Chapter 73 Sneaky Bitch.
Isla’s POV.
Love they say is a beautiful thing that could happen to anyone.
And who wouldn’t want that? I do. I wasn’t an exception.
A smile tugged at my lips as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
My hand reached up to my cheek, wiping away the smudge mascara on it.
Last night was a short one. In fact, yesterday was a hilarious one.
Dante had just announced to the world that I was his wife.
Damian had just looked at me the way a man burned when he lost what once belonged to him.
I know that feeling, how hard and heavy it would feel.
But I, Isla Bennettie, belong to no one.
Except me.
Sometimes I try to imagine what my mother must have gone through all in the name of love.
Poor woman, fate wasn’t on your side.
Maybe in your next life, you won’t make the same mistake you did in this one.
The living room smelled of hot coffee and fresh toast.
My stomach had growled all night, even after dinner with Dante.
We talked through most of dinner. I lost my appetite.
My nose couldn’t help it.
“Mrs,” the butler said, a faint smile tugging at her face. “Breakfast is served.”
My head nodded once.
“Where’s everyone? Out already?” I asked, as I reached for a seat.
“Yes Mrs. Mr. Dante had something to take care of. He had to rush out.”
He always had something to take care of. Who knows what it is this time.
“Sure. Damian?” My hands found the cutlery as I dug in without hesitation.
“I haven’t seen him since last night. Maybe he slept out.”
Poor thing. I shook my head.
Dinner was a short one. I was running late to a board meeting.
The car arrived at the company and without hesitation, I rushed toward the elevator.
Heads turned when I passed, whispers followed me like a curse, and people backed away when I walked close.
“Hi,” Dorothy, a staff member, said, waving at me.
I returned the smile. “Hey.”
Her hand pushed on the elevator button. “You always have your ways of surprising us.”
“Stop kidding me, please.” I teased.
We burst into laughter. “Come on, girl. You’re in a position every girl in this city would kill to stay in.”
“You think it’s really worth the take?”
“Stop pretending you don’t want it,” Lily, a girl behind us said as anger fumed her face.
We both turned. Dorathy’s eyes locked on hers, and then at me.
“We’ve all seen have tried to seduce Mr. Romano. Surprise, aren’t you? That the person you’ve always looked down on was the mistress of the company?” Dorathy said, tone mocking.
“Who doesn’t know it was just a contract marriage. She’s just a wife on paper, not at heart.”
I yelped.
“Easy, girl. Why are you being aggressive with your words?”
“Maybe she got caught again. Being a mistress in someone else’s marriages.”
We both scoffed as the elevator door opened and we walked out.
The board was already seated when I arrived.
All eyes locked on me as I walked in.
Dante was seated.
He stood when I walked in, a faint smile clutched at his face.
“You’re late.” A board member said, voice icy.
Dante pulled a seat and tucked me in.
“Do you think having the status of Mrs. Romano makes you ride over our heads?” Another said, clenching his hand on the table.
Dante gave him an icy stare, the one that could rip your soul out.
“Staying at home as a housewife suits you better.” Mrs Voss said, smirking.
We called her Mrs. Elegant. She looked beautiful, a slim figure.
Even with three kids, she looked unshaken.
“I think you’ve been in that position for too long.”
Dante cleared his throat.
“Marco. Get her shares transferred to my wife. Make sure no company ever hires her. I think being a housewife suits her more.”
“Are you insane? You’re stripping me off power for a mere woman?”
“I would take anything from you. Insulting my wife is my bottom line. Nobody dares to do that, not while I’m still seated here, alive.”
Mr. Rossi tried to say something but was cut off.
“Anyone who defends her goes with her.”
He paused, then sat back.
The room went quiet. My heart pounded so fast, I almost heard them.
He grabbed my hand and placed them on his thighs.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
My body stilled. His words softened whatever anger I’ve had for him.
My cheeks flared hot, tears almost stung my eyes.
Was he really serious about making it up to me?
The meeting was a quiet one. Nobody dared question Dante’s authority till it came to an end.
They were all in panic, nobody wanted to lose his shares to any.
My hands found my phone as I turned it on.
“What the heck?”
Almost a hundred missed calls from Josie.
Sweat pooled down my temples as I dialed back.
“Hey, Jo. Sorry I was in a board meeting. I couldn't get back to you. What’s up?”
“I just found something Spicey about dad and the lady you asked me to keep an eye on.”
I shot out of my seat.
“Are you serious? What did you find?”
She cleared her throat.
“Are you sure you’re ready for what I’m about to spill?”
“Come on. Stop keeping me curious.”
“Okay. I think that lady works for Dad. And guess what? She’s his secret lover.”
My lungs pulsed on my rib cage.
“Jokes apart, honey. Are you serious?”
“I’m dead serious. I saw them being intimate in his car last night.”
“So, you’re saying she might be a spy working for him?”
If what she was saying was right, that means my instincts were a hundred percent correct.
Last time I came across them on the phone. I waved it off, thinking maybe it was someone else that had the same voice like my father.
Wow, this is mind blowing.
She had been pretending all this while.
I was thinking she was Damian’s mistress, I never imagined she would be more than just a mistress.
Why was she working for my father?
What are they planning this time?