Chapter 10

• Lesson Learned
• Mandy’s POV
• I’m out of breath by the time I finish begging Matteo. When I peer up at his face there is a smile plastered on it. The hate I feel for him at this point is undeniable, some how some way I will make this mother fucker pay. The beating goes on for about another two or three minutes before Matteo raises is hand up. All the men stop dead in their tracks and back up from my dad. Matteo squats down beside me and takes my face into his hands and digs his fingernails into my cheeks. As he starts speaking to me, he keeps my head pointed directly at my father. Who is now laying in a pool of his own blood. “You caused this to happen. If only you would have heeded both mine and Sarah’s warnings, but no you had to show out. Now your poor dear father will lose everything his business, his home, and his daughter all in one night. That is if he lives through such a terrible assault. He has lost a lot of blood and will probably kick the bucket if he isn’t taken to the hospital very soon. But as it turns out I am headed in the opposite direction of any medical help. The only person in this room who is going anywhere near the emergency room is Marco. But why should he do you any favors when you clearly don’t have any respect for him. So, if you want your father to live then you better start asking for forgiveness from him. I guess you have probably about ten or so minutes before he bleeds out.”
• Matteo releases his hold on my chin while throwing it to the side. This asshole hasn’t he already proved his point. It doesn’t matter the only thing I can do is beg Marco. “Marco, I am very sorry that I that I took my aggression out on you. It isn’t your fault the things that are happening to me, and it wasn’t right for me to be a smart ass to you. I only did it because I thought I could get away with it. I swear to you, from this day forward I will always respect and treat you the way you deserve. I hope that you can put aside what I did and please help my dad. It was my fault not his and I can’t live with myself if he dies over me making a mistake. Please forgive please help him.”
• Matteo is the one who breaks the silence in the room. “Well that really did sound like a heart felt apology to me. What do you think Marco? Do you accept it and are you willing to help this poor schmuck make it to the doctor. Or do you think he still needs to learn a few more things before we let him go.”
• I inhale a deep breath waiting for Marco’s answer. I promise my heart stops when he starts talking. “I guess that was a good enough apology for me. Since I’m going that way anyways, I guess I can drop this idiot off at the medical clinic down the road. One question before I do, who is going to clean the blood stain that he is going to put on my seat?” I shot my hand up so fast while yelling. “I will, I’ll be more than happy to clean up any mess that is made in your vehicle.”
• “Ok, well I guess me and this douche better be on our way.” Marco states as he bends down and grabs ahold of my father’s arm and starts dragging him towards the exit. I cringe when I hear a popping sound come from dad’s shoulder.
• Matteo pulls the arm of his suit jacket back to see what time it is. He gets an annoyed look on his face, before looking back towards me. “Just great doll face now we are off schedule. How many times today did I tell you that it was very important to be on time. Before I can see it’s coming the back on his hand makes contact with my cheek. He stands back up, and starts barking orders. “Get your stupid fucking ass back in that chair so they can continue to make you look presentable. Maybe after their done with you, you might actually look like you have a little bit of class instead of looking like your straight out of the trailer park. If we are late tonight meeting my parents, I promise you there will be hell to pay. Now I’m leaving and if I get any type of news stating that you have been anything other than 100% compliant then after dinner we will stop by the hospital and pull the plug on daddy.” Matteo trots out of the salon without another word.
• I scramble backwards and into the seat I was occupying. Tears are still flowing down my face freely. No body speaks a word for the rest of the visit other than ordering me to go wash my face in cold water so they can do my make-up. We leave the establishment fifteen minutes late. Sarah and I are sitting beside each other, she reaches over and grabs a hold of my hand. She is showing me support even though she can’t speak the words. I’m about to start bawling again, and she can clearly tell, so she starts talking to me. “You don’t want to cry and mess up your make up Mandy. That will only make matters worse. Take deep breathes and calm down. Where about to be at Matteo’s penthouse. As soon as we get there, we need to get you changed into a semi-formal dress for dinner. You only have thirty-three minutes until your scheduled to leave for the restaurant.
• When the Range Rover comes to a stop we leap out and jog over to the side door. We have to wait for Angelo to get there with the key card. We ride the elevator up the top floor. As soon as the guard gets the front door open Sarah and I bolt straight back to what is now mine and Matteo’s bedroom. Just thinking about us sharing a room makes me want to vomit. I shake my head to try and rid myself of any nasty thoughts. I can’t get the picture of my fathers lifeless body laying on the cold floor bleeding. The tears that threaten to come out in the car make another appearance.