Ann’s POV
The front door opens from outside, making me step aside as Luca strolls in. I flash him a smile but he only regards me with a courtesy bow before walking past me.
I bite my lower lip, hesitation creeping in.
I’ve been back since last night and I haven’t set my eyes on Vince. Bored to death, I decided to go meet with Tessa. Luca is supposed to take me there but he seems busy so I walk out.
Vince has been so distant since the other day. At first, I couldn’t believe he would leave me there just like that but as the day progressed into the next day, reality dawned on me.
Vince was doing everything he was doing because he liked me. He truly does.
He used to insist on taking me to the academy because he liked spending time with me. He used to insist on my going with the guards because he wanted to protect me, not just for myself but because he didn’t want any harm to befall me.
I probe, annoy and force him to talk but he doesn’t get angry.
He is doing all of that because he likes me. He didn’t outcast me even after he knew my connections with Isaac Rossi and Carter.
That would have been the deal breaker for most men. Especially men in the business like his.
But the more I think about all of this, the more confused I become. Vince told me he doesn’t do love. Isabella said the same thing as well and I can see it.
Why he decided to tell me he liked me is what I don’t get.
What comes next after a man tells you he likes you? Am I supposed to jump into his arms and tell him I liked him too with passion?
Is this the point where we make our marriage real?
At the thought of that, a dread fills me up. I haven’t thought of a life here permanently.
None of the guards stop me like I think they will. Everyone seems to be minding their business and it makes me wonder if Vince had told them not to have anything to do with me again.
To be honest, it makes me so sad. The fact that I haven’t seen him in days is depressing. I find myself worrying about him, wondering if he is fine and what he is doing.
This thing, between us- this new situation is the last thing I need right now.
I hop into the cab and dial Vince’s number as the cab drives away.
It rings for several minutes before going to voicemail.
I have been trying so hard to summon enough courage to call him since Tuesday after he left me at that hotel, but I haven’t been able to call him.
When I came back, I went to his office but he wasn’t there. I thought of calling but decided against it, thinking he might be busy.
I slept off while waiting for him to come home.
He never did.
I dial his number again and it goes to voice mail. Finally, I give up, sighing with anger brewing inside of me.
Apparently, he is avoiding me and it annoys the shit out of me. I never knew Vicente was this childish.
But on second thought, I feel bad for him. I feel bad for telling him off that way. I should have asked him what he meant when he told me he liked me. I should have asked if he was going to love me like I wanted or if he loved me.
Then, I knew I wasn’t ready to accept that. Not when I am still healing from everything that has happened; Ryan’s leaving and my mother’s death.
I shut my eyes for a second.
Something touches my shoulder and I jerk upright to see the face of the driver hovering over me.
Shit!
I slept off.
Quickly, I get off and look around to see Tessa already waiting in the cafe. I walk in, adjusting my dishevelled hair.
“I thought you were going to waste two hours of my time for nothing,” she mutters as soon as I am close.
I smile and drag a seat out. “Sorry.”
“How was your trip?” She rises and pulls me into a quick hug before settling down again.
“It was ok.”
Silence falls.
“And how are you now?” She peers at me with curiosity. It makes me wonder what exactly she is asking. If this is about my mother or Vince.
“I’m good,” I say with indifference. None of it makes any difference.
“Did he repeat what he said?” Tessa demands, going straight to the reason for our meeting.
I shake my head, my stomach churning with displeasure.
“Do you like him?”
I look up immediately.
Of course, I do, even when I know I shouldn’t. But I can’t admit that, can I? It doesn’t make a difference when we can’t be together like I want us to.
“You like him, don’t you?” I find myself fidgeting with my hands when she repeats the question. “It’s expected, Ann. Remember I told you this from the beginning? Why are you surprised?”
“It’s not true, Tess. It’s not what you think or should I say it’s not what you think it is? It’s not as easy as you make it seem. Vicente only told me he likes me…”
“And that is a start.”
“Of course not. Who knows how many people he has told that too? I like you and Fernando likes Vince. Perhaps, this is the type of like he is talking about.”
Tessa’s jaws drop and she begins to laugh like a maniac, making me feel so stupid with my statement.
I ignore her and look away.
“Vicente is childish, you know?” I suddenly retort, feeling anger rise from inside again. “He left me and came back to LA without a single day. I called him a while ago but he refused to pick up. Even my assigned guards no longer follow me out anymore. So tell me, does a man who truly likes a woman do all of these? It’s so silly and childish.”
She stares at me for a moment before taking my hand. “Annette, calm down. If I was in his shoes and I got rejected like you did, I would throw you out of my house the next minute.”
I throw her a harsh glare and she chuckles again.
“Seriously, all of these are expected. I told Fernando you two look good together and I couldn’t wait to see your kids.”
I lean forward and slap her hands.
Silence falls again and she pushes the coffee towards me.
Without a word, I take a sip, the warmth filling my throat.
“Maybe I should start looking for an apartment around, it seems I will soon be thrown out like you said at this point,” I concede.
She shakes her head. “Vicente won’t do that…”
“You can’t be so sure…”
“I thought you knew him more than I do, Annette. Don’t be sentimental, girl. Vicente is just acting that way because he is upset with you. A proper rejection would have suffice.” Concern shadows her eyes.
“Why are you making me feel like the bad person here? You are my friend, remember? Not his.”
She doesn’t laugh, her expression is still concern-filled.
“I want you to be happy.”
“I am.”
“No, you are not. Are you still not over Ryan?”
“What?!” I exclaim with disbelief. “Of course I am.”
“It doesn’t seem like you have because I see no reason why you can’t give Vince a chance.”
I sigh again, desperation filling me. Tessa doesn’t seem to understand me. She doesn’t look like she intends to understand my point.
“Well, you two need to settle whatever difference you have. Will you be at the party tonight, though?”
I furrow my brows, wondering what party she is talking about. She notices the confusion written over my face and demands. “He didn’t tell you?”
Slowly, I shake my head.
Her brows are raised. “He didn’t tell you about your party either? The one for next week?”
My confusion intensifies. My party?
“What party are you talking about?”
She sighs deeply. “Well, you need to be introduced to every member of the family as the queen. They need to recognize you as the queen, hence your party. No one knows you as the Mafia Don’s wife and the party is an initiation…”
“I’m not interested,” I cut her short, taking another sip of the already cold coffee.
Her jaws drop. “Why?”
“Because I am getting an annulment,” I announce suddenly, and her eyes bulge wide open in shock.