Chapter 3 Take Your Place

“Definitely, we are going back, Athena,” her friend looks at her as the men place the luggage in the room. “Do you want to continue with this? Look at that woman from a moment ago. Is she his wife? For God’s sake.” “Come on, Layla, my head hurts,” she complains, making a face. “What else can I do? The contract between the families has already been signed. I just want to put an end to all this torment once and for all.” “Are you going to put up with that woman from a moment ago? I’m sure that Valentin or Valentino, whatever his name is, is doing all this on purpose.” “I couldn’t care less,” she shrugs. “Why are you taking it so lightly? Don’t you care at all that he has another woman?” “Hey, why should I care about a complete stranger? That’s not my business; she was probably his girlfriend before I arrived,” she rubs her temples in frustration. “Besides, it's better for me that there’s another woman to keep his bed warm, because I won’t be giving him that kind of attention.” “Don’t tell me you’re going to go without for a whole year. That’s extreme.” “I always have my ways, and you know it.” “Alright, let’s leave this conversation here. I’m feeling very angry right now,” she rummages for the phone vibrating inside her bag. “It’s time for me to go, Layla; we’ll talk tonight. I need to settle in.” “Don’t forget to send me the address of the place,” she says goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. “Use protection.” “I will.” Athena lets out a tired sigh as she remains alone in the hallway, watching her friend’s back as she leaves. The bodyguards finish carrying the luggage and are then guided by some maids to the place where they should stay. Upon entering her room, she finds her personal servant, or rather, her nanny, unpacking some things. “You should leave it like that, nanny; the other maids will take care of that work,” she says, falling back on the bed. “Take a break for today.” “I was about to prepare a bath for you; you look quite tired,” she responds, sitting beside her. “Are you okay?” Athena closes her eyes, nodding. “Better than ever.” “The welcome from a moment ago wasn’t very pleasant. Do your parents know about this?” “I don’t know… but it doesn’t matter anyway. This is a matter of paper and ink, nanny; there’s nothing personal involved. Don’t worry.” “If you say so… then I guess it’s okay.” “Have they told you where you’re going to stay?” “Yes, on the first floor below.” “Then go and take a break. I want to be alone for a moment.” “Let me know if you need anything.” “Okay.” The door closes again as the nanny leaves. She collapses completely on the bed, ready to fall asleep after the uncomfortable journey she had. But just when she thought she would have some peace, the door opens abruptly with a loud bang, causing Athena to startle in bed. “What the hell…?” she sits up, stunned to see a male figure standing in front of her. “And who the hell are you? Don’t you know how to knock?” “What?” the man reacts, bewildered. “Is that how you talk to me?” “Excuse me?” she raises an eyebrow. “Who the hell are you? Get out of my room right now.” “Who do you think you are?” he frowns severely, giving her a cold look. “I expected more from the fiancée they sent me.” “Wait,” she blinks, analyzing the situation. “Are you my fiancé?” “Unfortunately.” “Damn.” “How?” Athena falls silent for a few minutes, observing the man in front of her. She scrutinizes him without any hint of modesty, shifting her eyes first to his crotch. She raises an eyebrow upon noticing the bulge reflected in his pants. Then, her gaze moves to his face: green eyes, blonde hair, fair skin, square jaw, and a perfect physical condition. Everything about him seems fine. She had imagined that marrying an unattractive man would be a greater disgust, but this one is just her type. Despite that, he doesn’t meet her high standards. “But what’s with that murderous look he’s giving her? They barely know each other and this is how he treats her?” “I’m Athena Volkova,” she stands up from the bed, facing him like a small fragile doll in front of a big ogre. “Your fiancée. Nice to meet you.” He looks at her for a brief moment, thinking that maybe she would be a bit more mature, but she simply looks like a spoiled child in his eyes. He analyzes her appearance for a moment— not bad at all. Black hair, gray eyes, with a well-shaped body as if she put a lot of effort into taking care of it. A small, pink mouth, her gaze appears sweet, like that of an innocent girl, but deep down, you can see how dangerous she can be. Her white skin is well taken care of; she’s practically a perfect doll. But she’s not to his taste. “I’m Valentino Rizzo,” he finally introduces himself. “We better make things clear right now.” “Go ahead,” she purses her lips, playing it down. “I don’t want you to get close to Lirio,” he states, with a harsh and rough voice. “This will be a marriage simply on paper, so stay away from her. She’s the woman I want, make that clear to you.” Athena tries to contain a mocking laugh but can’t help bursting into laughter, further hardening Valentino’s face. “What’s so funny?” “What do you think? This idiotic role you’re playing right now?” she responds, trying to contain herself again. “Let’s see. We just met, I don’t know who the hell you are, and you don’t know who I am either. And now you’re asking