She was in the court room once again, this time around it was just her standing in the witness box. She looked around anxiously hoping to see at least one person but no one was visible.
"Hey" she said almost in a whisper . Her voice echoed through the large room.
"Is anyone here?" her shaky voice rang in her ears.
Fear gripped her as she tries to figure out how she go to the court room in the first place.
The faceless man grabbed her arm out of thin air , she screamed gasping for air as she fought for her dear life.
"I asked you not to testify but you did" he roared "You betrayer"
He laughed, his voice hard and rough.
His fingers pierced through her flesh causing a wave of sharp pain wash through her entire body.
Elena opened her mouth to protest but it felt like her lips were glued to each other. She kicked at him continuously and tried to free herself from his tight grip.
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"Hey hey hey. You fight in your sleep?" She heard Dante laugh .
She opened her eyes forcefully holding on to the blanket tightly. Few seconds ago it felt like she was going to die.
"Nightmares?" He asked still staring at her. His eyes wandered teasingly from her head to toe.
She nodded her head gently trying to figure out what she was doing in this strange room with her crazy neighbor.
Memories of the previous day flooded her mind and she remembered how she had dozed off while narrating her ordeal to him. He had insisted that she told him every bit of her story and she had done just that even though the policemen had warned her not to disclose her identity.
She rubbed her eyes sleepily "can I go now?"
He looked at her as though she had said the most stupid thing "No I'm not letting you go. I want you to stay here with me."
It sounded more like a command than the request it was meant to be.
"Are you begging me to live with you?" She teased him.
"I'm holding you hostage moron" he eyed her, something exciting flashed in his eyes.
"Ah well then , I guess I need to be put in chains" she scoffed.
"It would not cost me anything to do that right away" his voice was stern.
"But I need to be in the best of mood as I'm going to pick up my bride in few minutes time."
He emphasized on the word "bride" like it hurt to say it.
"It does not look like you want this bride of yours?" Elena blurted out before she could stop the words from getting out.
"As a matter of fact I don't" he shrugged . " But I have to. I have to take a bride from Moretti's rival clan as a seal for peace between the two families."
She tilted her head in an attempt to get hair off her face "I can help you if you want."
"Help me ?" He smirked.
"I'll pretend to be your fiancée and then you do not have to marry the other girl since you do not want to." She raised her brows. She did not know what had gotten into her but she was serious, she was willing to help him.
Marriage should not be forced down people's throat.
He stared at her for a while "did you listen to everything I said earlier?"
"I did and I understood every bit, but would you rather be stuck with a person you do not want?" she was determined.
"What do you want?" He asked as he gave her a suspicious look.
She was going to be as straight forward as possible.
"Since I'm going to be helping you get out of this marriage that you obviously do not want to be in, I'll be free. I do not want to be your prisoner." She looked at him almost pleadingly.
He grabbed her by the arm and led her outside.
"If we are going to be a couple , we should at least act like it" he gave her a teasing look.
She followed him quietly as he headed towards the lake. She took in the fresh breathe grateful that he was at least being reasonable.
"This is my favorite part of the Villa" He told her.
"I come here to clear my head often." There was a hint of pain in his voice.
She only nodded trying to get used to his multiple personalities. He could switch anytime. Now he is like a cute baby boy, he could go back to being a monster the next second.
"Soon I will introduce you to my father as my wife" He turned to face her.
Her stomach turned at the thought of that "what if the situation gets ugly?"
"Just stay by my side until we are done dealing with this" he warned. "This was your idea after all".
She knew it was crazy but she was going to do anything to become a free person again.
Eric would freak out if he ever finds out , he might resent her forever. But she didn't care , she would live her life the way she pleased.
Apparently Eric is not the only one that was going to suffer a heart attack from the new development, her police friend would literally pass out.
If posing as Dante's fiancée was what she could do to be safe and sound in the four walls of Villa Rosa, then she would gladly grab the opportunity.
Life was already unbearable, what else could happen? Now she has to take charge of her own life and live it the way she wants.
"Can i go now?" she asked.
She knew he was going to refuse but she did not give him the impression of how intimidated she feels by him.
"Yes" He said to her greatest surprise.
He walked back inside quietly leaving her to deal with the thought of either going to her side of the villa or following him back to his place.