Chapter 11
I stood beside Red, waiting for Anastacia at the foot of the stairs, hoping that tonight she behaved and acted as a wife should.
Tonight wasn’t just a ball nor was it only a dinner.
It was us showing that we were united. I knew Anastacia had a hard time putting on that front, especially since I was the one requesting it.
“How do you think tonight will go?” he asked, smoothing down his jacket.
“Honestly, I have no idea. I told Anastacia exactly what I wanted from her, so I guess I have to hope she listened.”
“Maybe you should ask her rather than demand, you know?” he responded with a soft smile.
“I don’t think that woman would bloody listen, no matter if I asked or demanded it.” I scoffed, shoving my hand in my pocket.
The air shifted around me, turning that same level of tense it always did when she was near.
“I’ll meet you in the car.” Red beamed as he left the pair of us alone.
I turned my head to see what daring number Anastacia wore but my breath hitched in my throat.
She was a vision, her gown a deep sapphire that hugged her frame.
But it wasn’t her dress that caught my attention.
It was her eyes. That piercing blue that seemed to hold my gaze.
Her lips curved up ever so slightly, as if mocking me for admiring her, as if she knew her appearance captured my attention.
She descended the stairs with the grace of a woman who knew just how much she was worth, each step calculated and deliberate. My jaw tightened as she came to a standstill at the bottom of the last step.
“You’re late,” I growled, my voice low and authoritative. My words cemented that I would always be in control. That I held the power between us.
“And you’re still an asshole.” She scoffed as she swanned past me without a care in the world. “Are you coming or are you just going to stand there?”
Her attitude was already in full force. Fuck, I had my work cut out for me tonight.
Luckily, the drive to the ball would be a short one.
I took a moment to study her. The streetlights cast shadows on her cheekbones.
Her lips parted ever so slightly. And her chest rose and fell softly as she breathed.
She was a damn puzzle I had yet to solve.
The woman wore her hatred towards me like a second skin but still managed to carry herself with the poise of a fucking queen.
Hell, I even respected her for it. Even though I despised her for the way she made me feel. Deep down, I was a little more alive than I'd felt in a long time. The hatred and banter between us was becoming part of my daily life and I had to admit, I enjoyed it.
“What do you want, Lorenzo?” she asked, her gaze focused on the passing buildings as she spoke.
“Nothing, just trying to predict if you’re going to behave tonight.” I rested my hand on her thigh, squeezing it gently as if to warn her.
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t decided.” She grabbed my hand, throwing it off her.
“Anastacia,” I warned, but she wasn’t in the listening mood.
“Oh, look, we’re here.”
I let out a sigh at just how insufferable she was as I exited the car, making my way to her door.
I held out my hand to her, which she took with very little hesitation, her fingers cool against my skin but her grip firm. “So, it looks like my wife can behave,” I whispered, my lips bushing her ear as I leaned into her.
“And it looks like my husband can play the part of a gentleman all too well,” she breathed with an eye roll.
“Touché.” I chuckled. “Are you ready?”
“To put on an act? Sure.” She glanced up at me. “Because that’s what it’ll be, us pretending. And Lorenzo, I’m a pretty good actress.” She winked.
“Looks like your family is already here.” I nodded towards Victor, Florence, and Miles, who were laughing and joking at the entrance. “Do you want to join in on whatever it looks like is splitting your papa’s sides?”
“No, I don’t. Let’s just go inside. I’ll speak to them when I feel like it.”
I led her up the stairs as she neared her family. I truly expected her to at least smile at them, but she looked straight ahead, not giving any of them the time of day.
“ Anastacia, ” Victor called after her. “ Sobirayesh'sya li ty neuvazhitel'no otnosit'sya k svoyemu ottsu i ignorirovat' yego ?” He continued to speak to her in Russian. I was pissed that I couldn’t understand it.
“ Da, Victor, ” she replied, her voice calm. All I knew was that she didn’t call him Papa like she would have before he forced her to marry me. She only referred to him as Victor.
“Ana, don’t be like that.” Miles gripped the top of her arm, causing her to stop as my blood boiled at the way he thought it was okay to put his hand on her like that.
“Take your hands off my wife, Miles,” I ordered. I didn’t care if that was her brother. Nobody treated her that way.
