Chapter 70

My eyes snapped up to see Dante still sleeping with his arms wrapped tightly against my body, holding me close to him. 

How on earth did this happen? 

I pressed my hands against his ċhėst and pushed him away from me.

His eyes finally opened, his gaze one of confusion before realization dawned on him.

I didn't wait for him to speak, instead I rose from under the sheets and out the bed. I heard his sharp intake of breath once more and turned to find his heated stare on my body.

My eyes widened.  

Oh God. 

I'd completely forgotten about the lingerie I'd worn last night thanks to his sister's redecoration of my my closet. 

I hurriedly rushed into the bathroom, embarrassment flooding my cheeks. 

I sighed. 

Would I have to deal with this every single day from now on?

I closed my eyes as I leaned against the bathroom door. I needed to regain my composure for the rest of the day, I still had a full day of school ahead. 

Hopefully today wouldn't be as bad as yesterday. With any luck, maybe I wouldn't have to see that girl that had her arms wrapped around Dante either.

I just had to pay neither of them any sort of attention and I should be okay. 

I made a promise to myself to be a lot more stronger from now on and I will keep that promise. 

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He looked at me, his eyes closely studying me. "Where is my driver today?" I asked, ignoring his intense gaze. 

"You're looking at him."

I paused, finally giving him my full attention. "You can't be serious?" I asked. 

"There really wasn't anything I could do," he told me. "Father insisted that I drop you to school from now on, he explained that it was important that people still believed our marriage wasn't a set up. Especially for your father's sake."

I narrowed my eyes.

Did they suddenly care about what happened to my father and how their actions affected him?

I didn't think so.

I was positive this was just for their own benefit once more. 

I crossed my arms against my ċhėst. "I said," I snapped. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Before I had time to react he grabbed me by my waist and lifted me into his arms. I was so shocked at his actions that all I could do was stare at him in disbelief. He gently placed me into the front seat of the Jeep after opening the door with one hand. 

I continued to watch him as he reached over, his deep masculine scent filling my nose. He silently buckled the seatbelt in, making sure that I was safely tucked in. 

His eyes slowly raised up to gaze at me, I stared into the mesmerizing earthy green for a few seconds until realization dawned on me. 

I quickly looked away, crossing my arms over my ċhėst once more. 

"I should have known this is what you and your family do . . . Take everything by force." 

Dante's jaw clenched at my words but he said nothing in response. He leaned back and shut the door before getting into the driver's seat. The drive to school was torture, the tension in the air was plenty. 

I breathed a sigh of relief as Dante pulled up to the compound. 

"Kyomi—,"

I didn't wait for him to finish as I unbuckled the seatbelt and slammed the door in his face. 

Out of nowhere a group of girls surrounded me, I was so focused on getting away from Dante that I didn't realize they were already following me. 

I was able to make out one of the faces, Emily. The girl from yesterday, the one who had her arms wrapped around Dante like she was the one married to him! 

"What do you want?" I asked.

She laughed. "I want you to give Dante to me," she hissed. "Can you do that for me?" 

I narrowed my eyes, the audacity of this girl! I wasn't about to stay here and listen to her nonsense, I came here to learn! 

I tried to walk around her but she used that opportunity to grip my hand roughly while her friends blocked my exit. 

I was shocked at their behavior. Why did they want to bully me? Did these people not realize I was not happy with my marriage to Dante Clarke? It was as though everyone were set to make my life miserable!

"Let me go," I said as I tried to pull my hand back. "I've done nothing to you . . . Any of you."

"By marrying Dante, you've actually done a lot." She clapped back. 

"Look," I said. "If you haven't already noticed, I was forced into this marriage. There wasn't anything I could do about it and there still isn't anything that I can do. We have nothing to do with each other, whatever either one of you girls want to do with him, go ahead! Just leave me out of it."

I know I probably shouldn't have said this for the sake of my father's reputation but all of these girls already knew what was happening. I would only look like a fool if I lied. 

They laughed at my words. "You expect us to believe that? We see the way you look at him."

I stiffened . . . Was I that noticeable? 

"What's going on here?"

I followed the sound of the voice. 

I was shocked to find Mateo standing right behind the girls, his eyes angry. 

Did he actually come to help me?