SENSITIVE CONTENT WARNING ⚠️ ⚠️ IF IT TRIGGERS ANYONE, PLEASE, SKIP THIS CHAPTER.
ARIANA'S POV:-
I was sitting in my room on the ground. Hugging my knees, I was crying my heart out. It had been a week since I was forced to marry my own uncle. Well, technically, we were not related. But he had raised me the most. Whenever my parents were on their business trips or on vacations, I was always living with him. He fed me with his hand, helped me study hard for my better future, sang me lullabies and even cared for me whenever I was sick.
Now, after eighteen years of that relationship, they suddenly wanted me to stop being his niece and be his wife. It was almost impossible. And there was no one I could talk to. I was locked in the golden cage he brought me into. I couldn't even go to college.
I wiped my tears and picked up the sharp knife I had picked up from the kitchen. Shiver ran down my spine as I felt the coldness of the blade against my skin. “Just one big deep cut and this agony will be over. I will no longer have to feel like I am sinister, I will no longer be committing any unforgivable sins.” I reminded myself of the reason why I picked up the knife from the kitchen in the first place. My heart was pounding against my rib cage as my mother's beautiful smile flashed across my face.
I used to be the person to help people going through depression. I used to help those who wanted to end their lives. Now, when I was about to do that, I was all alone and sitting in the dark. I closed my eyes, ready to finally let go of all the miseries that were killing me from the inside. In a week, I was ready to let go.
Just as I was about to pull my hand, I heard my phone ringing. I opened my eyes and looked at the screen. My mother was calling me as if she felt my pain from afar. I picked up the call as I had missed her. “Mom!” I spoke and I was unable to stop the fresh set of tears that started pouring from my eyes.
“Oh my baby, Ariana. Are you crying? Why are you crying? What is wrong? Talk to me, baby.” My mother's concerned voice made me sob quietly. I didn't know what to tell her. I didn't know how I could tell her all that I was feeling inside of me. The disgusted feeling whenever he looked at me. Whenever I called him uncle, he got really mad. He once even threw a glass on me that flew past my face, inches away from my cheek. I would have lost an eye or would have gotten a scar on my face for life.
I was unable to speak. I tried my best but I couldn't form words. “Tell me, what's wrong, my baby. I felt it in my heart. I felt that you were in pain. My heart has been weird since morning. I knew something must be wrong with you. Just talk to me.” My mother's soothing voice was like an ointment on my open wound.
“Mom! I can't do this. I can't be with him. He is not the same man I knew. He is mean, aggressive and very angry. He is always angry. I just don't know how to do this. And for the rest of my life.” I broke into tears as I let my mother into the darkness that had surrounded me.
“Listen to me, Ariana! He is not the same man for you because your relationship has changed. He was our only hope to save you since the Browns are still not answering our calls. Fate has its own games. We can't do much but accept our fate and try to live.” My mother's words only broke my heart even more. She cared about Enzo, not me. Maybe because he saved her so-called family and her home.
“I know, right now, it must sound like I am taking Enzo's side to you. But I am only taking your side. I am trying to make things easier for you, my love.” I wiped my tears but it was useless.
“What should I do? There is nothing that I do and he doesn't get mad.” I whimpered while shivering in fear. The way his eyes darken up whenever he looked at me with anger, it shook my soul.
“That's because you are stuck being his niece. You have to adapt to your new relationship. You have to accept him as your husband.” I gritted my teeth as I heard her. After everything, they still thought that I was wrong.
“What else do you all want me to do? I accepted him as my man in front of everyone. He is my husband. What else, mom? And why?” I screamed at my mother in anger for the first time in my life. I was depressed and I couldn't see the light that I desperately needed to see.
“Listen to me, Rina. For now, you are only treating him as your Uncle, not your husband. You don't even call him Enzo. You still call him Uncle Enzo, which is very disrespectful. Try thinking while in his shoes, baby.” My mother still remained calm as she tried to make me understand what I was doing so wrong.
“What should I do? I am trying but nothing works. I can't just start calling him by his first name in a week.” I argued again, trying to find a way to get out of this mess.
“I can help you make things a little easier for you, if you are ready to listen.” My mother added and I froze for a second.
I quickly wiped my tears and stood up on my feet. I walked toward my bed and sat on the edge, looking out of the window. “What do I have to do?” I asked, knowing that it was the only way. Because I didn't have the courage to take my own life.
“That's my girl! You are a fighter. You don't give up. Now listen to me very carefully.” My mother's compliments felt like a soothing melody to my heart. It felt a little better.
