Bargain Bride: The Billionaire’s Forced Wife

AFTER MAKING SURE that her father is already fine, Chiara told her mother that she will go home to Ezio’s mansion. Of course, her mother gave her the permission.

“You can visit us here if you’re bored in your house, okay?” Celine told her daughter. “You can also bring your husband here.”

Chiara nodded. “I will, Mommy. I’m sure Ezio will like that,” she replied with a smile. “My husband has been requesting me to bring him here. We’re just busy for now.”

Celine touched her daughter’s cheek. She can’t stop herself from smiling. She saw a lot of changes on her daughter.

Before, Chiara wouldn’t even want to talk about Ezio, or if they’re talking about him, she would just say that she wanted to leave. She can still remember how her daughter cried last month because Ezio wouldn’t let her out of the mansion.

But now, Chiara is all smiles when talking about Ezio. She’s even calling him ‘her husband’. It is also not hidden from Celine’s knowledge that her daughter and Ezio’s relationship is getting better.

Chiara would update her and her husband about their dates, may it be in texts or calls. And Celine always noticed that her daughter is beaming whenever that happens.

“I’m happy for you, mi figlia,” she said.

Chiara’s eyebrows furrowed for a little bit. “Huh?” she asked with confusion.

Her mother just chuckled. “I’m happy that you’re having a good life with Signor Ezio.”

Chiara smiled before looking down at her hands, specifically on her wedding ring. “It’s my fault that our relationship was not good before. I was too locked up on my past that I didn’t give any chance to him,” she looked again at her mother. “I want to do it right this time. I want to be a better wife for him, because I know and I see that Ezio is a good husband.”

“I know that you can, mi figlia,” Celine cheered her up. “So when he got home, make sure to shower him with love, okay?”

Chiara chuckled at her mom. “Of course, mommy,” she pouted after that. “I just hope he will come home now.”

“There, there,” her mother tapped her cheek.

“Be patient. Signor Ezio is missing you too. I’m sure of that. Now,” Celine picked up a small box containing donuts. “Have this donuts and go home. I made that.”

Chiara’s eyes glistened. “Oh my. I can’t wait to taste this!” she exclaimed while taking a peek on what is inside the box. “I’m sure these taste good! Too bad Ezio can’t taste them now.”

“When you visit us here, I’ll make more donuts for the both of you,” Celine said.

“I’ll tell my husband,” Chiara replied while they were walking towards the car that’s waiting for her. “See you soon, mommy! Take care!”

Chiara take a look back at her mother waving at her car. She just went back to her business when she can’t see her mother anymore.

“Signora,” the driver spoke. “Shall I send you home? Or do you want to go somewhere else?”

She loaded for a moment before deciding. “I think I’ll go home. I want to visit Luminosa again, but I think it’s best to do that tomorrow.”

“Sure, signora. Just call me when you’re ready to go to Luminosa.”

The drive to the mansion wasn’t long. When she arrived, Fara and the other maids are waiting for her.

“Signora,” they greeted in unison. “Shall we prepare for your dinner?”

Chiara shook her head. “No need. I have foods from my mother,” she opened the box that contains the donuts before giving each maid one piece.

“Here. My mommy made that,” she said while giving them a piece. “Let me know your thoughts about the donuts.”

Fara was the first one to take a bite on the donut. After the first bite, she said compliments about the food. The other maids did the same.

“Great!” she exclaimed while clapping her hands. “I’ll be in our room. Just finish your tasks and you can take a rest.”

When Chiara entered Ezio’s room, she laid down on the bed, feeling its comfort. She rolled on it a couple of times and just stopped when she felt tired.

At the same time, she heard her phone vibrated.

She hurriedly got up and opened her phone. Smile escaped her lips when she saw that it was a text message from her husband.

My husband ? : Hi, cara. I’m already in Dubai. I’m glad to hear that Sir Fabio’s doing well.

She was about to type her reply when another message from him came.

My husband ? : I want to call you right now, but I’m in the middle of meeting my company’s supervisor. Text me if you need anything. Mwah.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Chiara giggled at the last part of his message. She can hear and imagine Ezio doing that. Lately, her husband would do that kissing sound when they are flirting with each other. He also loves to do that before she fell asleep or when she woke up.

Chiara: Finish your work immediately so you can come home to me. I have donuts from mommy. Too bad you can’t eat them. ??

She thought that it will took time for her husband to reply, another text message came in under a minute.

Chiara let out a laugh when she saw Ezio’s reply. It was a meme picture of a cat crying while doing a thumbs up.

She hurriedly opened her gallery and looked for another meme to send.

On the other country, Ezio felt his phone vibrated from his hand. He opened it excitedly, not minding the chaos around him.

His cara sent a meme of a Anya from Spy X Family doing a smug face. He can’t help it when a chuckle escaped from his mouth. His beloved has been interested on that anime lately, and he knew that her gallery has an album filled with Anya’s face.

His phone vibrated again.

Cara ? : Focus on your work first. I’ll call you later. Mwah!

Ezio just reacted a heart in his wife’s message before putting his attention on what’s happening around him.

From the looks of it, Ezio is certain that it will take him up to two days to solve everything. He really wants to go home, but he has go finish everything first.

“What’s the cause of the fire again?” Ezio asked the supervisor of his oil company, Hanks.

“Cigarette, signor,” Hanks replied while bowing his head. “A new worker used it while in the company’s premises.”

