Chapter 7: YOU
1411 Words
~Isabella’s POV~
“Dante Romero”.
The sheer utterance of his name sounded like a distant echo. One which made my skin crawl with disdain.
My heart sank, my stomach churned, as I stared back stunned and speechless. While I tried to grasp the revealed identity of the man who stood inches before me.
My alleged suitor.
My nemesis.
A man I considered a nightmare in designer suits.
Ugh. How was this even possible?.
Of all the men in the world, it could have literally been anyone else......but him.
The same man who, mere hours ago, had accused my driver of incompetence and dismissed me as a "spoiled brat." as fragment memories of the unpleasant encounter we had earlier in the day now pricked at my mind, slowly building up the rage I had now suppressed.
Fate sure had a cruel sense of humor, but I definitely wasn't laughing, when the joke was a deliberate jab at me. The room seemed to spiral, drowning me in it's swarmed chaos.
“You!” I repeat, as the word came out broken, barely above a whisper. While pointing a finger at him, still bewildered. For a subtle moment a flicker of surprise could be seen in his eyes, but he quickly masks it away with a deepened smirk.
“Mr. Romero, this is our dear daughter, Isabella. The one we've told you so much about”. my father continued, beaming with joy, oblivious of the looming tension that brewed between us.
“Ah, so your the Isabella?. Though I must admit Miss Cassagrande, when I imagined what you would look like, I didn't think it would be, well....... You!”. Dante remarked, with a sarcastic tone in his voice, as his dark eyes studied me with a glint of genuine amusement. Which triggered a scoff out of me.
“Oh trust, the feeling is very much mutual, Mr. Romero”. I retort, steadying my composure. As I shot back daggered stares at him.
Exchanging confused glances at each other,
“Have you two met already?”. asked my father, now catching on to our jestful banter.
Yes. No. we both thundered, contradicting each other's responses.
“Yes, indeed Mr. Cassagrande. Isabella and I had a rather........interesting encounter just this morning”. Dante retracted, right after letting out a soft chuckle at my expense.
“Mr. Romero speaks the truth father, but I wouldn't say it was an interesting one, I think.......unfortunate, is more like it”. I spat back, not concealing my displeasure.
“Oh, you two. Look at you already finding common ground”. mother said, clearly oblivious of the situation that unfolded.
Common ground? Yeah right. I scoffed
More like common asphalt.
“Well then, since you've already had a head start we'll excuse ourselves to let you discuss about your future”. father let out, obviously gloating. While I dreaded the sickening thought, as they both walked away, leaving just the two of us behind.
As soon as their out of sight I drop my constructed facade.
“Let me make this clear Mr. Romero. Hell will freeze over before I agree to marry you. Not only do you exude arrogance like a crown on your head, but you dear sir are.... insufferable”.
I scornfully pronounced, gesturing wildly with my fingers as my irritation consumed me.
Merely raising his eyebrows, unfazed.
“Now, now,” Dante said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, as he leaned in close. “Don’t be so dramatic. It's not like you were ever my first choice, but here we are”.
“Just think of it less as a fairytale romance, Isabella, and more as a……mutually beneficial acquisition. A strategic partnership, if you will. Two empires, merging their formidable resources.” he utters, as though he was selling a business pitch to possible investors.
“A partnership?” I scoffed, as a bitter laugh escaped my lips. “You call insulting me on the road and then being presented as my future husband a ‘partnership’? I’d rather face a hostile takeover.” I snarled.
“Come on, Isabella, don't be unreasonable. We could make this work. With you by my side, Imagine the combined power. The sheer, unadulterated influence. We’d be unstoppable.”
“I’d rather be stopped,” I muttered under my breath. “Permanently.”
Just then, in the middle of our bickering I hear the clinking of glasses, as I avert my gaze to see my father.......Stewart, in the middle of making an announcement. When a sudden chill rippled through me, as I hoped he wasn't about to do or say what I assumed, based on my intuitions.
I shot a panicked glance at Dante, whose expression remained infuriatingly calm, almost anticipatory.
“Friends, family, esteemed colleagues!” he boomed, his voice resonating through the atrium. “We have an important announcement to make tonight, one that brings immense joy to our family and promises a bright future for the Cassagrande legacy.”
It didn't end there, before mother stepped forward flashing a radiant smile. “It is with the greatest pleasure that we announce the Engagement of our beloved daughter, Isabella, to the remarkable Dante Romero!”. the finality of her words, hung in the air. Just before the room erupted in applause, as a wave of congratulatory murmurs washed over them.
I felt the blood drain from my face, as I stood there clearly blindsided by what just unfolded.
My eyes darted from my beaming parents to Dante, who now wore a triumphant, if not subtle, smirk. Like he had just won a prize at a trade fair.
This couldn't be happening?
This wasn’t happening? Right?
Neither did it feel like a welcome back party, but rather a calculated ambush and I, the unsuspecting prey.
The air grew thick and suffocating. The joyous sounds of the party became a harsh roar in my ears, as guests approached me with congratulatory remarks for an engagement I never consented to, especially to a man I wouldn't say yes to, even if he was the last man on the freaking planet.
I know I should show appreciation and be grateful to the people who gave me a second chance and new life. But it all seemed too much to comprehend, as a sickening feeling surged through me, in desperate need to leave and catch my breath.
And without a word, nor a backward glance, I made my way through the crowded room, clinking my heels against the tiled floor and exited through the back french doors, into the garden.
I stumbled along recklessly through a gravel path, past fragrant rose bushes and manicured hedges, until I reached a secluded stone bench tucked beneath a weeping willow. Collapsing onto it, I buried my face in my hands, trying to make sense of the chaotic reality that had just engulfed me.
"This can't be happening," I whispered into the nights wind, the words trembling.
If only Dante knew, I wasn't who he thought I was. Would it still change anything?
Wallowing in my dysphoria, I suddenly felt a pair of strong masculine arms wrap around my waist line from behind, enveloping me in it's warmth and pulling my flush against a solid chest. A gasp, hitched in my throat, as my heart palpitated from the terror that now flooded my veins.
Instincts or a surge of adrenaline, I couldn't tell for sure, but something took over me as I twisted through a forced grunt, leveraging my body and as soon as I break free from their embrace, I swung a tight clenched fist right on my captors face.
The impact forced out a sharp gasp, followed by a low groan of pain, as the figure stumbled back, clutching his face that now bled out.
It's a good thing I picked up boxing and martial art during my time abroad for situations like this and it finally came in handy today, as I steadied my poise for another attack, with my fists still clenched, now facing him directly.
"Who are you?" I demanded, with a sharp voice mixed with fear and fury. "What do you want?"
“Bloody hell, Isabella,” he rasped, his voice laced with agony, as he slowly lowered his hand, revealing his features twisted into a grimace.
“It’s me. William……Your boyfriend.” he spat out.
- Writer
