Chapter Four- Dior #3
“Victoria, you’re so one-sided. Did you not hear what Phillipe said to me?” Ciara attempted to defend herself. I began eating my breakfast because this meal clearly came with a show.
“Ciara!” Snow barked at his wife, finally deciding to join the conversation. Ciara huffed loudly, accepting defeat and shut her mouth.
“What did I tell you? This family is dysfunctional,” Sofia said, giving me a tight smile. “That’s why my son eats breakfast with the chef. He’s the only sane person in this house,” she added with a shrug of her shoulders. I remained quiet because, really, what was I going to say anyway?
“Jesus, it’s like I’m having breakfast at a daycare,” Tomasso muttered before he began rubbing his forehead.
Victoria leaned over and massaged her husband’s shoulder.
He turned and lovingly smiled at his wife.
Despite all the vile words being thrown left and right by their children.
I could tell that their parents were deeply in love.
Too bad they made some pretty fucked up sons.
I was on the fence about Sofia; I couldn’t assess her just yet. I hadn’t been around her long enough.
“Buddha, a date has been set for your nuptials to Dior. In the next two days, you two will wed. Nothing extravagant, your mother and I will have the ceremony here.” My blood ran cold, and panic set in as I realized that Tomasso was still moving forward with having me used as liability for Lewis’ mistake.
Buddha sighed heavily before he pinched between his eyes. “Are we still on this?” He asked his father, drumming his fingertips on the table top.
“A couple of the men we do business with will also be in attendance. We need this to look legit, so they’ll be comfortable doing business with you in my absence,” Tomasso continued, ignoring his son’s resistance.
I chewed my toast slowly as I listened. I can’t just sit here and allow these strange men to dictate my fate.
I cleared my throat as I got ready to speak.
“Did Lewis get back to you about the repayment?” I immediately felt Buddha grab my upper thigh. My mouth snapped shut as I felt Tomasso’s hard eyes on me. Leaning in toward me, Buddha pressed his lips against my ear.
“What are my rules?” He asked, his fingers squeezing further into my skin. I bent my head as I stared at his hand on my leg. I gasped softly when he clenched harder.
“I asked you a question, Dior. What rules did I set before we left the house?” I turned to the man whom I wanted very bad things to happen to.
“To shut the fuck up,” I repeated his number one and only rule softly so only he could hear what I said.
“How is your asking a question, shutting the fuck up?” Buddha asked, his expression frigid as he stared at me.
“Is everything alright, Phillipe?” his mother questioned. Buddha finally released my thigh before turning to his mother.
“Yup, I was just asking, Dior, what flavor cake she prefers for our wedding,” I looked down at the fork in my hand and wanted so badly to impale it in Buddha’s eyeballs. Instead, I heaped some eggs on the prongs and shoved them into my mouth.
“Good, you’ll know more of the details later on.
Your cousin and uncle should be here any minute.
We’ve got work to do…Snow, andiamo, (let’s go).
” Tomasso said, picking up his cloth napkin, dapping the corners of his mouth before he turned to his wife.
“Amore mio, (my love),” he reached for her hand and kissed it tenderly, making her blush.
“Yes, amore, (love).”
“I’ll see you tonight. It’s time for the men to go hunting,” Victoria giggled at her husband’s words, and then he kissed her. I turned my attention to Buddha as he began to stand along with his brother. I frowned a bit, wondering if I’m to tag along.
“What do I do?” I asked Buddha before he got up to leave. He looked at me, annoyed, and rubbed his forehead before looking over at his father.
“What the fuck do I do with her?” Buddha was really beginning to piss me off, the way he kept categorizing me as some kind of inanimate object.
“Jesus, Buddha, am I always going to have to tell what to do with your woman. Will you need me to be in the bedroom on your wedding night also, son?” Tomasso’s question made both Snow and Ciara laugh. I felt at least two sizes smaller, embarrassed by Tomasso’s words.
“This is exactly why I fuck strippers and escorts. I don’t have time for this shit,” Buddha muttered, scraping the back legs of his chair as he got to his feet.
“Don’t worry about it, Phillipe. She’ll be safe with me,” Victoria interjected. I looked over the table at her, and she smiled warmly at me.
“Whatever, let’s go, Snow,” Buddha made two steps before he abruptly stopped and came back to where I was seated.
Bending his tall body so he could speak into my ear, “I trust you’ll be on your best behavior?
