Chapter 8 It is an arrangement

The next morning, Elisa and her mother left the mansion for the hotel where they would stay until the wedding. A sleek black car waited at the gates, and an escort trailed behind them-something Elisa found excessive, though she didn't speak on it.

Their destination turned out to be a five-star hotel in the heart of the city. The staff welcomed them with smiles, nods, and rehearsed greetings as they were led to the penthouse suite.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a luxurious space-three grand bedrooms, a pristine modern kitchen, and a sitting room furnished in rich velvet and marble. Gold accents caught the light from the large windows, and crystal chandeliers sparkled above their heads. Elisa wandered over to the window, her arms folded loosely across her chest, and looked out at the city lights stretching endlessly in the distance.

Her mother stepped beside her. "So, how do you like it?"

Elisa gave a quiet nod. "It's nice. Though... it feels like too much. We're only staying a few days. A regular room would've been fine."

"Tell that to Mr. Bellucci," her mother replied with a dry smile. "He insisted on the best. Said his future bride should experience the finest his hotel has to offer."

She blinked. "This is his hotel?"

"Yes. I told you he was wealthy."

Elisa turned fully to face her. "Aside from owning hotels, what else does he do?"

"A lot," her mother said vaguely. "He's a diverse businessman. Would you like something to eat?"

"No," Elisa said softly.

There was a pause. Her mother studied her. "Are you nervous?"

"Who wouldn't be?" Elisa replied. "I'm about to marry a man I don't even remember. A man who didn't visit me once after I was discharged. Not even a call."

"I told you," her mother began gently, "Mr. Bellucci is a-"

"Busy man," Elisa finished, her tone flat.

Her mother exhaled and looked away. "It's not all bad. I truly believe you'll come to enjoy your marriage to him. In time."

Elisa didn't answer. Her gaze drifted back to the city.

"Where's Father?" she asked after a moment.

"He had some last-minute things to finalise for the wedding."

Elisa hesitated, then spoke. "I think we need to talk about my marriage to Mr. Bellucci."

Her mother shifted uncomfortably. "What about it?"

"Where does he live?"

Her mother blinked. "I... I don't know."

Elisa turned to her mother in surprise. "You don't know where the man I'm supposed to marry lives?"

"Mr. Bellucci is a very private man. He doesn't share those things. It's just his way."

"So how are the luggages sent there? How do people know where to deliver things?"

"His drivers handle that. They pick everything up," her mother replied quickly.

Elisa gave a faint nod, her expression unreadable. "Okay."

"I want to show you something," her mother said softly.

Elisa looked up, surprised by the sudden shift in mood. Her mother reached into the back pocket of her suit pants and brought out a small, sleek black box. She opened it slowly and lifted out a delicate necklace - a silver chain with a soft blue stone hanging from the middle.

"It's beautiful," Elisa murmured.

"You had one just like it," her mother said. "Before the accident. But it got lost." She stepped closer. "Turn."

Elisa turned her back, feeling the cold metal brush against her neck as her mother clasped the necklace in place. When Elisa turned around again, her mother gave a faint smile.

"It looks beautiful on you."

"Thank you," Elisa said quietly.

"I have something else for you," her mother added, and stepped out of the room.

A moment later, she returned with a phone in her hand - slim, shiny, and brand new. She placed it gently in Elisa's palm.

"I thought to get you a new one. The last one was destroyed in the accident. I already added some important contacts."

Elisa unlocked the phone and clicked into the contact list. "Just you and Dad," she noted. "And Mrs. Cooper."

"Yes," her mother said. "Those are who you need for now."

"What about my friends?" Elisa asked, still scrolling. "Fake or not, I'd like to have some of their contacts. I used to enjoy their company in the past, right?"

Her mother gave a tight smile. "Yes, but... they've been distant. Since Mr. Bellucci proposed."

"Why?"

"Well..." Her voice dipped. "Let's just say they're jealous. Many of them wanted him for themselves."

"Oh." Elisa's eyes dropped back to the phone.

Her mother placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "It's better to forget about them. You'll make new ones - real ones."

"What about Stefano's number? I didn't see it here."

"He'll give it to you himself."

"You don't have it?"

"No."

Elisa stayed quiet for a while. Her fingers slowly locked the phone screen. Then she looked up. "It's an arranged marriage, isn't it?" Her voice was calm, but sure.

"Elisa..."

"Don't lie," she said, sharper this time. "I have amnesia, but I'm not stupid. I thought about what Father said in the hospital." She caught the brief panic that flickered in her mother's eyes. "Yes, I was listening. He said something about Stefano looking for a reason to cancel the wedding."

Her mother exhaled slowly, like a balloon letting out air. "Yes," she said at last. "It is an arrangement."

"So he doesn't want this any more than I do."

"You wanted it," her mother said quickly. "Your father even tried to dissuade you, but you insisted."

"Then if I pushed for it before," Elisa asked, "why can't I break it now?"

Her mother hesitated, voice softening. "Because it's too late. The Belluccis and your father have already shaken hands on it. Business deals have been made. Your father's running for the next election - if this wedding falls apart, so does his campaign."

"So I have to lose my life to protect his reputation?"

"Elisa," her mother said gently, "it doesn't have to be forever."

Elisa's brows pulled together. "What?"

"You don't have to stay married to him. Just a few months. Then... you can file for divorce."

Elisa stared at her. "Father would never agree to that."

"He would," her mother replied quickly. "He loves you. If he sees you miserable, he'll listen."

Elisa scoffed. "Wouldn't his precious reputation be ruined when I get divorced?"

"No," her mother said firmly. "If it doesn't work out, it's nobody's fault. These things happen. The public won't ask too many questions."

"Is Stefano cruel?"

"No," her mother said, too fast. "No, he isn't. You just need to marry him, stay a little while. He's so busy, you'll hardly even see him."

Elisa looked at her. "Three months, and I'm out?"

Her mother nodded. "Three months."

Elisa sighed and leaned back against the chair. "When is the makeup artist coming tomorrow?"