FEELINGS IN DENIAL
1146 Words
CHAPTER 17: FEELINGS IN DENIAL
It was silent. It was too silent for her liking.
She isn’t used to this atmosphere. Sitting on the same dining table, while facing Gustav, her ex-husband as if nothing happened. As of those tears she shed, and the confrontation was merely nothing, but a dream.
What more was her chest that seems bottled by so many butterflies that keep swarming even on her stomach. It made the air awkward.
That Italia couldn’t help, but cleared her throat.
“So, how are you?” She unknowingly winced.
How are you really? She thought, but isn’t that what most start their conversation?
Gustav stopped slicing the steak on his plate, and lifted his head.
THUMP.
Italia gulps. Her throat is parched dry, and she was not liking a bit how much he could affect her.
“Still the same, when you left.” He said dryly.
That made her hangs her head low. Guilt tripped her core. She knew that it is him, who save him, but her pride wouldn’t even accept it. Gustav rescued her, when no one had ever done that before. But some part of her wanted to keep the stone cold act, and withhold herself that it isn’t her fault in the first place that she had been abducted but because of her connections with him.
“T—that’s good then.” She tried to contain her facade, nor meeting his eyes, although she could feel his stare.
“Won’t you say anything at least?” Gustav asked.
He seems to be hinting something.
“Say what?” Italia pretended as if she didn’t know anything.
Say thanks? Tch.
She didn’t asked him to rescue her, although deep inside she knew that she had been calling his name since then.
“If you couldn’t express your gratitude, that’s acceptable, but you will not be allowed to leave the house without any escorts from now on—”
That made her frowns.
“W—what?!” Her mouth agape with shock. “You can’t be serious!”
“Do you think I am joking?” He didn’t look as if he was pulling her leg.
His eyes are dead serious.
“And what rights do you have to prohibit me?!” She demanded.
“I have every rights as long as we weren’t yet divorce, Mrs. Salvador.” Every words was emphasise.
“W—what do you mean?” Italia meet his eyes. “Didn’t I already sign the papers?”
The last time she can recall, Italia did.
“It was still on the process.” Gustav did not tore his eyes off from her. “But as long as it is still legally sign, you’ll do what I say—”
“I am not your property—”
“I didn’t say that.” Gustav raised his eyebrows. “I am just making sure that nothing will happen to you.”
“Oh really?” She scoffs. “Or are you worried that many might know that I am staying here, while you are already engage to Samantha?”
She knows exactly where this bitterness is coming from. And the fact that he was so eager for their divorce to be process suggested only one thing. Her speculations are true. It isn’t a rumour and Samantha, just like what she first said to her, there is a proposal between them.
That made her clenched her teeth. For an unknown reason, Italia was hurt.
“What do you mean—”
But she didn’t let him finish.
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that would ruin your engagement.” She swallow her pride. Italia stood up and dry the remnants of food from her lips. “I’m full already. Adios, Mr. Salvador.”
When she turned her back and leave, Italia failed to notice the playful smile that throve to Gustav’s lips.
“Que es interesante, Mi cielo.” Gustav chuckled.
“s**t! Why did I even say that?!” Her cheeks flared
She felt embarrassed. Why did she acted as if she was a jealous wife in front of her? When it was supposed to be a WAS.
She just lost it in front of him.
“Arrg! That’s stupid!” She pulled her hair out of annoyance.
That’s how she was found by Zamiel, who opened the door with rush.
“Italia!” There are no words exchange between them.
He quickly engulfs her into a tight embrace that made Italia frozen. She was somewhat surprise as well. She is not expecting to see the male there this early, and visit her in spite of what happened before they part ways.
“How are you? Are you okay?” He looks worried, when he pulled away from the embrace to check her.
Guilt ate her alive.
The last time that they saw each other, she was full of hate. Italia was filled with anger that her outburst was directed to Zam. She did not saw him as a friend that time, but another person, who betrayed her.
On her eyes, they were her enemies, they are somebody she should stay away from the beginning, but here they are, despite of everything, they never treat her indifferently.
“Z—Zam.” A warm hand touches her chest.
Her eyes suddenly grew moist.
“Yes—hey, why are you crying all of a sudden?” The worries doubled on his face.
When Zam heard from Gustav that Italia was back in the mansion, he never have any second thoughts and quickly left the office in a hurry.
“Are you sure?” He didn’t know how many times he made sure that she was certainly back.
“Yes.” Gustav answered.
“How did you find her?”
“She was abducted by Fredo Montreal.”
Anger without resolve flared inside of him.
“That bastard! I’ll f*****g kill him!”
“Don’t worry, I already made him pay.” Gustav reassured him. “But if you wanted to see her, you can visit the mansion.”
“Certainly.”
When he hangs up the call, Zamiel quickly packed up his things.
His secretary knock on the door, and she peered after a moment, “Sir, the boards are already inside the conference room—”
“Cancel the meeting.” He said.
“But Sir—”
“I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
With that said, he was already out of the door, while his secretary was left there, frowning.
That is what happened, and now he was here, comforting Italia as she cried her heart out on his shoulder.
“Shhh, it’s alright.” Zamiel brushed her hair. “You’re safe now.”
And he’ll never let anyone tried to harm her again.
- Writer
