Sold to Mr. Giordano

Arielle

“How are you doing my sweet girl?” My mother says over the phone.

 “How were you married to the Capo?”

“Because it was my duty and I was honored.”

“Did dad ever come home with blood on his hands?”

 “Is that what you’re worried about?”

“I’m afraid that I’m going to spend my life in a loveless marriage with children who act like Luca.”

Mother is silent on the other end. I know she doesn’t have anything to say that’ll make me feel better. The minute she married Domenico she was destined for a miserable life, just like I am.

“Antonio is very handsome—”

“He is a monster! He’s cold hearted!”

 “Arielle,” Mother sighs. “Your wedding is in a week, are you ready? I can’t wait to see you.”

“Have you not been listening to me? No, I’m not ready! I’d rather run away.”

“He’ll kill you.”

I hang up the phone in frustration. I need to scream, I need to get away, I need to go.

 I make a run for it. I rush down the stairs nearly tripping and falling in the dark. It’s not late, but late enough for Angelo to go to bed and for me to get ready for it. Carmelo is probably in his room readying himself for bed too. I don’t care about being quiet, if I’m fast, I can get away quicker.

Sprinting down a flight of stairs, when I reach level ground I’m suddenly tackled. Petrified that it’s a Russian who was waiting for me to make such a careless mistake like this, I plead for my life.

My body is flipped to see Carmelo straddling me. I’m still frantic, kicking and screaming. I’m so engrossed in my own panic I didn’t even notice he is on the phone until I hear him say, “I got her. I’m bringing her back to the apartment now…. Okay, you’re the boss.” Carmelo hangs up and throws me over his shoulder.

 Instead of heading in the direction of the penthouse we continue to descend and take an elevator until we are in the lobby and then outside. He stuffs me in the company car and then gets in the driver seat.

“Where are you taking me?” I reach for the handle but he activated the child safety lock. “Please, Angelo will be worried about me.”

“He’ll know where you are. We will be there soon.”

Soon didn’t happen quick enough because I must’ve passed out from overexerting myself.

 Once again, I find myself over Carmelo’s soldier. An elevator dings and we are in a different penthouse than the one I live in.

 “Where are we?” I rub the sleep in my eyes.

“My home,” a deep, gruff voice calls. I can’t see anything but Carmelo’s rear-end as I hang over his back. “Tell me, why did you try to escape?” Antonio comes into view.

“Because I don’t want to marry you.”

He scratches the scruff on his cheek and chin. “And why is that? Have I been cruel to you? Am I not good enough?”

I want to cry again.

“No—”

“Then why do you not want to marry?” He says it like I have a choice to back out. “I am the most powerful man in Chicago, you should not be scared. You should be scared for anyone who dare tries to take you from me.”

Carmelo puts me down and leaves Antonio and I alone in his living room.

“You don’t love me,” I turn my head away from him not being able to take the intensity in his eyes.

He grabs my chin and raises my face so I’m forced to look at him. I never noticed but his eyes are hazel, not dark brown. “I do not love anything. Love is weakness, but it doesn’t mean I hate you or will be cruel to you. I take care of my family, and as my fiancée you are my family.”

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask softly.

“So I can keep an eye on my runaway bride, the security is much better here anyways. Carmelo will still be guarded outside your door. You’ll stay in one of my guest rooms.” Antonio leaves me and coming from down the stairs is Arabella.

“What are you doing here?” I rush to hug her.

“Oh Arielle, I missed you! Antonio called me just an hour ago asking me to stay so I can act as company for you!”

“I’ve missed you,” I hold her tight.

“You’re still having doubts about marrying my cousin?” Arabella frowns. “I’ve never seen someone put up so much fight over an arranged marriage, and I know people who were screwed worse by their father’s choice for them.” She shivers in disgust.

“It’s just… I’m mourning a dream. Mourning a life I thought maybe I could’ve had.”

 “A life outside the Famiglia?” She asks and I nod. “Not possible.”

“I know, I’m so stupid.”

“You look exhausted, come on, let’s get you to bed.”

In bed I realized that this will officially be my new home when I marry Antonio next week. Of course I won’t be staying in this bedroom. The living room, the kitchen, Antonio’s bedroom… this will be the home I will suffer in, the home I will pace around doing nothing valuable with my time except raising his heirs. I miss New York City, I miss my lilac colored room.

I’m going to miss my innocence.

 “Can you stay with me?” I ask Arabella before she exits the room.

“Sure,” she smiles and climbs into bed. “You can make the best out of this situation, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world…”