JADE
“Luciano…” I cleared my throat a little before attempting to speak.
It had been approximately an hour since I saw Luciano walk out of his study room fuming and livid.
I did not have the guts to even approach him or ask what was wrong. He was too terrifying and angered to speak to.
But hopefully now as we had our lunch, he would open up a bit.
“Yes Jade?” He normally called me wife not Jade.
Was he in a mood to speak?
I fought myself within for the answer, my heart beat increasing with each passing nanosecond.
“I believe you called me Jade. Are you not speaking?” His tone was calm but had an agitated or should I say an impatient undertone.
It totally snap me out of my daze as I had forgotten that I was even sitting on the dinning table with him.
“Oh sorry a-about the pause. Please is there anything wrong?” I inquired with a worried face.
“Oh nothing is wrong why would you ask that?” Luciano replied my question with a question before taking small bites of his food.
“Luciano I asked that because I saw you come….” I held myself back in an instant, taking a quick but timely pause in my statement.
Luciano does not know that I evesdroped on the confidential conversation he had with his brother and uncle. If he found out I do not think he will be happy with me.
He keeps on trying to shield me away from believing or even thinking that something is wrong in this family.
But from all indications and everything I have encountered since I came here, I definitely know there is something fishy in this family. The unity and love they claim to have is just a farcade and I do not even know why they still pretend.
“You saw what Jade?” Luciano chimed into my thoughts once more.
Damn. I was being so absent minded.
I straightened my spine on the seat and cleared my throat once more. “Well I have been observing you since you got back and you have not been happy. In fact you have been quiet and your facial features seem so hardened and tensed. What is the issue? Your countenance is not of a happy one” I sweetly asked him, my hands reaching for his.
Luciano darted his eyes to stare at my petite fingers which were caressing his before speaking, “Do not be worried about me Jade. I have been dealing with a lot of work issues. I am just feeling so stressed out ok. I will be fine” he smiled at me.
His reply was awfully fake. He was lying. I could tell he was. Or probably he was not saying the entire truth. It could be the conversation he had with his uncle and brother related to business but I believe he was not saying the full truth.
And besides, what business does he actually involve in? I do not even have a single clue of my husband’s occupation.
“If you say so. But Luciano, what is your occupation?” I sounded more brave now.
“Pardon?” He asked, almost letting out a cough.
“Your business. Your work. What do you do for a living?” I reiterated my question.
“Do you really want to know?” A charming smirk sat on his lips.
I nodded eagerly, “I do”.
“Well let us just say I am involved in the shipments of various goods all around Europe and America” Luciano vaguely responded.
But it only piqued my curiosity more. “What goods?”
I watched with steady eyes as Luciano dropped his cutleries and sighed deeply. “For your own sake do not ask me about my business or my occupation” he declared in a sudden stern tone.
“Why? Can’t I know what you are into?” I asked with creased brows. I was utterly confused now.
“Jade I believed I have made myself clear ok. Do not ask me about my occupation ever again are we clear on that?”
“Yes… we are” I yielded in, my throat tightening as I spoke.
Lunch went on in silence from there after, each person deeply in thoughts.
No matter what Luciano says to me, I will definitely try to find out what is going on in our marraige and this family.
That is a promise.
* * * * * *
“Are you sure I should not walk you down? Keep you company perhaps?” Jane, one of my maids asked as we stepped out of the doors to my living room together.
“No Jane. I am just taking a little stroll around the estate. I need it to cool me off. And I need to be alone. What are you so worried about? Go back in”
She did not seem very convinced. “Are you sure?” She prod further.
“I am sure. Go back inside and continue whatever you are doing” I instructed her.
“As you wish Signora” she bowed her head at me before stepping back in.
Finally. I needed to be on my own honestly.
I meandered on the white paved roads, ambling slowly as the cool night breeze glided through my hairs and calmed my senses.
The street lamps provided a beautiful golden glow on the roads as I ambled my way to an unknown destination. The discussion I had with Luciano remained in my mind, unable to fade out.
When the topic was about why he seemed angry, he was very calm in replying. But immediately the topic changed to his occupation, his countenance changed as well.
