Isabella's POV
"There is no way in hell I'm getting married to a devil like you!" I shouted immediately after the words left his mouth. “Who do you think you are? How much is the money that you want to force me into a marriage?” I shrieked at the top of my voice.
I was so confused. What sort of proposal is this? Are these how shiny debt collectors were?
If only I could find a way to dial the police…
“Oh your father didn’t tell you?” Don questioned with a sneer. “You’re talking to the mafia lord of the Valentino cartel. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”
What? Of all the people in the world…my father borrowed from a mafia lord?
Then it hit me. Don Rodrigo. The notorious mafia lord of the Valentinos. No wonder his name seemed so familiar. He's the most notorious cartel lord in Mexico and nobody wants to mess with him. I’ve seen his name in various newspapers in Louisiana because of his rumored numerous links and connections there and now my life has become entwined with his.
If he is indeed the Don Rodrigo Valentino I had heard scary things about, then that's even the reason why I can not marry him. He is a monster. Fuck my father's fear, I was terrified.
"I can't spend a day with you! I can't and will never spend even a second alone with you! I'd rather die!" I said, almost tearing down as to what Dad has gotten me into.
"It is settled then," Rodrigo said as he stood up, ready to take his leave. "Marcello, get her ready for the hotel business."
"Yes Don," Marcello answered, approaching me.
"Wait what? Hell No!" I screamed again as I avoided being touched.
Rodrigo halted in his pace. He was already infuriated. He looked somewhat tired of me already and I found peace in that, hoping he would let us go.
He turned and looked at me. For a few seconds, I wished the ground could open and swallow me. His look was like a lion ready to attack it's prey. He started approaching me in long strides.
Immediately, Dad got up from his knee and rushed to me. He protectively stood in front of me. At that moment, I knew something dreadful was going to happen.
"Please give us some time Don. I'll talk to her and give you my decision," Dad said
He looked at Dad, contemplating if he should. He sighed and said, "Marcello, keep an eye on them." He then went upstairs.
"What was that about Dad? Was he serious?" I asked.
"Pumpkin…" Dad started and the look in
his face gave off the answer.
"No Dad! No! I’m just twenty-one. I have a long life and plans ahead of me. I can not marry that man. No!"
"Bel, what would you have us do?" Dad said as he looked defeated.
"I don't know Dad. How much is the money? How much is the money that it will be worth my life? How much?"
"If you want to work legally for it, you'll be working 10 years to pay it off, Isabella. I did not plan for this to happen but if you can bear it for a year and I also work for him for a year we will be free. I believe Don is being generous by giving us a year," Dad answered, trying to convince me.
"There's a catch. Why would he want to marry me for one year when it will take 10 years to pay him back? He's a Don and he can get any woman he wants. Why me? I'm not halting my life because of him!"
"Would you rather work as a whore in his hotel?" Dad asked, losing his patience. "With your sick mother as his cartel staff?"
"No Dad but I can't, you're not going to be here to protect me. I don't know anyone here. I have no friends and family. He's Rodrigo Valentino, the most dreadful cartel Lord. How am I supposed to cope? How? No… No," I said as I let the tears in my eyes pour down like a river.
"Pumpkin, I'll never leave you. I'm sorry I brought you into this. I thought I could pay up the debt. I will never intentionally put you at risk. I'm sorry. I only didn't want to lose your mother. I'm sorry Isabella," he said, this time crying with me as he tried wiping off my tears.
"Dad…" I said, still crying.
"Trust me Bel, he might have a bad reputation but he is a human. He will not hurt you, I won't accept that. Please, Bel, do this for our family.”
Whatever deal Dad made brought us into this predicament and even as everything in me wanted to blame him, I knew that he did what he could to assist our family and it's time for me to do the same.
I didn't know why he wanted to marry me. However, I was going to marry him. I was marrying him to save my family and I had to marry him with a plan.
"Okay Dad, I'll marry him to save you and Mom. I love you".
**********
The moment words got out that I had agreed to marry the mafia, preparations for the wedding started swiftly.
My dad and I said our goodbyes in tears and longing and the preparations for a wedding began. I did not lift a finger but within a day, I could see that arrangements were already made by the housekeeper and preparations had started.
