4. He's mine.

I look at him in astonishment.

"A child?!"

I continue to stare at him incredulously. What did he just say?

"I want to remind you that this marriage is just for a while Mr D'errico"

"I know but maybe one day you'll grant me my wish," he says softly and for a moment his countenance changes into one I can't describe.

I didn't say anything. It didn't really matter, not like I could conceive a child anyways.

We shook on it and the day after we were married and so I became Mrs D'errico.

The night of the gala soon arrived. I was dressed up glamorously, I looked different, and I felt different. It was like I was in a new body and loved it.

"Will you be by my side throughout the night?" I ask Giovanni. He looked very handsome tonight in a black tailored suit, his hair styled to perfection and he smelt so good.

"If you wish." He grins.

As I emerge out of the car with Giovanni by my side, the blinding lights of the paparazzi cameras flash in my face. I was used to the attention and the constant clicking of cameras, but this time it felt different. Usually, when Zachary and I went out together, all the attention was on him, but today it seems like the spotlight is on me. They threw questions at Giovanni asking him who I was.

The bodyguard leads us inside the grand hall, with a dazzling chandelier at the ceiling. The room is beautifully decorated and filled with people dressed in their finest attire. As we enter, all heads turn in our direction and I feel a pang of anxiety wash over me. My breathing becomes rapid and I hesitate to move forward.

But then I feel a hand on my back, guiding me forward. I look up at Giovanni and he raises an eyebrow slightly, as if asking if I was okay. I nod my head and take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. He gives me a reassuring smile and we continue walking towards the center of the room.

People's eyes were glued to us. Who was the woman beside the second richest man in the world?

Giovanni gave off a mysterious energy that seemed to radiate from within. Some said it was his charisma, others believed it was his intelligence, but no one could quite put their finger on it. Whatever it was, it drew people to him like a magnet.

Many speculations were made on him and lots of rumors were sparked. But no one could confirm the truth, as he never spoke about himself.

His height alone was enough to make heads turn. Standing at over six feet tall, he towered over most people.

As we make our way through the crowd, I notice Zachary standing with the woman I had caught him with that day. He looks at us with a hint of anger in his eyes and I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt. But then I remembered that he was the one who broke my heart and I have every right to move on and be happy.

I quickly turn to Giovanni and wrap my arms around his neck. Giovanni looks down at me with surprise and raises an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

I roll my eyes "Don't say anything and just dance." I say.

He chuckles and we start dancing. As we move to the music, the room becomes quiet and the murmurs grow louder.

"Wow Mr D'errico you're quite the Mr popular", I laugh.

He leans over and whispers "I think they're looking at you, sweetheart."

I looked around, realizing that he was right. The attention is now on me and not Giovanni. It's a strange feeling, but also a bit empowering. I had always been in Zachary's shadow in the past.

I turn to him and he smiles. A genuine smile.

As we continue dancing, I feel a sense of freedom and confidence wash over me. I could hear whispers and see people pointing in our direction.

"I want to make a special announcement." I look up at him curiously and he winks.

He goes up on the podium and grabs the microphone drawing everyone's attention to him.

"Good evening Ladies and gentlemen. Nice to see everyone having a good time. I'm sure you're wondering who the beautiful young lady with me is. I'll break the silence now. She is Emily D'errico, my wife, daughter of the late Alfonso Rivera, Owner and heir to the Rivera shipping.

The whole room gasps and their murmuring increases, filling the room. All eyes were now on me and the shock on Zachary's face was so good.

One of the guests comes over to him and greets us warmly. He then requested to speak to him in private. Giovanni looks at me and I quickly nod for him to go.

After he left, I made my way over to the dining table where different arrays of food were arranged neatly on the table. I feel someone's presence behind me and I turn. It was Zachary. I give him a neutral look and greet him.

"Emily what are you doing with him? Since when did you know him and how are you married to him?".

"Who I keep company with is no longer your concern Mr Lockwood. We are no longer married therefore I am no longer bound to you."

I was about to leave when he grabs my hand. I tried to wrangle free from him but his grip was tight as he dug his fingernails deep into my skin.

"Let go, Zachary."

"Or what?" He smiles, a menacing look on his face.

"I'll break your fucking neck if you don't let go of my wife", Giovanni growls.

Giovanni had a sinister look on his face. Zachary lets go of me. Giovanni was a head taller than Zachary and seems like he could take Zachary out with one hit. The difference was unsettling.

"Okay, I'm fine now." I say to avoid any fight, people's eyes were already noticing and I didn't want that kind of attention.

Zachary glares at him and goes away without looking in my direction.

Giovanni turns to me.

"Did that fucker hurt you?" He holds up my hand. It had little red crescent marks. He tightens his jaw. "I'm going to kill him."

"It's fine, it's fine they'll go away." I reassure him. He looks at my wrists in concern.

"How on earth were you married to that guy?"

I stiffen up "That's not your problem. Remember Mr D'errico we're not in a real marriage therefore you don't need to be so concerned about me."

He scoffs "Whatever you say."

"Giovanni." A woman in the sluttiest outfit I had ever seen walks up to us. She bats her fake eyelashes at Giovanni and pouts her lips. Her boobs were out leaving little to one's imagination. She completely ignores my presence and continues to look at him instead.

She had a glass of champagne in her hand. "It's been so long Gio, I haven't seen you since Italy, how are you?" She asks as she hugs him. I catch a whiff of her strong perfume. She gives him a peck on his cheek and places her hand on his chest. I am appalled by this bold behavior, I mean I was right here.

He chuckles "You look beautiful than I last saw you Mia, home has done wonders to you."

She glances at me and eyes me up and down. If I didn't know any better I'd say she was sizing me up. The next thing that happened came as a shock.

One minute I'm looking at her, the next minute I'm drenched in champagne

I stare in horror at my body as all eyes were now on me.

Oh fuck.

My dress was soaked. I look up at her. Mia looks at me in surprise. She clasps her hand over her mouth.

"Oh no Emily, I'm sooo sorryyy" She says stretching out the words in mock sympathy.

I look at her in disbelief. People were whispering among themselves, I felt so embarrassed. My hair felt sticky. I could hear their laughter. It felt like before.

Something was placed around me and I look up. Giovanni looks down at me. He had placed his suit around me. The same spicy scent from before filled my nostrils.

"Mia, apologize to Emily,

Mia scrunches her nose up and gives him an innocent look. Bitch.

"Oh Giovanni, I already said it was an accident"

"Apologize. Now." He says firmly.

She was about to say something but she just looks at me.

"I'm sorry Emily", She says her voice dripping with insincerity. She moves closer to me as if to help me rearrange my hair and whispers low enough for only me to hear.

"You won't have him alone. He's mine".