Sold To Mr. Giordano novel Chapter 4

Arielle

"She hasn't eaten all day!" I can make out Angelo yelling.

"Every day she embarrasses me!" Father growls.

I open my eyes and am surprised to see Antonio at the side of the bed looming over me. "Are you okay?"

I nod my head. "Yeah. I'm hungry and thirsty is all."

"Here, I brought you some snacks from downstairs," Angelo replaces Antonio handing me a plate of crackers, cheese, and pepperoni. When I look up and scan the room, Antonio is gone.

"Am I..." I clear my throat when it goes hoarse. "Am I really marrying Antonio?"

Angelo sighs once again looking upset. Luca looks to Father who nods his head. "Yes. You will not be returning to New York. You'll stay at the penthouse with Angelo, and one of Antonio's bodyguards will not leave your side. When I return to New York I'll have someone ship all your stuff."

"But I don't want to leave New York," I cry, "I want to attend NYU and work at The Met! Please don't make me do this! Did you sold me?"

Father slaps me hard across the face. "Enough! You will do as you are told!" He storms out of the room. He calls from the hallway, "Don't let her back downstairs until you two are sure she isn't going to embarrass me further!"

I weep into my hands and Angelo sits down on the bed next to me. He gives me a pitiful look and raises a glass of water for me to drink.

"Please, we don't want you passing out again."

"You can't let Father do this to me," I sob and push away the water.

"You should be honored you're marrying the most powerful man in the Outfit," Luca says through gritted teeth. "Drink the damn water, hydrate yourself so we can return. I'm tired of babysitting you."

"How could you say that? She's our sister!" Angelo argues.

"Father is right, it's time you both learned your places. The only reason Made Men have daughters is to give them away, and the reason they have sons is to make soldiers out of them!" Luca shoves his finger into Angelo's chest.

"She's nineteen, she has dreams! Her dreams go to fucking hell when she marries Antonio. She'll become nothing but a means to give him an heir, you think that's an honor?!"

"One more word out of you and I'll put a fucking bullet between your eyes," Luca warns, lingers, then leaves when Angelo has shut up for good.

"Please stop arguing with him, thank for sticking up for me, but it's no use." I wipe a tear trailing down my cheek and finally take the glass of water for a long sip.

"I'll see if there's something more I can do-"

"No. I...I can marry him. It won't be so bad, I mean at least he's not old, fat, and ugly," I hiccup a laugh and end up sobbing even harder.

Angelo wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. "I'll see if I can stay in the Outfit for good, so I can be with you. You'll need someone to look out for you."

"Father will never agree to that...but it would be nice having you here. It won't feel so lonely," I sniffle.

Rocco tips his head back and laughs. He was only joking. I never thought I would come to hate Chicago.

***

I took rests for a few days. How time flies. Today is the announcement of our engagement. Nothing I can do, nothing I can say. I'm just purely a sitting duck. Waiting for the doom coming down to me.

But it's really a complicated thing. After all, he's my type. I keep comforting myself in that way.

Father's really happy today. He sold me to Antonio for exchange of his Outfit. A good deal, indeed. Today is like a day of transaction concluded for him, a big day. He can't even hide his smirking from his stupid face.

"No," He picks out the most revealing dress I brought with me. "You will wear this, leave your hair long and curly. Have your mother help you with your makeup. Oh, and wear your tallest heels."

I feel like a rich prostitute, the clothes are expensive, but make me feel cheap. My breasts are pushed up and hanging out of my low cut crimson red dress. Mother used too much mascara, too dark of eyeshadow, and too red of lipstick. The black heels are barely walkable in, they give me at least four inches making me only average height.

"You look beautiful," Mother claps her hands together and starts to cry again for the third time since doing my makeup.

Looking in the mirror, aside from cheap, I feel beautiful. My honey blonde hair is in curls and looks soft and thick. My blue eyes look so pale they're the color of icebergs. The red dress looks good in contrast to the color of my skin and hair.

"We're leaving right after the party. Angelo will look out for you and Antonio will have his bodyguard here. You'll be safe, call when you can." Mother kisses my temple.

"Take care of yourself, Mom." I give her a quick hug.