MATTEO’s POV
I slammed my fist on the steering wheel, fury coursing through my veins. Aria thought she could outsmart me? Ha! I’ll show her who’s boss. My mind seethed with thoughts of her, my obsession burning hotter than ever. The mere idea of her with anyone else, especially that pathetic Rosaline, was unbearable.
I growled to myself, scanning the streets as I drove, determined to find her. She was hiding somewhere, and I would uncover her. Oh, how I would make her pay for her stubbornness.
My phone rang, and I answered, my voice low and menacing. “Yes?”
“It’s Gia,” my sister’s voice came through the line, laced with a warning. “I know what you’re doing, Matteo. And I’m telling you to stop.”
I sneered, my anger boiling over. “You think you can stop me, Gia? Do you think you can stand in my way?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Aria,” Gia spat. “And so will Charles. We won’t let you hurt her again.”
My smile grew wider. “You’re no match for me, Gia. And neither is Aria. I’ll get her and keep her with me. You know why? Cause she is mine. I own her”.
“She’s not some property, Matteo. She’s human” I chuckled, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened “she is my property”
“Charles and I-”
“Charles? That son of a bitch isn’t who you think he is. He’s just the same monster you think I am”
“No”. She whispered in a broken voice through the phone.
“It’s only a matter of time till he shows you who he really is”.
I felt a sense of triumph as I ended the call, amused by Gia’s attempt to thwart me. I was a master of manipulation, always emerging victorious. And now, with Gia and Charles attempting to intervene, I had the perfect opportunity to unleash my full fury.
I leaned back, steepling my fingers as I plotted. My plan was in motion, and nothing could stop me from claiming Aria as mine.
I arrived at Rosaline’s workplace, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on her. I approached her desk with calculated calmness. “Rosaline,” I said, my voice low and even. “We need to talk.”
She looked up, a hint of apprehension in her eyes. “What do you want, Matteo?”
I flashed a charming smile. “I’ve been thinking, and I’ve come to realize that Aria’s safety is at risk with you. She’s not safe with you, Rosaline.”
Rosaline’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
I leaned in, my voice taking on a menacing tone. “I’m talking about the fact that I will stop at nothing to get what I want. And what I want is Aria. So, I suggest you hand her over to me… if you want her to be safe.” Rosaline stood firm, her face pale but resolute.
“I’ll never hand Aria over to you, Matteo. You’ll have to go through me first.” I chuckled, my eyes gleaming with amusement, my voice dripping with malice.
“Oh, how I’m shaking in my boots. Let me say this, I always get what I want. And if you dare stand in my way… well, let’s just say I have no worries about hurting those who dare to cross me.” Rosaline took a step back, her eyes fixed on me with a mix of fear and revulsion.
“You’re a monster, Matteo. Aria deserves so much better than a manipulative, controlling creep like you.” I laughed again, the sound echoing off the walls, my smile growing wider.
“You know, Rosaline, I think you’re right. Aria does deserve better than me. But she’s my wife!! Mine!!!”. I yelled, and Rosaline’s face hardened, her jaw set in determination.
“I’ll never let that happen, Matteo. I’ll fight you every step of the way, with every ounce of strength I have.” I shrugged, my smile growing even wider.
“I’m counting on it, Rosaline. I’m counting on it.”
I emerged from Rosaline’s office, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. Aria’s leaving home again hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me reeling.
I felt her slipping away, and the thought was unbearable. I slid into my car, starting the engine, but I was unable to move. I sat there, head in my hands, overwhelmed by my emotions.
A sigh escaped my lips, followed by a faint sob. I angrily brushed away the tears, furious at myself for showing weakness.
“Why am I doing this?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Why am I forcing her to stay with me when she so clearly wants to be free?” The questions swirled in my mind, taunting me with the truth: I was trapped in a toxic cycle of manipulation and control, and I couldn’t escape.
As I sat in my car, my anger and frustration simmered just below the surface. I felt sad and alone that it was because of my actions she left me. Yet, I couldn’t stop now. I had to see it through, no matter the cost. With a sense of urgency, I drove to the meeting spot, my mind racing with strategies to get control over Aria again. I felt like I was losing myself in this game, but I couldn’t stop playing.
Soon, I approached Carter, I knew I had to convince him to help me. “Aria’s with Rosaline, and Charles is protecting her,” I told him, my voice low and urgent. Carter’s eyes narrowed, his expression ruthless.
“Charles? He decided to switch sides. I see…we’ll get him”
“I need you to go get her. Force her to come back home to me.” I said, then hesitated, feeling a pang of uncertainty.
“It’s not that simple, Matteo. Aria’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with you right now. She ran off for God damn sake!” Carter shouted, his disdain evident.
“I’m not going to let her dictate the terms. I need to show her who’s in control.” Carter shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration and desperation.
“You don’t understand, Matteo. Aria’s different. She’s not like the others. You can’t just bully her into submission. You need a plan to win her back, to make her see things your way.
I rose an eyebrow. “Oh, so now you’re an expert on Aria? You think you know what’s best for her?”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I appreciate your input, but I need to handle this my way. If you won’t do as I say, I’ll do things my way.”
Carter shrugged. “Suit yourself, Matteo. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You don’t want her running off with another man”.
Carter’s words struck a nerve. “Another man?” I repeated, feeling a surge of jealousy.
“You think someone else would move on, Aria?”
Carter nodded.
“It’s only a matter of time, Matteo. Aria’s a beautiful and intelligent woman. She won’t be single for long.”
I felt a pang of possessiveness, my mind racing with the thought of another man touching Aria, holding her, loving her. No, I couldn’t let that happen.
“No,” I said through gritted teeth. “I have to get her.”
Carter sighed, a knowing glint in his eye. “It’s your call, boss.”
I didn’t want to hear Carter’s words cause they had sparked something within me. I was determined to get Aria back, no matter what it took.
I got into my car, my mind racing with plans and strategies. I would show Aria that I wasn’t a man to be played with. I would make her mine, once and for all.