“I…” I tried to say but he was quick to cut.

“The gym…It’s right beside my study in the south. Nobody wants a potato sack. Do you get me?” His voice at the end got louder making me look at him agape.

“What? You have put on a lot of weight. I don’t want people talking shit.” This made me recall that one thing that he actually likes about me and that is my body. I wonder how he will react find me changed.

He left shortly after while I walked to the gym that indeed had a range of equipment. My attention went to my reflection in the mirror. I had started showing.

There was a small fridge that had different energy drinks. Taking out the water bottle I wonder about my sisters. I didn’t have any means to learn about their wellness except Mr Lucca.

I got out of the gym to walk to my room to only find Mr Lucca sitting in the living area. And, though I wanted to pass him and get to my room my feet stopped the moment he looked at me.

“Did you tell him about your pregnancy? How he reacted?” He asked making me look around. And, thank God there was no one.

“What?... What are you doing? Please, stay away from our matters. I will tell him when it will be time.” I said and soon found Colombo walking in. “Mrs Lucca, your dress has arrived. May I get these to your room?”

“Yea, please. I am coming.” I said and was about to walk away but looked back hearing,

“Is there an occasion?” Mr Lucca asked making me look at him.

“There is a huge charity gala…” And, before I could finish my sentence he told. “Yes…I know about that one… here…call Carlos from my cell phone.” I walked to him and got his phone to realize he had been trying Matteo’s number.

I dialled for someone Carlos and handed him the phone. “I am here in Italy. I would like to confirm if you are coming to our gala.” He stopped to hear whatever that man had to say and then replied, “Of course, tell me,”

I found Colombo coming in with four other people who had the things and I was about to walk to him when I heard him say, “What? Why is she coming?” but then realizing I was listening to his talk I got my eyes fixed on the dress. It was long and had not so modest cut in the front.

I showed the team to my room, where two maids came to make some space for these dresses. And, the moment we finished I saw Colombo coming in again. “What?” I asked,

“Mr Lucca has asked for you,” And, the moment I raised my brows he added, “…senior one.”

I got down and found him at the same place where I left him. “You called for me,”

“Yes. I was wondering if attending the gala is a good move for you. You are pregnant. I am sure you should stay at home instead of attending such extravagant parties.”

“I don’t think if it is in my hands. I am sure Matteo wants me there and…he had been very attentive to details about our outfits and whatnot.”

“Of course, he is…but your priority should be your health.” I don’t know what he was talking about. Just a few moments ago he seemed perfectly fine with the idea. “You don’t need to worry about me. I am perfectly fine.”

I added and wanted the conversation to end when he cut me off. “But to me, you don’t seem concerned about your baby’s health.” And, that kind of crossing the limits for him. “I don’t think I should take it from you when you clearly have told me that saving this baby’s life is my responsibility. I am telling you that this conversation is ending here.” And, before I could finish my sentence I found David coming in. He did seem taken by my tone and I didn’t have any energy to explain it to him.

“Hello David,” I said but he only looked at me weirdly before looking at Mr Lucca. All of a sudden it seems that I was bullying an old man in the chair.

“Hello, Mrs Lucca.” He replied as he walked to Mr Lucca. I wonder if he was here to stay. Because if yes I could use a lot of help.

“Are you fine?” I heard David asking Mr Lucca and knew he was pissed at my ill-treatment of the old man. I left knowing it was not the reality. It was the other way around. I can’t let this old man hurry me into things I am not ready for. There was no way I can tell Matteo about pregnancy right now.

I don’t know what Mr Lucca told him. But I found him taking Mr Lucca out of the house. I was tired and wanted to rest for a little. More than that I knew I can’t talk to him here.

At the dinner time, Matteo again let me have food on the same table as his. And, the moment we were leaving the dining area we found his dad coming in his wheelchair. “I want to talk to you,” He said,

And, the realization that he is going to tell Matteo about my pregnancy got my hands sweaty. But I wonder too how I was supposed to hide this fact more than necessary. He looked at me before stating, “I don’t think you should take her to the gala. She doesn’t know many people there. And, this event is important for us.”

“Excuse me? You do realize that I didn’t take her last year. I could have done the same this year too if you didn’t challenge my ego enough to marry this broke slut.” My eyes stung as he refused to care about the fact that his dad was right in front of us.

“As for her…” He pulled my waist and I got tripped making my body hit his arm. “As long as she looks this beautiful in the crowd I don’t think I will care about her manners.”

Matteo had his mood worse as we both walked to our room back. “Was it you?” He asked making me look at him in confusion but then I realized what he was talking about. Without wasting a moment I got my hand on the buttons of his shirt and started undoing it. “Why I will do it? I could have told you if I wanted to avoid the gala.”

“Good,…” He hissed against my mouth. “…because the day you believed someone else could be your saviour will not be a great day for you.” He said making me look at him. I could see he still didn’t believe me.

“I know…” I blinked as he smiled showing me his perfect teeth. The next few days passed by without any hurdle. I did feel dizzy sometimes but it was nothing serious. More than gala the reality that I have to undergo a procedure was dreadful to me. I did found David quite a few times around but he was always spotted with Mr Lucca on the lawn and I couldn’t go to talk to him.