” he looked straight into my eyes as he awaited my answer.
The masculine scent of his cologne once again drifted into my nostrils.
“Yes.”
“Yes, who?” He pushed, glaring coldly at me. His focus dipped to my mouth, and without meaning to, I licked my lips.
“Yes, Buddha. I’ll be on my best behavior,” I told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Even though I’d rather headbutt his ass. The corners of his mouth lifted into a lazy smile, happy that he had me obeying.
“Good girl,” he said in a somewhat sultry voice in my ear.
I froze when he used the tip of his tongue to lick my earlobe and then nibbled the spot with his teeth.
Without so much as another word, he walked away to meet his father and brother.
Ciara got up and disappeared, also without saying she was leaving.
My cheeks grew warm as I unconsciously touched my ear that was just in his mouth.
“I promise you, Phillipe is harmless,” Victoria said, smiling over at me.
“Harmless like a fucking pitbull,” Sofia muttered loud enough for me to hear. Just as I was about to say something, the cutest toddler came running into the dining room.
“Rocki, my Rocki. Come here, my love,” Sofia said, getting to her feet so she could go greet her son. She bent and scooped him lovingly in her arms. She whispered something in his ear, which made him smile and nod enthusiastically.
Walking up to me, Sofia introduced me to her son.
“Say hello to Rocki, he’s autistic, his words are very limited.
” Hearing this made me think about my sister Chanel, and a paralyzing sadness took over me.
I wondered what Lewis told her? She’s probably wanting to know where I’d disappeared.
Smiling at Rocki, I got to my feet to properly greet the child.
He was absolutely gorgeous; he had a head of curly jet-black hair, long eyelashes that batted in front of a pair of brown eyes with a hint of grey. He could be his mother’s twin if he were born a girl.
“Well, aren’t you handsome. Hello Rocki, I’m Dior. How old is he?” I asked, lightly touching his chubby cheek with the tip of my index finger. He gave the shiest smile before he buried his face in his mother’s chest, hiding away from me.
“He’s one year old. He’s not used to strangers, I’m sorry,” Sofia apologized while running her fingers through her son’s hair.
“Oh no, that’s quite all right. I actually have an autistic sister. So I get it,” I explained. Sofia suddenly gave a strange look and stepped back.
“Um, I-I should get going,” Sofia seemed very uncomfortable, she even looked over at her mother as if she wanted her to save her from me. It was all very strange.
“Of course, honey, let me walk you out. Wait here, Dior,” Victoria said, as she got to her feet.
I stood back, confused, wondering if I did or said something wrong.
I watched in silence as both women retreated toward the front door, whispering to each other.
I felt as though they were discussing me, but I knew I had to keep my thoughts to myself.
I sat back down just as a man dressed in a thick white coat entered the dining room.
He gave me a tight smile before he began clearing the table.
As he did his job, I noticed Victoria left her phone.
I curled my lower lip in as I contemplated grabbing it to make a call.
Then it hit me, who exactly would I even call?
Lewis… no, the police… something told me this family had the police in their back pocket.
Maybe I should call Mia, but then what can Mia do?
I exhaled loudly with frustration, feeling as if I could claw my own fucking eyes out.
As Victoria returned to the room. I studied her closely, wondering if perhaps I could reason with her.
“Come on, dear, let’s go out to the backyard while Yusef clears the dishes,” Victoria said, smiling as she waited for me to stand and follow her.
“Ok,” I answered, reluctantly getting to my feet. I walked side by side with her as she led the way to the backyard. The greenery was beautiful as we made our way to an outdoor garden sitting area.
Victoria sat down, and I sat opposite. She stared at me curiously. I nervously crossed my legs, not knowing what was about to happen next.
“Are you excited for your upcoming wedding, dear?” Victoria asked, smiling at me. I frowned at her question because I just knew she could not be serious.
“Excited? You do know that I’m being kept here against my will?
And you also know that I’m being forced to marry your son?
” I blurted that shit out, suddenly suffering from diarrhea of the mouth.
Victoria got very quiet as she thought about what I just confessed.
Her eerie smile never faded from her lips.
“Your father stole from us. Is that correct?” Victoria asked, crossing her legs as she awaited my response.
“Lewis, who is my stepfather, did something incredibly stupid, and somehow, I’m tossed in the middle,” I told her.