Sold to Mr. Giordano

Arielle

I wake up to an empty bed. Antonio must’ve snuck out earlier and went to work. That’s all he’s been doing is working trying to avoid me as much as possible. Boredom and depression strike quick as I picture the rest of my life with him. I have to do something aside from being his trophy wife, I need to get out. He’ll never love me though, I’ll never have that relationship every girl dreams of. To marry her best friend who will love and care for her, to make her feel special.

I certainly feel less than special right now.

Downstairs Arabella and Carmelo are in the dining room eating breakfast that was cooked by Louisa. She quickly fixed me up a plate of scrambled eggs and toast and I take my seat.

“What should we do today, cousin?” Arabella says in her own chipper mood.

I shrug miserably and stab my fork at the yellow eggs playing with them instead of eating them.

“After breakfast get ready, wear something nice and do your hair and makeup,” Arabella stands and puts her plate in the sink.

“Why?” I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Exactly why, you need to cheer up. The best way to cheer up is feeling good about yourself. So, get all pretty and we are going to go shopping.”

“But I don’t need anything.”

“Antonio’s credit card has a limitless balance, who cares if you need nothing. Let’s go buy anything our hearts desire!” She cheers and rushes off upstairs to get ready not waiting to hear any more of my complaints or argument.

“I take it you’re coming too?” I say to Carmelo who has been sitting silently at the table in front of an empty plate with nothing but crumbs on it.

“Anywhere you go, I go,” he gives a curt nod.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Do you know where Antonio is?”

“Work,” he says simply.

“Do you know when he will be home?” I bite the bottom of my lip.

“None of my business to know when he’s done with business. My business is keeping you safe.”

I push my eggs aside, I don’t have much of an appetite right now. I might as well get ready. I drag myself up the stairs and into Antonio’s pristine bedroom—I guess it’s my bedroom too.

Doesn’t feel like it.

The one thing I do love about this room is the master shower. It’s spacious with glass encasing and has an overhead shower head. Everything about it screams luxury. I take my time under the warm water, Arabella was right about one thing. When you’re clean and dressed for the day you definitely feel better.

I use he hair dryer but decide against straightening or sprucing up my waves. The blonde locks dry to my advantage so I leave it as is. As for makeup, I do the minimum—mascara and my favorite shade of lipstick that is almost a peachy beige nude. Next, I pick out one of my favorite lilac-colored, cotton dress and wear it with stockings and brown booties.

I see Arabella’s reflection in the mirror, I turn around to see her staring in the doorway. “Lookin’ good. Ready?”

“I guess so,” I grab my purse and follow her out.

“Arielle,” Arabella finally sighs and frowns, “It is not the end of the world. You and Xander just had a little fight, it happens to couples all the time. You think with the way you acted before the wedding you’d be glad my cousin is ignoring you.”

“Well, I thought we connected on our honeymoon,” I pick underneath my fingernails nervously.

“You probably did, and then you manipulated him.” Arabella’s bluntness causes my eyes to widen. “What?”

“You don’t need to be so crass about it,” I cross my arms. “I’m aware I screwed up.”

“Listen to me,” she grabs me by both of my shoulders. “Things will pass. This is your life. You can chose to live it miserably or you can take this limitless credit card and buy happiness,” she smiles wide showing off her straight white teeth.

“Money can’t buy happiness.”

“And it can’t buy you love either—so The Beatles said,” Arabella drags me down the hall and down the stairs into the foyer of the penthouse. “We will buy to satisfy our materialistic happiness.” Arabella pushes the elevator button as Carmelo sets the lock and security system and follows in after us.

Downstairs outside the building a car is already waiting for us. The chauffeur opens the back door as Carmelo sits in the passenger seat.

“I don’t think I ever said thank you,” Arabella breaks the silence.

“Thank you for what?” I turn to face her, confusion written on my face.

She looks down at her lap and plays with her long manicured hands probably admiring the deep red color. “For trying to get Xander to break off my soon to be engagement with Luca. I know you didn’t want to give up your virginity and I guess thank you for doing so in order to get an upper hand for my benefit.” That was not the thing, I needed to reveal the truth which is disturbing me and in this situation I can’t say anything to Arabella.

“I don’t want to see you miserable,” I frown. “You’re always so bubbly and to see someone as lively as you smothered by my brother is upsetting.”

“I have made peace with this life, Arielle. I know you fight and I am proud of you for that fight. You are trying to kick tradition and find your own happiness—but it’s useless. This is our life, there is no getting out, there is no happily ever after with a Prince Charming. We can make it as happy as we want though, like shopping and spending it with dear friends,” Arabella places her hand on top of mine. She gives me almost a pitiful smile.

I nod my head and resume daydreaming out the window.

What do I want out of this life? I want a career, I want to be successful and make something of myself and if I can’t have the home life I always dreamed—then I will have my professional life. That limitless credit card would be perfect to use while signing up for online classes and a new laptop. I can lock myself in a room and do my studies without Carmelo being too nosey. I can distract myself from those secrets. Antonio shouldn’t care because I won’t be leaving the apartment so there will be no need for Carmelo to give status updates on what I am doing. After my bachelors I can even think of graduate school—oh, maybe I’ll even get my PhD then I’ll be Doctor Arielle Giordano.

That’s the kind of life anyone would be proud and envious of, right? A doctorate? It screams successful and that’s what I can be. I don’t need a loving husband to feel complete. I don’t need Antonio’s kindness to make me feel like life will be okay. He’s my husband and maybe I can still use him to my advantage. After I finish schooling I can travel or start a family or get a pet. Anything can be mine.

For the first time since my honeymoon, I smile.

“What are you thinking about?” Arabella mimics my expression.

“I think I’m going to enroll in some online classes.”

“Perfect,” she claps her hands together. “You know when I graduated high school, I had dreamt of going to the University of Chicago and getting my degree in Psychology.”

“Why didn’t you?” I tilt my head and then realize, “Your marriage to Vinny?”

“Yeah. I was seventeen when I was promised to be engaged. It was two month after graduation when I was forced to marry him. Vinny wanted me to be a stay at home wife and mother.”

“How’d you feel about that? You know Vinny will probably want the same thing.”

“I mean, being a mother isn’t the worst thing. It’s like getting a new best friend. A baby will keep you busy and give you loving and cuddles and… well it’s just not the worst thing.”

“How come you and Vinny never…” I don’t want to pry.

“Two miscarriages, then Vinny went and died on me,” she chuckles but I can sense the pain behind the forced laugh.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” I try my best to comfort her but don’t exactly know what to say in the situation.

“I was young. I was actually relieved. I wasn’t that far along either. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Had I had the baby it would be fatherless and no one would want to marry a widow who is also a mother,” Arabella brushes it off and shakes her head. “We’re here. Where to first?” She doesn’t wait for our chauffeur or Carmelo to open her door as she gets out quickly and I fear I struck a nerve.

“I could use some new shoes,” Arabella taps her finger on her chin and then goes off in her own direction.

“Wait up,” I call out to her. “I’m sorry for bringing it up,” I say softly when I stand next to her.

“It wasn’t anything you did. Let’s just drop it. We’re supposed to be having fun! Let’s get some Chinese after this.”

I nod. “I guess I could go for an egg roll.”

She smiles wide. “That’s my girl!”