***
~~ZARA~~
***
I ran all the way home from the Wright mansion and didn't stop until I reached the gate to my family home.
When I got into the house, I slammed my door shut, locked it behind me, and then sank onto my bed.
I stared at the wall, trying to calm my mind, but all I could hear was Adrian's voice telling me he loved me.
I didn't know whether to scream or cry.
He had all the time in the world to say those words. We spent every damn day together, and he waited till now.
It felt like he only wanted me once he realised I was slipping away from him. It hurt in a way I didn't even expect.
If he had told me earlier, maybe things would be different. Perhaps it would've made me happy. But now it just felt painful and confusing.
Everything he said just messed me up completely, because I went into that house ready to marry Dante and to move on from Adrian, but hearing him say those words sent my brain into full chaos mode.
I cried until my eyes hurt. I just lay there staring at the wide white space above me until I eventually fell asleep.
*****
When I woke up, it was already eight in the morning, and I didn't feel like going to school, so I just sat on my bed with my mind replaying everything that happened yesterday over and over again.
I didn't even notice how long I'd been sitting there until someone knocked on my door.
Knock!! Knock!!
I groaned and covered my ears with a pillow.
"Go away," I yelled, but the knocking got louder.
I got up, tossed the pillow aside, and walked to the door, opening it with an attitude. But I froze when I saw Dante standing there.
He looked perfect in a three-piece suit, while I looked rough with my messy hair and swollen eyes from crying all night. I tried to shut the door again, but he blocked it with his hand.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"You," he said without hesitation. "And also to make sure you don't show up to school late looking like this."
I blinked at him. "Excuse me?"
"I said you're late," he said as he stepped in and closed the door behind him. "And I'm here to fix that because I can't have my future wife running the streets in pyjamas, can I?"
I stared at him in disbelief. "I don't feel like going."
He leaned casually against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Not an option, chef girl."
"Don't call me that," I snapped.
"Oh my god, your face is literally turning red right now. Hahaha," he laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Watch me. I'm staying home," I said and crossed my arms.
He raised an eyebrow at me. "You have twenty minutes to get ready, or I'm carrying you to the car by myself. And trust me, you'll hate that."
I narrowed my eyes on him. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," he said with a grin that made my heart stupidly skip a beat.
We stared at each other for a long moment, and I could tell from his expression that he wasn't joking.
"Fine," I muttered while folding my arms tighter. "Thirty minutes."
"Twenty," he corrected as he tossed my school bag onto the bed. I hadn't even noticed he had it with him. "The clock starts now. You want me to stay and make sure you get ready, don't you?"
"Stay out! You're insane."
"And you're too tempting for me to act normal," he smirked, then winked and stepped out, closing the door.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and saw three missed calls from Dahlia and ten from Adrian. I sighed heavily and went to the bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror.
Dante had seen me like this, and I would never want anyone to see me in a rough state, especially him.
Oh my gosh.
I showered fast, got dressed, fixed my hair, and grabbed my bag before heading downstairs.
Dante was in the living room talking with my mom, and they were laughing like they had known each other for years, which was strange to see.
"I made you breakfast, baby," Mom said with a grin when she saw me.
"Oh Mom, you shouldn't have," I said as I walked to the dining table.
I sat down and ate anyway. I was starving since I cried myself to sleep.
When I finished, I walked back to the living room, where Dante and my mom were still chatting.
"What's going on? Why are you here this early?" I asked Dante.
"I'm taking you to school and picking you up from now on," Dante said, like it was no big deal. I stared at him, trying not to roll my eyes. He had to act like this was normal.
Mom smiled at me. "It's normal, Zara. He's your husband-to-be."
"Fine. Just don't annoy me," I said and walked outside without waiting for a response.
We headed to his Bugatti, and he unlocked it. We both got in.
He started the engine and drove out of our mansion gate right away.
We didn't say a word the whole ride, and I just stared out the window. I didn't mind that we weren't talking.
****
When we pulled up to campus, I saw the school bus dropping students off at the same time.
Great. Everyone was going to see me step out of Dante's car, and I already knew what kind of gossip that would start.
I got out fast and walked ahead, trying to put some distance between us.
I turned and saw Dante walking beside me with sunglasses on.
"What are you doing?" I asked while forcing a smile.
"Doing what a husband should do," he said.
I rolled my eyes and turned. That's when I saw Dahlia and Adrian near the entrance. Dahlia looked confused, while Adrian looked really angry.
I stopped a few steps away from them because I didn't want a scene-not here with everyone watching.
"Take care," Dante said as he touched my shoulder for a second before giving me a peck on the cheek.
The gasps around us were instant, and I could feel everyone's eyes on us.
My face went red with embarrassment. "I'm going to kill you."
"I know, Zazzz," he said with a grin, and then he brushed his thumb across my cheek before walking back to his car.
Stop it, Zara. Get it together.
I pushed down the weird feeling that came with his touch and tried to act normal.
I turned to Dahlia and Adrian. Adrian's face was tight with anger.
"Oh gosh," I whispered under my breath as I walked toward them.
"Hey guys," I said. Dahlia gave me a small smile, but Adrian cut in before she could speak.
"Really? Yesterday happened, and you're already acting all cute with him? Unbelievable," he said, then walked away without letting me explain.
"Don't mind him," Dahlia said softly.
Before I could reply, I heard my name behind me, and the voice was dripping with mockery.
"Broke ass, Zara."
