CHAPTER 47 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
I CAN’T BELIEVE HE’S HERE! My father is actually here ! I thought it was a cruel joke when reception phoned the room, but it isn’t.
Being told that “Mr Bateman requests you in his office” , I thought Red had a change of heart and wanted to pick up where we left off...
Maybe I hoped that was what this was about... That was until the woman added my Papà was here to see me! And that he’s sitting here and nothing is amiss, is more than I could have hoped for.
As I rush into the room, I glance at Red, hoping to convey my gratitude for sticking to his promise and Papà is unharmed, but his eyes are hard and barely register my arrival.
It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that my father is safe. “Papà! I’m so glad you’re here and...”
I stop from taking Papà’s hand to kiss it like I do on greeting and have done since time immemorial and stiffen at the frigid atmosphere radiating from him.
My wide smile crumbles. Does he know what I’ve done to Roberto? Surely Red hasn’t told him? I’ll tell him myself eventually. I’ll explain; I know I can. If Papà knows what Roberto put me through, he’ll understand why I was forced to make that choice. And when he...
“Sit down, Arianna.” Papà eyes me with a cold distaste that I haven’t seen since I initially refused Roberto’s hand. Glancing around, I realize the only free chair is next to Red, so reluctantly, yet obediently walk over to sit down.
My heart picks up a steady thunder. Papà’s come to take me home. This is what I’ve dreamed of, but the thoughts careering around my head unnerve me. Why am I not elated? I’m going home! I’m going back to where I belong without Roberto being there, so why do I not feel relief and joy?
I glance at Red again, but his eyes are locked on my Papà, and to my horror, I realize he’s speaking. I force my concentration onto the man who’s been my hero my entire life.
“...saddened, really saddened.”
Damn . I’ve missed the first part of Papà’s words, but the scorn on his face sears my soul. He’s not happy.
Not happy with me .
“I cannot tell you how disappointed I am, Arianna. How disappointed we all are. I came here today to remove you from this man’s clutches, bambolotta,” Papà continues, and my heart soars hearing the nickname he gave me as a child.
“I presumed you’d been forced into marriage as a way of retaliation, yet I learn this marriage is a choice . ”
My rising hope plummets as the word “choice” spits in my direction. Red made out I had a choice? Why would he do that? He knows how desperate I am for Papà not to hate me.
I beseech my beloved father with my eyes. All the years he’s known me, he must realize; must see that I only agreed to this marriage to guarantee my family’s safety? And so far, that safety has been honored. “But Papà, I...”
“You’ve turned your back on your family! You’ve humiliated me and all of us!” He flicks his hand in Red’s direction. “You chose this... this ‘association’ within days of your husband’s ‘death’... And what was stated in the article... You know this is not how our family works.”
“But...” I choke on my words. I cannot argue. If I argue, Papà will realize I killed Roberto. While he’s so wrong about what he thinks of me, I have to let it remain that he does not know the truth.
“You already strained my friendship with the Bristonis over your initial reluctance to marry Roberto, and now you have completely ruined it!”
“You don’t understand!” I blurt, flinching at his venom. “It’s...”
“Arianna...” Red warns, his attention now on me.
I want to slap Red. I want to punch him and scratch his eyes out.
I want to scream that I had no choice in this marriage so Papà understands.
This is my worst fear - that he’d turn his back on me.
Had I never got the chance to explain, I expected his dismissal.
Yet he’s here, and I can’t say a thing. “Papà...” I beg. He must understand. He has to.
“Myself and your new ‘husband’ have come to an arrangement,” my father interrupts, his eyes burning into mine. “We will leave each other alone for your sake. I hope he’s worth it.”
“What about mother? How is she? And Maria? My brother? Is Matteo back in the country? When can I see them?”
My father stands up and pulls his coat from the chair, his eyes scathing.
“They are no longer your concern, so you have no reason to see them. As from now, Arianna, we’ll not see each other again either.
You are no daughter of mine - you are a Bateman now, and I will not publicly acknowledge such an association. ”
I can’t stop the choking sob spilling from my throat.
“Had you not disappeared off, you would know that despite your selfishness, your sister is due to marry shortly. I can only pray that your actions have not harmed her status and associations.” He snorts malevolently.
“At least I won’t have the same problems with Maria that I have with you.
She is obedient and appreciates her heritage. ”
“ I appreciate my heritage!” My eyes fill with tears. “Papà, please! If...”
Ignoring me, Papà turns to Red and nods curtly. “Mr Bateman.”
I watch in frozen devastation as my Papà walks from the room and out of my life. Why couldn’t he see I did this for him ? Red has twisted everything for him to react this way.
As the door slams behind my Papà, anger overtakes my hurt. “How dare you!” I scream. “How dare you turn my Papà against me! What did you get out of it?”
Red stares at me long and hard. His silence makes me hate him further. I wish I’d done what I did to Roberto to him . “At least fucking admit this is part of your sick control!”
He grabs my face. “I’ve told you before - do not use that language. You belong to me now, Arianna. Your father said so himself. Do not question what I do. Ever!”
I freeze; my rage paralyzed with shock.
Red drops his grip and grabs his jacket. “I’m leaving before I say things you won’t want to hear,” he says coolly. “I’ll return later, but in the meantime, I suggest you remember yourself and start behaving like I expect you to.”