My skin went cold as Marayann and Aunt Lara had their focus on me, analyzing me from my head to my toe. My heart was heavy with fear as each second felt like a police interrogation i never signed up for.
"I have no idea who you're talking about? I'm no bride, and i clearly haven't been married before." I defended myself confidently.
"The resemblance is too real to ignore," Marayann added, refusing to drop her allegations. Klaus slowly grew pissed but managed to keep his composure intact.
"I'm not a missing bride ma'am" I yelled, forgetting whatever status they bore, my voice showing the anger that grew in my heart by the minute.
Silence fell in the room while Marayann finally dropped the stupid allegations, Klaus had a faint smile, almost impressed by my sudden change in tone and character.
"Marayann, you do need your glasses at this point," Aunt Lara teased, trying to ease the tension in the room . In minutes, everyone laughed out loud like nothing happened.
"Perhaps i do need them but it cracks me up whenever I remember the news, it's just too funny, imagine a bride going missing on the day of her wedding, that's just crazy" Marayann said laughing, her laughter was contagious as the women all laughed like she was a stand up comedian.
"The groom said her dress was found at the ocean. Do you think she drowned herself, Naomi?" Mr Antonio asked before taking a sip from the glass of wine close to his left hand, i noticed the custom gold ring on his finger with a bold "M" initials on it, he clearly held authority of the highest order in the family.
"I can't say, maybe she was saved by a stranger," i revealed with a faint smile as i grabbed a glass of wine too.
"That's absurd. Who would be stupid to save a girl foolish enough to drown herself in the ocean? She's as good as dead. Such a pity, " Antonio spat out, his words like sword that pierced through my heart, what kind of man would say such a word?.
"And would you care to know if she probably drowned herself for a reason? What if she found her husband cheating on her?. Would you withstand such a cruel sight?" I asked, my blood running hot by the second.
Klaus noticed this and gently tapped my knee, reminding me to keep my cool or risk exposing myself but I cared less as my rage slowly grew, i grew irritated by the second and felt the urge to simply walk out on them.
"And is that enough reason for her to commit suicide?, she's nothing but a fool. Let the ocean take her to an island where the vultures can feed on her remains" Antonio cursed, his words insensitive and foolish, the others laughed hard, they were intrigued by his insensitive remarks and this only made it worse for me.
I couldn't stand it, i couldn't stand the sight of their faces, i was growing mad internally and it was showing on my face despite my solid efforts to force a smile that didn't come from my heart, hatred slowly grew in my heart and at that point, I realized I needed a place to breathe, somewhere to clear my thoughts and recover from the trauma that flooded my head in a minute.
"Please i need to use the restroom" I said, my voice was shaky and Klaus didn't like the sight of this as a frown grew on his face, his eyes trying to give me a signal i refused to notice.
One of the maids stepped out and led me through the hallway filled with more paintings, i got to the bathroom and shut the door with a loud thud, i punched the wall constantly, releasing my anger as i screamed in pain. I was already tired of everything, i never imagined I would ever be in such a situation years before now. It felt like hell on earth as i paced around the bathroom. I heard a faint knock on the door, and i freaked out immediately only to hear Klaus's voice.
"Naomi, is everything alright?" he asked.
I quickly composed myself and wiped off the little blood on my knuckles before i stepped out with a fake smile, but he saw through my camouflage.
"What the hell are you doing?, are you losing it?" he asked, his tone disapproving and laced with slow anger.
"Why don't you tell your insensitive uncle to watch his words?. He's nothing but a prick, and i feel like choking him until he begs for his life!" I cursed aggressively, my eyes devoid of fear and filled with rage.
"You will speak to my family and make mention of them with respect!" he threatened, his voice almost bouncing off the walls. He quickly calmed his nerves, refusing to allow the beast in him escape from the dungeon.
"And what will happen if i don't?" I dared to ask.
He pushed me against the wall, his face close to mine as he whispered into my ears.
"You don't want to know about that part and don't let me remind you that a contract was signed, Arabella!"
I walked out on him at once, refusing to adhere to anything that came out of his lips, i was infuriated, and all i wanted at that moment was to leave the mansion, but i was stuck. I took my seat and faked a smile to ease the tension and Mr Antonio couldn't take his eyes off me, not even for a second, he focused so much on me like i was a golden medal he couldn't wait to have.
"So Naomi Smith, where are you from, you look astonishing and i must guarantee that you come from a wealthy family" Aunt Lara revealed, my past flashed before my eyes and i simply smiled once more to cover my pain, their questions were nothing short of stray bullets.
"I don't think we should go into that now, Aunt Lara, there's plenty of time to know more about her but now is definitely not the time" Klaus revealed, placing his hand on mine like he cared deeply.
"You have been acting insecure and protective, Klaus. Have you forgotten we are a family? and your guest should feel at home, but instead, she's frightened. " Klaus's mother finally spoke up, her voice overshadowing everyone who tried to speak.
"We have been through a long trip, and my mistress deserves some rest. There are more pressing issues we need to discuss behind closed doors," Klaus defended.
"Then i think it's time we head home for a good night's rest," Mr Antonio revealed, rising to his feet almost immediately, and the others followed suit.
Klaus's eyes widened, almost enough to swallow anyone he could see.
"You aren't going anywhere, Uncle Antonio. I do have a lot of things to discuss with you!" Klaus said, standing in his way the very moment he tried to move.
I watched as both men stared at each other, their faces covered by a frown.
"We have nothing to discuss, my dear nephew," Antonio said amusingly while gently placing his hand on Klaus's shoulder, but he knocked them off immediately.
"We have a lot to discuss, and I will start with everything you stole from me and my father! You're nothing but a thief and a murderer!" Klaus revealed, his fist clutched tightly for a fight while we all stared in shock, hoping the next outcome wouldn't turn out to be a fight.
"If I'm the murderer you paint me to be, then why was your life spared?, i could have easily killed you like i killed your father and today, the name "Klaus" would have been forgotten and your mother will only weep for decades until she finally forgets about you" Mr Antonio whispered softly, his words slicing through Klaus's tough shell like a blade.