The Talk
“You can drop the act.” I told him the minute we were inside the library alone.
After we were done with lunch, Mama had suggested that Marco De Santis and I spend some time together to get to know each other. And Rio was appointed as our chaperone, he was currently outside the library standing guard.
“What act?” He asked his brows in part for amusement and confusion.
“The act of pretending to be a good person.”
His laugh took me off guard, the sound was deep and low.
“Why did you laugh?” His unexpected laugh had taken a bite off my confidence.
“You are funny Miss Bianchi. Anyways regarding your accusation, I don't pretend to be a good person. I'm not a good person, I never claimed to be a good person or did I give you an impression that I was one?”
Amusement flickered in those cold brown eyes of his that met hers.
“I, I.” I sputtered looking down embarrassed. He had turned a fast one on me and now I was standing here looking like a fool.
“You read books?” He asked in a cool tone breaking the tension that had thickened after our earlier exchange.
“Yes, isn't it obvious?” I heard my bitterness spill over in my voice. Mama was going to kill me.
He noticed it too because he became silent. The both of us were standing in front of the shelf that held history books. I wasn't going to lie, his proximity was making me nervous.
“May I ask you a question Miss Bianchi?”
“Yes Mr De Santis?”
“Are you being forced into this union?”
The question took me off guard, making my response come out too late.
“No.”
“Don't lie to me.” He retorted, his voice clipped with annoyance.
Being rational, this union was not my choice but it's something I had to indulge out of duty.
“It's my duty.” I hoped my voice was convincing enough.
“I'm also marrying out of duty because my position demands it and because I have a daughter who needs a mother figure in her life.”
“You have a daughter?” I glanced up startled at the last piece of information he had just divulged.
“Yes, I do. Is that going to be a problem?” His face was devoid of any emotion.
“No. I wasn't expecting it.” And I was suddenly curious about his daughter but I kept shut. Was his daughter a toddler or was she older?
“Alright.”
Our conversations weren't flowing and that was entirely due to my fault. It was very difficult to keep up.
“Your brother told me that you are still in uni?”
“Yes. Do you have a problem with educated women?”
There was defiance in my tone, as well as a subtle challenge. I knew how men like him viewed women in our circle. That we didn't need much education and pursue a degree in the university. Because it would likely be a waste of time as women ended up married and their place was in the kitchen.
“I never said that Miss Bianchi. I was merely curious and wanted to know more.”
“Oh.” I muttered feeling like a coward. Pride kept me from apologizing to him.
“Miss Bianchi, I'm not the villain you are painting me out to be. To be honest, the only reason why I was interested in you was because you are the only lady who was still pursuing her education.
“Mr De Santis.”
“Wait, let me finish.” His tone showed no signs of relenting so I conceded.
“Okay.”
I'd rather not marry anyone than marry a lady with no spine to stand up for herself. And as much as I admire you doing that for yourself, you are doing it in the wrong context.”
“I apologize Mr De Santis.”
“I need us to have a mutual understanding for this union to go forward.”
He left the room leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
“Gosh.” I felt like a little child just scolded by their parents.
Because I had been behaving like one and didn't handle the situation with gracefulness.
“How was it?” Rio asked me, coming in.
My facial expression was enough to tell him that it didn't go well.
“Mama and Luca are going to be pissed.” He muttered.
I was battling with regret to be surprised by Rio speaking. He hardly talked except when necessary.
“I know.”
I have to push off steam and I knew the right person to call to make me feel better about myself.
Lucia and I are going to dance off our sorrows tonight, mine especially.