me not to mess with your lover as if I were a jealous woman? Really? I didn’t know Italians liked to make such a fool of themselves. First, the withered flower telling me she’s your woman, acting like an unpaid secretary, and now you with empty threats as if I cared about your pathetic life.” “Watch your words,” he snaps. “I’m telling you all this so you’re clear; Lirio has told me everything that happened and what you said as soon as you set foot here.” “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.” “Are you trying to threaten me to make her leave? She was here before you.” “And I’m not arguing with you,” he sighs, sits back on the bed. “I’m not against you having your stupid romance with her, but living under the same roof as me? Of course not. Find her a nest to warm your eggs.” “You’re insolent!” he bursts out, full of anger. “I won’t allow you to mess with her; you’ll just be my paper wife, so you have no rights.” “Come on, drop this boring speech,” she rolls her eyes. “Just like you, I didn’t agree to this. I don’t like being tied down, especially not with bitter guys like you, so stop playing the victim. I’m here to save your father’s factory. Stop the whining, please.” “How dare you?” he grabs her wrist, pulling her up abruptly. “Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?” “If you don’t want me to kick you in the balls, let me go for good,” she states. “Don’t think that just because I’m going to be your wife, you’ll even think about controlling me. Get real, Rizzo.” “You better watch yourself,” he lets her go without a hint of gentleness. “Don’t expect friendly treatment from me, because you won’t get it.” Having said that, he turns on his heel and leaves the room, slamming the door. Athena takes a deep breath and lies back on the bed, thinking about what to do with that guy who seems to feed on scorpions. Threatening her not to get close to her lover? Something really ridiculous that rather amused her. That sentence couldn’t have been more absurd. Athena expected many things from that marriage that was arranged suddenly, but it turned out to be more fun than she thought. It was time to start with the Volkova disaster. Valentino paced in his study, quite furious after a confrontation with the woman who will now be his wife. He didn’t like the Idea of sharing his life with her, much less that she was so haughty, trying to control everything. At that moment, Lily peeks through the door, and he lets her in without removing that devilish look on his face. “What happened?” she asks, putting on a pitiful face. “Did you meet her already? It must have been unpleasant for you; she’s quite rude.” “She’s insolent!” he explodes, almost on the verge of madness. “How dare she…?” “What did she say to you?” she approaches and clings to his arm. “Nothing,” he releases her grip and goes to his desk to pour himself a drink. “Today, move back to your old apartment.” “What?” she tenses up. “Are you kicking me out because of that woman?” “Don’t argue, Lily, I already have enough with her,” he runs his hand through his stressed hair. “Do as I say; I told you it’s just for a year until the deadline is met. I’ll visit you from time to time; besides, we see each other daily at the factory.” “But, Valentino…” her eyes well up again. “Are you going to give in to her threats? She just wants to get rid of me, don’t let her…” Valentino replays in his mind the words spoken by Athena a moment ago about her complete lack of interest in Lirio. It is obvious that he knows why she is here and he doesn’t care at all that he is in a relationship, so he concludes that Lirio’s words are meaningless. A woman cannot be against another when she shows no interest in her man. “Ask the servants to help you pack,” he finishes, standing up and heading towards her. “Let’s make this easier for both of us; I have to think about saving the factory, okay?” “Valentino…” she whimpers. “Go back and pack,” he kisses her on the forehead. “I have matters to attend to now.” He turns his back, returning to his desk and pouring himself another drink. The woman clenches her fists, containing the helplessness that being dismissed like this causes her, simply for a newcomer who will only provide financial help, but she does not realize it will bring her ruin. She storms out of the study in a rage at the current situation. How can things change so quickly overnight? She used to be the only one who could be by Valentino’s side. They didn’t have a stable relationship as such, but he was always attentive and affectionate toward her. They were practically already a couple. But something keeps her uneasy: Valentino has always seen her as the emotional support he had at one time when he lost his mother. What if the affection runs out, and he falls in love with his new wife? It's a risk she takes, as Athena is much younger and more attractive than she is. Furthermore, Valentino’s father does not approve of their relationship, so things have always been difficult for her in that aspect. The only solution for Lirio to maintain her place by Valentino’s side will be to stay in the role of the victim, being hurt in some way by the jealous wife. “Valentino is mine, only mine. You’ll see,” she murmurs as she heads to her room to pack. Now, her role as “lady of the house” will be taken over by that girl, and that girl will be the downfall of them both.