JADE
I was running, running so fast. My feets dug deep into the wet, black soil as I sprinted through what seemed like a very dark forest.
I stumbled upon shrubs, branches and tall grasses on my way and I had so many cuts and bruises from them.
But I just had to run as fast as I could. Someone was chasing me. Someone that wanted me to kill me. The unknown murderer was angry, blood thirsty and revengeful.
My heart drummed in my ears and my body was going weak from exhaustion.
I ran so fast but I accidentally stumbled over a branch and fell flat to the ground.
I raised my eyes up and right before me was Raffaele, a murderous intent glaring in his eyes for me.
His gun was pointed right at my head but before he could pull the trigger, Luciano came out from nowhere and tackled him to the ground. I watched them fight to death until the sound of a gunshot blasted through my earwalls.
All the blood drained from my face that instant and pain overwhelmed me. Raffaele had shot Luciano right in the head and now he had the gun targeted back at me. I wanted to stand and move but I could not.
I found myself stuck on the ground by an unexplainable force. I shrieked, screaming at the top of my voice for someone to save me.
“Goodnight princess” he grinned maliciously before pulling the trigger.
“Jade! Jade! Calm down ok” I heard a distinct male tone probing into the abyss of darkness I had fallen into.
I flew my eyes open at once with a gasp leaving my lips. Multiple sweat beads had covered almost my entire body and my heart was beating way too fast.
“He wants to kill us Luciano…” my lips quivered, my fidgety fingers grasping onto Luciano’s hands.
“Who wants to kill us? Calm down ok” Luciano urged, pulling me to his chest and wrapping my petite body with his arms.
“I ha-had a dream Luciano…” I did not know when I had started sobbing. The dream seemed so real to just overlook.
“Do not cry ok. It was all a dream. And now you are safe with me. I will never let anyone or anything harm you. I promise” Luciano planted a soft kiss on my perspiration covered temples, trying to lul me back to sleep.
I was petrified and confused. What sort of a dream was that?
Eventually, I succumbed to Luciano’s attempt to make me fall asleep again and my heart began beating at a steady pace.
I woke up again, probably hours later, and I felt my body being light. I was greeted by my three personal maids who were arranging my room but there was no sign of Luciano.
Trying to adjust my vision, I sat up and massaged my temples.
Now in daytime, I fully observed the room. It looked more beautiful and less scary than in the night time.
The sun rays filtered through curtains and the air in the room was no longer chilly but warm on my skin.
“We have prepared your bath signora” Elizabeth smiled at me.
I nodded and got out of bed. My head felt extremely dizzy and my steps were tottering but my maids helped me to undress and get to the shower.
Whilst freshening up, a thought waved at my mind. Luciano never touched me last night.
It is not like I wanted it but I expected him to make an attempt given how brutal he was with his words last night.
But he did not touch me. And now I feel my bones need a little massage from the way I slept last night.
I got out of the bathroom and my maids helped in bringing out my outfit and getting me dressed up. They were really a helpful trio. Probably I could get use to this princess treatment, I thought cockily.
“Breakfast is ready downstairs” Jane informed after she was done styling my hair.
“Sure. I am starving” I responded, leaving my room whilst they finished up arranging it.
On getting to the large dinning area, I noticed Luciano was also not in sight. I thought I would meet him already seated in like yesterday.
But he was not around. Did he have breakfast before me? Well the food looked untouched.
“Has my husband been served breakfast?” I asked whilst pulling a seat out for myself.
“No Signora. He declined to eat” A maid responded to my amazement. Well that was strange.
My grumbling stomach reminded me that I needed to eat. I started eating at once, satisfying my appetite first.
As I ate, I expected to see Luciano walk in through the doors and join me but he never showed up. It felt a bit out of place for me.
I suddenly began feeling worried at his absence and the dream I had earlier today struck my mind.
I never wanted to marry Luciano but what will I gain from not being a good human being to him? I needed to go look for him.
