Chapter 5
DANTE'S POV
I had never been the kind of man who lingered on other people's opinions, but the message from Lily still sat in the corner of my mind like an uninvited guest. It lingered on my tongue like something rotten.
"Are you sure she's the one?" Lily asked while I was in her apartment, sipping the cup of ginger tea she especially brewed for me. Ravenna never made me tea. Not once.
"I don't know Lily," I replied honestly. "All I know is that I can't leave her anytime soon."
"I understand. "Lily nodded her head, but I caught sight of tears welling up in her eyes. Lily had always been a sensitive person and needed more attention.
"What's wrong, Lily? Any troubles?" I drew her close to the island chair, but instead of sitting down next to me, Lily plopped herself right onto my lap. I was shocked, but I wouldn't say I wasn't pleased by what she did.
"I just feel bad for you. You are here, thinking about Ravenna and trying so hard for her when she doesn't do anything at all. She just broods around like you are forcing her to be with you."
"She is a shy character," I tried to defend her. "That's all there is, and it's because of her illegitimate background."
"Then she should change for you. You are part of the high class, and by extension, your image also reflects on her actions. As she is an illegitimate child, she needs to work harder in order to look better. Do you want anyone to look down on you because of her?"
The words of defense got stuck in my throat, and I couldn't bring them out. Lily was right. Ravenna had a bad image because of her origin, and I had to take up the burden alone. But I didn't like the fact that Lily was insulting my partner in front of me.
"But I understand that I have no say in your life. I just hope she isn't ignoring you because of what she saw at the concert."
Yes, the concert, we had not spoken about it, but I was sure she was angry because of it. But why? Lily was just a friend, and it was a moment of weakness. We both understood it and moved on, but why couldn't she? I loved her and was taking up the burden of dating her, sacrificing my image and name just for her. Couldn't she be grateful, or at least more forgiving?
I just shook my head and downed the cup of tea.
"I don't know Lily, I'm just tired of everything at this point, including her."
Lily got down from the chair and took my hand.
"Come on, let's go to the couch."
I followed her and sat on the soft plush couch, which seemed to swallow me in its softness. She went behind me and began to massage my forehead. It was slow, soft, and soothing. Melting away all my worries and pain completely.
After a few minutes, I felt dizzy and sleepy. "Lily, I think I need to go." I stood up from the couch, leaving her touch. She looked disappointed but masked it with a soft smile I knew was fake. Her expression hooked me, and I felt so guilty about leaving her behind, but I had a meeting tomorrow morning, and the office was far from here.
"It's okay, I'll wait for the next time you come." She said as she walked me to my car.
She said she would wait for me. Ravenna had never told me that. She treated sending me off to the door as a chore and not a sigh of affection.
"She doesn't seem like she even wants to be here." The statement went round in my head, but I couldn't stop it.
I didn't reply when she spoke, but the implication gnawed at me. Ravenna had been distant lately, polite but cold, as though there was an invisible glass wall between us. I didn't know when it started, but I had a feeling it was not going to end any time soon.
The next morning, I was halfway through a meeting when my phone lit up with my mother's name glaring. Oh, what now?
I excused myself and apologized to the investors, shutting the office door behind me before answering the call.
"Dante," my mother practically hissed my name out, skipping any preamble, "I'm looking at venues. The family wants something grand, something that will make a statement. Do you have preferences?"
I leaned against the wall, feeling an impending headache coming on. "Mother, we haven't even decided.."
"That's the problem," she cut in sharply. "You've been dragging your feet. Ravenna should be wearing a ring by now. People are talking. And the investors are getting anxious, you know, we need her name and share of the inheritance to help our family business. We worked so hard to get her, so do not mess this up for us."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "People will always talk. And about the investors, tell them not to worry because I have a line-up of projects soon to be approved by the minister, and once that's done, production starts as the flow of money increases. That doesn't mean I'm rushing into marriage..."
"Do not embarrass this family," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "I expect you both here this Sunday. We'll discuss guest lists."
The call ended before I responded. I stared at the black screen, jaw tight. It wasn't that I didn't want marriage; it was that I wanted it on his own terms. But lately, even imagining it with Ravenna felt… complicated.