He became very authoritative and stern with me. It was like the question I asked was forbidden in the mansion. Could it be that he was involved in illegal activities? Was that why he was so definitive about it?
I was so lost in thoughts that I didn’t even realise where I was heading to and the approaching footsteps from behind me.
“Our beautiful moglie” I heard a familiar voice speak from behind me.
I pivoted around and my eyes landed on Raffaele. He walked further towards me. “What are you doing walking out by yourself in this time of the night?”
I could sense the sarcasm in his tone.
“It is none of your business and this is a family’s estate. Nobody will harm me so do not worry yourself about me” I replied back.
“Well do not be too sure Jade” Raffaele smiled maniacally.
He was so creepy.
“Raffaele your words do not scare me. I am even thankful I met you. You upset my husband didn’t you?”
“Oh I can see he has spread more lies about me to you already. What did he say I did this time around?” Raffaele chuckled.
“He did not say anything to me. But I know fully well you did something to irritate Luciano. I heard the discussion that went on between you, him and your uncle. Raffaele can we not have a moment of peace in our family?
Why are you and your wife so hell bent on frustrating I and Luciano? What did we ever do to you two? Aurora lies to mother and you lie to uncle. Like the hell!”
“I certainly have no clue of whatever you are saying Jade. I am not responsible for anything. The bickering you have with Aurora is none of my business Jade” Raffaele said plainly.
I eyed him terribly. “Good night then but you ought to be careful and stop toying with my marraige”
“Else what?” Raffaele challenged me.
“Else I will have you cropped at the neck or do you think I do not possess the power to do so?” I gritted out.
His eyes raked mine and I held his sinister glare, not wanting to break our heated stare.
Attempting to leave, Raffaele held me back to my total shock.
“You know why I like you? You are so bold but you have to be careful yourself. I am far more dangerous than you think”
I gulped and straightened my shoulders, “I don’t give a fuck Raffaele. Now let me go”
“What do you see in Luciano anyway that made you challenge me like this? I can treat you far better than him. Why are you so all over Luciano?” Raffaele did not even bat a single eyelid whilst speaking.
He said those forbidden words with so much confidence.
“He is my husband Raffaele. Can you even hear yourself speak? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? You have a wife and two sons” I was disgusted at him.
“And so? Jade you are the one I want. Try me and see for yourself. I will pleasure you far better than Luciano can ever do”
“Let go of me. Someone might see this” I ordered.
“Does he touch you? I will touch you even more and kiss your feet. I will worship the ground you walk on and fuck you till all memory of Luciano wipes away” Raffaele flashed me bedroom eyes, his voice a husky whisper.
“How dare you!” I slapped him hard across the face. “Get the hell away from me!”
“Just because I have not yet told Luciano about the rubbish you tried to do to me the last time does not mean I can not do so. I thought you would realise your mistake but here you are even thinking of doing worse” I gripped Raffaele by the collar of his shirt.
“Go ahead and tell him sweetheart. Do you think I give a goddamn fuck? Jade I want you. I want to have my way with you so bad and I do not care if you tell Luciano or not”
“You are insane! You feel no single remorse! If you ever think I will let you touch me then you must be stupid. Never in this life” a tornado of emotions wrecked me. I was boiling with resentment and anger seared my heart.
“Raffaele…” Aurora’s voice walked into our conversation. “I have been looking for you. What are you doing here with her? This whore” she held unto Raffaele’s arm and her eyes glared at me.
“I am not a whore Aurora. But perhaps you might be. A poor oppressed woman who has no say in her life affairs and marraige” I smiled sweetly.
I felt nothing but pity for her. She married a total brute but she tries so hard to hide it.
“Aurora I’ll meet you in a second go back inside” Raffaele replied.
“Jade you are big fool do you know that..”
“Aurora! Go back inside now. I do not want to repeat myself!” Raffaele growled at her.
“I believe you should listen to your husband darling. Run along now” I mocked her.
Aurora angrily breathed but she did not say a word to me. Instead she obeyed her husband like a submissive and stomped away.
“Raffaele you are a big brute. Honestly. I feel for your poor wife. Goodnight” I sneered and turned to leave.
I guess I have more on my hands than I thought.