Chapter 2

We drove to the airport in silence. I didn't like it like that because it made me more nervous, and made me think more about what would happen when we arrive back to his home - or should I say our home. Would he want to consummate the marriage? But I'll have to be honest, I never waited till marriage to have sex, losing my virginity when I was 17 to my then boyfriend, Elijah St James. I wonder how he was doing these days, last I heard he had gotten one of his maids pregnant. I laughed at the thought of Elijah, it was typical of him to do so.

"Evelina?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Giovanni who was staring at me confused, "yes?"

"What's so funny?" He asked.

I looked down at my fingers, and shook my head slightly, "oh, I was just remembering something I found funny." I smiled embarrassed and played with my ring.

He nodded with a small smile on his face and went back to his phone. "Wait, can I ask you something?" He turned his phone off and put it in his pocket.

"Of course."

"Will you still be with other women? Considering this is an arranged marriage..." I asked. I shouldn't have said anything though. I feel like due to arrangement, it wasn't any of my business. Neither of us had married each other out of love. It was simply business. But really, I didn't care. I needed to know what kind of life awaited for me and whether I would just be the wife he took out to fancy galas or business meetings.

He turned his gaze towards me even more, and narrowed his eyes. Did I make him angry?

"No I won't. Evelina, I made vows to you and God. I don't mean to break them. Out of everything I am, I am not a man who goes against what he has promised. I promised to be faithful to you, and so I will be it." He answered calmly.

I was surprised that I felt so relieved. This could actually work, we might not end up falling in love, but if we got along then that was still okay. I guess?

"But do you plan on keeping your vows to me, Evelina?" He continued.

"Of course. And please, call me Lina." I replied simply, and gazed out the window some more. We was finally nearing the airport, and I could finally change out of this dress. I shuffled comfortably in my seat, adjusting the sleeve that was starting to itch me by now.

"There will be a bag that your mother prepared for you on the plane, there is a bedroom you could also sleep in, if you are tired." Giovanni said whilst opening my door for me, as we were at the airport.

Just like my father, he had his own private plane. In fact, his was better than what I had been in. It looked more modern and new than to the one my father had owned. "Thank you," I said as I took his hand that was held out to me.

The July sun was setting, and it was starting to get dark. I loved it when the sun set and when it rose as well. It was relaxing, beautiful, and reminded me of happy memories.

To my surprise, Giovanni's groomsmen were standing outside waiting, along with an older man I had not seen at the wedding, with two more big security looking men at the bottom of the ladder.

"Congratulations, Giovanni. May you have a happy and wonderful marriage, my boy." The older man greeted Giovanni and gave him a hug. They must have been close.

"Grazie, Mario," he hugged the man I assumed to be called Mario back, and then turned to me, "this is my wife, Evelina. Evelina, this is Mario, he basically raised me." He said smiling. Mario stepped forward and lifted my hand up.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs Lombardo. I hope Giovanni here can make you the happiest wife there is." He kissed my lifted hand and I smiled.

"Nice to meet you too, Mario."

Giovanni then gestured towards four men, all of them watching and smiling. His groomsmen.

"These four are my closest of friends. Evelina, meet Giancarlo, Emiliano, Francesco, and Andrea. As you know they were my groomsmen as well." I smiled at the four men who all looked happy for their friend.

"Nice to meet you all," I held my hand out for each one of them to shake, but by the time I got to Andrea, he hugged me instead.

"Welcome to the family." He said in my ear and kissed both my cheeks. I looked at Giovanni, he didn't look angry nor happy, instead he wore the same look he had worn when I first saw him at the alter.

"Come on, we must get going. I'm sure Mrs Lombardo is tired and wants to rest." Mario stated whilst clapping his hands and made his way onto the plane. I steadily followed, trying not to trip over my long dress and heels, but thankfully, Giovanni aided me and helped me. God, I couldn't wait to get out of this thing.

"Come, I'll take you to the bedroom." Giovanni led me down the plane aisle after some flight attendants greeted us. He opened the door and let me go in first, him following. I saw the bag my mother had packed on the bed and opened it to thankfully find some leggings and a sweatshirt. Finally, I was able to feel comfortable once again. But that wasn't the only thing that was in the bag. Alongside a few other clothes, she had placed an envelope with my name on. I opened it.

Dear Evelina,

I know this is not what you wanted, and I know you didn't want to marry this way, and for that, I can only apologise. But Giovanni is a respectable man and he will be good to you. I have been speaking back and forth with his mother ever since you were arranged to Alessandro, and even then, I heard nothing but good things about Giovanni. I don't want you to worry, your father, brother, and I will always be thinking about you. And please call me whenever you like. I don't care what time of day it is, call me if you need me, okay? I love you more than anything in the world, be safe my darling.

