ADELINE'S POV
I almost threw my phone to the wall last night when Dante told me he had to leave New York. I'm so done with him. There I was last night, looking forward to him coming back so we could spend the rest of the night together and maybe even get to know each other more. I made dinner and everything.
I even dolled myself up for him. All that for a man I don't even know. A man who keeps proving to me again and again that picking up his damn phone to send me a text is so hard. I'm not even mad because he couldn't make it to dinner. It's not like I'm delusional and I think his life revolves around me.
He doesn't even know me.
I'm angry because if he was busy, all he had to do was tell me before hand and not make me wait for him like a fool and then when I finally message him, which I shouldn't have done by the way, his response was that he's traveling out of New York for a few weeks??? Are you even fucking kidding me?
What's even worse is that he promised he was going to be there at six p.m. I'm not a fan of people who make promises they don't keep and every single bit of trust I had for Dante Russo has been extinguished with his cave man behavior. I didn't reply to his text yesterday and he has tried to call me multiple times but I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of answering him.
I actually never want to see him again. That's how angry and hurt I am. I'm angrier at myself, for letting myself get so attached to him in a matter of days. But I can't let myself fall for a man who doesn't know how to keep his priorities in check.
That's why Liam and Naomi kept breaking up and I am in no mood for experiencing that kind of relationship. If Dante saw that he was going to be late for dinner or not be able to make it all he had to do was text me and let me know.
I stare at the salad in front of me, as I sit in my favorite restaurant, taking a break from work and I try. I really try to not think about him but he's all I can think about and it makes me angry, sad, vengeful.
I realize that Dante may be gone but we had an agreement and we're still dating. I have to break up with him. So I do the stupidest thing in the world and I pick my phone up to dial his number, I stare at his number for a moment too long before clearing my throat.
It starts ringing and he answers almost immediately.
"Adeline…" I hear his voice through the speaker. Rich and deep as it always is and I hate myself for the shivers I feel crawling up my back at the sound of his voice. I hate myself for liking the way my name rolls off his tongue and I realize, I miss him.
"I called to break up with you." I state without thinking, blinking back tears. Since when did I get so fucking emotional?
"What?" He asks, sounding surprised and dumbfounded.
"Look, I know we just started this thing and I'm the one who asked you to start dating me in the first place but I can't continue this with you if you're going to do this to me every time. It's not hard to send a damn message Dante." I explain and he stays quiet for a few seconds. All I can hear is his breathing before he finally speaks.
"You're not breaking up with me. Whatever anger you feel towards me, store it up and take it out on me when I get back." He states and I frown feeling anger rise up in me.
"Did you hear anything I just said?" I ask feeling frustration and irritation creeping up on me. This man is driving me nuts.
"I did and I said no. I know what I did was wrong Adeline and nothing I can say or do will correct it but please, just wait for me to get back so we can talk before you decide whether or not you're going to dump me okay?" He says.
"If I wait for you to come back, you'll manipulate me with your charm. Breaking up with you like this is better. Besides you're not even in town anymore for who knows how long. Maybe I'll forget about you and accept my parents' offer after all." I tease him, just to rile him up a bit.
"I swear to God Adeline, if I find out you've let some other man touch you, he won't have hands ever again." His voice is deep and menacing and sincere. Every time he talks like this, showing me his aggressive side, it scares and excites me at the same time. It intrigues me and makes me realize that I really know nothing about Dante Russo.
What if this sense of possessiveness he feels towards me turns out to be dangerous and violent? But then at the same time, I love the idea of him feeling this way towards me. I love feeling wanted by him.
Even if he's talking from the other side of the phone, it's like I can feel the full intensity of his stare. Burning holes of pleasure through my skin and I don't know why but my mind chooses this exact moment to give me flashbacks of his hands around me, his hardness thrusting inside me. His groans and grunts in my ear. Our bodies sweating against each other.
I swallow before talking again, closing my legs shut to ignore the ache and need for him.
"Okay but seriously Dante. You can't just stand me up and then announce abruptly that you'll be out of town. How do you expect me to feel?"
"I know princess. Fuck I know I messed up and I'm so fucking sorry for it. I just need another chance. Everything changes once I'm back. Please Adeline. I need you." His voice sounds pleading and I suddenly forget that I was ever angry with him. Now my feelings have been replaced with a longing.
A longing for him to come back and explain himself. For him to come back and give me reassurance. For him to hold me. To be in his presence.
And what does he mean he needs me? Is her referring to the trauma caused by losing his sister?
"Okay." I whisper and I hear him let out a sigh of satisfaction. I'm either going to fall in love with Dante and it will be the most amazing feeling in the world, or I'm going to have my heart ripped out of my chest.
We both go quiet for a few seconds before I get another call.
"I have to go. My mom is calling. Come back to me soon, okay?" I say.
"Always Princess." He says and I hang up with a small smile playing on my face.
"Hi mom." I say answering my mom's call.
"Adeline dear. Your father and I decided to come to New York in a week's time instead." She announces happily but this is far from happy news. A fucking week? Dante might not even be here yet when they get here.
This is how my parents are. They never call me to ask me how I am or check for updates about their only daughter. It's always just business with them and it might seem sad, but I'm used to it.
Her announcement just sent a weave of unease through my chest. If she'll be here in a week, that complicates everything.
"Why the rush?" I ask, staring down at the salad in front of me. I just lost my appetite all over again.
"Oh your father wants this new investment to work out perfectly and he's very excited for you to meet your future husband. Adrian Wellington is a fine young man and he cannot wait to see you." I can basically feel her smile and I roll my eyes before replying her.
"Mom, I thought I told you I'm in another relationship now." I state.
"And I thought your father and I asked you to get rid of it before we arrive. Adrian thinks you're single Adeline. You will not embarrass your father and I or make us look stupid in front of him. So whatever this relationship as you say is, put an end to it." My mother says harshly and hangs up immediately.
I told my parents I was in a new relationship but they didn't even take me seriously and that's why I had to ask Dante to date me. Maybe if they see me with him, it'll be more believable and they won't force me to marry this Adrian Wellington or whatever his name is.
I need to call Dante and explain the situation to him. I need him.