Chapter Eleven

I lay sprawled on the couch, a bag of chips in my hand with my eyes fixed on the television.

The mansion was empty with only Luca, I and Catherine.

Raffaelle and the rest seemed to be away today but the rest guards were positioned outside.

My husband and I had little to no contact since his parents visit. He had been more choked up with his work than ever to the point where he rarely slept in our bedroom. Of course this was a miracle for me, the baby process would be on hold till I could find a way to deal with it

The front door opened and a lady walked in,

Pale skinned with a slender body. Her white short hair was held up in a messy ponytail and a tattoo was clearly visible on her shoulder blade instantly giving her away as someone Luca would be affiliated with.

"Hello, you must be Luca's wife" different emotions played on her face.

"Uhm ya. Just Aimee please" I replied getting up from the couch.

"I'm Monica" she said offering her hand for a handshake to which I obliged.

"Raffaelle informed me Luca was here, could I speak with him?" I knew what she was doing, a simple act of courtesy and I appreciated it.

"Sure he's at the office" I replied leading the way which I was sure she knew all too well.

"Luca!" I called out knocking the door.

"Go away Aimee" his gruff voice replied from behind the door.

"But Lu- -"

"Aimee sei sordo? Ho detto di perdersi"

(Aimee are you deaf, I said get lost) he yelled interrupting me

I felt utterly humiliated at his outburst, the fact that I understood what he had said and Monica probably did too made me feel even worse.

"let me take it from here" she whispered giving me a pitiful look. She must have felt sorry for me.

"Luca it's Monica" she stated

"Enter" his reply came seconds later.

I walked back to the living room as she shut the door behind her. Dashing into the kitchen, I was just in time as Catherine had removed the chocolate chips cookies and placed them in a tray to let them cool off.

"Cookiesss!! My favoriteeee" I purred taking one and stuffing it into my mouth, luckily it had already cooled.

"everything edible is your favorite Aimee" she said chuckling at how childish I was acting.

"well yesss" I replied in a duhh tone making her and a few maids around burst into laughter.

"Monica's back??" she questioned moments later.

"uhm ya, how'd you know?"

"I know that voice any day from hearing it countless times in this mansion" she answered.

"She stays here much?"

"yes child, she had a room here along with Raffaelle but that was before Mr Luca got married to you"

"oh, okay. I'm going back to my couch now" I announced taking more cookies before leaving the kitchen.

An hour later or so, Monica walked back to the living room which meant she was done with whatever had brought her here.

"leaving now??" I asked

"ya but can we talk"

"sure" I replied making room for her on the couch I was previously lying on.

" You seem like you could use a friend " a smile formed on a lips.

"ya I guess so. I get bored to death most times"

" I've been out on a job for a long time. We could have met earlier"

"killing innocent people???" I inquired rolling my eyes.

"what?? No" she laughed. "Luca sent me to sort a deal with the Moreno's, a mafia empire like the Savedra's"

"Did it go well??"

"not really as planned" she replied

"hey uhm about earlier" I knew where she was driving at.

"I'm sure you already know how Luca can get sometimes" Monica added

Oh I knew perfectly well how he can be but I wasn't sure if she knew to what extent his psychotic behavior could get.

"Catherine said you lived here with Luca"

"ya, Raffaelle and I had rooms here strictly for business and not whatever you're thinking" she said chuckling at the end

"I-I wasn't t-thinking anything" I defended weakly.

"ya sure, if you say so" Monica smiled.

"I should be on my way home". She said raising to her feet

"thank you Monica. It's nice having someone to call a friend" I said genuinely.

"you're welcome Mia regina"

"ughhh please not you too" I faced palmed which made her burst into laughter.

________________________

"Get dressed Aimee we're leaving in thirty minutes" Luca announced walking into our room.

"are we going somewhere??" I questioned clutching my towel tightly as I had just stepped out of the shower.

"yes" his reply was short

"you would have informed me earlier"

"don't make me drag you to the event in nothing but that towel" he threatened before pushing past me and walking into the washroom.

Moving to the closet, I hurried through my stuff and got dressed in a two piece set, a black lace up back crop top and a black velvet bodycon skirt with gold chain belt.

Luca walked into the closet as I made my way to the dresser. After applying concealer on my face, I decided on a simple winged eyeliner and quickly rubbed on my lip gloss before straightening my hair as I was already running out of time.

My husband's eyes accessed me thoroughly like I was going for some sort of pageantry as he walked out all dressed in his fancy suit. After a few seconds under his uncomfortable gaze, he finally spoke up.

"I have something for you, you should wear it this evening"

Stretching his hand, he offered me a jewelry box which I collected mumbling a thank you.

A gold necklace with tiny beads of diamonds was secured in the box. It's worth showed clearly.

"Luca.. This is.. It's too much. I-I" I stuttered in disbelief.

"Like always, it's suitable only for a Queen" taking the necklace from me, I held my hair up giving him access to put it on me

"you look beautiful tesoro" his lips claimed mine in a brief kiss

Giving me a satisfied look, Luca and I exited the mansion. Getting into the car, the chauffeur drove off with Gustavo at the passenger seat. According to Luca, he didn't want any surprises.

