Chapter 6 THE MARRIAGE BED

She was standing in the dim storage room, her hand slipping the confidential file she'd found back into the pile of old paperwork just as Lorenzo De Luca stepped in fully his eyes darting all over the room. His sharp gaze swept over her, then the room.

"What are you looking for?" he asked, his voice low and unreadable.

Natalie kept her expression calm, her pulse wild beneath her skin. "Nothing important," she said lightly, turning to face him. He didn't press. His eyes lingered on her for a long second, unreadable.

"You're closing early today," he finally said. "We have somewhere to go. You should go home and get dressed. I've spoken to Marina already. "

"Where?" she asked, suspicious . He didn't answer. He simply walked away.

Natalie exhaled shakily, heart pounding. Whatever he was hiding, she was getting closer. Rushing to conclusions at this point won't be profitable. She had to find more information. She returned to her desk, quietly gathered her things, and allowed herself to be driven back to the estate.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, the chill in the air wasn't from the weather.

Leila.

She stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, face twisted in disdain. Natalie heaved not ready for her antics.

"When are you leaving this house?" she spat." my brother doesn't love you. I hope you know? "

Natalie didn't answer .She made to walk past her, unwilling to talk to her. But Leila grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her back.

"I'm talking to you, you spoiled, useless-"

The slap came sharp and sudden. Leila staggered back, one hand to her cheek, eyes wide in shock. She was lost for words.

"Touch me again, and next time I'll break your arm, those high school antics are over Leila." Natalie snapped, breathing hard.

"You bitch!"

Leila lunged.

The two women collided like lightning-scratching, kicking, clawing. A vase shattered. A chair toppled. The mansion echoed with the chaos. The servants looked on. What were they supposed to do? And no one was in the house.

"Enough!" Lucian's voice rang out as he rushed into the room, yanking Leila away from Natalie's brutal hits. Both women heaved, breathing hard and furious. Natalie's hair was a mess, her cheek slightly red, but her opponent wasn't any better. Her whole face was a mess.

"She's lucky," Natalie seethed, glaring at Leila. "Next time I won't be so merciful." she growled and went up the stairs. Lucian Only sighed and watched her as she turned and stormed upstairs.

Leila, stunned and battered, slumped into the armchair. Lucian bent beside her, gently wiping the blood from her lip.

" you shouldn't be doing this, if Lorenzo finds out.... "he let it trail.

"but she hit me first! "she protested. Lucain raised a brow.

"really? "

Leila looked away.

"I was only asking her when she would be leaving our house. I don't want to keep seeing her face. "She flinched as he dressed her wounds.

"Take it easy, Leila," he murmured.

Natalie was in her room, stripping off her ruined blouse, when Anita entered with fresh clothes. The young maid helped her change, dabbing at her light bruises with a cold cloth.

"You're good at this," Natalie said, watching her through the mirror.

Anita gave a small smile. "You're not the first fight I've patched up. I bet Leila is worse of than you." She smiled through the pain.

Natalie turned. "You're American, aren't you? It's nice to see a familiar face without all these Italian freaks in my face."

Anita smiled and nodded. "I think so. I don't really remember. I've been here since I was little."

Natalie frowned. "How did you end up working here?"

"My mother worked here," Anita said softly. "She died giving birth to me. The older housekeeper took me in when Mr. De Luca's parents wanted to send me to an orphanage. She has been taking care of me ever since. I'll introduce you to her one of this days.

Natalie's heart twisted. There was something haunting in her eyes. She could relate. They were both orphans in this cruel world.

"what do you say about being my personal maid? " she asked with a small smile.

Anita blinked, surprised. "Really?"

"yeah, you don't have to attend to anyone other than me" she said. Anita squealed and hugged her. Then pulled away as if realizing. Natalie smiled.

"it's okay ."

A knock interrupted them. The butler's voice called, "Mr. De Luca is ready, ma'am."

Natalie finished dressing, hiding the bruises well, and followed the butler downstairs. Lorenzo stood by the door, sharp in a tailored black suit. His eyes immediately scanned her face.

"What happened?" he asked, stepping closer, his hand reaching for her face. She turned away.

"Leila," Natalie replied simply. His eyes narrowed, a muscle ticking in his jaw, but he said nothing. Instead, he opened the car door for her.

The drive was short. But when they arrived, Natalie's breath caught.

A restaurant. Five star . Elegant, candlelit, quiet. Was this a business dinner? And he needed her to play wife?

She looked at him. "What is this?"

He gave the faintest smirk. "I'm taking my wife out.Am I not allowed to? "

Her eyes widened. "Why?"

"Because I want to." he leaned towards her. "Because I can. And you are my wife."

"bought wife.. " she countered. He smiled and took her hand.

"You are still mine. " Her hands tingled where he held her.

They were seated in a secluded booth, warm lighting casting golden shadows around them. She watched him as he ordered for them both, effortlessly commanding even in silence.

Halfway through the meal, she leaned in. "Anita... she told me a bit about her past. Is it true?"

Lorenzo nodded. "Her mother worked for us. Died during childbirth. My parents didn't want her, but the old housekeeper stepped in."

"She's been here ever since?" Natalie asked.

"She's like furniture to this house. Quiet, forgotten, but always there." he said indifferent.

"That's quite an inhuman way to refer to a living being. "

Lorenzo raised a brow.

Natalie hesitated. "I want her to be my personal maid "

Lorenzo looked at her, eyes unreadable.

Then he nodded. "Fine. Let's see it compensation for bringing you here without any friends or familiar faces."

Natalie rolled he eyes. "everything dosen't have to be a stake or come at a price."

Lorenzo smiled. " but it does ,Mia moglie. "

She opened her mouth to bring up the files-what she'd seen, what she now suspected-but before she could,a voice interrupted them.

"Well, isn't this charming." Natalie turned.

Esmeralda.

She looked like a model out of a glossy magazine, all red silk and cold looks. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"You should leave Esmeralda, I'm having a peaceful dinner with my wife as you can see. " Lorenzo said not lifting his head to spare her even a glance.

She fumed.

"How long do you plan to keep up this charade, Lorenzo?" she purred. "You haven't even consummated the marriage. Is it going to be like the others? You shouldn't waste the young girl time. "

Natalie froze. The air turned ice cold.

Lorenzo stood slowly, napkin falling to the table. His face was unreadable. He reached out and took Natalie's hand. He gave Esmeralda a chilling look. She looked uncomfortable.

"You just reminded me of something important " he turned to Natalie. " Let's go Cara, we have a long night ahead of us."

Natalie's breath hitched. Was he really?.....

Esmeralda's smirk faltered. She turned to him.

"Lorenzo..... "

He didn't answer.

Without another word, Lorenzo turned and led Natalie out of the restaurant. They reached their car and entered.

"you were joking when you said that right? " she asked as the car started.

He gave her a lazy smile.

"no, I wasn't. "

She flinched. And sat back quietly.

They reached the estate and entered. Lorenzo kept his hands firmly on her. As if trying to prevent her from running. They entered her room and he sat down, unbuttoning his shirt.

"so, Mia moglie. How is it going to be? "

Natalie panicked.