“The pool,” I said swimming to the edge and rising from the water.
“Can’t a man visit his fiancée as she swims?” he questioned.
The word fiancée from his lips was worse than a thousand nails on a thousand chalkboards. He wants to fight, Dona! I reminded myself and I wondered if salt wouldn’t keep him away, then maybe sugar would.
“You’re absolutely right,” I said sweetly, walking up to him and at the tone in my voice he made a face before glancing up. The moment he did, he couldn’t look away; his eyes following the beads of water as they slid down the space between my breasts and past my stomach, not stopping until they disappeared into the waistband of my black bikini bottoms. I walked over, sat beside him on my chair, and leaned forward while brushing my hair to the side, “Forgive me sweetheart for being so harsh. Can you hand me a towel?”
“You’re free to get it yourself, my love,” he replied just as kindly, shifting to the side for me to take the towel that was right beside his waist. “Your poor nipples look like bullets.”
Gritting my teeth, I reached over carefully to take the towel, my eyes never leaving his and his gray eyes never leaving mine. He seemed completely amused. The longer he stared, the more annoyed I became. I even thought about strangling him with the damn towel, but resisted and wrapped it around myself instead.
“Gabriel?”
“Yes, Donatella?” He nodded, closing his book.
“I’m a very reasonable person, you seem like you are capable of being reasonable too—”
“I’m not though,” he said, sitting up. “I’m wrathful, demanding, and vindictive. I’m only reasonable when it comes to things which benefit me. So, Donatella, what is it you need my reason for?”
Punch him! Beat his insolent ass into the next century! Not only did this cunt interrupt me, he had the nerve to challenge me even when I was trying to be nice.
Inhaling, I went on as if he hadn’t said anything, “My brothers will never let you take Italy.”
“I guess we’re getting married then.”
My fist clenched so tightly I could feel my nails digging into my palm but I smiled. “Perhaps you have not noticed but I’m temperamental, prone to violence, and hostile to authority… I doubt you want a wife like that.”
He snickered, nodding in agreement before saying; “I’m sure you’ll change; after all, look how sweet you are right now, dear.”
“Or you could find another wife.”
He sat up and grabbed my chin. “I could but I doubt she’d come with the same fearsome attitude, and round, slap-able ass, so pick a date and a nice dress.”
He brushed me off and got up.
At that point, I’d lost all my patience. I took off my towel to swing it at his head, but he dodged and grabbed on to it, pulling me close. In retaliation, I kicked right into his chest and he stumbled back, only slipping slightly before regaining his footing.
“I tried being nice—”
“Was that you being nice?” he laughed, tossing his book onto the pool chair. “I thought you were constipated—”
My fist hit his jaw and caused his head to twist to the side for a second.
“I’m sorry, you were saying?” I told him while lifting my fist up.
He licked his lip, just like last night, and glared at me, not saying a word. Before I knew what he was planning, he bent down and pulled on the towel I didn’t realize I was standing on, sending me on the ground…hard.
“Fuck—uh!” I screamed out as he grabbed on to my ankle and dragged me until I felt my body hit the water. Bubbles and water rising around me, I opened my eyes, and tried to swim up but before I could, my back was slammed against the wall of the pool, and his hand was wrapped around my neck. My eyes went wide as I stared at him calmly pinning me underwater against the wall.
Let GO! I mentally screamed at him, trying to push his arms away. But he didn’t budge and the more I struggled, the more my vision began to tunnel…stupidly forgetting that the more energy I used, the harder it was for me to hold my breath. So, I tried to calm down, but it was too late, my lungs were already burning as I hadn’t breathed when he threw me in. Reaching up, I grabbed his wrist and dug my nails in as hard as I could, but he s
tared at me emotionlessly…coldly, not even caring as I drew blood.
There was a sensation I hadn’t felt in a long time…fear. It creeped on me as the pain in my lungs got even worse.
Dona, I made you, and I made you strong, beautiful, and fearless. My mother’s voice came into the back of my mind.
And then my father’s voice, I could give away everything I owned, Dona, and even then, it wouldn’t come close to equaling you. You are worth the world, princess.