Chapter 59: SURPRISE REVEAL

MIA

The days had blurred into a haze ever since and Dante has been… different. He was still being intense in following me around but after he came back that day something has just been… off. Now it wasn't just watching to make sure I was close but it was almost as if he was memorizing things about me in case I disappeared.

Then there was the maniac edge in him. He had a new found restless energy beneath his usual calm demeanour. He’d touch me more, pull me into his lap without warning, bury his face in my neck as if breathing me in. I told myself it was just him trying to keep my close due to the recent happening.

But it was becoming a bit frightening that I barely even had time to think about my escape plan. God help me, I was on my last straw at this point.

That night, he surprised me by suggesting a date.

“We’re going out,” he said, emerging from the bedroom looking focused. He was dressed a bit formally but his suit jacket was off, sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattoos. “For dinner, it has been a while.”

What angle is he playing at?

I blinked, looking up from what I had been reading. “Out? I thought… you said it wasn't safe.”

He smiled, eyes softening. “It is safe tonight. Plus, we need this. Things have been a bit tense lately and I feel like a major part of that is my fault so I need to make amends.” Before I could say anything else, he walked to me and kissed me deeply.

Against my better judgement, I found myself leaning more into the kiss which made him smile and then he pulled back, gaze lingering. “you looked beautiful already. Go through your closet and wear the red dress.”

I had no other option and I was also sick and tired of being in this house so I smiled and walked dto the closet, curious about what red dress he was talking about. I opened the closet to find a beautiful silk dress.

Pulling it out, it was so soft I knew it cost a lot.

I guess even bad men have taste.

It clung to me in the right places and made me feel powerful. I knew I shouldn't like anything coming from him at this point but I just couldn't help myself. When I walked out of the bedroom, I could feel his eyes burning into me.

He pulled me in for another kiss muttering, “you look ravishing.”

Stepping out of the building and into the night air felt so nice. I almost felt like screaming at the top of my lungs and running away right there but I knew that would be stupid. Lin still needed my help so I couldn't do that.

The whole drive he held my hand, thumb stroking my knuckles. He had placed a reservation at a very fancy restaurant in a private corner with candlelight. If I didn't know better, I would have fawned over how romantic everything was.

He ordered for me without asking but thankfully it was all dishes I liked. Everything looked… almost too perfect. I could tell there was something else going on underneath that I didn't know.

And the look he kept giving me, it felt like I had been diagnosed with some sort of terminal illness and he was saying goodbye. It kept me on edge all night.

“Remember the surprise I texted about?” he said midway through the first meal which we had been eating in silence. “I will be ready by tomorrow and then I'll show you.”

My fork paused. He had sent that text a few days ago and when he came back, he looked very excited that he didn't even talk about the mug incident as he went to bed.

I had been pondering on what that surprise could be and almost texted Lin to look into it but changed my mind because if she started sniffing around, he would find out and all this would  be for nothing.

“What is it?” I asked sweetly with a smile.

“A surprise." He repeated with a little smile. “Its something I have dedicated a lot of time into just for you.”

This sparked more of my curiosity but with an equal amount of caution. Dante’s surprises usually came with strings. “Is it in the city? A place I have always wanted to visit? A car?”

I rattled off normal things, stomach twisting in knots and hoping it would be one of those.

He paused, then nodded, refilling my wine. “I’ll give you a bit of detail. It is in the building and you’ll love it. I promise.” He looked into my eyes intensely as he said the last word. He reached across the table and laced our fingers. “Mia... promise you’ll trust me. Even if you don’t understand at first.”

Okay, woah. Things were getting a bit dark.

Now that I think about it, what he had been showing isn't saying “goodbye” but more like he is marking the start of something I couldn't see coming.

My stomach twisted in knots but I couldn't do anything. I hated how powerless, unsafe and safe he made me feel all at the same time.

“I promise,” I whispered.

“Say it again.”

“I trust you, Dante.”

He exhaled, looking relieved. The rest of dinner went well and when we got back home, he held me so tight it almost hurt with his arms locked around me, chest pressed to my back and his breath hot on my neck.

I could feel his heart racing and that made me ease up a bit because he wasn't the type of person to get nervous and if he was then maybe the surprise wasn't a bad thing.

“You’re mine,” he murmured into my hair. “Always.”

I fell asleep like that, wrapped in him, ignoring the quiet alarm bells.

Morning light filtered in through the curtains, making me wake up slowly partly because it was shutting my eyes but also due to the burning feeling of being watched.

I opened my eyes to find Dante sat on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and eyes fixed on me. He looked like he hadn't slept at all.

“Good morning, cara,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. His fingers lingered. “Ready to see your surprise?”

I nodded, smiling. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it all night.”

He helped me get dressed and then we left the apartment but instead of going to the lobby after stepping off the elevator, we went through a private corridor that I had never noticed before.

I saw a sign that said “basement access” which sent a chill down my spine.

He punched in a code on the door which I didn't see fast enough and scanned his palm then the door opened.

“Your surprise is through here. I built it for you.” His voice was laced with pride. “For us.”

The door opened to a staircase which he led me through and the air here was colder then we got to another door at the bottom which looked heavily reinforced which made my heart pick up speed.

“Dante... what is this place?”

“Come,” he murmured, opening it. “I promise you’ll love it.”

I swallowed then followed him, cursing for not having the small knife on me.

The room opened before me. It was a bit spacious with the right things for comfort. There was a large bed with luxurious looking beddings. A small bathroom and a kitchenette. There were also bookshelves lined one wall, already partially filled with titles I recognized as my favorites. It was beautiful.

“What is this?” I asked, stepping further inside, turning slowly. My fingers brushed the soft bedding. It felt… thoughtful.

But my awe soon vanished as I realized how tucked away it was with no windows—

The door slammed shut behind me with the unmistakable sound of heavy, electronic locks clicking in place

I spun around. “Dante?”

He still stood inside looking at me with pure obsessive, adoration.

“You’re safe now,” he said softly, stepping closer. “No one can hurt you here. I’ll take care of everything.”