Chapter 17 Jealous
"Dante, please tell us the summary of tonight's meeting," my father says.
After about an hour or so of dining and business talk, we finally reached the end of our discussion and negotiation. So far, I think this partnership will benefit us more than Giovanni, which is great.
Dante nods at my father. He shifts his gaze to the tablet where he has been writing all his notes regarding tonight's discussion. And from what I've seen, he has typed plenty of stuff. I wonder how he will summarise all of them.
"First, Mr De Santi will get 5% of Benetti's shares, and Mr Benetti will get 10% shares of Vino d'Amore. Second, both parties will establish a joint company, started by building a winery and brewery with shared access solely for their collaboration project, soon to be named. Lastly, each party involved in the collaboration will get 50% shares of the joint company. Anything both of you would like to add?" Dante says.
"Nothing from me," Giovanni says.
"That's all for now," my father says. "Alright. It's been a nice negotiation with you. You will hear back from me in two weeks to finalise everything."
"Thank you for being here tonight, Valentino. My apologies that I wasn't able to visit your city and had you come to Rome instead," Giovanni says.
"It's no problem at all. I'm glad you invited me here. It's been a while since my daughter and I visited Rome," my father says.
We leave the establishment and stay to have a quick chat with each other before we say our goodbyes. Marianna talks to her parents for a bit and then approaches me. Oh no. She really wants to get acquainted with me. Should I be mean or friendly? To be honest, I'll feel bad if I act mean to her. She seems like such a sweetheart. Fine, then. I'll try to be her friend, but I won't get too close to her.
"Hi, Alessandra. I'm glad we got to meet each other tonight," Marianna says.
"Likewise, Marianna," I say.
"You can call me Anna. This might sound strange, but would you like us to get to know each other better and be friends? I don't have many friends, but I feel like we'll get along with each other," Marianna says.
"Sure. Maybe we can hang out soon? Let me get your number," I say. Anna grins giddily and hands me her phone, and I give her mine. After exchanging phone numbers, we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.
\-
Now we're back at the hotel. The negotiation was boring as hell. I don't know how Dante can be focused enough to pay attention to all that business talk and even make notes of everything. Back there, I feel like I almost fell asleep a couple of times, even while I'm eating my dinner. Well, he used to be the head of security at one of our warehouses. He definitely always has high concentration.
"Marianna seems kind."
At the speed I turn my head around, I might actually get whiplash. Why did Dante even mention her? Does he also like Anna? Oh no. This is it. I've lost my chance to be with Dante. If they like each other, then there's no way I'll be able to separate them.
I stare at Dante. He's already in bed, but it doesn't seem he's ready for sleep just yet. From what it looks like, he's currently lost in thought as he gazes blankly at the ceiling. In the dimly lit bedroom, I notice the corners of his lips turn upwards. Seriously? He's thinking of Marianna now? Does it mean he likes her, too? Nah. It can't be true.
I roll my eyes and turn to the window so my back is facing him again. Despite the jealousy that's brewing inside me, I respond to Dante's words nonchalantly.
"Yeah, she does," I say.
"She's pretty as well," Dante continues. Pressing my lips together, I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly and quietly. So this is what it is. Dante does like her back. I'm glad he can't see my face. He would be seeing me seething with jealousy if he could. Why does he even say those things to me? How did he expect me to respond?
"She is," I say calmly while gripping onto the duvet. If he's going to keep yapping about Anna all night long, I might have to put him to sleep by force. I don't care if he wants to be with her, but he better not ramble about it all the time.
"It seems she's also into me by how she keeps glancing at me. And her smile... It's so sweet," Dante says.
For goodness' sake, Dante needs to stop talking right fucking now. Or else, I'll make him stop myself. It won't end up nicely for him. Gosh. I can't believe he can be this annoying.
"Yeah. Now stop talking. I want to sleep," I say with my eyes already closed.
"Can I get her phone num-"
I whirl and jump onto Dante. Both of my hands are covering his mouth. Surprised, Dante stares back at me with his eyes wide open. I keep my hands over his mouth, and his words become muffled behind my hands as he keeps yapping. He really needs to stop talking.
"Shut up. Let me go to sleep," I seethe.
Words stop flowing from Dante's mouth. He keeps staring back at me as he lets out a sigh. He grabs my wrists gently and then pulls them away from his face. Once my hands are out of his way, a smirk appears on his face. He pulls me closer, and my eyes widen as our faces are only inches away.
"Are you... Jealous?" Dante asks.
"No. Your voice is just annoying. How can I sleep if you keep talking?" I say. Dante nods in response.
"Fair point, but you suck at lying. You're actually jealous, aren't you?" Dante asks. My face turns into a scowl as I glare at Dante in silence. Even without words, my answer is clear. There's no point in denying his words anyway. Now that he knows how I'm feeling, what will he do about it anyway?
The thought in my head causes my heart to skip a beat and my eyes to widen. The hidden cameras! Fuck. My father's going to kill the two of us if he sees us like this right now. He's probably already on his way to confront us. Shit.
"Let go of me!" I whisper-yell at Dante. Despite the mischievous smirk that grows wider on his face, he lets go of me. I immediately get off his body. With my out-of-balance footing, I roll my ankle and hit my head on the side table near me.