He cannot look at his boss’ eyes. He knew that he is liable on what happened on the company. The loss might be not huge enough to make it unstable, but it’s still a loss.

“Where’s that worker?” Ezio asked with a cold voice. Hearing that made Hanks shiver even though he didn’t do anything wrong.

He just knew that the worker is in doom.

“Right this way, signor,” Hanks said before walking towards a certain part in the company, praying that his boss will be a little bit merciful.

A FEW HOURS PASSED and it’s already 10 PM in Italy. Chiara still couldn’t sleep. She was waiting on Ezio’s texts.

Chiara was doing her best not call her husband. She knew that he has a lot of work to do, and she might disturb him if she will call.

“I miss him,” Chiara said after blowing a long sigh. She started slowly rolling on the bed, sniffing the bed sheets, and smelling her husband’s scent.

She even tried counting sheep, but it didn’t work. Her mind is still awake, waiting for Ezio.

She was busy burying her face on one of Ezio’s pillows when her voice vibrated. She opened it with excitement and giggled when the message came from her husband.

My husband ? : Good evening, cara. It’s 1 AM here in Dubai. I’m not sure if you’re still awake, but if you’re sleeping, I hope you’re dreaming about me. Mwah.

Chiara didn’t reply. Instead, she clicked on Ezio’s name and called him. It only took a few rings for him to answer.

“Cara,” Ezio’s voice echoed in her ear.

Chiara didn’t know why, but her eyes started watering when she heard his voice. They have been just away for some hours but it felt like she hasn’t heard of his voice for years.

“You’re still awake?” he’s asking the obvious. Ezio was just surprise that Chiara is still awake at that hour.

“Obviously,” Chiara playfully rolled her eyes. “It’s already 1 AM there. Why are you still awake?”

“I just got to the hotel from the company,” Ezio explained. “There are a lot of things to solve here.”

“Will you be home by tomorrow?” she asked, hoping for a positive answer even if the chances are low.

Ezio sighed. “I’m afraid not, cara. I still have to settle some things especially on those workers who were hurt by the fire.”

Chiara felt sad because another day will pass without her husband on her side. She wants to tell him to go home now, but she knows that he can’t left his company in that state.

“I hope you can get home soon,” she whispered.

“Do you already miss me?” Ezio asked with a playful tone, teasing her.

Chiara nodded even if he can’t see her. “I miss you, Ezio.”

Ezio’s eyes softened after hearing his wife. “I miss you too, cara. I promise I will make up to you when I get home.”

“Just go home safe. That’s more than enough for me,” she replied.

The two talked for hours about their day. Chiara wants to tell her husband about meeting Simone, but she chose not to.

She knew that Ezio is still jealous of her ex-boyfriend. Saying that over the phone might make some misunderstanding. It will be better for her to share that once he is home.

“The donuts mommy made taste so good!” Chiara shared to her husband. “Mommy we should visit her next time and she will make donuts for us.”

Ezio smiled hearing that. “I would love that. Let’s schedule it when I got home.”

“Oh, by the way,” Chiara replied. “Do you have any food in mind?”

“Why? You’re gonna cook for me again, cara?” Ezio asked with a ghost smile on his lips.

Chiara nodded. “Yup. I want to improve my cooking skills so I can cook more for you in the future.”

Ezio’s lips grew wider. “I want an arancini, cara,” he said while imagining Chiara feeding him, just like what happened at his lunch. “The sicilian one.”

Chiara noted on it before moving their conversation. They talked so comfortably that they can switch from one topic to another.

They didn’t even notice the time. If not for Ezio’s 3 AM alarm, they will continue talking.

“Cara, I know it’s already midnight there. You have to sleep now,” he said while also getting ready to sleep.

“But I can’t sleep,” Chiara pouted before an idea entered her brain. “You told me before that you’re good at anything, right?”

Ezio don’t know where that question came from, but he rode on it. “Yes, cara. Why?”

Chiara giggled. “Then you can sing, right?” she asked. “Sing me a lullaby to sleep, please.”

“No need to say please, cara. I will gladly sing for you.”

“Yehey!” Chiara exclaimed happily.

“Now, lay down on bed and be comfortable. Tell me when you’re done,” Ezio spoke.

Chiara did what he said and turned off the bedroom lights, leaving the lampshade on. “I’m ready.”

After a few seconds, Ezio started to sing.

“Fai la ninna, fai la nanna, piccolino della mamma.”

Chiara started to feel her eyelids dropping. His voice is so gentle that she can feel it caressing her back to sleep.

“This is more effective that counting sheep,” she thought to herself while listening to her husband’s angelic voice.

“Non pensare ai tuoi balocchi, nessun mai li tocchera.”

Chiara was slowly sucked into darkness. She can’t see anything, but her whole attention is in Ezio’s voice.

She heard her mother sang that lullaby for her before. It was soothing. It was calming.

But Ezio’s voice has a different effect on her. That voice is like telling her that everything’s going to be alright. That no one can harm her. That she’s safe with him.

The combination of her tired body and Ezio’s singing voice is enough to make Chiara fall asleep.

“Fai la nanna piccolino, fai la nanna mio bambino,” Ezio sang the last part before silence.

He can heard the soft snore of his wife from the others side of the call. Before ending it, he leaned on the phone and whispered.

“Have a good night, cara. Te amo.”