After his shower, Lorenzo stomped down the stairs, his hair still slightly damp. Dressed in black jogging pants and a white tank top that perfectly showed off his trim abs and muscular arms, he moved forward with this arrogant nonchalance that stuck to his skin. Arriving in the living room, he turned towards the dining room, expecting to see the table set. But nothing. Not a coffee, not a piece of bread, not even a glass of water. Total emptiness.
Lorenzo (muttering, jaw clenched)
– But… is she making fun of me or what, this Chloe? However, I told him to prepare my breakfast. Damn… where does she think she is? At the five-star hotel?
His gaze darkened, his eyes turned red with anger. A shiver of rage ran through his body. Without missing a beat, he turned around, strode back up the stairs, and stormed down the hall like a storm ready to explode.
Arriving in front of Chloé's room, he grabbed the handle and opened the door without knocking, with a brutality that slammed against the walls.
He came face to face with her.
Chloe, a simple towel tied around her chest, her long hair still soaked and sticking to her skin glistening with water. The drops slid down his neck and slowly descended to his shoulders. Instantly, she jumped, her hand pressed against her chest, her heart beating wildly. His eyes widened then immediately narrowed in anger.
Chloé (furious, voice trembling)
– Damn, you have a problem! Couldn't you have hit it before you tumbled like a crazy person?! Look how you freaked me out, you sick bastard!
Lorenzo (imposing voice)
_ You speak to me with respect, young girl. I am your husband. Where is my breakfast? Are you deaf or didn't you hear when I told you to prepare this for me?
Chloe, red with anger, approached him. Her heart was beating so hard she could almost feel her temples bursting. Arms crossed, she stared straight into his eyes, her chin raised as if to challenge his gaze.
Chloe (firmly)
_ I won't allow you to treat me like a servant. I am your wife, not your housewife. If you're hungry, you order or better, you get moving and prepare it yourself. I don't know how to cook, sorry.
Lorenzo's eyes widened, furious. His jaw clenched and he took a menacing step towards her.
Lorenzo (exploding)
_ Whatiiiiii? Are you kidding me? You don't know how to prepare? And what use are you going to serve me in this barracks if you don't even know how to make a pasta dish?
Chloe (red with anger)
_If I can't help you with anything, so much the better. Everyone stays in their corner and that's it. Anyway, it's not like we chose this damn marriage, right?
The provocation brought an even darker glint into Lorenzo's eyes.
Lorenzo (icy, imposing voice)
_ And tell me, kid, why are you here then? Eh ? Did my dad pay you to play the nice wife? Or did you accept because you heard that I am loaded with money? Admit it, you're here for the money, right?
Chloe gritted her teeth, but kept her head held high.
Chloe (serious, spicy)
_ First of all, I didn't even know you, okay? Second, I don't really care about your money. Your father didn't pay me, and for your information, if I said yes, it was only for my father. So you calm down, man. I don't care about your money, and neither do you. Honestly, you're not even my type.
It was one sentence too many. Lorenzo's blood only boiled. He slammed the door behind him and rushed towards her. His step sounded like a threat, and with a sudden movement, he grabbed Chloe by the neck, squeezing her throat between his rough fingers. His eyes burned with black rage.
Lorenzo (red with anger, screaming)
_ Who are you calling "guy"? Eh ? Is it me you dare call that, you brat? ANSWER!
Chloe was suffocating. His hands weakly slapped Lorenzo's arm, his eyes starting to water. Her legs were shaking, but despite the pain, she shook her head to show him that she could no longer speak.
Chloe (choked, panting)
to La… let go… me… you… me… tufts…
Breathing short, Lorenzo tightened his grip on her neck even more for a moment. His face was distorted with anger, his voice almost trembling as he screamed.
Lorenzo (cold rage, murderous look)
_ You're going to have to shut your fucking mouth, otherwise I'll punch you. The next time you talk to me like that, I'll rip your tongue out. With me, we don't have fun, have you understood? I don't care why you agreed to this marriage. Whether it's your father or mine, it doesn't matter. But while you're here, you follow MY rules. You stay calm. Like a good wife. Do you understand or should I draw you a drawing?