"I'll be off sight awaiting your signal capo" Gustavo said as we reached our destination.

Alighting the vehicle, Luca's arm snaked around my waist holding me to his side.

"be classy and graceful tonight Aimee. This is for our empire"

Everything seemed to make some sense as I glanced at the sign of the large luxurious building before me which read "Moreno's". If my thoughts were correct, my husband considered them his rivals.

"everyone you see here has a gun within arms reach and ready to pull the trigger at any moment." Luca whispered to me as my eyes scanned the multiple people scattered around the arena.

It was a social event of some sort and for all I know, everyone here was either in the mafia or someway affiliated with it. That was why Luca had Gustavo accompany us, in case of an uproar.

Elegant and intimidating people where littered around engulfed in casino, cards and pool while others drowned themselves in expensive wine.

" Ah Luca, so nice of you to arrive along with your wife " a man said approaching Luca and I. He looked to be in the same age grade as Luca with dark features.

"Carlo" Luca acknowledged with a handshake.

"And you must be Mrs Savedra" the man I now knew as Carlo said placing a kiss to the back of my palm. I offered a smile not knowing how to react.

"Please call me Aimee"

"Con tanta bellezza, è una sorpresa che tu non abbia messo un bambino in lei"

(with such beauty it's a surprise you haven't put a baby in her) he said to Luca who held a stoic expression.

" Non vedo come ciò ti preoccupi"

(I don't see how that concerns you) Luca spat whatever it was he said bitterly making Carlo's lips curl in a smirk before he led the way to somewhere else.

We walked over to what seemed to be a vip area where an older version of Carlo sat with a glass of wine in his hand.

"father, the queen decided to grace us with her presence" Carlo spoke to the older man as we occupied the empty seat

"such a shame Luca had his hands on her first, with a woman like this the Moreno's could do anything" his father replied eyeing me up and down.

His statement made me cling onto Luca, I was terrified. My husband however didn't utter a word.

"Your father didn't come??" the older man questioned

"My father has more important things to do than this" he replied hatred leaking from his tone..

Strike one.. I thought having a mental dance at Luca's come back..

"let's get to business gentlemen" Luca said before they began speaking in Italian and handing over papers to my husband who glanced through them.

I let my eyes wonder around the building. It was funny how illegal people could hold gatherings of such exquisite taste where they flaunt their wealth without the fear of being caught.

At some point, Luca handed me a glass of wine as if noticing my boredom.

"So che non siamo esattamente partner, ma abbiamo bisogno di te tanto quanto hai bisogno di noi per avere successo in questo lavoro"

(I know we are not exactly partners, but we need you as much as you need us to succeed in this job) Carlo said with a straight face. Whatever they were discussing seemed to be quite important.

Few moments later, a lady announced the beginning of an auction and urged everyone to be ready to bid on the items.

The auction began and three items were already sold out.

"We would like to recognize the presence of Queen Aimee Savedra" the lady spoke, her eyes locking with mine as she gave a broad smile. Suddenly, other heads darted to my direction and people stared. With a wave of my hand acknowledging the people, the lady continued speaking.

This was the power that came along with the Savedra family.

"A pristine diamond Peruvian necklace for the queen, let the bidding begin" she announced.

Men begun bidding outrageous amount of money for the jewelry just for me. Luca sat arms crossed watching the event unfold.

" 200thousand " one said.

"make that 500thousand" another said

"700thousand" a man from opposite were we sat said.

"800thousand" another yelled

"800thousand is that the last bid??" the lady inquired as I sat dumbfounded

"Going!" she spoke again but was met with silence.

I stared at Luca in disbelief, was he just going to watch people haggle their money to impress his wife. Was that all I was for him?

A trophy???

"goooingggg..... Go---" just when she was about to announce it was sold, someone interrupted.

"A million" Carlo spoke

"sold to Mr Carlo Monero for a million" she announced as the crowed cheered.

"Anything for you Queen Aimee" he purred with his eyes raking through my body shamelessly

"uhm - thanks" I replied awkwardly

"Trying to impress my wife now Carlo?

Luca said placing emphasis on possessing me.

" look at it as a gift for accepting our business offer" his father chirped in

" I suggest you stop those eyes from wandering on what belongs to me. My wife has nothing to do with this offer " Luca's temper was noticeably rising.

" It's just a harmless token Luca " he replied as a female approached our table with the jewelry already wrapped in a gift box. She handed it over to Carlo who in turn handed it to me.

Mumbling a small thank you, I took the package from his hands. For some odd reason, I felt Luca wanted me to collect the gift.

Moments later, Luca signed the document and all the men rose from their seats shaking their hands. Finally it was time to leave.

"See you some other time Queen Aimee" Carlo said placing a kiss to my hand like he had done before.

Luca and I made our way to our vehicle as paparazzi who were now clustered outside the building took shots of us. My husband held me to his side as always as the bodyguards cleared the way.

We got in the car and the Chauffeur began the journey back home.

"How did it go boss" Gustavo inquired

"Very well, it seems he picked up an interest in our Queen" a sinister smirk I knew all too well made its way to Luca's face.

Gustavo simply nodded in understanding as we continued the ride in silence. I knew there was more meaning to what Luca said but I just couldn't place a finger on it right away.