8. Gianna
Chapter eight
Gianna
I walk hurriedly to my car after Luca left me. He hasn’t responded to my texts yet. I’m so worried.
The De Santis are dead? I hope it's not true.
I unlock my car and open the door. The news about Luca’s parents leaves me a little perplexed. My body flinches when my phone beeps as I settle into my car.
It is a message from Giovanni. I squint a little in confusion as I open it. The content hits me like a metal bat to the face.
What has Luca done?
Giovanni knows. He fucking knows about us.
My hands tremble, struggling to type out or think of a response to Giovanni’s message. Another message pops up on my phone before I can make out a sentence.
It’s Luca. He is threatening to get revenge for murdering his parents.
Luca believes we did this?
Oh fuck.
Our families have recently become enemies but I know my brother wouldn’t have let this happen. Giovanni wouldn’t have gone through with any plan to hurt his family. Or even worse, murder them.
I dial his number in a rush, confused as to why he would think so. “Luca.”
He answers the phone on the third ring and remains silent for a long moment.
“Please answer me, Luca.”
“The mark on their arms. You thought I wouldn’t fucking find out?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I won’t stop till I end every fucking one of you.”
“Luca!”
The call ends abruptly and I’m left more confused than I was a moment ago.
I’ve lost him. The anger in his voice scared the fuck out of me.
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over. I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself. The muscles in my chest feel like they are constricting, making it harder to breathe. I’m lost for words, re-reading Giovanni’s text. My vision is already blurry from the tears streaming down my face.
Could my family really be behind this?
“I know about your affair.”
What else does Giovanni know?
***
I burst into the living room, my eyes red and puffy from crying. “Did you do it?!” My voice is shaking with anger and grief. “Did you murder the De Santi family?"
My family’s faces are stiff, unyielding and unfeeling as I exchange glances between them.
My father’s eyes narrow at me, his jaw clenched in anger. “Where have you been, child?” he growls, but I cut him off.
“Answer me, Father!”
“You’ve finally gone mad. How dare you accuse your father and me of murder?” Mother retorts.
“I know it was you! You were always talking about how the De Santi family was becoming a threat. How could you?” I spit the words at them.
“How long, Anna?” Giovanni looks at me with disgust.
I swallow a nervous gulp.
Not here, Giovanni. Please.
Our eyes are locked as I silently beg him not to bring the relationship up.
“How long have you been with my best friend?” he says through gritted teeth.
Fresh tears roll down my eyes as my parents stare at me in shock.
“Answer me!” Giovanni’s voice has gotten higher and fiercer. I flinch from the sound, bursting into tears.
“What is your brother talking about, Gianna?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Giovanni’s disgust is replaced by disappointment as he stares at me.
It feels like my heart’s being pierced and I can’t do a damn thing to stop it.
“Gianna has been seeing Luca.” Giovanni takes a step closer, his eyes cold and unforgiving.
“Gianna, how dare you?” Mother growls. Her face scrunched in anger as she stares at me with disgust.
“Did you kill them? Please answer me.” I ignore Mother and stare at Giovanni.
He lets out a rough hiss, shaking his head. His mouth stained with a bleeding bruise. “Why would you even accuse your own family of such a thing, Gianna?”
“Luca...” I squeeze my eyes shut as I watch my brother’s expression change, mentioning his name.
“He thinks it is us. Please tell me he is wrong.”
“Go to your room now, Gianna. You are a disgrace to this family, being with that traitor.” Father shoots daggers at me with his eyes. He isn’t denying Luca’s claims. Neither is Giovanni.
“You killed them? Father, answer me!” I turn to my brother. “Say something, Giovanni.”
Mother walks to me instead and slaps me hard in the face.
A sharp grunt leaves my lips as I feel her fingers against my face. It fucking hurts.
Giovanni stops me before I raise my arm back at her. Her eyes bulge out in shock.
My anger boils over, and I begin to pummel Giovanni’s chest, my fists flying as I scream at him. “You’re a monster! You’re all monsters!”
Giovanni stands in place, his towering height and body spread wide. He doesn’t flinch as I hit him again and again, my tears, snot and anger mixing together.
“I hate you!” I spit, my voice hoarse from screaming. “I hate all of you!”
My hands begin to hurt and I can’t keep it up any longer. I give up, taking a fistful of his shirt.
“Stop it, Anna. Get a fucking hold of yourself.” Giovanni holds me as I cry against his chest.
My heart’s hurting bad. I’ve lost Luca. I’ve fucking lost the man I love.
“Why Anna?” Giovanni’s hot breath in my ear makes me shudder as he whispers to me. “You could have had anyone else. Anyone!”
I don’t move, as I don’t have the courage to look at him.
“Not my fucking best friend. You let him take your virginity. Fuck!”
His words feel like a stab in the back. I’m grateful he doesn’t say the words out loud. He’s still trying to protect me from my parents.
They would be furious if they found out I'm no longer a virgin. I let Giovanni down and I can feel it as he lets go of me. He turns and walks away, leaving me to my parents’ cold, unforgiving gazes.
