The iron barrier opened automatically as they drove into an estate, boldly written above the gate was MORETTI ESTATE. On a sign post close to the gate, smaller words were inscribed "Private Property, no trespassing."
Elena looked out of the window to admire the trees that lined up from the gate to the inner parts of the estate. The trees were assembled according to the colors of flowers the have on them and according to their heights making it look like a garden where humans shouldn't even have access to. It looks like something out of a dream she didn't belong in. In few seconds the Rolls-Royce slowed down as the gates to a palace-like mansion opened before them. Elena blinked , trying to figure out why she got herself involved in all these in the first place.
She leaned forward slightly as the car came to a halt in front of the mansion. She had obviously experienced wealth, she had seen wealthy homes but this was totally out of the world.
She looked at Dante, their gaze met and they locked eyes for what seemed like eternity.
"I wouldn't pretend like I'm not impressed" she murmured not shifting her gaze.
Dante said nothing. He just laughed. The kind of laughter that tells her that he expected her to be impressed.
His silence told her everything she needed to know. This was just a glimpse, there is more to see.
Before she could help herself out of the car, the door opened. A woman in a well tailored grey suit bowed her head slightly as she ushered them into the house.
—
Inside, the door swung open on its own allowing them a passage into the hallway that swallowed Elena whole. The lights from the golden chandelier that hung on the high ceiling shone brightly above their heads.
"Welcome home wifey" Dante held her closely as they made their way into the living room.
They were welcomed by the smell of fresh roses with a mixture of vanilla fragrance.
They went up the stairs into another living room, this one was a bit smaller but it also has the same charms as the main living room.
Everything about the environment screamed luxury. She wondered why there was so many guards, could they be underground government officials? Even her father never had this much body guard. She shook her head to get the thought of him out of her head.
Elena's eyes stopped wandering as her gaze rested on a woman that looked like she would be in her late forties sitting at the bar in the far end of the living room. Dante's mother? She looked rather young to be his mother but nothing was impossible with money, especially the kind of money they have.
Elena's heart skipped a beat. Nothing prepared her for the beauty that the older woman possessed. She sat poised and unmoving, like she had been waiting for them.
She was elegant in a way that commanded effortless attention. Her face lit up when she saw them walking towards her. The smiled disappeared as fast as it came giving her face a well defined look.
The older woman briefly scanned her son before giving him a small hug.
"you should come back home Dante" She said as she scrutinized him from head to toe.
She shifted her attention to Elena taking in all the details gently. Unapologetically. Her lips curved up in a small smile as she shifted her gaze back to her son.
Elena never feels intimidated by anyone but this woman makes her shiver in a way that she could not makes sense of. She returned the smile maintaining composure.
"You're late son." Paula rolled her eyes dramatically as she led them towards the bar.
"I gave you a time. Not a minute," he replied calmly.
She did not reply, Instead She filled up three glasses with white wine.
"Elena," Dante said, turning slightly. "My mother."
Elena swallowed hard forcing a polite smile. "It's… nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Mother meet my woman" he gave a sheepish smile.
Paula raised her wine glass towards Elena and they clicked. "You are the reason my son had refused to marry an heiress."
Elena looked from Paula to Dante not sure what to say.
"You look simple, not what I expected" she said still assessing Elena.
Elena stiffened. "I'm not sure what that means ma'am"
The older woman shrugged "you see my son has always had a type.... flashy, extra.. you know"
The silence that followed afterwards felt heavy.
Dante narrowed his eyes "Mother we literally just got here"
"She is pretty though, simplicity could be beautiful depending on who" She carried on like she hadn't heard him speak.
Elena's lips refused to open. Dante's mom just called her pretty. She should at least say thank you but she couldn't get the words out of her mouth.
"Well I do not know how your father feels about this" She said to her son, her hand gestures dramatic.
"What were his words?" Dante asked. He seemed unbothered and that made Elena relax a bit. It was obvious that he wouldn't allow her get bullied.
Paula shrugged "nothing yet. give him time to think."
Dante shook his head not satisfied with the reply his mother gave. "He must have said something to you mother"
Paula sighed, she was clearly not having it "I mean we had an arrangement, a proper one, one that aligns with the family values and you wake up one morning to tell us you no longer want to be a part of it"
Dante laughed, "I can make my own decisions, besides we can settle scores with that family without having to make either me or their daughter miserable."
"Their daughter?" Paula laughed at her son's ridiculousness. "You know her name is Hannah"
"I don't care mother" He muttered.
"Your father wouldn't see you today, he had an impromptu meeting and he's out of town" His mom eyed him wearily almost like she was bored.
Elena heaved a sigh of relief quietly grateful that she would not have to face Dante's father. Yet.
"I expected that" Dante replied, there was no missing the sarcasm in his tone.
Elena watched as the older woman excused herself and walked towards what looked like the inner chambers. Her hips swaying from left to right. She definitely knows the kind of beauty and power she carries because her confidence is second to none.
A trait worth emulating or maybe not. Elena thought. Paula seemed like an easy person but not welcoming.
For the first time since they arrived, she was finally able to grasp the seriousness of the matter. This wasn't just about Dante, there is more. Something big that should not be treated with levity. Maybe she understood Paula to an extent.
For a brief second after his mother left them, it seemed like Dante was never going to speak but then he gave her shoulder a soft pat. "She is like that to everyone, don't take it personal."
She looked at him hoping to find some sort of reassurance but his expression was unreadable. It felt too real, too dangerous and for a moment she wondered if she should opt out of the fake marriage proposal. It did not seem like it would be easy to get out once she gets entangled in the Moretti drama. Henry would be shocked.
"Want me to show you around before we join mother for lunch?" Dante asked jolting her out of her thoughts.
"Yes" she said quietly.
He smiled at her and led the way out of the living room. He did not seem to notice that she was bothered or maybe he pretended not to. Either ways she was going to tell him about her plan to opt out once they get back to the villa.