Chapter 18

When Dante and Renee went down for breakfast the next day,they saw that the old man had packed his luggage. “Dad, are you going home?” “Yes,I’m afraid that if I stay for a few more days,I’ll die of anger and frustration.” Dante stifled a laugh and feign ignorance. “Who made you angry?” He couldn’t be mad at his father even if he wanted the man to stop meddling. He understood his father’s fears and concerns. He wanted to seal his fate with Renee,permanently for he was scared that Renee might change her mind about him. Gustavo glared at Dante and then he pulled Renee to his side,he took out a blue,jade bracelet. The bracelet was obviously of high value and excellent quality. He placed it in her hand and whispered. “This belonged to Dante’s mother.It was her most priced possession.It was supposed to be given to my second son’s wife.”He lowered his even more when he mentioned ‘second son’ And then he continued.”I want you to keep it on at all times.You’re my son’s wife now.I consider you as his wife and I hope you do not abandon him someday.” Renee glanced at Dante and he was looking at her too. His eyes went darker and showed a touch of emotion she couldn’t describe. “I won’t abandon him.And don’t worry,I’ll call you dad soon.“ Gustavo was delighted hearing her words and he kept smiling. Before he left,he repeatedly told her that if Dante treated her badly,she should call him and he would come teach Dante a lesson. When the old man left, she shook the bracelet on her wrist and said.”Dante,does this mean this bracelet will exempt me from any punishment?” “Maybe.” “Great.Then I’ll keep it.In any case I get into any trouble,Sir Gustavo will help me.“ Dante rolled his eyes.”I’m your husband.I can handle any trouble you make.” Dante drove Renee to school.She told him not to come and have lunch with her because she would be with Allegra. Allegra was now working as an intern in Jk and she said she would invite Renee to lunch. He nodded as he watched her get out of the car. Dante was about to drive away when his cell phone rang. As he saw the caller’s ID, his eyes became much softer. He answered the phone immediately,and heard a tired but pleasant female voice. “Dante.”She softly said his name. “Are you okay?You don’t sound well?” “I was out partying all night.My head feels so heavy.” “Silly girl.Don’t you still have any plans of coming back to Rome?” “No.I’m actually calling to confirm if it’s true that you have a girlfriend now?” “To be specific, she’s my fiancée.I’m going to marry her.” Thinking of Renee,Dante felt happy and lively. When the woman heard this,she sighed with delight.”Good for you,Dante.I wish you all the best.I have to go make an hungover soup now.I’m hanging up.” Dante set down the phone.His eyes clouded with darkness for a while but eventually turned back to calmness. She still didn’t want to come back. ************** When Renee and Allegra had lunch,Allegra asked her how she was getting along with Dante. “We’ll getting along well.His father’s nice to me as well.” “That’s good.I was afraid Dante would treat you badly.If you dares to do that,he’ll see the other side of me.” Renee laughed. “By the way,Renee.Do you really think you two can stay without no physical contact?” And that made Renee choke. Allegra quickly handed her water and some napkins. As she coughed and wiped her mouth. “Can you not talk about that while we’re eating please?” “I can talk about it anytime I want to.I think you’re being too conservative.Do you know how many people have sex before marriage?Some do it to find out what they like so they wouldn’t have a terrible sex life after marriage.If the sex is bad in marriage, there will be a lot of problems between the couple.” Renee gulped.”Really?” Allegra looked at her,suspiciously.”What’s wrong?Or is he the one not making any move to touch you?It’s rumored that he is incapable,is that true?” Hearing that explicit question,Renee felt a little embarrassed. At present, she didn’t care about whether it was true or not,but she couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t care about it in the future. But she did want a child of her own someday. A child to love and protect. If Dante was really impotent,then she could choose artificial insemination. She felt it wasn’t right to discuss all these with Allegra so she said. “He’s made a move but he promised to wait until I was ready.And there’s nothing wrong with him.Let’s not talk about this anymore.” “Renee,I still insist you try it with him before you get married.If he can’t perform well,then you can still back out of the marriage.But once you two get married,it’ll be hard to get a divorce from that family.” “Your excellency,thanks for the valuable advice.”Renee said,playfully.”It’s as if you know all about sex.” Allegra winked at her.”You call me an expert if you want.Let’s go to the library this afternoon.I’ll start my internship tomorrow.” “Congratulations.”Renee cooed. After they had finished their meal,they went to the library together. Unexpectedly,Renee received a phone call on the way. It was Aurora who said she was waiting for her in the fourth lecture hall and had something to say. Renee was hesitant but she decided to meet with her. She told Allegra to go to the library first and wait for her. The fourth lecture hall had long been abandoned because it was too old. It was now empty and awaiting demolition and rebuilt. It was rather quiet here as students hardly go there. She saw Aurora in a classroom on the first floor,with her back to her. “What is it,Aurora?Why did you want to meet up?” Aurora turned around and slapped her on the face without saying a word. Renee was caught off guard.Her face was slapped hard,and her cheek turned red. It was extremely painful. She was still suffering from the pain left by Fabiano’s slap but now,she was not again. Covering her face,she asked,angrily.”What was that for?” “You fucking bitch!Have you got no same?I heard you tried to seduce Fabiano.You really took after your mother.I have no idea what you said to Dante but he visited us and threatened to ruin us if we did anything to you.You Liar.As if that wasn’t enough,you seduced Fabiano,got in terrible injured and now,he’s at the hospital.Who do you think you are?” Aurora’s voice was sharp and had face furious. When she saw that she couldn’t become Thiago’s mistress,she had gone after his son,Fabiano.She was determined to make Fabiano hers only to hear what happened to by he boy. She was furious at the thought that Fabiano was terribly wounded and would be hospitalized for a full month all because of Renee! Fabiano was still going on with his lies,telling everyone that Renee had indeed tried to seduce him but made herself the victim in Dante’s and Gustavo’s eyes. Looking at Renee’s beautiful face,she nearly went mad with Jealousy. She had always been jealous of Renee. She had always wondered why Renee was the better-looking one among the two of them. She rushed and wanted to hit Renee again but Renee was on guard this time so she avoided her. “Why are you overreacting?You don’t even know Fabiano!” “Well,I do now.I like him!” “I didn’t seduce him.He tried to rape me.”