted the temptation of being intimate with Madonna.“If only she knew what she had,” he smiled softly, reflecting on how innocently unaware Madonna was of her beauty.Lost in thoughts of her, Dante finally heard the sound of Anthony’s car pulling up, and he let out a sigh of relief, downing the remaining whiskey in his glass.“Tonight will be like no other,” Anthony’s voice rang out as he entered the hallway. Dante couldn’t help but smirk.“I look forward to it,” a sweet female voice responded
"He did?" Madonna never thought that Dante was involved in the school war."Yes, he conquered every school and made an ironclad rule that is still in use till today.""Isn't that a good thing? He stopped the fights. I can remember how my friends would always complain about their fear of coming to school, it was a sad period. After the fight stopped, students became happy and school became fun again.""I suppose you can say that, but do you imagine what he had to do in order to end the war.""What happened? Please, tell me everything." Francesco felt that what he was saying is beginning to get to Madonna so he decided to tell her everything, starting from the beginning."I was always bullied in school, I wasn't even strong enough to protect my sister, Kenny. Because she was beautiful, our school strongest forcefully took her as his girlfriend. Our students were constantly fighting against themselves, or other schools. The fights sometimes get bloody but no one ever died. One day, Dante
Madonna wasn't the one holding Williams, but she felt like she did something wrong. She removed her hand from Williams's hold and clasped her hands together before answering Dante's question."Williams was just inviting me to our school get-together.""What did you say?" Dante had come here to break things off with her, but seeing her with another man, made him forget what he came to do."I wouldn't be able to come," Madonna answered with a pinch of sadness. It didn't escape Dante's notice and it made his heart soften. He felt guilty that he hasn't been giving the poor girl the freedom and love she deserved."Why wouldn't be able to do that?" Dante climbed up the stairs to meet with the beautiful lady."Because you..." She didn't want Williams to hear what she was about to say. Dante knew what she wanted to say."I think it would be good to go see your old schoolmate.""Really?" Madonna was happy about that."Sure, they should see how beautiful you still are." Dante smiled."I would c
"Father, forgive me for I have sinned. It has been.... I don't know, three months since my last confession." Madonna spoke near the hole for the priest to hear. Nana was the first to say her confessions. The priest saw them earlier when they entered the church and he remembered Madonna instantly. A priest would never reveal what has been confessed to them in the confessional box, but they most remember. The priest remembered how many boys would come to confess how they had immoral thoughts about Madonna, and girls would confess their jealousy towards her. Madonna was the reason for many of her friends' sins without knowing, but for her she was unblemished. The priest would often smile whenever he hears her confession and he would feel bad for the ones that hated the innocent girl. After Madonna's first statement she kept quiet since she had no idea how to start or where to start "Speak my child, the lord is listening.""I don't know where to start, I am married." She decided to start
"How do you mean?" Madonna felt a chill and suddenly the warmness she is feeling in her heart, felt familiar. Madonna would always have this fuzzy feeling whenever she was thinking about the young mask boy that saved her. The fuzzy feelings stopped when she got older so she forgot what it felt like. It started recently but it wasn't because of the boy, it was because of the handsome man in front of her."You know," Dante swallowed hard and felt like he was constipated. "You are a beautiful lady, I wouldn't see a reason why a boy wouldn't fantasize about you." "You're right, I was always a beauty." Madonna flicked her hair as she accepted Dante's statement."I bet he would be somewhere always watching you whenever you visit, but too shy to come out." Dante felt like patting himself on the back for successfully evading a disaster."I must admit, I always had the same thought.""Wait, you are here telling me about your first love with a smile. I am certainly jealous, he is lucky I haven
The words of Madonna effortlessly flowed into Dante's heart and it sounded like a melody. Anthony has been telling Dante to let Madonna go as they planned, but Dante couldn't. "What else would be making you fall?" He asked as he kissed her ears."When you touch me like this." Madonna let out a moan. Madonna couldn't tell if she was the one that laid back or Dante was the one that pushed her back, all she knew was her back was touching the bed. Dante has been with many women but never has he felt the urge to satisfy a lady as much as he feels now. Dante masterfully removed her nightgown and cupped her left breast with his right hand. It was a handful, not too big or too small, just the perfect size. Dante felt the hardness of her nipple against his palm so he lowered his head to give the needed attention. Madonna was losing herself in the wave of pleasure and it was impossible to keep her eyes open. Dante knead her breast and Madonna had to grab onto the sheets because she felt dizzy