Chapter 15 Chapter 15
Breakfast was served. The dining room that morning was surprisingly calm to everyone sitting there
Gena sat at the head of the table on one side, and she looked composed as always. And Lydia, on the other hand, sat beside her and she was quietly eating, grateful for the peace of the morning, after the storm of the night.
For a moment, it all felt almost too normal, and especially for this mafia house hold.
And that is when Aurora entered the room. And right then the temperature changed instantly, while everyone noticed it.
She didn't greet anyone as always, but simply sat down slowly. As always, elegantly.
Her eyes without waiting for a second went straight to her grand daughter in law, Lydia. But she was busy eating, or trying.
"So. " Aurora said smoothly, lifting her teacup to her mouth.
"Lydia, I would suggest. Next time there is an accident in the house , in your room. You are welcome to take another room for yourself." She said smiling. And Lydia looked up her, losing her appetite.
"All those unused rooms in the house have been cleaned out for you now. You will not have any more problems."
There was silence in the room.
Gena's fork paused mid-air as she was still eating.
While, Lydia's gaze sharpened at her. But there was no fear in them, not anymore.
"I'll remember that Aurora. Thank you for taking your precious time to do things that don't need your consideration." she replied calmly. With a smile and heart
However, Aurora's smiled faintly.
"It would be appropriate." She muttered, making Gena place her fork down deliberately. She looked visibly pissed.
"My daughter-in-law." She said clearly. Her voice is sharp now.
"She spent the night in her husband's room Aurora. That is hardly inappropriate between them."
Aurora's eyes flashed at her comments.
"Husband?" She repeated and there was anger in her voice. More thin tone now.
"Let us not pretend now Gena." She stood. His seemed disgusted at the thought. And Lydia watched all of this .
"This is not a marriage. And you will all do well to remember this." she declared to the entire room.
"It is an arrangement done by my grandson and nothing more." She said, looking at Lydia one more time.
Hate growing in her eyes and would for her.
And then Aurora turned, walking out almost immediately.
The silence she left behind was heavy. But this only made Gena more pissed
However, Lydia stared at her plate, jaw clenched. She knew she didn't love Arthur, she could never.
But she hated th way Aurora talked about her, and this hat she thought about her.
She didn't love Arthur. She hated him. Lydia didn't want this marriage but she hated Aurora trying to humiliate her more and that is when she realized. Fake or not, this was her house.
Gena moved closer to her, touching her hand briefly. She was a Support to her and a silent one. But always clear.
Before Lydia could respond to her. Marcus entered the room.
"Ma'am." He said respectfully to Lydia, making her look up.
"There is an event tonight and it has occurred that you will be attending this with Mr. Romero." He said, and the man knew she would not like this news.
Lydia shut her eyes, exhaled sharply.
"Of course, I do." She muttered, already tired of the day.
"Mr. Romero will pick you up this evening, Mrs. Romero." He said with his hands folded in front of him.
While all she did was nod her head, already tired.
All Lydia wanted was one peaceful day all to herself. Away from Aurora, away from Arthur.
But peace didn't belong in Romero household. And she was "Mrs.Romero" now.
The evening did not fall immediately to her. It pressed into her.
Heavy clouds had already rolled over the estate, it was swallowing the last of the light surrounding it.
The air felt swollen with rain that hadn't yet decided to fall to the land below.
Lydia, on the other hand, stood at the top of the stairs for a moment. Breathing in and breathing out, before descending down.
She wore black, all black. With long sleeves and silk that caught light onto it. But it did not reflect back. The dress wasn't dramatic but rather it was plain. It didn't need to be too much.
But it fit her like power, everything always did on Lydia and very naturally.
Arthur was already outside when she stepped out of the house and onto the front drive.
Five vehicles were waiting for the Queen of Mafia's.
Two ahead of them. Two behind them and one right at the center. It was all matte black, reinforced power, and moreover silent.
