A brief pause.
"If anything…" his eyes hardened slightly, "…I'm here to make sure a criminal doesn't escape."
Aria's expression darkened instantly
"I'm not your bodyguard in the way you think," Dante added calmly. "I'm simply carrying out the Don's orders."
Before Aria could respond, the waitress returned, carefully placing their orders on the table.
"Your cappuccino and croissant, ma'am," she said with a polite smile before placing Dante's order in front of him as well. "And your macchiato, sir."
She straightened slightly.
"Enjoy your meal."
With that, she turned and walked away.
"Excuse me?" Aria scoffed, her disbelief evident as she looked back at Dante. "He told me I had my freedom. That I could go out, breathe, think…"
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"But clearly, that was a lie."
She pushed her chair back slightly, anger rising.
"So now I'm a criminal?" she continued sharply. "Someone to be watched over by… you?"
Her eyes flicked over him with open disdain.
"A fool."
Without waiting for a response, Aria stood up abruptly, her chair scraping lightly against the floor. She didn't even spare a glance at the untouched coffee and croissant in front of her.
Instead, she turned and walked out of the café.
The bell above the door chimed sharply as she exited.
Outside, the air felt colder.
She began walking along the street, her steps quick and filled with frustration. Dante followed closely behind, silent but unwavering, his presence constant.
Eventually, Aria stopped in front of a bookstore.
Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Soft murmurs could be heard as people browsed quietly. The scent of books....both old and new filled the air, calming and familiar as they're arranged on the tall shelves.
Without wasting time, she moved through the aisles, her fingers trailing lightly over the spines until she selected two books.
She had always loved books.
Even back at the mansion, her room was filled with them. Entire shelves lined with stories she had read over the years. There was even a grand library....one she had spent countless hours in, lost between pages instead of reality.
Without lingering any longer, she walked toward the counter, completed her purchase, and stepped back outside.
"It's time to shop for your outfits," Dante's voice cut in, pulling her back to reality.
He gestured toward a boutique across the street.
By now, night had begun to settle in.
Aria let out a slow, tired sigh before walking toward the boutique.
Inside, the place was nothing short of luxurious.
Elegant gowns hung neatly on display. Shelves showcased designer shoes, handbags, and diamond necklaces.
Dante wasted no time. He moved efficiently through the store, selecting four stunning gowns without hesitation.
Aria, on the other hand, lowered herself into a nearby seat, her gaze fixed downward.
Her chest tightened.
She wanted to cry but she held it back.
"Except for these four," Dante said firmly, gesturing toward the selected gowns, "pack everything else on this shelf."
The sales representative froze momentarily, clearly shocked.
Aria lifted her gaze slightly, equally stunned.
Dante didn't stop there.
He moved toward the shoe section, then the bags, and finally the jewelry....selecting a few items to leave behind while instructing the rest to be packed.
"Wrap those as well," he added, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Aria let out a quiet scoff.
Who exactly are these even for? she thought bitterly. His women? Because those are definitely not for me.
Once everything was settled, Dante turned and walked out, expecting her to follow.
And she did.
Silently.
They stepped outside and made their way to the car. Soon, the purchased items were loaded in, and the vehicle pulled away smoothly.
*****
Not long after, they arrived back at the mansion.
Or rather…
Her prison.
Aria stepped out of the car so made her way inside till she was standing at the room door and opened it only to see Damien who was already inside, seated majestically on the couch in the room.
Aria's heart skipped.
"I've been waiting for you," Damien said coldly as he rose to his feet.
He walked toward her with slow steps before shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Go get ready," he ordered. "We're leaving in an hour."
Aria blinked, caught off guard.
"An hour?" she repeated, her brows knitting together as confusion flickered in her eyes. "Where are we going?"