The ride back to villa Rosa was painfully quiet. They both had so much to say but decided to save the whole conversation until later, what they needed the most was rest. The silence between them was not awkward, It was almost heavy because it carried too many unspoken things.
"We should go on a vacation soon, maybe Paris or Greece" Dante said gently finally breaking the silence. "Anywhere you want."
He watched her quietly. Elena was resting her head against the window as the city lights blurred past them, she didn't look at him, she just concentrated on the big companies along the road and the street lights. She was in no mood to speak to him and he understood her quite well because he did not push for a reply.
The gentleness in his voice almost forced her to wrap her arms around him. She knew deep down that they both needed a long hug. A vacation to Paris or Greece? Away from the villa, away from the Moretti drama? That would be awesome. She pictured herself on the beach, finally able to wear her new set of bikinis and sundresses.
Dante went back to scrolling through messages on his phone, calm and composed like they hadn't just left the Moretti estate. She wasn't surprised because after all he was used to his family and she was not.
Elena wished she could stay as calm as he was. Even if what was between herself and Dante was not real, she still felt helpless and stuck. The Moretti were not the kind of people anyone could simply walk away from without consequences. Dante knew that well and he still allowed her get involved. He had better protect her like he promised.
His mother's words kept replaying in her head.
We had an arrangement.
It annoyed her greatly that Paula had attempted to look down on her. She does not care about how much their son's happiness means less to them but she would not allow them talk down on her being. If only they knew who her father is. Since they already picked out a bride for him, he can as well go ahead with the marriage. Their fake engagement mission didn't seem as easy as she had imagined.
The moment the car came to a halt in front of Villa Rosa, Elena exhaled quietly in relief. It felt really good to be finally home. As much as being in the villa annoyed her, she would rather be here than be in Dante's family house. The perfection of the Moretti estate bothered her.
They walked into the villa side by side after the driver helped Dante unpack the boxes of wine they had bought on the way.
Elena watched as Dante walked briskly into her side of the villa , he unbolted the door with ease and threw himself on the only cushion in the living room. He loosened the first few buttons of his shirt as he exhaled sharply.
"Why are you here?" She asked as he poured himself a glass of white wine.
"I don't want to be alone this evening" he said as a matter of fact.
"I can't do this anymore Dante" Elena whispered.
"Do what?" he raised his brows in question.
"The whole fake engagement thing, your family scares me I won't lie. It feels too real, it's not meant to feel this real. I can not keep pretending like I belong in your world"
"What if you do?" he teased her. "This is almost over Elena. We took the most important step today."
Elena blinked at him.
"Don't overthink this" he took a gentle sip from his glass.
She was trying so hard to keep her calm because thinking about it, the whole thing was her idea.
"We are seeing my father tomorrow" he told her.
"What! I haven't even recovered from this one visit" Elena screamed. He was really going to drive her crazy.
"I will make it up to you" he gave her a small smile.
"No Dante, don't be selfish" she eyed him. "I am not going back to that place".
He sighed. "We have to Elena.... I will protect you, let's get this over with once and for all... please?"
There is no going back at this point. That she is very much aware of.
"After it gets sorted, you won't bother me again?" She frowned deeply.
He looked at her and smiled "I cross my heart"
His voice was certain and she hated that it has so much effect on her, it gave her some kind of reassurance that she needs. She would trust him just this once.
He had better take her to Paris just like he promised.
A soft knock echoed through the living room.
Dante's jaw tightened "you have a guest"
"That should be Henry" she grimaced. "I really hope he doesn't get the wrong impression seeing you here."
"Is my cousin your boyfriend?" Dante rolled his eyes.
The knock came again. This time louder than before.
"I'll get it," Elena said as she rushed towards the door.
The moment she pulled it open, Dante peered over her shoulder with a wide grin on his face.
"Hey buddy" Henry's face lit up in a surprised smile as he helped himself inside the house.
"What are you doing here?" he inquired.
"Just spending time with my neighbor" Dante replied casually like it was the most normal thing to do.
Henry handed Elena a cell phone and a bag of toiletries and cosmetics.
"Thank you Henry" she gave him a small hug.
"I got you a new cell phone simply because you asked. I can't allow you access to your phone" he told her as a matter of fact. "Don't do anything silly Elena"
Dante watched as they exchanged a knowing look. "Are you guys dating?"
Henry burst out laughing "No...Relax!"
"What if we are?" Elena blurted out in obvious annoyance.
"It never crossed my mind that you guys might become friends" Henry said in a bid to change the topic.
"She is helping me get out of my engagement to Gabby's daughter" Dante laughed.
Henry's expression froze. He looked from Dante to Elena "This is not funny, why are you involving her in something as dangerous as this ?"
Dante scoffed "Henry please don't overreact. I'll be there to protect her"
"Gabby is a beast Dante, leave Elena out of it please, we both know you can get through this on your own buddy." Henry shook his head in disapproval.
Elena patted Henry's shoulder in a soft familiar manner "It was my idea to help him Henry, just this once and I'm out."
Henry gave her a long stare, he didn't look convinced.
"I will be fine" Elena assured him.
Dante scoffed "I'm getting sick of the both of you acting like lovers"
He turned to face Henry "mind your business, will you? She's safe with me."
"Elena is my business" Henry gave his cousin a hard look. "Make sure she's safe."
Dante said nothing but the silence was not convincing. Henry leaned over to look into his cousin's eyes.
"Alright papa bear. She's in safe hands" Dante scoffed. "You know it!"