“I want you to go and take a long bath. Treat yourself with extra bubbles, essential oils and some scrubs. Wax your body, put some conditioner in your dry hair. Then I want you to pick a casual, but dress, from your wardrobe. Wear that dress. It should be a bright colored dress. Tie your hair neatly, apply some expensive cologne.” With a frown on my face, I listened quietly to whatever she was telling me.
“I know, it's confusing for you. But just trust me. It will work. I want you to be ready by the time he comes home. Apply some light makeup as well. Dress up for him. And welcome him back with a smile on your face.” My heart skipped a beat when I heard her keep going.
“You need to tell him that you need time to accept your new relationship. Ask him to be open minded. And that you will try not to call him Uncle anymore, but it will take time.” My mother kept on going and going with her instructions and I listened to her quietly.
In the evening, I looked at myself in the mirror. Since there was no other way, I decided to listen to my mother. No mother would ever advise their children anything wrong, right. I heard his car engine from outside and I took a deep breath to calm myself down. “Let's go!” I whispered while looking at my reflection.
I went downstairs and plastered a big smile on my face as I stood in front of the door, waiting for him to enter. Enzo entered the mansion in a minute. As his eyes landed on me, he suddenly froze. He dropped his phone on the ground while eyeing me. My heart skipped a beat, feeling nervous.
Biting my lower lip, I walked toward him. Enzo was staring at me, but he didn't move. Hesitantly, I licked my lips. “Welcome home. The dinner is ready. You should go and freshen up. I will get the table ready.” I spoke in a low tone, avoiding his eyes.
My heart skipped another beat when I watched his lips curling up in a smirk. He bent down on the ground to pick up his phone. The whole time, his eyes were on me. I was clutching onto my dress to keep myself on my feet. I felt like his gaze was going to melt me soon. Enzo got up when he got his phone. He suddenly grabbed my hand and before I could have said anything, he was pulling me to his bedroom.
Fear started gripping my heart. But I dared not utter a single word. He pulled me inside of his bedroom and locked the door. I was breathing heavily, fearing for the worst. “Now that you are mature enough, let's talk.” Enzo whispered softly and I was suddenly dumbfounded.
He pulled me toward the couches. He was sitting beside me. He encircled one of his arms around my waist. “I am sorry for being naive and stupid and disrespectful toward you and our new relationship. It's not like I didn't try, I just couldn't call you by your first name.” As my mother suggested, I told him whatever was in my heart, and truthfully.
Enzo pinched my chin and pulled my face to him. I tried my best not to look away from his eyes that were no longer sweet. I saw mischief in his eyes whenever he looked at me since we got married. “You can call me hubby or honey instead. But don't call me Uncle Enzo anymore.” He whispered softly and I felt my skin tingling.
I licked my lips and nodded my head. “Your bath is ready. I picked your outfit. I know you must be hungry.” I tried to change the topic, so he wouldn't be so close to me. And I didn't forget to smile. Enzo chuckled as he heard me. He nodded his head and walked away. When he disappeared in the bathroom, I finally breathed again.
It took him about ten minutes. My eyes widened when he walked out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel that was hanging low on his hips. I turned my face to the other side as he walked straight into the closet. I remembered the first night when he had stripped me naked and he was naked in front of me as well.
“Let's go!” His voice pulled me out of the oceans of my thoughts. He grabbed my hand and pulled me on my feet. I quietly followed him to the dining room. The table had already been set for us. And I was glad.
Enzo sat down on a chair and patted the chair that sat beside him. I gave him an awkward smile as I took my seat beside him. He was about to grab a bowl when I grabbed his hand. Enzo looked at me and raised a brow at me.
“Things between us are changing so fast. I am just a human who can't adapt to things so fast. I will need time to adjust with this new life. And I will also need your patience.” I finally said what I wanted to tell him.
Enzo only nodded and began filling our plates. I was a little disappointed because my mother was so sure, he would listen. “How much time do you need?” Enzo suddenly asked me and I literally started choking on saliva. He patted my back as he offered me a glass of water. Maybe I was the one who was not expecting anything from him at all. Maybe, my mother was right. I thought as I took the glass from him and took the sip.
“Just call me hubby or honey until you get used to my name. I will not touch you until you have accepted our relationship. But know this. You belong to me now. You are no longer even allowed to even think about any other men but me. Drill my words to your mind. I don't share my woman.” I was breathing heavily as Enzo spoke in my ear. The possessiveness and dominance in his tone made me shiver. I nervously nodded my head while looking into his eyes. His eyes went darker again, but it wasn't the anger I saw in his eyes.