Chapter 3

My first night in my new home I had a dream. I was running away from something, scared for my life. It was chasing me, and it was something dark. Something that only wanted to kill. Though I couldn't see it, I could feel it's presence looming over me. It was hungry for something and angry. It wanted me, and wouldn't stop until it caught me.

A dark figure approached me from the shadows. They were tall, dark haired, and well-built. But I couldn't make out who it was. They kept coming closer and closer, letting out evil laughs as he stalked me. I let out a scared scream, because now it had caught me.

"Evelina. Evelina." A gentle deep voice said as they shook me awake. I shot my eyes open with a small gasp and found Giovanni hunched over me, "it's okay, you're okay. It was just a bad dream." I didn't realise the severity of the dream until I felt myself breathing heavy, slightly sweating. I was scared, but I was mostly confused. What had brought on my thought to have even dreamed something like that? I had not come into contact with anyone dangerous, had I?

"It's alright." He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep." Eventually, as I lay in his arms, gripping onto his right arm, I fell asleep once more.

When I woke up the curtains were already wide open, and the sun was beating down on my face. But there was no sign of Giovanni. As I was getting ready, I remembered the early hours of the morning, and how Giovanni had comforted me when I had a bad dream. Even now, I still didn't know what it was all about. Weirdly, he hadn't even tried to complete our marriage, I thought he'd be bothered by it, but clearly he isn't. I'm not complaining though, I guess neither one of us want to have sex with a stranger.

I quickly decided on wearing some denim high waisted shorts, with a cropped white cami. Not like

I had a choice in what I wore because this was the only outfit I had left in the bag my mother prepared. Only, I couldn't find any shoes, and the only shoes I had were my heels from my wedding. I brushed off the fact that I didn't have any comfortable shoes yesterday because I was too tired to think, and was more than happy on the plane wearing just socks. But now, I can't brush it off. Clearly, my belongings hadn't arrived from New York yet. But luckily, I had my credit card, so I could go shopping for some clothes today.

"Mrs Lombardo, Mr Lombardo would like you to join him for breakfast in the garden." A soft voice knocked on the bedroom door. I opened the door and smiled, heels in my hand, and gestured for her to show me.

"Lead the way." I said smiling. The woman led me to a beautiful garden, it was not the same one I had saw yesterday, this one was at the back of the house and slightly on a hill. You could see the sea and vineyards, it really was a beautiful view. Giovanni stood facing the scenery with his hands crossed behind his back.

"Good morning."

He turned around and as he looked me up and down, and then directly into my eyes, I couldn't help but feel like my heart had skipped a beat and the butterflies erupted in my stomach like crazy. "Good morning, apart from your dream, did you have a good sleep? Do you feel rested? I know it was a long day for us both yesterday."

"Yes, I did. How about you?" I probably disturbed him out of his. Stupid Evelina.

"I slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?" He was so polite. I didn't expect him to be this way, but either way, I liked it.

"I would love to." I replied smiling brightly. He nodded and walked over to the table and pulled a chair out for me to sit, he then made his way and sat on the opposite side.

The breakfast smelled and looked delicious. The fruits here looked so much more fresher than what they did back in America. There was grapes, watermelon, apricots, sliced apples, and pineapple, on the table, followed by some freshly baked bread and butter. However, due to the butterflies in my stomach, I could barely eat. Instead, I focused my attention on the garden, and the scenery that accompanied it. Every now and then, also taking a glance at Giovanni who sat reading his newspaper. My family home also had a nice garden, but it was more of a modern garden and didn't come anywhere near to how beautiful Giovanni's is. The whole of his house was modern mixed with classic, but it was a perfect mix.

All of a sudden, Giovanni stood up and walked over to me and held his hand out for me to take. "Let's take a walk?" He asked, making me blush. I nodded and took his hand, and stood up. Making sure to pick up my heels just in case I needed to walk over something rocky.

"Do you only wear heels?" He asked with a curios tone.

"No, I just don't have any other shoes to wear."

"Did your mother not pack you anymore in that bag?"

"She must've forgot." I replied shortly and walked along the grass with him.

"Well it seems there has been a delay in your belongings arriving from America so I will take you out shopping today." He said with a beautiful smile, showing off his white straight teeth.

"Really, it's okay, I have my credit card and can go by myself. I don't want to feel like a burden." I replied, frowning at the fact that I was more than likely a burden thrown on him.

"No. You are my wife now, you will want for nothing. Anything you want, I will get. It's my job to take care of you." My stomach tightened at his words calling me his wife. I really was his wife, and this was really happening.

"Thank you, Giovanni." I replied as I smiled. We walked to the end of the garden, overlooking more of Sicily. Wow, his house was more on a hill than I thought. Needless to say it was breathtaking. We stood their a while, each one of us taking in the sun and each other, until a shout disturbed our peace. I turned around and saw a man I had never seen before, walk fast down to where we were standing.