The day we were supposed to get prepared for the gala, he received an urgent matter early in the morning.  I waited for him to finish the call and didn’t touch the breakfast but didn't find him at rest until he left for the office. The two women arrived to help me get ready. They settled my hair into a perfect low bun. I had a heavy bracelet on my left wrist and long diamond dangles in my ears. My dress was long and had a lean metal ring over my waist.

It took us hours and I was expecting Matteo at any moment. I stared at my nails as I waited for him in the living area. My heels were sure high enough and I knew I will be dead tired the moment I will be back. Fifteen more minutes passed and I saw his father wheeling his way to me. “You look absolutely gorgeous. I hope you have a great night.” I got my brows narrowed thinking from where he got this change of heart but what left my mouth was, “Thank you,”

For the hundredth time, I looked at the wall clock. “I thought I will give you some company until he arrives. So, to what doctor you are seeing nowadays.” He asked making me look at him. “You know Matteo doesn’t know about it.”

“But that doesn’t mean you can risk this baby’s life. I am going to set your appointment with a doctor for tomorrow…” And, before he could say anything else we both found a security guard coming in.

“Mrs Lucca,…Mr. Lucca is waiting for you in the car.” I nodded and got up. I held my clutch before taking a long breath.

“You are not calling any doctor and causing a scene here. If you can’t help me why don’t you just leave me alone?” I almost pleaded before turning around. I found David standing beside the security guard too.

"Hello David," I said but he didn't reply as he walked to Mr Lucca. I couldn't look at him and went outside straight to the car. I didn’t want to make Matteo wait. The guard opened the door for me and I got in noticing his hard jaw and a cigarette in his hands. He was prepared in his tuxedo and had a bow around his neck. His eyes moved to look at me before he smirked, “You look expensive,” I smiled before nodding my head, “Thank you,”

The door of the car was shut and sitting with him in this close space had my heart beat fast. I tried to have my lips curled up when he grazed my cheek with the back of his hand. He held my dangles before grazing his hand on my arm. The car had started and now was running on the road. “Do you know how expensive these are?”

“What?” I asked not knowing what he was referring to.

“You can’t earn this much in your whole life. This is how much worthy these articles are.”

“Thank you,” I said and he looked into my eyes.

“You should be...” He said coming closer to my mouth.

“...And, soon…your very own face will be something that I will like the most.” I gulped recalling his plan to have my face under the knife.

“About that…I have something to tell you. There is a reason that we can’t do this.” I know it could be the worst time to tell him about the pregnancy. But at least he can’t afford to get mad at me. We are leaving for the party and he will have to calm down.

“No…we will have to do it. If I have decided to keep you as a wife you will have to do what I tell you. It will be very convenient and simple this way.”

“Matteo…I really need to tell you something.” I saw fire in his eyes before he hissed.

“Don’t even try to get my mood ruined. We will talk about it later when…” He held my chin up. “…I have the luxury to get mad at you.” Of course, he too knew he can’t get mad right now. I nodded my head. I gulped before exhaling out. I couldn’t worry about meeting a lot of people at the gala anymore. If I can sit beside him I can do anything.

I looked out to notice different outlets and parks. But my breathing stopped the moment he leaned into my neck to inhale. “It was such a fucked up day. I am really looking forward to seeing money raining in this gala.” His arm came to wrap around my waist from the front. I could tell he wanted my attention.

I turn to look at him. “This…this is for donation, right?”

“Yea, for sure.” He smirked.

It was enough for me to know it wasn’t the case. But I smiled when he came closer to graze the tip of his nose on my neck.

“I hate parties.” He whispered and I tried to look at him but got his lips on my neck in the process. “I thought you like parties.”

“The only thing I like about the party is how people envy my success. In reality, I hate humans around me. Especially the ones in front of them I have to pretend.” Well, it was surprising for me. I thought he enjoys faking to be kind where he is thinking he is making people fool.

“Either way, I am impatient to get you out of this dress.” His mouth came over my mouth to whisper.

“How many people are going to be there?” I asked and he smiled. “Around fifteen hundred guests and it doesn’t include the staff. And, most of them are going to have their eyes on you…” He said keeping his hand on my shoulder. I could tell he never destroyed my hair or lipstick. Of course, I was a thing for him to show to other people. “…Am I making you nervous?” He asked and I smiled,

“No…I will try my best to pull it fine. I…I think I am prepared for it,” I don’t know if I was trying to impress him. Underneath I had started praying for our venue to come already. He asking the nice questions was so weird.

“Well, if I am happy with you I might gift you…something.”

“There is something that I want…” I said but the car was pulled.

“Well, it’s a surprise that you know what you want. Maybe later, we can talk about it.” He said the last part getting out. I waited for the driver to open the door for me but was taken aback finding him opening the door for me.

I could already hear the roar of people and the camera flashing when I stepped a foot out. Giving my hand in his I looked at his smile. His looks could deceive anyone. No one could look at him and see how much of a devil he was. And, I who was aware of who he was could do nothing but smile as I stand beside him. For I was Billionaire’s poor wife and didn’t have any right to live on my own terms.

The next update will be sooner.