I twist the diamond ring around and around my finger, watching the light from the lamp next to me cascade around the ring.
The new rings feels heavy around my finger but my heart feels heavier. I've still yet to meet my new husband.
This morning I woke up happy and excited unknowing that my day would end with me waiting in our study for my soon to be husband to join us before our engagement party.
The door opens behind me and I watch as both my parents' heads whip back but I stare straight ahead. I wasn't going to make this easy for anyone.
"Leave." His voice echoed into the room and wrapped itself around me.
Two chairs quickly shuffled before I heard my parents hurried footsteps leaving the room.
"Turn around, Adrianna. I want to see you." Hearing my name roll from his Italian tongue made me feel almost breathless.
But I grew up in the Mafia and I'm no fool.
I picked up my champagne glass from in front of me and leaned more back into the chair. "Have the decency to look me in the eyes when speaking to me."
I turn my head slightly to give him my side profile and in the corner of my eye I could make out someone in a black suit leaning on one of the book cases.
A dark chuckle came from him and I felt as much as heard it when he started to walk to me.
I took a drink from my drink hoping for alcohol courage.
He stopped just behind my chair. I felt him lift one of my raven black locks of hair and round it around his finger. He took another of my hair lock and gave it a slight pull.
The next moment I felt his hot breathe next to my ear. His other hand came around and clasped around my neck.
"Respect, Ria, is very important to me."
With his hand around my neck he tilted my face to the side and up. I saw his face for the first time and my breathe was knocked out of me for the second time.
His dark skin and hair was the perfect contrast to his light baby blue eyes. I almost forgot that I was supposed to hate him.
"You will show respect to me or you will regret it." He scanned for an emotion on my face, stopping to stare at my lips before making his way to my eyes again. "Understand?"
All I could do was nod because I knew my voice would have scratched my throat.
This man was electrifying and dangerous. He had this power to make you feel but to feel nothing himself.
He looked at my trembling hands on my lap and smirked. He finally let go of me and took a step back.
"Remember your place from now on is behind me. Speak when spoken to." I felt so stupid and weak in this moment.
"And never forget that you mean nothing to me and this marriage is just a business transaction for me."
Words and sentences have escaped my brain and all I could do was stare back at him.
He gave me a once over before making his way to the door. But before leaving, he stopped and turned back around."
The dress is stunning. Nice choice."
And with that I was left alone with my thoughts. I downed my glass before taking a deep breathe.
I only had to get over the initial shock of meeting him. But now I feel empowered because I just figured out his weakness.
Me, in a skin tight red dress.