I run to my room and sink to my knees, still in tears, wondering how I have been so unlucky my whole life. Losing Luca hurts the most. I'm glued to the floor next to the door, questioning everything. How could I have believed my family would be innocent?
My knees ache from the cold, hard floor. I cannot muster the energy to move.
Eventually, I force myself up, my legs trembling as I had lost track of time and stayed glued to the floor.
I feel numb as I stroll into the bathroom to clean up, changing into fresh clothes. My head hurts from all the crying. I fall on my bed. The comfort of the plush bedding still doesn’t ease the ache within.
Thoughts of Luca haunt me as I drift away to sleep.
“Miss Gianna.” A faint voice rings in my ears. It doesn’t stop as I turn and cover my ears with my palms. A finger touches me this time.
“What do you want?” My voice is husky and tired. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to get a clearer view of the person in front of me.
It is Dorothy, one of my favorite maids. She is standing next to my bed with the short help gown designed with polka dots and feathers on the arms.
Dorothy’s gentle voice is a stark contrast to mine. Her green eyes are full of pity as she stares at me. “Miss Gianna, your mother requests your presence.”
I turn my head to the other side, away from her gaze. “Tell her I do not wish to see her or speak with her.”
Dorothy lets out a heavy sigh, loud enough for me to hear.
She’s been with us for as long as I can remember. I’ve known her all my life. A part of me wonders why she has chosen to stay with us. With my family all these years.
“Please get up, Miss Gianna. Your mother will be angry.”
I snort, coughing out a chuckle.
“I don’t fucking care how my mother feels. I’d love to be left alone now, Dorothy.”
The room is silent, as neither Dorothy nor I speak, but I can still feel her eyes on me. She never leaves easily.
“I... I shouldn’t be saying this but someone is here to see you. A man.”
I roll to the other side, facing her now. Her face has a few wrinkles and visible grey strands of hair staining her imperfect black hair.
The thought of Luca showing up here mildly crosses my mind. There’s no one else that would possibly look for me.
“Who is it?”
“I can’t say, miss. Your mother is waiting in the living room.” Dorothy turns away from me and walks to the door, leaving as quietly as she entered.
A pang of pain thrusts into my head as I reluctantly stand to my feet and start walking toward the living room. Dorothy wouldn’t lie to me. My whole being wishes for it to be Luca. I need it to be him.
My gaze sweeps across the room, dismissing my mother as I look at the stranger seated on the couch.
His back is turned to me as he speaks with my mother. I can’t help but notice the sharp cut of his suit, the way it accentuates his broad shoulders and tall stature. His hair is long, falling down his back in dark, sleek strands.
My heart sinks, knowing it isn’t Luca.
“Ah, here she is. Gianna, meet Mateo. Mateo, Gianna.”
The stranger turns to look at me.
My attention is focused on my mother as I wonder what she’s up to. I know my mother well enough to know she wouldn’t let just anyone into her home. This man must mean something to her.
My mother’s expression is a mix of irritation and anger. Her eyes dart back and forth on my outfit, her disapproving look undeniable.
I have no idea how I looked before walking out of my room. I had cried myself to sleep earlier and didn’t care much to fix my swollen face first.
She forces a smile, her lips curling up in a way that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gianna.” His voice is extremely deep. He extends a hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he speaks.
“This is Mateo. Mateo Caruso,” she says, her voice dripping with false enthusiasm.
My mind reels as I stare at the stranger before me. His chiseled features and piercing blue eyes catch my attention first. I stare at him for a long minute, questioning myself. What is Mother up to?
His smile is charming, but his eyes seem to bore into my soul. It leaves me with an uneasy feeling.
“What do you want from me?” I question the stranger, rudely dismissing his hand.
“You’ll be getting married soon, Gianna. Mateo has asked for your hand in marriage.”
It feels like two heavy blows to my chest. “Marriage? To him? A stranger?”
It feels like I am living in a nightmare, unable to wake up from this infinitely terrifying reality.
My hands remain limp at my side, refusing to reciprocate the gesture. They wouldn’t move even if I tried, my mind screaming in protest.
I turn to face my mother, my voice raised in defiance. “You can’t do this! You can’t just arrange my marriage without my consent!”
My mother’s eyes are firm, without any emotion. “It’s been settled, Gianna. This gentleman has fulfilled the traditional rites to have you as his wife.”
Mateo is just standing there, watching me.
I’m a fucking mess in my crinkled shirt and shorts. “I can’t do this, Mom; I cannot marry Mateo. Ever!”
Mateo doesn’t seem pleased with my protest as his countenance changes.
“One minute,” Mother says as she rises to her feet. She closes the distance between us and takes my arm in her grip fiercely. “Your marriage to Mateo will secure our family’s future with the Carusos! We can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity!” she whispers in my ear.
I knew there had to be something to this. They are using me to get what they want.
Her eyes are blazing with fierce determination, and her jaw is set in a stubborn line. “You will accept this reality, Gianna, or you will leave this family and forfeit the Mancini name. The choice is yours.”
I’m dumbfounded, staring at my husband-to-be while the man I love is nowhere to be found.