His brothers give off a very ominous aura. I do not even want to see them anywhere close to us.
“Where is my husband?” I asked one of the maid who was on standby as I ate.
“He is in the garden” she timidly replied.
“Great. Take me there” I stood to my feet.
She seemed unsure of my request and also reluctant to do so.
“I said take me there” I repeated myself.
“Pardon me signora but whenever he is in the garden, he does not like when we disturb him”
“What? You are not disturbing him. You are bringing his wife to him. Take me there this instant. I will not repeat myself again” I demanded, this time my tone was stern and firm.
She bowed her head and led me out of the mansion doors and into the garden.
There I saw Luciano, facing the flowery bushes with a faraway look in his eyes. I bet he did not even notice me.
“You may go” I whispered to the maid.
“Luciano Goodmorning”
He looked at me, a smile appearing on his lips. His smile was rather very beautiful and infectious.
“Goodmorning wife. Did you sleep well? How was your night?” He asked.
I walked over to him, “It was ok. Minus the weird ass dream. I hope you slept well too?” I courteously asked as we began taking slow walks round the garden.
I was marvelled at its beauty. The garden was adorned with numerous small gnome sculptures carefully placed in different corners. It also housed a delightful array of fragrant flowers, each emitting a pleasant aroma that captivated my senses. And the garden boasted of an abundance of vibrantly colored butterflies which left me utterly spellbound and filled with wonder.
“I did Jade. Have you eaten?” Luciano spoke up.
“I have but I was told you have not. Why?” I inquired with creased brows.
“I am not feeling hungry Jade. I never knew you could be this concerned about me. One might even think you love me” He grinned.
“I don’t love you” I sharply stated. “I am just feeling concerned like how every normal human being would feel”
“You did not touch me last night though” I blurted out before I could even stop myself.
Luciano nodded, “Yes I did not. Do you have any problem with that?” He turned to face me.
“No… It is not that.. I was just.. shocked that you could actually do it” I was still perplexed by his actions.
“I am a man of many surprises. I will give you as much time as you need to accept our marraige if that is what you desire. You do not need to be scared of me ok” he assured.
“Thank you” I said gently, breathing out in relief.
Probably Luciano was not as bad as I thought.
“I could just go to one of my mistresses and have them satisfy my sexual needs” Luciano added out of the blue as he attempted to leave the garden.
I stand corrected. The once-present smile on my face swiftly disappeared, replaced by a deep scowl that etched itself upon my features.
“You are a married man Luciano!” I exclaimed, taking myself by surprise too.
“So?” He stopped to stare at me with no atom of remorse for what he just said.
“Have some dignity! Keep your balls in your pants!” I retorted back.
With a step, Luciano closed the distance between us causing my heart to skip a beat. “You do not want me to touch you but yet you still do not want me to touch another woman. Are you jealous?” He huskily murmured.
“What? Me jealous? Never. Not in a million years!” I pushed him away and crossed my arms.
“Then it is settled then. I shall go meet my mistresses tonight” Luciano decided.
Was he trying to get me angry on purpose?
“Luciano you can not do that!”
“If you do not want me to go then just say it and I will not go” Luciano teased me.
“I do not want you to go. Keep your balls here!” I was surprised by my own boldness in actually saying that to him.
Luciano burst into laughter and it really annoyed me watching him take delight in my discomfort.
“Jade” he stopped laughing, taking a step closer towards me. “Remember what I told you in our wedding reception? I said I will be a dutiful and loyal husband to you. I won’t break that promise to you ok. I will stand by my word” Luciano said as he took hold of my hands and placed compassionate kisses on them.
His lips felt like fire on my skin, sending heat down my body and my face became flushed.
I was too dazed to give a reply.
“I have to go to work now ok. I will see you later tonight” he winked before walking away.
I just stared at his exiting profile with a million butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
Perhaps this marriage could actually work out between us.