Bargain Bride: The Billionaire’s Forced Wife

THE VITALI EMPIRE became unstable since Chiara’s death. Ezio didn’t dare to go out of thr mansion, let alone visit the company. Since the CEO and President Ezio couldn’t do his job, the responsibilities were on Luigi’s shoulder.

It was tough, carrying the whole company so that it won’t collapse. The Vitali Empire had a lot of companies to cater, they have ongoing projects that cannot be postponed, and they have workers to pay. Two main positions wete left vacant – Ezio and Chiara’s position – and made a huge blow to the company.

Another thing that made it difficult for Luigi is that he is also investigating about Chiara’s death, looking for something that can be linked to Kazimir. They raided the mansion of Kazimir in the middle of the forest, and tried looking for Jacob in the Red Club with the help of Elisa, but they couldn’t find them.

The mansion was left empty and the workers of the Red Club stated that Jacob hasn’t visited the club for days. It looked like they went back to square one. The number that Giovanni gave cannot be reached, and Elisa also tried to contact Kazimir using the number he used before, but he is not answering.

Aside from that, Nick was also missing. The day Chiara died, Fara said that Nick left the mansion to visit a friend named Lia who is having a vacation in Italy. He didn’t go home after that. They are still looking for him everywhere, but no to avail.

It was fortunate for Luigi that Elisa and Dante were there to lend him a hand. Dante led the investigation while Elisa helped him in managing the company. However, Elisa also needed to take care of his son Ezio, who is still unstable after the unfornate event.

“How’s Boss Ezio, Madame?” Luigi asked while they were finishing the review of the contracts for the company. “It’s been days since I visited him.”

Elisa looked worried while reading the papers. “He still doesn’t want to leave their room. He kept on looking for Chiara,” she sighed and looked up to avoid the tears from falling. “My son tried to escape again to go to the morgue. He wanted to keep the body inside the mansion.”

“Chiara’s parents were also mourning, and they were asking if when we will bury the body,” she added. “But my son still can’t think properly. I need his permission on this. I’m worried that if I will decide on my own, Ezio will really go crazy.”

Luigi stopped on writing on the papers and his hand trembled slightly. He was informed that his boss was a wrecked for the past days, even refusing to eat with out his wife. They even needed to put Ezio inside the morgue, just beside the burned body so that he can eat.

If this will continue, Ezio might be insane. That can’t happen. They won’t let that happen. They’ve been trying so hard to be strong, they dismissed their feelings, and they went on to their lives to get revenge to those who wronged them. They can’t let their signor be drowned in his emotions. But for now, the only thing they can do is support him and be there for him.

ON THE VITALI MANSION, Ezio opened the glass drawer in the middle of their walk-in closet. He was greeted by Chiara’s four year old wedding dress. It was still white and shiny, as if it wasn’t locked inside a container for several years.

This was Chiara’s dream wedding dress. After years of knowing her better, he knew what things she likes and doesn’t like. He knew Chiara from in and out, and maybe he knew her better than she knew herself.

His fingers traced the small diamonds embedded on the dress, creating a heart in the middle of the skirt part. He imagined his wife wearing the dress, as if he was brought back to their wedding day.

It was the happiest day of Ezio’s life. For years, he had been dreaming of being with her and spending his life with her. When he wad a teenager, he spent nights dreaming of building a family with Chiara, where they will stay in the mansion he created with their little kids.

He spent his life building things for Chiara. He named his malls from her name, which means “light”, hence the name Luminosa.

She became his light, from the moment he met her with those twinkling eyes. Chiara lit up his dark world who was hopeless in romance. She was like a bright torch leading him to the good future, to a good life.

But now, his light is gone. He won’t see her beaming face anymore. He won’t be able to heard her voice greeting him anytime of the day. He won’t be able to taste the foods that she cooked. He won’t be able to touch her, hug her, and kiss her. He won’t recieve any motivational quotes everyday. He won’t see her again.

Just in a snap, his world became dark again. But this time, it was darker and colder. He knew there won’t be any light to save him, because his light faded, leaving him alone in darkness.

Ezio found himself laying in the bathtub, while hugging Chiara’s wedding dress close to his body. He sniffed its scent, hoping to get the last traces of his wife from it.

