No..... no...…. This is not the Alessandro I knew...…. He…..he's not this..... cruel….
"I know you're hurt and upset but this isn't you...." I whispered brokenly.
"I thought the same about you."
I couldn't even say anything. Now I'm doomed and worse part it's looking like I made a mistake coming back here.
"Give me some time to think about this."I responded
"Time to run away? I don't think so."
"I will not let you run away with my son this time around, so you know what to do." He spat out coldly.
"You're a monster." I whispered lowly in shock at his cruelty.
Hurt flashes across his face for a sec but he masks it as quickly as it came.
"I don't care what you think."
"So, you either move in with me at my own terms or you meet with my lawyers."he added venomously.
I couldn't believe this is happening, he's doing exactly what I feared all these years. I thought…. Now I'm stuck. I can't fight him and I can't loose my son.
"I hate you." I replied bitterly heart filled with anger, then he smiled victoriously.
He knew he had me, he knew I wouldn't fight him. He's won.
"It's settled then, let's head out." He stands still grinning offering a hand to help me up which I ignored picking my purse and helping myself out.
He must've won this round but he should be ready for war.
......….
The moment we stepped outside the restaurant reality crashed down on me.
Cars lined up everywhere...…. Men in dark suits stood beside them alert and watching everything.
I felt Alessandro at my side close enough that his presence pressed into my skin but I didn't look at him, I didn't want to.
Right now I hated him and just don't want to see his face.
The cars shifted and one rolled forward slowly and stopped right in front of us.
It was darker than the rest, longer and expensive in a way that didn't need to prove itself.
Alessandro opened the door and waited. His guards glanced at each other, faint surprise flickering across their faces. They weren't used to him doing that.
I hesitated.... For half a second, the thought crossed my mind.... "RUN"
Disappear into the crowd, take a cab and vanish.
Then.... His gaze, I felt it burning into the side of my face without even touching me. As if he could read my mind or my thoughts.
Warning me.... Daring me to try... but then I couldn't, If I ran he'd take my son and I might never see him again.
So I stepped into the car.
He slid in beside me, shutting the door himself. The car moved immediately silently.
I turned my face toward the window watching the city lights blur as tears slipped down my cheeks.
I didn't wipe them away,didn't sniff, just let them fall quietly, like I didn't exist.
I could feel his gaze on me.
I didn't need to look to know his jaw was tight, his fist clenched by his side.
He didn't say a word and neither did I.
A few minutes later, the car slowed.
We stopped in front of a boutique so polished it looked like art instead of a store. Soft lights glowed sophisticatedly, everything about it screamed money.
I turned toward him confused, ready to ask...….
"The dress you're wearing isn't appropriate for the weather." he answered before I could even say anything.
"Go in and get something comfortable."
I stared at him quietly for a sec before stepping out of the car without a word.
Inside, warmth wrapped around me. The store was pristine, expensive. Sales associates stiffened when they saw him enter behind me.
......…..
I picked the most expensive things I could find.
Coats, dresses, shoes. I stacked them in my arms carefully. If he wanted control, he could pay for it. When I reached for a soft flannel dress, I felt him behind me.
His eyes moved over the pile a brow raised.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Shopping." I replied coolly, shrugging a bit.
"You told me to."
"We're going to be living together." I added.
"I'll need clothes."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I already took care of that."
"What?"
"I had your closet prepared." he said.
"Enough clothes, enough of everything."
I stared at him stunned.
"And if I want these?" I challenged.
He looked at the clothes once then back at me.
"Then buy them." he said.
"It doesn't change anything."
He folded his arms watching me, gaze stoic. He seemed prepared for whatever stunt I could ever pull and it made me realize how much power he had over my life and now I don't even know if I could get out from this mess I got myself into.
He turned and walked out first.
As I followed, my anger burned, but so did something else I didn't want to name.
He never asked if I was okay but the heater in the car was already on when I got in.
And the seat was warm.