C122 For Now

Dante stood in the middle of the room, his hands clenching and unclenching as he stared at Annabelle’s face.

“Are you crazy?” she yelled, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Her chest rose and fell quickly, and the tension in her body was palpable.

He didn’t flinch at her outburst, didn’t rise to meet her anger as he normally might.

“I’m asking you,” he said quietly, his voice low and steady, “if you love me.”

Her hands flew into the air, exasperation etched into every line of her face.

“You’re insane for even asking me that!” she shouted, her words fuelled by a mix of anger and disbelief.

Dante took a step closer, his dark eyes locked on hers, unwavering in their intensity.

Instead of letting her continue to pull away, he grabbed her firmly by the arms, stopping her in place.

“Listen to me,” he said, his voice rough but not unkind.

Annabelle stiffened under his grip, her lips pressing into a tight line, but she didn’t try to pull free.

“I love you,” he repeated, his gaze boring into hers with an almost desperate determination.

Her eyes flickered with something he couldn’t place, but she didn’t respond immediately.

“I don’t care if you don’t believe me,” he said, his tone softening but losing none of its conviction.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she searched his face, her breathing uneven and shallow.

“I love you,” he said again, the words coming slower this time, as if each one carried the weight of the world.

“I don’t want to keep doing this back and forth,” he continued, his voice steady but laced with frustration.

“I’m done playing games,” he said, the finality in his tone impossible to ignore.

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he admitted, the rawness in his voice cutting through the tension in the room.

Her lips parted slightly, but she quickly pressed them together as if silencing whatever thought had almost escaped.

“You infuriate me,” he said, a slight edge to his voice, “but I don’t want to live without you.”

Annabelle finally pulled free of his grip, taking a step back as she shook her head.

She folded her arms across her chest, creating a barrier between them that he couldn’t ignore.

“What about Natasha?” she asked, her voice sharp, her eyes narrowing as she threw the question at him.

Dante sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stepped back slightly to give her space.

“That was a stupid joke,” he said, his tone laced with regret.

“I shouldn’t have indulged it,” he admitted, his gaze softening as it rested on her face.

Annabelle’s jaw tightened, and she shook her head, her disappointment clear.

“That’s your problem,” she said, her voice quieter but no less cutting.

“You toy with people,” she continued, her words deliberate and unyielding.

Her gaze held his for a moment longer before she looked away, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

“And that’s why I can’t feel safe with you,” she said, her voice almost breaking as the words left her lips.

Dante’s heart clenched as he watched her turn on her heel, her movements quick and filled with purpose.

She walked away, leaving him standing in the middle of the room, his hands still outstretched as if reaching for her retreating form.

The sound of her footsteps echoed faintly, growing softer until they disappeared entirely.

*******

Annabelle stood in front of the mirror, brushing her fingers through her hair.

Her chestnut waves fell neatly down her shoulders, but it felt like no amount of effort could calm the storm brewing inside her.

She had spent most of the night going over every moment with Dante.

His declaration of love, her anger, and then that ridiculous mention of Natash.

All of it swirled in her mind.

When she couldn’t bear her thoughts any longer, she decided that staying indoors would only worsen things.

The house felt suffocating, and she needed space.

Cathy’s bubbly excitement about school provided the perfect excuse to leave.

Annabelle found Angelo in his usual spot near the main sitting area, casually leaning against the wall with his ever-present watchful gaze.

“I’d like to take Cathy shopping today,” Annabelle said, trying to sound composed.

Angelo’s dark brows lifted slightly as if her request surprised him.

“Shopping?” he repeated, folding his arms.

“Yes,” she said firmly, “I want to get her school supplies. She needs things, and it’s better to choose them ourselves.”

Angelo tilted his head slightly, assessing her, before nodding slowly.

“Anything you need can be delivered here,” he said.

“I’m sure Dante would agree with me.”

Annabelle shook her head, crossing her arms to match his stance.

“No, I want to go out. Cathy hasn’t been out properly since we arrived. She deserves some fresh air too.”

For a moment, Angelo seemed ready to argue, but then he gave a small nod.

“I’ll have to check in,” he said, his tone calm but measured.

Annabelle knew what that meant.

He would have to ask Dante for permission.