“You’ve been her husband for two damn minutes, you have no right to speak to me that way. She’s my sister.” He scowled back. Ana let out a sigh, and I knew she’d had enough of this whole situation.
“It makes no difference if it’s two minutes to two years, you will never lay a hand on my wife.
” I cracked my neck to the side. “Besides, it’s a shame you didn’t think much of your sister when you were backing Daddy Dearest over there.
” He was about to speak when I cut him off, returning my attention to Ana. “Shall we head inside?”
“Please.”
As we stepped through the grand double doors of the ballroom, the glittering chandeliers casting a warm glow over the crowd, I noticed the way her eyes darted around the room, her lips parting slightly as if words were ready to spill out.
Her smile, which had been gradually brightening her face like a sunrise, wavered for a moment, as though she was caught between speaking and holding back.
"I find it funny how you got on his case for acting a certain way when you're no better,”she said with no expression. “Practice what you preach, Lorenzo.”
She slipped her hand from mine and gracefully navigated through the dense crowd, her movements fluid and purposeful, until she reached a small group of women gathered on the far side of the room.
I recognised them immediately from the wedding; they were esteemed members of Victor's team, their presence commanding respect.
My gaze remained fixed on her, tracing her path, when Red suddenly emerged at my side, his presence both familiar and unexpected.
“For a man who can’t stand his wife, you sure can’t take your eyes off her.” He laughed, nudging my elbow.
“You’re seeing things, mate. Delusional is what you are.” I scoffed, my eyes remaining on Ana.
“Mhm, if you say so.” He continued to try his best to wind me up. “Maybe I’ll go and keep her company. She seems to like me,” he bantered.
“Don’t even think about it,” I chuckled, relaxing slightly. “I’ll see you later.”
“I just got here, where are you going?” he asked, but I was sure he already knew the answer.
“To join my wife, she looks as though she could use some company.”
“But she already has some,” he directed his hand towards where she stood, smiling wider and brighter than I’d seen before.
“Not mine.”
I strode confidently over to where Anastacia stood, her poised figure framed by the dim lighting overhead.
As I approached, she turned her attention towards me, her smile as radiant as it was a moment ago, not once wavering.
Yet, beneath that polished exterior, I knew it was a performance, a carefully crafted facade, and I hadn't yet decided if I wanted it to remain a mere act or transform into something genuine.
Who was I kidding, of course I didn’t want it to be real.
“Lorenzo, you know I only just left you, right?” she said, her lips curving gently.
“Yes, but you’re going to dance with me.” I took her hand, not giving her a choice.
“Lorenzo,” she gasped as I spun her into my arms.
“Ana,” I responded, matching her tone.
“What have I told you about calling me that nickname?” she sighed, relaxing into my hold ever so slightly.
“I don’t recall you saying anything about it,” that was a lie, I knew she hated it, but that gave me all the more reason to use it. “Now, stop with the questions and dance with me.”
“Why do you feel the need to put on a show? Why are you so bothered about what people think?” she asked, and the truth was, I didn’t really care about what the other people in this room thought. I knew the majority envied my marriage to her.
“I don’t give a shit what the people in this room think of me. I just wanted to show that we’re united. That you chose me.”
“I didn’t choose you, though.” she responded, as quick as ever.
I rested my hand on the small of her back as her body remained flush against mine.
I knew her parents' eyes were on us, as well as many other alliances, so I played the part just as much as she did.
But it was hard when her body fit perfectly against mine.
It was as though she was put on this earth to be mine.
All I could wonder was whose great idea that was.
Ah, yeah, mine.
“What did your father say to you?” I asked.
“If you want to know, you should take some lessons in Russian.” Her lips turned up into a smile, and I could have sworn there was a genuineness hidden within it.
“Do you always have an answer for everything?”
“Of course.” She nodded, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“You know, there are many men in this room that cannot seem to take their eyes off you.” I scanned the room, instantly spotting gazes dropping the second I clocked them.
“Jealous?” she asked, her voice all sweet and innocent. Despite being anything but.
“Ana?” A male voice came from beside us.
“Hi, Chad.” She gave him a full smile. Actually, scratch that, she beamed at the bastard.
“You look stunning tonight.” Was this prick for real? “Do you want to dance?” he asked, clearly not realising I was standing right there.