"Giovanni!" He loudly said to get my husband's attention, "we've got a problem." Giovanni turned his head slightly, and sighed.

"Can it wait?" The man shook his head at Giovanni, "one moment." He told me as he walked to the man and they both turned around. The two of them started speaking Italian so I couldn't make out what they was saying, but it seemed heated as Giovanni's voice was rising slowly, and the man seemed to cower slightly when it did so. Soon enough, the man left and Giovanni turned back round to me, "come on." I followed him back into the house, and into the main area.

"Do you need anything from the room?" He asked gently, crossed his arms.

"No, I think I have everything." I had my phone, credit card, and had placed my heels on my feet. Oh god, this was about to get uncomfortable. Giovanni nodded, and opened the front door to where two of the same big guys from the plane were waiting, along with an all black Range Rover. Why does he have so much security?

We walked over to the car and the two of us sat in the back, with the driver nodding at Giovanni when he entered the car. The whole journey Giovanni was glued to his phone, and only looked up once we had arrived. We got out the car and the two security guards was already waiting, and walked closely behind us.

"You can get anything and as much as you want." Giovanni said as we entered the first designer shop and sat down on a chair, watching me choose clothes.

2 hours later, we was in the last store, a lingerie one if I might add. To my surprise, Giovanni didn't stare this time round, instead he occupied himself on his phone the whole time I was choosing out lingerie and trying some on as well. I collected everything I wanted to buy and quietly made my way towards the till, he seemed really enticed in his phone this time so maybe I'll be able to get away with paying myself. And lucky for me, the flooring was carpet so my heels didn't make a sound on the floor.

"That will be 756.98 euros please, Madame." The shop assistant said. I smiled and pulled out my credit card from my back pocket. But just as I was about to swipe it, it was taken out of my hand faster than I could blink. "Hey!" I protested and looked up at Giovanni who was smirking.

"Nice try mio amore, but I said you will want for nothing, and I meant it." My heart jumped at the way he called me his love. Though, I knew he didn't actually love me and just said it as a phrase. But still, it made me feel special and wanted by him. "I'll keep this with me." He said as he put my credit card in his suit jacket pocket.

I pouted and grabbed all the bags on the till, "can we go home now? My feet hurt." He nodded and we headed back home.

One of Giovanni's maids showed me around soon after we returned home. This house was huge! The maids and all of the other help had their own area in the house, and when guests came to stay, there was a whole floor dedicated to them alone. There was an indoor pool area, with a spa and jacuzzi also - but I think I'd be using the outside one more with the weather around here. Giovanni's office was on the first floor, overlooking the whole back garden. But the most surprising thing I had been shown, and the one that shocked me the most was the room a few doors down from mine and Giovanni's. The maid had said this specific room would be the nursery for our child when we had one. I had been so focused on the wedding, and worrying about whether I would like my husband, I totally forgot about the children aspect of it. But seeing the nursery room, made me think I do want children. I want my own baby. It didn't have to be now, but I did want them.

As I walked out of the nursery room, and made my way back towards the bedroom, the maid spoke once more, "if you are hungry, late lunch will be served in 5 minutes." I smiled and thanked her. Everyone here was kind to me. I just wish I had someone to talk to properly about things. I didn't want to call back home yet because I didn't want them thinking things were going bad. Maybe when Giovanni's mother comes back I'll be able to feel like I can talk someone.

I made my way downstairs into the garden where lunch was already waiting. This time there was salad, grilled chicken, and again sides of fruits. I was famished after all that shopping!

After having my lunch I went and lied down on a long chair that was outside and basked in the warm sun, looking up at the clear blue sky. I had many questions about Giovanni, but still feel so nervous to ask them. The one that bothered me the most was if he wanted children too, and why he hadn't tried to consummate our marriage yet. I remembered how gentle he had been when I had my bad dream, and the soft look he had given me this morning. My heart fluttered at the memory, and a smile spread to my lips.

"What are you smiling about?" A familiar voice came from nearby.

"Giovanni." I turned my head to the side. He surprised me. I moved my legs and sat up so he had space to sit. He took a seat next to me and placed one arm behind the chair.

"How has your day been?"

"It's been good." I said and he just smiled, "how old are you?" I blurted out. But I had to know, I know Alessandro was 26, and that was still a big age gap. I wondered if Giovanni was younger or older.

He chuckled, "I'm 24."

"My brother said they call tou the Devil. Why?" I don't know where all this confidence was coming from, but I immediately regretted asking him. I was being too nosy. I saw his muscles in his jaw tighten and then relaxed. He turned towards me and placed a hand on my cheek.

He looked at me a while before replying, "I don't know." My heart was beating fast, and he could tell I was getting nervous. "Tonight we will have guests over for dinner. Dress appropriately. I will be busy with work until then." He bent down and kissed my cheek before leaving to go back inside.

Oh god, I hope I didn't offend him.