Leonardo, the housekeeper showed me my room and I just laid on the bed, staring at the white-colored ceiling. I did not take time to look around the room because I was too engrossed in what my life would become.
"Miss, please get ready. You will be going for your dress fitting soon. I'll be waiting outside the door when you need me," a slim lady that had helped settle in said as she stepped outside.
I nodded. I dragged myself to the huge wardrobe, and changed into a yellow dress. I stepped outside and she escorted me to the car waiting for us.
As we entered the car, I noticed another lady sitting inside it. She looked classy and beautiful. Her makeup was not obvious but everything she wore screamed class.
"I'll take it from here Erin," she said to the help who then got down from the car and headed inside the mansion.
"Hi, Isabella. I'm Jennifer. I'm your Matron of Honour," she said as she stretched her hands for a handshake. I ignored her and stared out the window.
"I understand that you did not plan for this but wouldn't it be nice to at least have a friend here? A year is long to keep up with this attitude Miss," she said.
She was right. I needed to at least make an acquaintance with someone. She looks peaceful and had a welcoming aura.
She looked like someone that would love talking and I found it useful. It could give me an opportunity to know why Rodrigo made the option of marrying me. I don't think Don will ever give me an answer to that disturbing question.
I need to devise a way to get out of this mess or at least manage it. I know father had always seen me as his cute little angel but I was in a relationship with Maxwell. He is the love of my life and I could only imagine how worried he would be now.
We had been together for a while and our closeness was out of this world. We talked and chatted every single hour. I'm sure he would be devastated as he had not heard from me in a while.
I know I agreed to this arranged marriage but I can't do this. Looking at Jennifer only confirmed that she was the only one that could give me a clue to where the exit in the mansion was without even realizing it. She was a chatterbox.
So, friendship it is.
I sighed and shook her hands with a small devious smile, "I'm Isabella, nice to meet you."
Isabella's POV Jennifer returned the smile and started telling me about all the good stuff happening in Mexico. She could not stop talking about all the wonderful things she assumed we would do together and how she was happy to meet me. We arrived at a store called Carla Fernández and entered the classic-looking store. You could tell by the ladies in the store that this place screamed rich. I've always been a girlie girl who, even though was shy, loved looking good. However, this time, I could care less. Getting a wedding dress for a wedding I'm not happy about could not make me happy."Miss Jennifer, Hola," a 5ft tall lady approached us immediately as we entered the store with the most dashing smile ever. You could tell that it was not a fake smile. What is it with Mexicans and looking beautiful? I thought."Buenas tardes, Diana," Jennifer answered as they hugged, "Have you gotten our session ready?" she asked."Of course, you know you're my best client. If you ask me to jump, I'
Isabella POVWhat was he expecting? Did he expect me to be happy over a measly compliment that I'm certain is not sincere? I know I said I will pretend to be happy about my recent predicament to not let anyone suspect a thing before I execute my plan but I could not hold my mouth in front of this monster. Seeing him made me infuriated and slightly scared."You heard me right. Don't come here pretending to like how I look. We are both aware that this is an arranged marriage so do not pretend to care," I said as I started approaching the dressing room to undress."You stop right there!" He said making me halt in my track as he moved and stood in front of me. His words and actions have a way to command respect."You will not walk out on me until I'm done with you," he said, " I own you and as long as you are mine, you do as I command. If I say you're beautiful, it means you are beautiful and you appreciate my compliment," he added"You can not…" I said but was shut up as he used his hug
Isabella POVIt was my wedding day, however, I was dressed as if it was my funeral. My eyes were puffy and red since I was crying all night. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was getting married to Don Rodrigo, a man I know nothing about and don't have feelings for. If it wasn’t for my Father and mother, I wouldn't be here, no, I would not have had anything to do with Rodrigo. Sitting on the vanity mirror while staring at my reflection through the mirror, one could say that I was digging my own grave. When I drew out the compartment, I took out a folded picture of Maxwell I always carry along wherever I went to so that he will be close to my heart, staring at it for a moment, running my index on his face imagining him walking into the room to look at me one more time before heading to the altar. We have talked so much about our dream wedding. Maxwell has always loved a simple wedding at the beach but that wasn’t my dream wedding, I have always wanted something classy with my be
