XVII

"I need to go to my dad's house," I told Dario. I quickly got ready after hearing where Gio was heading. I didn't have a good feeling about this.

Dario looked at me, clearly hesitant to follow.

"Now!" I panicked, not realizing my tone.

They had no choice but to obey me. I got into the car prepared for me, and we headed to my dad's house.

I had various thoughts running through my mind, but I hoped Gio wouldn't do anything harmful. Then, I remembered what he was capable of. Great timing! He could eliminate people as if they were insects.

Because of the lack of traffic, we reached our destination quickly. I hurriedly got out of the car and went inside the house. Even the housemaid who opened the door for me seemed surprised. She probably didn't expect my visit.

"Why would I do that?" I heard my dad's voice from the living room, so I went there. "I wouldn't hurt my daughter, Gio. Why are you accusing me of physical assault-"

"I am not accusing; I am asserting," Gio said calmly.

I wanted to show myself to them, but something stopped me, so I didn't proceed.

"How long have you been abusing your daughter, Dad?"

I noticed my dad's forced smile, even though he was clearly getting irritated with Gio's accusations.

"I did not! I would never hurt my child-"

"The next time you attempt to harm my wife, the company you hold so dearly will crumble into nothing, and I will make sure you're buried in its ruins. I will drag you down with the company you cherish. No one can hurt my wife, not on my watch. And even though you're her father, you have no right to do inhumane things to her. I could file a case against you, but I'm sure Millie would stop me from doing that. I could take legal action, but your daughter would probably hate me for it. I have countless ideas in my head on how to make you suffer for a lifetime, but you're still my in-law, and I don't want to see my wife mourning over some sick man she calls her father. It's funny how your daughter sees you as her father, even though you're nothing but a hideous monster dressed in a human suit."

Gio walked closer to my dad. Dad moved back in his seat.

"Too bad I'm a cunning man. So, if you don't want to meet Satan soon, you'll never lay a finger on my wife." Gio tapped my dad's shoulder. I noticed how tightly he held my dad's shoulder, causing him pain.

Then, he turned away and walked out. He paused when he saw me, but then continued walking.

"Gio..."

I hadn't finished what I wanted to say, and he grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I tried to look back at my dad, but he seemed lost.

Dario quickly arranged for the car as soon as he saw us. Gio signaled to them, and we headed there.

Gio opened the door of his Rolls-Royce and gestured for me to sit in the front seat.

He moved over to the driver's seat.

"I just need to stop by the office for a moment to sign some pending documents, and then I'm free for the whole day. Where would you like to go?"

My eyes lit up at what Gio said. Was he seriously asking me this? Was this a date? A strange feeling swelled in my stomach, and the thought crossed my mind that maybe a date was happening right now.

"The mall?" I couldn't think of anything else. I also remembered that I needed to buy some skincare essentials and other makeup kits. It felt like I needed some extra clothes as well.

Gio nodded before putting on his expensive sunglasses. He drove to his office. I just stayed inside the car because he mentioned it would be quick.

Gio is a man of his word. In less than ten minutes, he was back. He started the car, and I told him the name of the mall I wanted to go to.

I was excited. This was the first time I'd be with Gio like this. He didn't look like someone who frequented malls because he had staff to handle things for him.

I went straight to my favorite skincare brand. I hoarded everything from facial wash, toner, essence, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, elixir, and, most importantly, sunscreen. My go-to skincare brands were primarily La Mer, Estee Lauder, and Chanel, depending on what my skin needed.

Apart from skincare, I also picked up a makeup kit and some clothes. Gio paid for everything. Whenever I attempted to use my card, Gio would stop me and present his black card. In the end, I let him.

"I'll pay you," I whispered to him after we went to the last store I wanted.

"You don't have to."

Gio had spent a significant amount on me, so I felt embarrassed. I'm not a spendthrift, but when I do spend, it's on things I truly use and benefit from. "Where do you want to eat?"

We had a meal at one of my favorite restaurants. Gio let me order whatever I wanted, and I didn't hear a single complaint.

I was incredibly happy that day. I couldn't hide it because I kept smiling, especially when Gio looked at me. I just couldn't help it.

Gio was carrying all my purchases. I didn't notice any bodyguards, or maybe they were discreetly present but not visible to me. It felt like we were just a regular married couple without any major obligations.

I gazed at our intertwined hands. My smile never faded as I admired them.

My cellphone vibrated, so I stopped walking. I retrieved it from my bag to check the text. I saw the name of my friend Nina.

Nina: Are you at the mall?

I quickly typed a reply, with Gio watching me as I texted back.

Me: Yes.

My friend responded promptly.

Nina: Look behind you.

I turned around, and there I saw my friend. I let go of Gio's hand and quickly approached Nina.

We were both thrilled to see each other. Since her return from her non-stop travelling, we hadn't met again. I just hadn't had the chance. She had been busy, and I had mostly been at home.

"I missed you!" we said to each other.

We broke the hug and caught up on each other's lives.

Nina looked behind me, and that's when I remembered I had someone with me. I turned to Gio and formally introduced my friend.

"Gio, this is Nina, my best friend. Nina, this is Gio, uhm, my husband." It still felt awkward for me to say that Gio was my husband.

"Nice meeting you, Gio. Finally!" Nina shook hands with Gio. At first, Gio hesitated before shaking Nina's hand. I had to clear my throat before he did.

"Nice meeting you, too."

My friend gave me a meaningful look and smiled secretly. I blushed because of what she was insinuating.

"I didn't see you at the wedding."

"Yeah, I couldn't make it. I was in Hawaii at that time. But congratulations on your wedding!" Nina looked at me again, her eyes wide. I returned the gesture and widened my eyes too.

We exchanged glances. Finally, Nina burst into laughter.

"Anyway, I have to go. I have other places to visit," Nina turned to me and approached. She kissed me on the cheek. "Oh, girl, we have a lot of catching up to do."

I chuckled quietly at her whispered remark. Nina playfully pinched my cheek before she separated from our hug.

"Bye! Take care, lovebirds!"

I wanted to scold her for calling us that, but she quickly left. I felt embarrassed in front of Gio.