Love, mom x

Though her words short and sweet, it said a million things. I know my mother was crying when she wrote this because the corner of the page was crinkled from a slight water droplet, but now it would be crinkled even more because I too, was crying.

"What's wrong?" Giovanni asked me with concern.

"Nothing, I'm alright. My mom just wrote me a letter and it made me a little emotional. It's nothing." I brushed it off and placed the letter back in the bag, sniffling a little. He looked at me as if he wanted to say something, only he didn't. "Can you turn around please?" I said as I picked up the clothes from the bed. My husband nodded and turned around, allowing me to get undressed.

Oh gosh, of course today would be the day I'd struggle to get my dress off. And I think Giovanni heard me struggling, because all of a sudden I felt warm hands on mine, lifting them away from the buttons on the back, undoing them himself.

"Thank you."

"I'll be sitting in the front, I have some business to discuss with Mario. But I will send someone

to pack away your dress when we land. There is a mini fridge over there, but if you want something to eat, an attendant will be waiting outside the door. Get some rest, it's been a long day - if you need me, please do not hesitate to ask." He smiled gently and left the room without giving me time to say thank you.

Giovanni was unusually kind to me. I suppose I shouldn't really complain. I had just married a stranger, and he was kind. I should be grateful. But like I said before, earlier I didn't see love in his eyes, it was something else, but I still couldn't put my finger on what it was.

I must've been tired, because the next thing I knew, I was entering huge gates, that led to a huge mansion. I really slept through the whole journey and more. Wow.

His home was more like a castle, rather a than mansion. It was grand, and there was a front garden which was covering in healthy green grass, and beautiful white rose flowers. His home was made out of sturdy rock, and some parts of it were bigger than the other. It was beautiful, especially at this time of night, dim lights shone from above, and also on the floor, allowing the fountain that sat in the middle of the long driveway to look more blue. I was amazed.

"Do you like it?" Giovanni spoke.

I nodded, "yes. It's beautiful." I whispered, still taking in my surroundings. My home wasn't as big as this. Honestly, this had to be the nicest home I had ever come across in my whole entire life, and I had come across a lot of nice homes.

"Giovanni?" Someone called from the end of the driveway, running out the front door. I turned my head to see who it was. He was small in frame, and had long, shoulder length hair, also wearing a nice suit.

"I came to welcome you and your bride, but there is also some business I need to discuss with you." He spoke as he neared, and peeked his head through the open window.

"Can it wait?" Giovanni asked.

"Yes, I will let you and your wife get settled in. I apologise." The man smiled and opened the door for me. "My name is Lorenzo, it's a pleasure meeting you. I'm sure you will make my cousin a happy man." He kissed my cheeks and hugged me ever so slightly.

Giovanni walked up to us, and placed a hand on the bottom of my back, "Lorenzo, I will be with you soon." He nodded to his cousin and led me towards the house, through the main entrance and straight to a bedroom.

"Won't I meet everyone tonight?" I asked.

"No, it is too late. You need to rest some more. Tomorrow you will be shown round, if you'd like to go shopping, then you can do so." He replied.

As we stride through the halls, Giovanni still had his hand on the bottom of my back, and two maids appeared, holding fresh bedding.

"Mr Lombardo," they both greeted with nod of their heads. "We have changed your bedding, and given you fresh towels, and other necessities." Giovanni replied with a simple grazie, and led me to a big double door.

"This will be our room." The room was beautiful, I think everything about this house was beautiful. The walls were all black, with a few gold decorations placed around the room, then there was a big bed situated in the middle of the room, with black silk sheets. The bathroom, was behind two black double sliding doors, and from what I could see, that too was all black with a bit of gold dotted around. This room was beautiful. "If you don't like it, we can redo it all." He said taking a step forward, but I shook my head.

"No, I love it."

"Very well then," he replied, "aren't you still tired?" He asked, now standing a few steps away.

"I am, kind of."

"Then you should go to sleep, I will be back soon." I nodded and watched him leave the room. I climbed into the comfy bed, and allowed myself to once again, fall asleep.

***

GIOVANNI'S POV

I looked at the woman in front of me. She looked nervous. I wondered if she was scared of being away from home, or of me. Had she heard what people say about me? Did she know what I do? Either way, if she was scared, I didn't blame her.

I looked at the woman who was now sleeping in my bed. She was my family now, she was my wife. I had to make sure she was safe and try be the husband she deserved, even though this marriage was arranged and she was supposed to marry my brother, Alessandro.

The very first time I had seen a photo of Evelina, my brother showed me and in that moment my heart skipped a beat. I knew I wanted her, I didn't want him having her. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen, with the most happiest, innocent eyes in the world. It was like she was staring into my soul when I looked at that photo.

I suppose maybe it was fate that her and I ended up getting married. Or maybe it was just pure luck. But either way, I got her. And now, she lay in my bed, sleeping as if she was an angel. And I planned on treating her that way.

For she was now mine.