Rodrigo's POVWhen I saw Marcello walking behind Isabella, a smile formed on my lips as I stared at her just thinking about what she said to me in the dressing room. With the manner Marcello walked very close to her, I had a feeling she attempted to run away and he caught her. He had a gun held very close to her but no one knew about that. With a smile plastered on her face, anyone would assume that she was happily walking down the aisle to meet her Prince Charming.This wedding was every socialite's dream but Isabella was not one of those women, she wanted nothing more than to escape from this world that I was dragging her into. But I will never let her go, she was my woman and I want to spend the rest of this year with her by my side. The first time I discovered that Issac had a daughter, I never wanted to meet her till I saw her portrait in his living room, Right there I decided that she was going to be the collateral if Isaac found it impossible to meet up with the deal that he si
Isabella's POVMy heartbeat pulsates as anxiety dwelled in my heart, Never did I assume that he would do such a thing. But who was I kidding? This was not Maxwell who was standing here or one of those noblemen, I was standing with the deadliest Mafia leader who was capable of anything. "What did you just say?""I have no interest in sleeping in the same room with you Don" As the latter left my mouth, his eyes darkened as he pointed his gun at me once again which made my heart jump. "What are you doing? That's a gun Rodrigo"He smirked lowering his gun down. "It's good you know when to correct yourself, Isabella, Now we are married and you will have to obey every one of my orders"The tears that I was fighting so hard not to fall on my cheeks poured down as I couldn't take it anymore. That was the ugly reality that has engulfed my soul and there was nothing I could do to fight this nightmare. More than anything, I tried to fight this nightmare, to get away from Rodrigo and run into Ma
Isabella's POV"What do you think you are doing?" The man asked staring at me. The look in his eyes was so frightening that I wished I hadn't walked towards that telephone."I…I…" I was lost for words to say. Then again, this was my honeymoon, at least that what's they said which means that I had a right to be there, he was the one who did not have any right to be here especially since I know nothing about him. As if sensing that a lot of things were running through my mind, he pokes his index finger on my forehead pulling me back to reality."Who are you trying to call?""How good is your eyes?" I asked almost immediately which made him scoff glaring at me. Staring at him, I sensed that he was nothing like the other men who worked for Rodrigo, at least he was nothing like Marcello. The man was annoying as ever and I was glad he was not on this trip with us. He had something to take care of so he had to stay back, without having to ask Rodrigo knew it had to do with something illegal
Rodrigo's POVWhen I returned to the room, I wasn't surprised that Isabella was not in the room where I left her. Glancing around the corner and checking the bathroom she was gone. My Adrenaline rushed up as I realized that Juan Carlos lied to me as well. Just as I suspected he was talking with Isabella and probably covering for her, I felt like a fool but wasn't fazed by Carlos's thoughtless act, he was a brazen fellow with a weak heart which is why he gets disappointed and dumped by women a lot.Talking about my mobile phone, I was about to call Juan Carlos when Isabella entered the bedroom."And where have you been?""I went to the bathroom," She said without blinking an eye. This woman was getting on my nerves, if she wasn't pretty I would have cut her open the day that she defiled me. "What bathroom?" I stared at the bathroom in our bedroom dropping my gaze on the wooden door before gawking at her as I took a step closer to her."The other one""What happened to this one?""It w
Issabella's POVRodrigo sat on his favorite seat watching me as I held onto the poll, tears clouded my eyes. I have never been humiliated in my entire life, It wasn't about the fact that he dragged me to his club after I slapped him but he was forcing me to dance for him wearing nothing but those ridiculous clothes those women wore that reveal almost everything. "Rodrigo please" I pleaded with him for the tenth time but his mind was made up as he stared at the clothes he threw at me to change into. "I'm going to rip that cloth off your body if you don't get in the next minute and dance for me""I'm not good at this" I lied, I love dancing a lot, I would dance a lot in my bedroom but I have never danced for any man except Maxwell. I felt disgusted and dirty as the tears that I was fighting so hard not to fall fell on my cheeks but for Rodrigo, that wasn't enough to change his mind, his heart was made of stone. Does he even have one? I doubted it a lot for he knew about my mother's co