C15 A perfect Facade

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Maria's pov~

I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I had agreed to play along with Rafael’s plan, but I knew I had to do it. Not just for him,but for myself I didn't want Mr Dante Santino to think that I wasn't a perfect wife for his son and hence ask my dad for the money back. I had to do anything possible to save my dad even if it was to act like a perfect wife to Rafael I would do that.

As the day of the family gathering approached, I found myself feeling more and more anxious. I was scared that it wouldn't work and that Mr Dante would see right through me and know that I was pretending, while I spent hours trying to perfect my act my mind drifted off to Rafael's mother he didn't seem close to her at all not that he was close to his dad or something but at least I have seen him and his dad hold a conversation but I haven't seen him talking to his mom or wasn't that she wasn't his biological mom..?!

I shook my mind off the thoughts, I didn't want to think about Santino's family problems, it's not as if I care or anything.

And i carried on with my plans, I decided to call my dad and inform him that I was to visit the Santino's family house with Rafael and whether he had anything encouraging to say to me. I picked up my phone and called him and he picked up almost immediately.

“Hey dad,” I said.

“Hello princess, how are you doing? He asked me.

“Not so well”

“And why is that?’

“I have to go to the Santino's family house to visit them with Rafael and I don't know what to expect” I blurted out to him. I didn't tell my dad that me and Rafael didn't get along well. I didn't want him to worry about me, he already blamed himself for making me get married against my will. I didn't want him blaming himself for my situation with Rafael.

“I really don't know princess, the Santino's can be unpredictable so I just advise you to stay on your guard and be well behaved that's all” he said.

“What about Rafael's mother, have you met her before?” I didn't mean to ask him but my curiosity got the best of me.

“Hmm…I haven't seen her that much but what I do know is that she isn't his biological mother rather his step mother, he lost his mom at a tender age and his dad remarried”

That definitely answered some questions I had in my mind.

“Okay, thanks Dad I have to go now, I have a lot to do. '' I said and then dropped the call.

Calling my dad didn't help to ease off the feeling I was having so I decided to call Estelle. Just as I was about to dial her number I heard a knock at my door. I dropped my phone, stood up and went to check who was at the door. I opened the door and I was shocked to find Rafael standing there. What did he want now I thought to myself.

“Aren't you going to let me in?” He asked with that annoying smirk on his face.

“No, what do you want?”

“So I can't come and see my wife?”

I furrowed my brows at him wondering what had come over him,he ignored me and walked into my room. And right now he was really getting on my nerves.

“No, seriously what do you want?” I asked him again.

He turned to look at him. I guessed he must have been tired of trying to keep me on unnecessary suspense.

“Well then if you insist my lady” he paused and smirked. “ I came to make sure you were ready for tomorrow, I don't want you messing things up for me,” he said, giving me a serious look.

I scoffed, “And what makes you think that I'm not prepared?”

He smirked and then moved closer to me and made sure his eyes were in contact with mine before he said. “I don't know….just a feeling plus you have no idea how my parents can be so you better swallow some pride and ask me for help”

I averted my eyes from his and looked at the floor I didn't want him to see right through me and to see that he was kind of right, that I actually needed his help if I was to understand how to deceive his parents but why would he offer to help me..I wondered

“So what's in it for you? Why would you offer to help out”

“I thought I already said it, I don't want you messing things up for me so are you interested or not”

I took a deep breath before saying “Fine I'm in but I don't want you doing anything to piss me off or I wouldn't take it from you”

“No need for you get violent my little piccolo Rosa”

“And what's the meaning of that?” I asked worried that he was insulting me in Italian.

“Nothing of importance,so firstly you are going to meet me in my study room and there is where I would be telling you tips on how to get through this event”

And with that, he turned on his heel and headed towards the door, leaving me alone . As much as I disliked him, I had to admit, I needed Rafael to give me these tips. At least I didn't go begging him for it, rather he offered it to me nicely. And who knows with some of his tips maybe this whole ordeal might be a little more bearable. And so I turned to follow him out of the room.

Rafael's pov~

As I left Maria's room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this whole facade thing we were trying to pull may not work but it was better than not trying at all. My father's expectations weighed heavily on me, and I wouldn't want him to be disappointed that I couldn't even handle my marriage. It would make him think whether I can even handle the company so if helping Maria to pull this off is what I have to do and so be it.

I made my way to my study room, waiting for Maria to follow. Despite her reluctance, I knew she needed my help. After all, she was just a pawn in this game of mine. But I had to admit, I had been watching her for a while now and she really intrigues me. She was determined to not let me walk over her and it was a trait I hadn't expected to find in her. I had thought she was going to remain timid forever. I guess she's finally toughing up.

When Maria finally entered the study room, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She was out of her depth, and she knew it. I leaned against the desk, crossing my arms as I studied her.

"Alright, let's get down to business," I said, my tone firm. "First things first, you need to understand the dynamics of my family. My father may seem intimidating, but he values tradition above all else. Respect is key. And as for my stepmother, she's... well, let's just say she's a wildcard. But we'll deal with her if the need arises."

I could see Maria taking in my words, processing the information. She may despise me, but right now, she needed to listen if she wanted to survive this family gathering unscathed.

"Secondly," I continued, "you need to maintain a perfect facade. Smile, engage in small talk, but don't reveal too much. My family thrives on appearances, and any slip-up could spell disaster."

Maria nodded, albeit reluctantly. I could tell she was struggling to come to terms with the situation, but she had no choice but to play along.

"And finally," I said, stepping closer to her, "remember that we're in this together. Whether you like it or not, we're bound by this marriage. So let's make the best of it and get through this family gathering unscathed."

There was a flicker of defiance in Maria's eyes, but she quickly masked it with determination. She may not trust me, but she understood the importance of our alliance, at least for now.

With that, I began outlining the finer details of our plan, knowing that our success depended on our ability to deceive my family. And as much as I loathed the idea of even going for the event myself, I needed to scaled through this and gain my father's trust.