The thought of Dante having a say over her every movement irked her, but she forced herself to stay composed.

“Fine,” she said, “but I want to leave soon.”

Angelo walked off, speaking into his phone in hushed tones.

Annabelle busied herself preparing Cathy for their outing.

Cathy was bouncing with excitement, her little hands clasping the edges of her dress as she asked endless questions about what they would buy.

When Angelo returned, he gave her a slight nod.

“It’s been approved,” he said simply.

“I’ll be escorting you myself.”

Annabelle wasn’t surprised.

Of course, Dante wouldn’t let her go without his men shadowing her every step.

She chose not to dwell on it.

She just wanted to get out.

When the sleek black SUV pulled up to the front, Annabelle ushered Cathy inside, her sister practically buzzing with excitement.

As she was about to climb in, a strange sensation prickled the back of her neck.

She turned instinctively and looked up.

There he was.

Dante stood at the window of his room, his figure silhouetted by the sunlight streaming through the glass.

Even from a distance, she could feel his intense gaze, sharp and unyielding.

Her chest tightened as their eyes met for a fleeting moment.

She quickly turned away and slid into the car, gripping the edge of the seat to steady herself.

Her emotions tumbled over each other, a chaotic mix of anger, longing, and something she couldn’t quite name.

Today, she told herself, would be about Cathy.

No one else.

The drive into the city was uneventful.

Angelo sat in the front seat, his calm presence a contrast to the bustling streets outside.

Cathy was a ball of energy beside her, pointing out every interesting thing she saw through the window.

Annabelle forced herself to focus on her sister’s excitement, nodding and smiling at her chatter.

When they arrived at the shopping centre, Annabelle stepped out and took a deep breath.

The air felt different here, less oppressive than in Dante’s mansion.

She held Cathy’s hand tightly as they walked through the entrance, Angelo trailing a few steps behind like a silent shadow.

The bright lights and lively atmosphere of the mall were a welcome distraction.

Cathy immediately dragged her towards a stationery shop, her eyes lighting up at the sight of colourful notebooks and shiny pens.

Annabelle let her sister explore, watching her with a fond smile as she picked up item after item, weighing her options with exaggerated seriousness.

Angelo stood near the entrance, his gaze scanning the area.

He didn’t say much, but Annabelle could feel his watchful presence.

As Cathy examined a backpack covered in glittery stars, Annabelle’s mind drifted back to Dante.

His words from the day before echoed in her ears.

“I’m done playing games. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

And that was after she had asked him if he was crazy for asking her if she was in love with him.

Of course, she wasn't! Right?

Her heart clenched at the memory, and she shook her head slightly, trying to push it away.

She didn’t want to think about him now.

She had to focus on Cathy.

After nearly an hour in the shop, they moved on to a clothing store.

Annabelle helped Cathy pick out a few new outfits, her sister twirling in front of the mirror with each one.

The sight made her smile, a genuine warmth spreading through her chest.

“Do you like this one, Annabelle?” Cathy asked, holding up a dress with colourful stripes.

Annabelle crouched down to her sister’s level, brushing a stray curl from her face.

“I think it’s perfect,” she said softly.

Cathy beamed, her joy infectious.

As they paid for their purchases and left the store, Annabelle noticed Angelo speaking quietly into his phone.

He didn’t seem concerned, but his expression was serious.

She wondered if Dante had called to check on them.

The thought irritated her, but she pushed it aside.

They stopped for ice cream before heading back.

Cathy insisted on getting a double scoop of chocolate and strawberry, and Annabelle couldn’t resist a small cup of vanilla for herself.

Sitting at a small table in the food court, she watched her sister enjoy her treat, her laughter filling the space around them.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

Angelo stood nearby, his eyes scanning the crowd.

Annabelle appreciated his vigilance, even if she wouldn’t admit it aloud.

As they drove back to the mansion, Cathy fell asleep against Annabelle’s side, her small hand clutching her sister’s tightly.

Annabelle stared out the window, her thoughts once again drifting to Dante.

The memory of his gaze from the window earlier that morning sent a shiver down her spine.

She knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.

For now, though, she would focus on the quiet moments like this, holding her sister close and finding solace in her laughter.