The king's car. Lydia let out a heavy huff as she watched.
Arthur stood near it waiting for her, speaking quietly to Marcus. His posture seemed so relaxed. While his hands were in his pockets. Head slightly tilted. He was in pure concentration
However, he looked almost civilized.
Until you noticed the men around him and all of them armed, alert, scanning the tree line even.
Arthur then slowly looked away from Marcus and looked up when he sensed her presence.
His gaze moved slowly over her and this was not possessive, not appreciative. The man was simply assessing his wife.
"You'll be cold." He said finally. And she tried not to roll her eyes.
"It's summer." She said plainly. And this only makes him smirk.
"It's going to rain, Mrs. Romero." He said. And that was his version of concern for her.
She didn't answer him and only walked to the door. Arthur opened the door for her and she got in. The door shut with a sealed thud heavy and protected.
Arthur slid in beside her and started the engine that immediately purred.
The convoy moved all together.
______________________________________
Inside the car, the world seemed muted.
The windows were thick and the air inside of the car carried leather and faint gun oil as well. She was getting too used to it
Lydia could now hear rain starting, it was soft at first, small tapping against reinforced glass all around her. Needless to say this was quiet...... Soothing. She smiled at the rain.
However, Arthur's phone rang and he checked his phone. Typed something and then putting it away.
She studied him from the corner of her eye.
"Do you bring an army with you everywhere?" She asked, concerned.
"Yes." He muttered, and she rolled her eyes.
"Even to charity events?"
"Especially to charity events." He said almost immediately.
Lydia didn't see that coming and exhaled sharply before she asked the next question.
"Do you ever go anywhere alone..... At all?" She was curious now. She didn't want to know about him, rather about the man he was. And nothing more
"No." He muttered, concentrating on the road.
"That must be exhausting." She whispered and his jaw shifted slightly.
"It keeps people alive. I have learnt that over the years." He plainly responded.
She didn't know if he meant himself or everyone else but that was strange for ber.
The car moved smoothly through winding roads, and she could hear it all.
Headlights from the escort vehicles glowed ahead of them. All of this is still new to her.
Her fingers twisted in her lap. She was not nervous, rather she felt something in her gut.
"Do you think tonight will be dangerous?" She asked. Whispered
"Yes." He said with full honesty and this made her stomach tightened.
"And you still brought me with you?." Her face scrunched and lines on her forehead.
"You are safer with me than anywhere else."
"Are you sure about that? It's not as comforting as you think." She said on her honest truth.
"It's factual. I will not let anything happen to you." He said, his voice stable and she shook her head. Now she was in panic.
Lydia turned toward him fully now. And very fast.
"Do you ever get tired of this?. All this that you are a part of?. She asked, moving her hands everywhere.
Arthur didn't look at her but he knew what she was talking about.
"No, I do not." He muttered. His hands are clenching the wheel strong.
"I would." She whispered. Looking back to see her cars following them.
He then glances at her. Watching her carefully.
"You wouldn't survive it." He said and her breath stopped and so did she. Something about the way he said that didn't feel like an insult. But the truth.
It felt like the gods truth to her.
Thunder rolled in the distance and she felt it in her gut. Rain grew heavier around them.
And the Queen on the Mafia sat there, back in her seat and no more questions in her mind.
It was then that Arthur's phone buzzed loud in that silence.
He answered it immediately.
"Talk." He said and paused. Lydia though was looking out the window, sniffing and holding her body tight.
However , Arthur's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. And his grip on the wheel got tight.
"How many?" He asked and then there was another pause.
"Keep them behind the third vehicle. Don't engage yet." He said his voice came off, strange and this made Lydia glance at him.
"What?" She asked as he hung up the call
Lydia's pulse spiked.
"What is it?"
"Don't worry about it. I will keep you safe." He said looking right at her. And she slowly turned to see two cars coming right through the wooden area surrounding them.
And her heart stopped.