Chapter 6

Massimo’s POV. 

“Ana, I’m talking to you, are you deaf?!” I yelled as I walked behind her while she made way into the building. All along while we sat in the vehicle she kept mute and avoided the questions thrown at her. I needed to know at least. Irrespective of the nature of our marriage I had every right to be aware of the strangers who would interfere in our union as man and wife. 

She walked hastily into the building and just as she stepped foot into the living room, I held her left hand which was already in the air. “I’m talking to you!” She turned and swayed her hands in a bid to give me a resounding slap but I was smarter this time. I diverted and held her steady while she screamed. “Leave me alone! You bastard!” 

“When you’re done calling me names, you’ll tell me who the hell that was.” 

“Massimo, I don’t know!! Okay! He just ran into me while I tried to walk through to the bathroom!” 

She yelled. Our eyes were glued and I held her even closer to myself this time. I sniffed the sweet smelling fragrance on her gown and tilted my brows. “You smell nice though, but you’ve got to understand that there’s more to smelling nice or having an expensive collection of perfumery, you’ll have to also act like it, and let this also be the first and last time you’ll try to give me a slap, you did it before and I respected that, don’t think I’ll keep on playing victim all the time, you’ll have to learn, Ana…” 

“Get your filthy hands off me!” She struggled and pushed me off her. “You wouldn't dare hold me for that long next time, else I’ll force the resounding slap on you against your damn wish!” 

She walked straight to her room upstairs while I watched in regret. I bit my lips and had my fist clenched. The hate I felt within me increased all of a sudden and I felt like following behind, maybe I’ll have to end this tonight. 

“Don’t even think about it,” I turned back and realized my sister, Isabel, was standing behind me. It felt like she stood there all along, watching Ana and I exchanging words. 

“What do you mean by that?” I asked. 

“Well, you don’t have to pretend at all, I saw everything, you’ll have to give her some time to fit into the family, properly,” 

She walked to me and gave me a warm hug. 

“Come on brother, we both know the essence of this marriage and we mustn’t deviate from it, it’s crucial we understand the times we’re in, don’t worry, I’ll go and see if she’ll be able to let me speak,” she said smiling at me as I released her from my embrace. 

“Sister, you’ve got to be careful around her, she could be dangerous, I mean, she could become so close to corrupt your perception of things, just stay brave and take the smartest decisions you can,” 

She gestured with her hands pointed right at me while she smiled and walked away. I had my hands in my pocket and monitored every step she took upstairs as she finally walked leftward along the corridor leading to Anastasya’s room. 

“But why on earth would she just neglect me? Even after I saved her from that man? Who the hell was he and what does he want from her?” I muttered as I walked towards the dispenser and grabbed a glass. I felt dehydrated, maybe due to the harsh wine collection I had back at the ceremony. I wondered what the outcome of our staged relationship would be and for how long I could hold up to her. 

******

“Hey, I’ve been searching for you since, where have you been? And why weren’t there to give the closing remark? Where’s Anastasya?” Katerina, my immediate younger sister walked into the living room looking so curious and uneased. I sensed she wasn’t happy with me at all and maybe had been in search of me all through. She stood a few meters from me while I opened and grabbed another bottle of champagne, the water wasn’t enough of course. I laid my hands in a full gulp. 

“Maybe you’ll have to go to the maidens room and find out, I think she’s gone nuts,”

“Brother… Come on, where’s Isabel?” She asked as she walked right at me and grabbed the bottle of champagne. Of course I’d get drunk if she’d let me continue in the wine. 

“Give me that!” She snapped the bottle forcefully and dropped it on the table. “You just came home and you’re trying to get yourself drunk?”

“But isn’t this the best time to get drunk? At least I’m not at a club, I’m right in my house,” 

She exhaled and watched me as I sat in thoughts. My arms supported my jaw while I had my gaze at the flower vase right in front of me. Her hands slid through my shoulders while she inquired. “Have you heard from her dad since you both got here?” 

I sneered. “Dad? Sister, I’m married to her for a reason, we all know this ain’t a real marriage, it’s just a show to the public and the rest of the empires that we are united with her family, that’s all, there’s nothing extra curricular going on between us, at least none for now,”

“But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t speak to Mr. Volkov, you know how powerful he is and what connecting more with him would do to both families?”

“Katerina, I’ll have to play my role in this drama and going so mutual with the bride's father wasn’t one of the conditions I was given, and please, I’d appreciate it if we get to talk about something else and forget about, Mr. Volkov.” 

She smiled and rubbed both hands before She unlocked the wrist watch on her left hand and admired them. I actually gifted her a day ago. “Thanks for the silver strap watch though,” 

“You’re welcome..” I added as I had a quick glance at the watch and turned back to the flower vase.

“Massimo, by the way, I watched you and Romeo walk off the lobby while the ceremony went on, what actually transpired? because you looked so angry, I also noticed some bouncers accompanied you out and before then, Ana walked out of that same route too,”