Chapter 23 - Separate Lifestyles

Senator Visalyaputra's daughter running away from the biggest wedding of the century, did not catch wind in New Jersey. Prisana's father being her father, managed to hush all of those well established families. Must have paid each lucky person present a hefty sum to keep their mouths sealed.

Faking their private ceremony was not difficult. Her father and his circle of friends could use any means necessary to manipulate the media. Manipulate the entirety of New Jersey's population if the need arose to do so.

The only hard part came when Prisana had to play her role as Giovanni's loving wife. She was not a loving wife. He was not a dear husband. During the day, he would leave for work or whatever business until night came. She would hole herself into her room and indulge in the online college classes she enrolled herself into.

They shared separate meals. Separate bedrooms. Separate lives but all intertwined to be the same. Giovanni was supposed to be her forever. She could avoid him and she could hate him. But in the end, she would have to face him.

Like tonight. Tonight was special because the man called her father would be hosting an auction for all the elites in New Jersey. It was to commemorate future candidates into his board of members.

On orders from Giovanni, Clarice had urged her to sit still in front of the mirror for two straight hours. Clarice groomed her as if she were one of those well bred Pomeranian straight out of Beverly Hills.

"Finally, we're done. Take a look. You look beautiful Prisana."

Clarice spun her around. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. At the girl who seemed to have it all in everyone's eyes. Did she really? Was a life of luxury and lies something one should be proud of? Right now the woman before her resembled the most ugliest version of herself.

"Thank you," came her lifeless reply.

"I'm sure Giovanni will be so pleased when he sees you! Come on, let's get you down there. He's waiting for you. I'm sure you'll leave him breathless."

Clarice urged Prisana into her heels and led her down the jail of a castle that has now become her home. Clarice was wrong about one thing. Giovanni won't have the slightest reaction. Giovanni hated her. He's made it clear months ago when he finally obtained her.

Forget the past. The two were simply strangers married and living together to keep up appearances. Only that and nothing more.

Prisana walked down the stairs and for the first time in a month, she saw her husband at the foot of the stairs. Giovanni's back felt unfamiliar to her. He may look the same but she knew better than anyone that he wasn't. She took a deep breath as they reached the landing.

Giovanni didn't seem to notice her, too preoccupied with his phone. His back was turned on both Prisana and Clarice as he continued to ignore the pair. Prisana took note of how revolting his suit matched her wine red dress. It was as if they were a real couple who matched one another at public events.

Clarice coughed loudly. "Excuse me. Prisana is ready."

"...Yes. Sorry, we can talk about this another day. I have to go. Thanks. Bye. A pleasure doing business with you."

Giovanni hung up his phone and finally turned around. She met his icy blue gaze. He stared at her for what seemed like a full minute. Prisana scolded herself for thinking he was handsome for a moment but then he was always insanely too good looking for his own good. She thought her eyes played tricks on her as he opened his mouth to say something but closed it.

There was a slight hesitation in the way he gradually looked away from her.

"You look presentable."

Presentable...Of course. He needed her to look presentable in front of all of the damn elites so his reputation wouldn't falter. Gio was becoming just like her own father. 'Prisana, you fool'. What did she expect from him? That he call her beautiful like all the other times? Those were the beautiful lies. It was Prisana that told him she wanted the ugly truths and now she was getting them.

She balled her fists at her sides. God, how irritating. Her heart was still too soft. When would she stop being a fool and becoming hurt at every single word he fed her? This time, Prisana had to get even. No more tears and no more pathetic notions of the man she used to know.

"Thanks dear," she angrily mumbled under her breath, brushing past him. "You look terrible, as usual. Do me a favor and make sure you don't embarrass me tonight hmm?"

He caught her wrists Before she could flee to the car. She flinched because his nails dug into her skin.

"My wife, I must say the same to you. Embarrass me..." his voice trailed off as his fingers threaded lightly over her lips. "...And I will punish you. Ha! You were always beautiful but I hated you so much I never wanted to touch you."

Prisana turned her face away, hurt betraying every vile emotion that should have hurled out at him.

"Punishment could never exceed being trapped in this jail of castle as your wife. I can handle anything. Go ahead and try me."

"Oh?" he whispered and when he gazed down to her exposed cleavage, she gasped and forced his hold to loosen. "Perhaps...I can punish you in bed. Looking at you now, I realize I've been a fool to neglect you."

Giovanni and Prisana never went beyond holding hands. She used to think it was because he greatly cherished her. Recalling those memories now and knowing how he hated her, it must have been because he didn't wish to touch her. Even now he probably only saw her as an object and his wife who he could do with whatever as he pleased with.

But to go so far as to propose such humiliating and degrading things with a woman he wasn't fond of, he must really despise her.

"You dare try to violate me? See what will happen. I'll scream, bite, and scratch like a madwoman. Don't say I never warned you."

"Then, I would tie you so you'd remain obedient in my arms."

She couldn't believe how disgusting he was. It sickened knowing her that this Gio she used to love was saying such crude words to her.

"Have you no shame or mercy? How could you...Never mind, I realize you truly are despicable. You can have any woman you want. Anyone but me...Unfortunately I was once yours. Mark my words Gio, I'll never become yours again."

Prisana pushed him backward so he was caught off balance. He let go of her as she held her chin up high while walking to the car. She wasn't sure if he was serious but it put her on edge. If he really meant to violate her then she would get even. She would prepare weapons of all sorts just to deter him from laying his filthy hands on her.

Mark her words, she would never become his again.