His eyes looked lifeless. For the past days, he tried to fight back the feeling and get up to take revenge for his wife, just like what the others are telling him. But he doesn’t have any strength left. His strength and will burst up like a bubble when Chiara left him alone in this harsh world.

Slowly, his right hand tightened its grip on the knife he’s holding. He wanted to end it all. Well, for him, everything already ended the moment he lost his wife. Chiara is the only reason he fought so hard to leave. She is the reason he tried to wake up from his long slumber. She’s the reason why he was successful. She’s the reason behind everything.

Now that he doesn’t have a reason anymore, he chose to also leave, and follow his wife towards eternity – to the place where no one will hurt them, to the place where he can be with her forever. Just like what he wanted.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Without giving it a second thought, Ezio slashed his left wrist before pushing the tip of the knife deeper, hitting the artery he needed to destroy to end his life.

Ezio thought it will be painful, but no. Nothing is much painful than the pain of losing his wife. The physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional and mental pain he felt for the passed days.

“Cara, te amo,” he whispered.

Slowly, Ezio felt relieved because finally, he can see his wife again. He will run towards her, and lock her in his embracd so that she can be safe again. If he can see her again, he will make sure that he won’t leave her side.

His eyes lose their strength. It was slowly closing, as it created false images in front of him. His life flashed before his eyes, and the moments of him being with his wife replayed in his memory.

With the only energy he has left, Ezio smiled. Maybe dying isn’t as sad as what people portrayed. If dying means reliving his happiest memories, then he would gladly accept its embrace.

The moment Ezio’s eyes closed, the door of the bathroom opened, revealing Dante. He immediately panicked upon seeing the bathtub full of blood, and Ezio’s wrist that’s bleeding.

Chiara’s wedding dress turned red together with the water. Hehurriedly covered Ezio’s wound with bandage, stopping it from bleeding before rushing him towards the nearest hospital.

That was a close call. If Dante arrived just a minute late, they would’ve lost him.

Elisa fainted after hearing the news of her son trying to kill himself. On the other hand, Luigi was stunned that he left the company early to visit his boss. He didn’t expect that Ezio will resort to that thing because of his wife’s death.

“He really loves her,” Dante spoke while guarding the unconscious Ezio. “I can’t believe he will choose to do that.”

Luigi, who is leaning on the door, replied, “I can’t believe it, either. The boss I know is too arrogant and prideful to do something like that.”

The men sighed. It was unexpected, but they were not in the place to judge. Ezio is mourning, and his emotions overtoom his mind. He experienced too much sadness, hence why he chose to do the easiest way to stop the pain.

Suddenly, Ezio’s eyes opened. He was greeted by a blinding light that he almost thought he was already in heaven. However, his thinking vanished as he heard his friend’s voice.

“Ezio?” Dante asked when he noticed him moved. “Can you hear me?”

Ezio looked at his friend but didn’t speak. He lost all of his energy, but the pain is still there, lingering in his heart.

Luigi went out to call the doctor while Dante continued to ask him about his well-bring. After a few moments, the doctor entered the room to check him.

When the doctor said that Ezio’s stable, they breathed a sigh of relief. Luigi ordered for some food before leaving to check Elisa.

Dante, who had been tired all day, couldn’t help himself but sleep. His eyes closed while sitting the nearby chair.

Ezio was left awake. His mind is still not functioning properly. He doesn’t know why he is still alive, and was questioning why he is still here.

Then, the door opened and male nurse put some fruits inside. “Signor, these fruits were given by Sir Luigi. Please eat some so that you can regain your energy again,” the nurse spoke.

After putting down all of the fruits, the nurse walked towards Ezio’s side. His hand looked for something in his pocket. A paper emerged from it and he handed it to Ezio.

“Signor, someone you knew gave this and said that you should read it,” he sadi before leaving the ward.

Ezio stared on the folded paper on his lap. After some contemplation, he finally picked it up using his right hand. He unfolded the paper using the same hand with difficulties.

The moment he finished reading the contents, Ezio couldn’t stop his tears from falling. Just like that, he was given a reason to live and fight again.

He put the paper closed to his heart, as he repeated the words written on it in his mind:

“”You can either be crushed by a horrific event and lose your sanity, your family and your life. Or, you can take this pain that was thrust upon you, to propel into greatness. You can make it through this. I know it’s hard.” – motivational quote for today. Te amo.”