The restaurant was nice, as was to be expected from Antonio. I could tell that he had been here often because several members of the staff would smile and nod at him. I also liked the fact that it wasn't as formal as the other restaurants we had gone to together. It was quite calm but still had class. This was the kind of place that I may actually have chosen for myself to eat at before everything.

The conversing between the two of us had started the moment that the server had taken both of our orders.

"So, what's your favorite color?"

Turns out that Antonio really wasn't joking around about the whole getting to know each other plan.

"Blue I guess."

"Why?"

I hadn't expected Antonio to be any good at this small talk thing but in actual fact, he was. It was instead me being the awkward one and I relied on him to do all of the hard work in order to keep a conversation going.

"I always used to love going to the beach. When I was little my mum and I used to go on holiday to Florida and just spend the whole time together on the magnificent beaches. We'd build sand castles, go swimming, lie under the sun. Then I moved away. God, it's probably been about four or five years since I've been to a beach. Anyway, I guess I like the color because it reminds me of the blue waves and skies."

He nodded, and quickly replied when I asked him to answer his own question.

"I don't really have one to be honest. I do like yellow though."

My jaw dropped.

"Yellow?"

He laughed at my shock and only nodded his head in an attempt to convince me further.

"Really! Woah....I didn't picture you as a yellow kind of guy."

He faked offense allowing me to see a dramatic and playful side of him for the first time.

"Why not?"

I giggled and shook my head, still surprised even though it was over something as minuscule as a color.

"Well yellow is such a bright happy color and your not what I would normally connotate with bright or happy. I don't know....I guess I had you pinned out for more of a monochrome fan."

As if on que, the server came back with both of our starters. It was very fast service although I knew that that was likely due to the fact that Antonio was seemingly so familiar to the restaurant staff. Maybe he knew them or something but we were defiantly on the receiving end of some special treatment.

I had ordered some Italian bruschetta and moaned in delight when I took my first bite.

"Good?"

Antonio inquired and while I was already certain he knew the answer I gave him confirmation that I was enjoying the food. The restaurant was Italian and I presumed that may be how Antonio found it. I knew he was Italian and was very much connected with his culture.

"What's your favorite food?"

I took a sip of my wine whilst pondering over the next question that had been fired at me by Antonio.

"Probably something sweet. I have an unhealthy love for deserts. I couldn't tell you what ones my favorite though because there are way too many to choose from."

He chuckled and poured himself some more wine before asking if I wanted him to refill mine as well, in which I accepted gladly. Although tonight I wasn't drinking to get drunk but instead because it complemented the flavors of the meal. Then again, it did also help to calm my nerves.

"In that case, may I recommend that you order the polenta cake?"

I didn't recognize the name of the dish he was talking about so asked him what it actually was.

"Well, there are many different types and flavored polenta cakes but the best one they sell here is the orange one. It's sweet and tangy....overall it's got to be one of the best things I've ever tasted."

I agreed and I didn't miss the glint of pleasure in Antonio's eyes that I was immersing myself into the food experience and listening to him along with his advise. I guess that in a way this was the first time I was showing any trust towards him.

By the time that our deserts had arrived we had found out a fair amount about each other by asking random questions back and fourth. Such us our favorite animals, best childhood memories and even the most ridiculous things like the naughtiest things we did as kids.

I cut into the delicious looking sponge and sure enough, Antonio had been correct. This was divine.

"I told you it was good."

He smirked, acknowledging his little win while taking a bite of his own slice.

Antonio had payed for the meal and was now walking us out of the restaurant and into the car which was once again, waiting for our arrival.

"I wanted to ask you something."

My attention turned towards Antonio as I cautiously waited to hear what he had to say.

"I am taking a week off of work in a few days. I want to take you somewhere, anywhere you want. It will be like a holiday to make up for that shit excuse for a honeymoon we took. I want to make up for both what I did and how I left you alone."

I was shocked at the fact he was giving me the choice of where I wanted him to take me. I had no idea where I wanted to go though because was always so busy with work that I never even thought about traveling.

"Thank you, but....uh....I don't know. I never really thought about it to be honest."

