Up In The Air

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR GETTING DESTINED FOR THE KING TO 1 MILLION READS!!!!! I AM BEYOND EXCITED AND PLEASED THAT EVERYONE LOVES THE BOOK AND IS RESPONDING WELL TO MY WORK! I LOVE EVERY COMMENT LEFT AND EVERY VOTE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME SO THANK YOU ALL!!!

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Never did I expect to spend the day before my engagement party pinned against the bed by my future husband. Yet, here I look at Dominic who is pinned on top of me; glaring into my soul with greed and control in mind. He has a choice to make. He either takes my first kiss with him by force or he jumps off me and forgets this insane ordeal. If he takes our first kiss away he will be happy because he's taking control. Like he says, "When I want, however I want" but if he does, my faith and trust that I've built with him will be completely shattered. If he decides to listen to me for once and get off me, we can move forward like nothing happened but his ego will be bruised.

"Please get off me Dominic. This isn't the way to treat me. I'm not a dog and no matter what you think, you need to realize that I am not your property!" I shouted at him. I've had enough of his torment and his childish behavior. Mafia leader or not, he will not punish me like some whore.

Thankfully after a few more moments of his glare, Dominic slowly released me from his grasp and climbed off my waist. He climbed off the bed with his glaze still on me. Once he was off the bed, he reached into his pocket for his phone. He typed quickly before shoving the phone back into his pocket. He walked over to the bedside table and retrieved his weapons before storming out the bedroom.

Great, I was almost assaulted by my soon to be fiance/husband and he's mad at me?! What kind of backwards universe am I in?

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I had to collect myself mentally and physically before rejoining my famiglia. Mama was definitely watching me and if I give her a moment of weakness she will call off the wedding herself. The last thing I need is my mother trying to kidnap me.

Dominic was nowhere to be found throughout the day. I spent half the time inside with my brother and my friends and the rest of the time with my mama and nonna in the garden. I passed by Dominic's office towards dinner time but it was unusually empty. I've barely seen his top men either. Once my famiglia retired upstairs to their rooms, I went inside the garage. One of Dominic's cars are gone. He's been gone for the entire day basically and our party is tomorrow. This is the last thing I wanted but seems like our first official party will begin in a fight.

It was weird getting ready for bed alone. It was nearly 11pm and I made sure I've said goodnight to everyone before retiring to my room. I tried my best to wait up for Dominic but I more time that pasts, the sadder I become. He has no reason to be mad. He is the one that said I needed to be trained like a dog. He is the one contemplating taking a special moment away from us because he wanted power over me. He keeps trying to belittle me and I can't stand for that. If he wants me by my side this behavior isn't going to be tolerated.

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I doze off some time within the night. The tiny beam of light shining through the curtains made my eyes flutter open. I glanced at the clock by my bedside; it was 8am. I didn't have to turn my head to know that Dominic didn't come to bed last night. The bed is usually heavier when he's around and he would have his arms and legs wrapped around me like a spider monkey. Instead I woke up alone and curled up in a ball; the only thing wrapped around me is the duvet. Dominic truly disappointed me last night and today. Staying out all day when my famiglia is here is one thing but not coming home is another. If I were to do that; the FBI would be out there searching for me as we speak. It's not fair that the things he does to me are okay but if I dare do them back he wants to castrate me.

I proceeded to get ready for the day like nothing happened. I have a big day ahead of me and the last thing I want to think about is Dominic. He's choosing to make our arrangement difficult. Then he wonders why I don't want to move fast with him.

I spent the morning doing my vigorous facial routine to make sure my skin was perfect before I get my makeup done later today.  Getting prepped for tonight was taking my mind off all the crap that was weighing on my mind.

The house was full of movement as I walked downstairs. My entire famiglia were in the dining room eating breakfast, talking among themselves. Once mama saw me enter the room she jumped from her chair and marched towards me.

"Tesoro, you're waking up now? We have work to do! Your engagement party is tonight." Mama hissed at me as she grabbed my arm and guided me towards an empty seat beside hers. My breakfast was already plated for me; Hash browns, egg whites, and two pieces of crisp turkey bacon.

"Mama, I've been up for the past hour preparing."

"Where's your husband to be? Is he getting ready?" Juliana wondered.

"He had early errands to do, I don't know when he's going to be back." I answered softly. I hated lying to my friends but at this moment, lying about the situation is the only thing stopping me from crying.

"Well let's hope he gets home soon. The last thing I need is him making us look bad in front of his people."

If only mama knew that him being late is the least of her worries.

