Chapter 95

Stella

The car ride home is awkward and silent. The radio plays some random pop song and I can barely bring myself to look at my date, who drives me back into the heart of the city, after a less than ideal date.

He was on his phone the entire time and ordered for me — a simple side salad with light dressing — while he ordered himself a feast. He was loud and disrespectful to the other patrons inside of the restaurant and I could not have been more embarrassed in that moment. Dante talked about himself the entire night and I could barely get a single word in, unless it was me complimenting something that he has done, then Dante was somehow very attentive and all ears to what I had to say.

The city lights pass us by in streaks of white and gold. My stomach grumbles on the inside of my chest as I let out a quiet sigh.

If this is the man that my father wishes for me to marry, then I cannot even begin to imagine who else he has in store for me for future dates.

I should try one last time though, right? To be able to say to my father that I tried my best but there simply was no connection between us but hey! At least his phone had a great connection to the wifi while he took calls and texts during the subpar meal.

Oh, and by the way, dad: he made me pay for my own meal.

I suck in a breath and sit up in the seat. Dante sits casually in the drivers seat. He has one hand on the wheel with a smug smirk on his face.

When my eyes land on him, and when he notices me staring, the car lurches forward, taking off into the empty streets as he weaves between the empty lanes.

Is he…showing off right now? Jeez, this guy is a fucking prick.

I force a fake smile onto my face and I place my hands onto my lap. Clearing my throat, I reach over to lower the music so the two of us can at least talk for the last minute minutes we have.

“So, Dante,” I begin. He hums in response and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes at him for it. “You said you worked in finance? How are you liking it?”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” he says with a simple shrug. “I much prefer going out to drink with my friends and coworkers after work.”

“Ah,” I nod and turn away. “How many friends do you—”

“Hello?” Dante interrupts me mid-sentence. “Is that you, Bucky?”

“Hey man! We’re going out for drinks right now! Where are you? We’re waiting!” a voice comes through the speakers and I can only assume that his name is Bucky.

Dante looks at me from the corner of his eye. I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow, a small scowl overtaking my face. He rolls his eyes and speeds up, abandoning all safe driving tips and blowing through red lights.

“Yeah, yeah, I will be there soon! I just have to drop some girl off—”

“Some girl?!” I speak up.

“Will you be quiet, please? I’m on the phone,” Dante snaps. Bucky laughs on the other side of the call.

My cheeks heat up from embarrassment. This could not be any worse than it actually is. I try to remain as calm as possible, knowing that I should not let my emotions get the best of me for my father’s sake, but the way that Dante is laughing and making jokes about how much of a prude I am and that he is glad that I will not be the one to tie him down to marriage.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dante laughs, “her dad said she’s fragile and has health issues so I ordered her a side salad. I saved myself some money too!”

I scoff. Fuck being nice. This guy is an absolute twat and I will be damned if I let him get away with it.

“Excuse me?! Are you fucking serious right now?” I raise my voice and look over at him. “My health issues are serious! And a side salad? Really? For a man who is supposedly working in finance and can afford all of the sports cars and drinks in the world, one would think that he can spare just enough money to buy his date a proper meal!”

Dante looks over at me. His jaw is dropped but I keep going, unable to hold myself back.

“Do you even know how to properly treat a lady? I can only guess that this is your first real date which, by the way, your dad had to set up for you since nobody else fucking wants you!” I yell. Bucky continues to laugh over the phone.

I look off to the side and notice that we are on the street that my apartment sits on. I turn back to Dante and point to the long and empty space beside the sidewalk.

“Let me out right now! I can’t even stand to look at you anymore or smell your fucking cheap cologne. It smells like shit and has made me want to throw up so many times,” I add in the last comment out of pure pettiness, not even caring what he thinks of me any more.

Dante pulls the car over and the tires screech against the asphalt. I grab my purse and get out of the car, slamming the door behind me. I cross my arms over my chest and watch as Dante speeds away, leaving tire marks on the ground.

So…that went well. At least I have a few hours of my night left. Perhaps I can watch a movie before I go to sleep. Maybe eat some ice cream. Yeah…that sounds like a good night to me.

I can’t believe that I let a man like that treat me this way. I just got away from a businessman who was so consumed with his work — and his own personal mission in life — that he barely paid any attention to me. Why would I even let myself fall into a position like that ever again?

At least Adrian had the decency to try and order me a full meal instead of a stupid side salad. At least he gave me diamond rings and provided me with a roof over my head.

No…I can’t think of him anymore.

I push Adrian’s image out of my head and continue to walk down the sidewalk with my arms hugged close to my chest. My dress sways at my ankles and I look around, my eyes landing on the golden moon.

I sigh. I wish I could go back to the resort and sit on the beach while looking at the moon. It is so calming and gives me a chance to get away from the chaos of my life.

My apartment complex comes into view. Relaxation begins to hit my body when I notice a group of men holding flowers outside of the lobby doors. I raise an eyebrow, unsure what is going on, when they all turn to look at me as soon as I approach.

“Is that her?” one of the men asks.

“I think it is!” another calls out. “The mafia princess!”

The group swarms around me, shoving flowers and gifts into my face.

Well…shit.