He nodded understandingly and pulled out his phone. Nervous that I had missed my chance of a holiday, I sunk back into my seat. Why didn't I just shout out something random....like Disney World, Greece, Australia, Japan or Eygypt! Sure I had no pre-existing fascinations or desires to visit such places but that didn't mean that I didn't want the opportunity to have a change of scenery. Who knows when I would next be allowed to leave the mansion.

"Here, I have an idea."

I glanced back over to Antonio as he was about to read out something from his phone.

"So, you said that you liked the beach...why don't we go to Anguilla. According to this website they have some of the most stunning beaches in the world. I can have one of my men fact check it and find a better one if you w-"

I cut him off from finishing his sentence by shaking my head.

"No, Anguilla sounds perfect."

I smiled at him. I nervously looked up at him, pondering if I wanted to ask my next question because I didn't want to seem like a silly teenage girl.

"Why are you doing this ?"

A blush rose to my cheeks as I asked but he didn't seem at all phased by my curiosity. I had of course suspected a sudden change in personality from Antonio but this was like talking to a completely different person all together. But it was one hundred percent an improvement from the old version of Antonio.

"I told you. Things will be different from now on."

"I hope that you enjoyed this evening."

I had just come out of the bathroom and now ready for bed to find Antonio already in it.

"I did. Thank you."

I was hesitant to climb into bed with him. We hadn't ever really fallen to sleep together like an ordinary couple would. Sure I'd fall asleep in his arms but sharing a bed and being aware of it suddenly felt so much more intimate to me. I also didn't want him to get the wrong idea from my own behavior tonight, I wasn't going to have sex with him just because of the kind gesture. Our relationship still wasn't in the slightest bit healed. Obviously catching onto my fears, he spoke up.

"I won't have sex with you against your will Alice."

I nodded in understanding and slowly climbed into the bed besides him. I know that it was my body and therefore legally I owned it's rights but was still thankful that Antonio wouldn't touch me again. If he really wanted to he could have completely disregarded all my feelings, locked me up and thrown away the key but instead he was trying. I knew that I should show respect by doing the same in return. If this was really going to work than it couldn't just be one sided, we both needed to put in the effort.

"Today I was thinking that maybe you might like to go shopping. That way you could choose some of your own clothes, accessories and whatever else you want to take on holiday with you."

I instantly got excited at this idea. I hadn't been able to go shopping for months now and though I never had a huge obsession for clothes and splurging on expensive things, I was now realizing how much I missed little things such as this one. However I wasn't comfortable with using all of Antonio's money....it felt like I was his little pet or something.

"I'd love to but can I use my own card."

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at my request.

"It's fine for you to use my money Alice, what's mine is yours."

I wasn't going to give up this easily though. Antonio got everything he wanted, including me, so now it was finally my turn to get something in return.

"No. I want to use my money, I don't like the feeling of being someone's sugar baby. Please just let me use my card to buy my clothes."

He let out a sigh, my thumbs fidgeted in my lap with anticipation as I waited for his answer.

"Fine, give me your card details and I'll have my men go and get a new card printed for you to use. You can have access to your account but I'm only going to let you pay this once. Your mine now and I take care of my things, ok?"

I nodded my head to show that I was excepting his offer. Although I didn't quite like how I was literally described as one of his things. I knew that Antonio was trying to improve but it would take a lot more time.

"Ok then, I will take you in about an hour so get ready now."

I smiled and skipped upstairs, now in a slightly happier mood.

I liked being able to get myself ready without having a maid draw me a bath or a team of professionals doll me up to go out. Instead I could toss on any random pair of jeans and match them with a simple T-shirt. I didn't need to bother with doing a fancy hairstyle or makeup look either.

Upon leaving the bathroom I stopped myself, my eyes scanning over my arm. I still had the scar from where I'd cut my wrist. Sure, it was stitched up to perfection and was being treated with the best creams and ointments Antonio could find but it was still visible. Not wanting to draw anymore attention to myself whilst being out, I grabbed a jacket and went to meet Antonio downstairs.