IX

I thought my relationship with Gio was improving. I thought I just needed to wait for him to open up to me, to be somewhat concerned as a husband. But with what I learned today, I felt like I had been mistaken in my thoughts.

Everything was one-sided. Gio had different plans for our life together.

"Why?"

Gio stopped what he was doing and faced me. I gasped as fear suddenly washed over me for him.

When I look at him, he always seems angry, even though I know he keeps his emotions hidden and controlled. Maybe I'm just conditioned from my father that when this expression appears, it means he's about to hurt me.

I shook my head; I needed to forget about Papa. Gio and my father are different, right? Gio wouldn't hurt me like my father used to.

"I just want to know why I have to use pills-"

"I don't want to use condoms. And I assumed you don't want to get pregnant... we're on the same page. I don't want an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy."

I bit my lip at his words. My heart was pounding quickly. "I-I don't mean…I don't want children-"

"Good for you, then. In my case, I don't want to get you pregnant. I don't like having kids in general." His eyes narrowed as he stared at me.

Gio walked closer to me. Since we got married, this was probably the first time I felt hurt by his words.

I felt offended when he left me after our first night together. I was sad and wondered what was wrong with me. But he came back and told me it was for my safety. However, now that we were talking about not having children, that's when I felt hurt. Even though I wasn't ready now, I was still considering it in the future.

Gio focused both his hands on my sides. He leaned towards me as I bowed my head, hiding my emotions from him.

He held my cheeks, and I felt a pang in my chest. His touches were like the edges of knives; sharp and ready to cut.

When his hands reached my chin, he lifted my head to see my face. I tried to keep my emotions from him, protecting myself from the danger he might bring. But I lost. In this game of emotional hide-and-seek, Gio was the winner.

I gasped as our eyes met. I was caught in a whirlwind of fear and anxiety.

"I don't want children. In this marriage, it's just you and me, Millie. Do you understand that?"

I didn't. So many questions swirled in my mind. Why didn't he want children? Was it because I was his wife? If he had married someone else, would he want children? The last thought sent a sharp pain through my already broken heart and dwindling hope.

"I repeat, do you understand?"

I bit my lip to silence the questions forming in my mind. I nodded at him to end this conversation. Gio released me and stood up straight.

"Prepare yourself. Dinner will be served in a while. I'll be in my study room for the meantime." His gaze pierced me one more time before he walked away and left the room, leaving me with nothing but confusion and unanswered questions.

I didn't speak to Gio again after our conversation earlier about not having a child. He doesn't want to have kids.

It's really too early to think about it, but does he have any plans for the future? I can't say. It seems like he really doesn't want to.

I turned away from him as I went to sleep. I didn't want to look at him because it only reminded me of how hurtful his words were to me. For others or for Gio, those words might be insignificant, but to me, they meant a lot.

I forced myself to sleep while Gio was beside me. The lights were off, and only the glow from his laptop remained, as he was still working even though it was late.

Sleep eventually overcame me that night. In the middle of my slumber, I dreamt that someone was hugging me. I felt so light and peaceful during those hours.

~*~

The next day, we planned to visit Gio's parents, but before going there, we headed to the headquarters of their organization.

I was truly amazed when I saw the exterior and interior there. The security was incredibly tight. At first glance, you might think it's just a big corporation building, but no, it's for their mafia organization, and if you're not a member or you're not invited, you will never get in.

Gio led me to a room. It looked like a five-star hotel room.

"I just have a meeting to attend to," Gio stated. "Don't leave this place."

I followed his wishes. I wasn't allowed to protest. I didn't want to find out what punishment Gio might give me if I didn't obey.

Mariana was with me. Dario went with Gio because it seemed like Gio had something to assign to him.

The entirety of the floor where I was could be compared to a five-star hotel. There were rooms and leisure facilities for relaxation. Mariana let me wander, thinking it was safe for me since everyone here was a Locatelli employee.

I noticed there was a poolside area, a casino, a gym, and various other amenities that were exclusively open to the Locatelli family. I also spotted an elevator that seemed different. I assumed you needed special access for that one.

Inside the elevator I took, I noticed that some floors were not listed on the buttons. Only a limited number of floors were accessible through this standard elevator. Perhaps the inaccessible floors were reserved for special guests.

The elevator opened, and I stepped out. I saw a few people, but not a large crowd. This floor resembled an office more than a hotel, unlike where I came from earlier.

Some employees glanced at me, and their surprise was evident on their faces. A few of them whispered to each other.

I paid them no mind. It was better not to dwell on what they might be thinking about me.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Gio entering a room with a woman who seemed to be talking to him. There were men, presumably his associates, behind them.

My brow furrowed as I caught a glimpse of how the woman touched Gio before the door closed. My heart didn't take kindly to that sight, and my mood shifted.

I was in a daze as I walked towards the door where I had seen Gio and the woman enter.

I was blocked by the men outside. I looked at them, and their astonishment was evident.

One of their colleagues muttered something, and I overheard it.

"That's Mrs. Locatelli. The Boss's wife."

The two men hesitated about whether to allow me inside or to escort me out because I wasn't permitted inside.

Why wasn't I allowed? Would I see what Gio was doing with the woman in there?

"Isn't my husband in there? I want to see what's going on inside."

I knew they wouldn't harm me, so I had the courage to stand firm, unlike when I faced Gio.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but-"

My brow furrowed, and although I had no intention of giving them a dirty look, that's what happened. The two of them let out deep breaths, nodded, and opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I said before deciding to step inside the room.

I hadn't even fully entered when I froze. I saw Gio looking at me. His forehead furrowed slowly as he spotted me, while I was in shock at what I was witnessing.

I had expected to find only him and the woman in the room, but that wasn't what I encountered.

Gio's conversation partners were all looking at me. It seemed like they were in a meeting, and my entry had disrupted their discussion.

I noticed the woman, one of those who were closely examining me.

Many people were present. Apart from Gio and the unfamiliar woman, there were other guests, mostly men. Standing behind each seated man were uniformed individuals, presumably his associates.

My lips trembled, prepared to apologize when I heard Gio's voice.

"Get out!" Gio shouted.