Sold to Mr. Giordano

Arielle

Despite the horrible pairing of the two of them, the wedding was quite beautiful. They married in the same church as Antonio and I and the reception is in a different spot but still a gorgeous venue. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, the men getting drunk and the women dancing.

I will say Luca and Arabella put on a very convincing show. It almost seemed as though they were in love with each other. He smiles at her adoringly and Arabella laughs at whatever he whispers in her ear.

At the same time it made me wonder if he was threatening her to act this way or face some horrible consequence.

My husband finds me in the crowd with my eyes locked on the newlyweds. “He’s not going to hit her in front of everyone if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I frown. “I’m more worried about what’s going to happen after the reception party is done.”

“Let’s dance,” he sets his glass of champagne down on a passing waiters tray and takes my hand.

We dance to the slow song and if I close my eyes it almost feels like our wedding night. The champagne makes me feel light as we float across the room and let the symphony carry us away leaving every worry behind. It seems like just the two of us, as though no one exists but Antonio and I.

The song may have only been about three of four minutes, but by the time we’re done I feel as though hours have passed.

I stiffen with sudden realization and Antonio looks at me concerned when he feels my body tense under his hand that is resting on my back. “What’s wrong?”

“My mother, she’s not here.”

“What?” Antonio looks around the room as though he doesn’t believe me. “Why isn’t she here?”

My eyes lock with my fathers who is bending down talking to a woman who seems to be maybe two or three years older than myself. She blushes and by the look on her face my father must be whispering filth into her ear. I know my father has cheated before, but to do so at my brother’s wedding while my mother seems to be missing in action.

“She should be here. Do you think maybe she stepped out?” Antonio asks.

“I don’t know, but she’s been dodging my calls and I haven’t seen her since my own wedding.”

Antonio’s eyebrows knit together. “That’s been a little over two months.”

“I know, I think it’s my father’s way of cutting me out of their lives. It’s not like I care if he cuts me out from his life, but I love my mom.”

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“Thank you,” I smile and reach up to brush a kiss against his cheek. He gives me his version of a smile and heads off to either talk with Luca, Angelo or my father.

I enjoy social gatherings with Antonio, he always grabs my hand and stays by my side. It’s all for show and the public eye, but I love it. I love any chance to be close to him and touch him. Even if it’s just something as simple as my fingers intertwined with his.

Missing his absence and feeling a bit lonely I notice my new sister-in-law has also been abandoned by her husband. Happily, I walk over to Arabella and sit next to her.

“How do you feel?” I ask concerningly.

“Fine,” her voice cracks and she clears her throat. “Really, I’m fine. Tomorrow morning we have a flight to New York and I’ll really be gone.”

“You can come back to visit,” I touch her knee.

“You’re right,” she nods her head. “I hate… I hate how he acts when we’re in public.”

“How does he act?”

“Sweet. Like a husband I would want to have. He kisses my hand, whispers jokes to me and acts like I’m the most beautiful girl in the world. Then when we are alone, he hits me and yells heinous words. It’s like he has two different sides and I’m terrified only when we’re alone. I-I hate that I actually enjoyed this wedding because our honeymoon is going to be a nightmare, I just know it,” she fans her eyes trying not to ruin her makeup with her tears.

“Arielle, dear, why are you making my poor wife cry?” Luca chides in a deep insidious tone of voice.

“Just a tearful goodbye, you are after all taking her away from me to New York.”

“You’ll be able to visit when I’m on business,” Luca shrugs and sits next to his wife putting an arm around her waist and keeping her close.

“I know,” Arabella nods her head and places a hand over his heart. “Can you get me a glass of champagne?”

“Sure,” he says with a tight-lipped smile.

“How have things been without me in the penthouse?” Arabella changes the subject.

“I hate to say that things have been going good. We’ve both been sick, so we spent a lot of time resting in bed together.”

“Is that your incognito way for we’ve both been having sex?”

“No,” I shake my head and chuckle. “We’ve been actually resting and just talking to each other.”

“What were you both sick from?”

“Antonio was shot last week and I seem to have the stomach bug.”

“Still?” She raises an eyebrow.

 “Yeah, it comes and goes. I think it’s on its way out.”

“Hmm, well hopefully it gets better,” Arabella says before her husband is back at her side with a glass of champagne.

“Have a happy honeymoon,” I say and hope God smacks some sense into my brother and he treats her right.

 I, myself, grab my third glass of champagne that doesn’t sit right with me. Antonio found me in time to ask what’s wrong and with the same response I have been answering every time he’s asked this past month, I say, “Just feeling nauseous.”

“Do you want to go? They’ll understand.”

“No, you know after I throw up I’ll be fine,” I dismiss it. “It’s my brother and your cousins wedding. You’re our Capo, we must stay until the night is over.”

“Okay,” he says warily. “Let’s sit down. You’re looking pale again. Have some water,” he takes my champagne glass away from me. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight.”