Chloe nodded, unable to speak. Hot tears rolled down his face, red with pain. Her throat throbbed with every breath. Lorenzo finally let go of his neck. She almost fell backwards, coughing loudly, one hand resting on the purplish mark he had just left.
His gaze, soaked in tears, met Lorenzo's one last time. But he, cold and impassive, turned around, went out and slammed the door with such violence that Chloe jumped.
Chloe (crying, with a broken voice)
_ You bastard, I hate you, you're just a savage.
She dragged herself to the bed and fell there, curled up on herself, one hand still clutching her aching neck. Her sobs shook her body, a mixture of sadness and rage.
Chloe (inner voice)
I can't live with this man... he's an animal. Just his look freaks me out. Yeah, I'm a strong girl, I don't let myself be walked on, but I'm also sensitive and there, I'm afraid. How am I going to live with this psycho all my life? No, impossible, either I'll kill him or he'll end up killing me.
I have to find a way to free myself after Dad's operation. Otherwise… I'm screwed. The truth, if it wasn't to save my father, never in my life would I have accepted this marriage. I would rather have our old house and eat burnt pasta with him a thousand times than stay here with this monster.
Everything happened so quickly... I still feel like I'm dreaming. But the pain in my neck reminds me that no, it's not a nightmare. It's real. I'm married to a guy who I can't even call "husband." We just signed some papers, nothing else. Frankly, I don't understand why his old man wanted to stick with him at all costs. This guy is incapable of protecting anyone, let alone taking care of a woman.
And then… I can already imagine my best friend's face when she learns that I got married. She's going to freak out, this bitch. But it doesn't matter, I don't plan to stay here like a puppet. His parents told me that I could continue my life as I wanted, my studies, my projects. So his own rules… he can keep them. I live my life. Fortunately we have a week off. As soon as it starts again, I go back to class. And I'd like to see this jerk try to stop me.
Eclipse of a few hours.
The hours passed slowly after the violent argument. Chloé, exhausted from crying, ended up leaving her room. She went discreetly to Lorenzo's to collect her bag and her clothes from the day before. Luckily, he wasn't there.
Once changed, she sat in the living room. Slumped on the sofa, she had turned on a series to distract herself, but her thoughts remained elsewhere. His stomach was crying out for hunger, but the fridge was desperately empty and Lorenzo had disappeared since their clash.
Silence hung heavy in the villa, only interrupted by the noise of the television. Chloé barely looked up, her gaze lost, when suddenly the bell from the living room rang, breaking the icy atmosphere.
She jumped slightly and automatically turned her gaze towards the door. Her heart was beating a little faster, as if she expected a monster to appear on the other side.
Chloe (whispering, hesitant)
_ Um… who is there?
She stood up slowly, each step resounding in the silence like an echo of her own fear. She approached the door cautiously, her hand trembling on the handle, and opened it slowly. Her breath caught sharply when she found herself face to face with a delivery man loaded with four enormous bags that seemed heavier than him.
Delivery man (politely)
_ Good evening, is it you, Mrs. Lorenzo?
Chloe's eyes widened, almost comical in their surprise.
Chloe (surprised)
_ Mrs. Lorenzo? No no, I'm Chloé. Um…why are you here?
The delivery man blinked, visibly lost.
Delivery man (confused)
_ I was told to deliver these clothes to Mrs. Lorenzo De Santis. Can you call me ma'am, please?
Hearing the word clothes and especially this last name, Chloe remained frozen for a moment. Then she sighed, as if a forgotten truth had just hit her again.
Chloe (inner voice)
Oh yeah, that's true. I totally forgot that I'm already married. And to whom? To MY monster of a husband, Lorenzo. Well, I admit, the first name is stylish, too classy even. But too bad it's him who wears it.
The delivery man, a little uncomfortable, tried to bring her back to reality.
Delivery man (calmly)
_ You can call me madam, then?
Chloé rolled her eyes, seeming to say "fuck life," then gave a smile.
Chloe (calmly)
_ It's me, Mrs. Lorenzo De Santis. Come in, put this on the couch.
She pushed herself slightly to let him pass. The delivery man entered the living room with difficulty, placed the bags on the sofa with a small sigh of relief. Chloe closed the door behind him, then joined him. He then took out a notebook and a pen which he handed to her.