10. Fears And Obligations

Aria’s POV

It’s been two days since Matteo left. Two days, I had complete peace of mind and rest. Jones and I had a great time catching up and reminiscing about Matteo's childhood adventures. We had a wonderful time reminiscing about Matteo's childhood. Jones shared stories of Matteo running around the house, yelling at the top of his lungs. I laughed at the thought of this energetic child, but my smile faded when I remembered the adult Matteo is today.

As we sat down to dinner, I noticed that no one seemed worried about Matteo's absence, except for Mrs. Fletcher. Alonzo's disappearance was as mysterious as Matteo's. I couldn't help but feel relieved that he was gone, and I hoped he would never return.

Carter remained quiet throughout dinner, but Jones was talkative and cheerful. He seemed to be the life of the house, and his conversation lifted everyone's spirits. I laughed at his jokes, which only encouraged him to keep talking. It was a pleasant change from the tension of the past few days.

In the middle of dinner, my grumpy husband walked in, looking disheveled. His shirt was crumpled, his hair was a mess, and his eyes were dark and hollow. Jones rushed over to him, helping him to sit down. Matteo ignored the curious glances from the others and called Mrs. Fletcher over to bring him a plate of food. She served him, and he ate hungrily, as if he hadn't eaten for days. Carter cleared his throat and smiled at the worn-out Matteo.

“Your father sent a message”. Matteo continued eating, ignoring Carter completely.

“He asked if the newlyweds had some free time. He’d like the couple to attend his ball” I stiffened, my skin prickled with goosebumps.

“Why?”. Matteo asked, his voice gruff.

"Cause…he wants the CEO of Marino’s to be at his function?”. Carter shrugged.

“We’re not going”. My husband said after sipping his wine.

Yes! Just what I wanted. I had no interest in going on an official date with Matteo, especially with all the women who had their eye on him. The thought of having to face them made me feel uncomfortable. I was glad for the first time since our wedding that Matteo was an ass.

“He wasn’t asking”. Carter said in a firm voice. Matteo stopped eating and turned to Carter, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smile.

“Tell him the CEO of Marino’s industries has a tight schedule and-”.

“Does he know?”. Carter chipped in. “You’re going for this!”. He said.

“No, I’m not. You won’t make me do it”. Matteo stood up, leaving his meal unfinished, and walked away.

There seemed to be some kind of friction between them. They both looked so aggressive and ready to claw at each other. Carter joined Matteo, and we sat there quietly. I glanced at Jones, who returned my gaze with a similar look of bewilderment. Ben, on the other hand, seemed completely uninterested in what was happening.

*

There was a slight knock on my door and I went to see who it was. It was Carter. His long hair tied, and his eyes puffed probably from the lack of sleep. He slid past me into my room and shut the door behind him. I had my hair down and my feet bare as always. He took in my frame and smiled.

“Matteo’s such a fool”. Carter smiled, smiling back at him.

“Aren’t you tired of staying home all day talking to jones”

“I am”. I replied quicker than I imagined.

“The ball, Aria. You should go with Matteo”.

I scoffed and took a seat.

“Is this his attempt to ask me to come with him?”. I asked, completely entertained.

“Matteo doesn’t ask. He would have taken you without asking if you didn’t want to come”.

“And I don’t”.

“I’m afraid you have to go with him or he might just do something you wouldn’t like”.

“What would he do?”

Carter sighed and brushed his hair away from his neck, revealing a large scar. It was dark and ugly, and I couldn't help but gasp at the sight of it. Matteo must have been responsible for this injury, and I felt a wave of anger and disgust towards him. He was a cruel and dangerous person. I hated him even more now.

“This is why you grew your hair out” He nodded through the pain. He looked pissed as well, just like I did.

“Just go with him”. He practically begged

I stood there in my room, struggling to comprehend the cruelty of Matteo's actions. If he was capable of harming his own friend in such a way, what might he do to someone he hates? I realized that I was in danger. I nodded in agreement, and he smiled at me.

“Glad you’re coming”. He said.

“Yeah”. I moisten my dry lips with my tongue. “What did he do to you?”. My voice, just a whisper.

“It was winter, by the way. And we had our furnace hot and burning. I did something I shouldn’t have done, and this was my punishment”

“No you shouldn’t feel like the one at fault”. I replied. “He’s the monster”

“Shhhh…that’s enough. He mustn’t hear you”. Carter whispered.

The pain and hurt in Carter's eyes and voice were unmistakable. He had been betrayed and scarred by someone he trusted.

“That’s why I think you should go for it”.

I nodded my head in agreement. Carter smiled at me before leaving my room. I sat there alone, worrying about what he might do to me if I decided to stay home instead of going to the ball with him. I wasn’t ready to find out how cruel my husband was, so I made a mental note to attend Mr. Marino’s ball.