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My entire morning was packed with last minute arrangements and preparation for tonight. The party planner Sophia arrived around 11 am with a small army of makeup artists and hairstylists. The maids were relieved from their typical duties after breakfast to help each member of my famiglia and myself get ready for tonight. Sophia got two large bedrooms set up, one for my brother and Nonno and the other room for myself, Mama, Nonna, and my best friends. If I wasn't getting my hair and makeup done, I was going through the final plans with Sophia. Since Dominic was nowhere to be found, I made the final decisions on my own. We arrive at the venue for 6pm before any of the guest arrive and awaiting in a guest suite upstairs would be my dress. My famiglia would enter the ballroom around 7:15ish as guests arrive and make their way inside. Dominic and I will enter united at 7:30 and make our way around the room. Speeches will be done at 8 as dinner is being served. We have a dance scheduled for 9pm and everyone leaves by 12.

Sophia has questioned me throughout the day about Dominic's whereabouts and I tried my best to answer or give suggestions but it got to the point where I stopped responding because I stopped caring. It was now 3pm; we all need to be out the door in about two hours and he still hasn't shown up or even cared to contact anyone. I'm past being sad, I'm furious. If Dominic doesn't show up, I am going back home with Mama tomorrow.

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I was the last person to finish their hair and makeup. I made sure all the girls were glam up and ready before I sat in the chair. The hairstylist decided on a sleek gel ponytail with added extensions. It was simple but the added 20 inches of extensions to the ponytail made the ponytail reach the curves of my back and give it a certain glam pop look. My makeup look was bolder than what I'm used too. I had a gold and black shimmer cat eye look with a bold burgundy lipstick that matched my dress. Once I was done, I couldn't help but stare at myself in the mirror. I looked beautiful! My dress was already at the venue thanks to Sophia and she told me she added a few extra touches on the dress to give it the pop I needed to impress Dominic's famiglia. I glanced at the clock on the wall before heading downstairs to show my famiglia the final product; it was 4:55 pm and there was still no sign of Dominic.

I didn't want to cry for him anymore. I was done with crying. I wanted him to know how much he hurt me. I told Sophia to meet me downstairs because I had to do something important. I walked towards Dominic's bedroom and entered. Deep down I was hoping once I opened the door that he would be in here, but of course I was wrong. I walked over to his desk and pulled out a blank piece of paper.

I wrote a small note shoved it into my pocket. Tears threatened to fall but I had to blink them away. Writing the note hurts more than it will reading it but it has to be done.

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Seeing my famiglia all dulled up in fancy attire almost brought tears to my eyes. I haven't seen my brother in a fitted suit since his communion! Mama felt the same way about me when she saw me come down the stairs. The moment we made eye contact we smiled bright. I wish more than anything to have papa here with me as well but having my mama here means the world to me.

"Tesoro, you look so beautiful! My beautiful baby girl." Mama gasped as she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Thank you mama, you look lovely as well."

"Oh Bella, where's your dress? You can't wear this tracksuit!" Nonna barked out.

"It's at the party Nonna, don't worry."

"You are gorgeous Alessandra. Where's Dominic though, don't we have to go?" Bambina asked.

"He's going to meet us there but yes we do have to go." I rushed everyone out the house. Before I left, I spotted Dante by the kitchen entrance talking to one of the maids. He was dressed in a more fancier suit, he's probably on his way to the party as well.

"Dante! Can you come here for a second?" I called out to him. He looked at me and walked over in haste.

"I need you to relay this message to Dominic." I handed him the piece of paper from my pocket. He opened the letter and his eyes widen in shock.

"I need him to know this. He really messed up this time and I can't be around if he's not willing to make it work. Please let him know this." I walked out the door before he could say anything to me.

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A large SUV limo took us to the venue. It wasn't a long drive before we came to a halt. The venue was a large beige two story building on top of a large hill that was surrounded by water below. The venue has acres of land around it, beautiful for indoor and outdoor events. There was a large rose garden at the back, followed by a huge fountain and view of the waters below. I would expect this to be my wedding venue not my engagement venue. I can only imagine what Sophia has in store for a wedding...if we get to the alter.

I barely had time to take in the beautiful scenery around me before I was rushed inside with the rest of my famiglia. I still had about two hours before I had to put on my dress so I decided to go look inside the ballroom before I had to disappear. The room was decorated to perfection.

The room was grande, the room lit with gold shimmer lighting that reflected beautifully with the gold round tables. There was a large space in the middle for dancing and on the other side of the room was the large gold stage. Across from the stage was a small band set up and on the other side was the large bar. My favorite part was the two part grand staircase that led to the upper floor. There was a small platform in the middle of the stairs for a small stage before leading to the other half of the stairs. Everything about the venue was beautiful. Sophia truly out did herself.

"Do you like it?" Sophia asked as she walked up from behind me.

"I'm in love, Sophia you did amazing."

"I'm glad you're happy with it. I was thinking of having your table set up on the platform on the stairs. That way no one is going upstairs and you guys are displayed for everyone to see."

"That would be perfect, thank you."

"Alright let's head up these stairs to your quarters. I got a text from Mr and Mrs. Vincenzo, they will be arriving shortly."

"Okay, lead the way." I didn't care to ask if she heard from Dominic.

Tonight is the night I need to be selfish. I have to focus on me and me only. Even if tonight is a no go, I need to learn to take control of my life form now on.