Dante's POV:
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Groaning sleepily, I rolled over to shut the shrieking alarm on my bedside table.
The silky black covers sliding down my bare torso.
I groggily glanced at the blinking red numbers on the alarm clock,
7:00 am
Sliding my palm down my face tiredly, I got up and got ready to take a bath.
Another day of operating on 5 hours of sleep..
I made a mental note to sleep earlier, but knew it was unlikely.
I was always so caught up with work in the early hours of the morning.
That's what being a billionaire at 25 would cost you.
Besides, I had lost romance in my life so all I could do was work.
I walked into my large en-suite bathroom and stopped in front of the sink, facing the big rectangular-shaped mirrors.
Glancing at the potted plants seated on the white counter, the sides of my mouth lifted in satisfaction.
I designed my el hogar myself and decorated the building just the way I wanted it to be,
Clean and classy..
My bathroom was my favorite place to be, it represented me perfectly.
The Black and White themed space seemed to glisten in the natural lighting shining through the little open windows.
I brushed my teeth and took a hot steamy bath, basking in the warmth and peace it brought me.
I hardly had peaceful moments like these.
I was always so busy with business meetings, discussing or signing contracts, and proving to be an excellent leader and businessman.
It wouldn't have been so difficult to handle if I didn't have my parents breathing down my neck for a wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Armando were successful landlords and business owners. They had lands and shares across the entire continent.
Mr. Javier Armando, at 61 years of age, was a ruthless business mogul. He established Armando corporations and built it from the ground up.
Javier left the family business in the care of his only son, Dante Armando, 5 years ago due to his declining health condition.
My hard work all these years pushed Armando Corporations to its peak. We owned resorts, clubs and establishments in almost all corners of the continent.
Mrs. Angela Armando, at 50 years of age, owned perfume brands around the world.
Angela was one of the richest businesswomen in New York City.
The Armandos' made it clear on several occasions about their need to witness the marriage of their only son and to see their grandchildren, before leaving this world in peace.
It had become even worse since Papa's heart issues.
" mi hijo, do you see how sick your father is? The doctors don't know how long he has to live"
"His last wish is to see his grandchildren, can you do that for us mi Amor?"
My mother had become a ringing in my head to keep me reminded of my father's dying health and how I needed to marry soon.
Having a woman in my life wouldn't have been tough if I didn't lose the love of my life only two years ago..
The thought of Priscilla still causes my heart to clench in pain.
My mama was desperate though.
Her newest trick had been setting me on dates with the daughters of her rich friends.
That hadn't been going well for her. I never replied to their texts or called back.
I didn't want Papa to die.
Not without granting his dying wish at least.
The best doctors in the city worked day and night to help Javier Armando,
But his heart was too weak to keep him alive for long.
Ugh! This topic always gives me a migraine!
I groaned and pinched my forehead as I climbed down the staircase leading to my kitchen, to pick up the breakfast the maid had prepared for me.
Mrs. Johnson was a sweet old lady and my part-time maid.
She was once my nanny when I was little and had always insisted on taking care of me.
Her daughter, Celine, worked as an employee for Armando Corporations and lived with her daughter in one of my free-lease apartments.
I attended to emails and Zoom meetings while munching on vanilla pancakes and scrambled eggs.
Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!
My device kept making notification sounds. I couldn't understand why since I hadn't been texting anyone.
*Miss Bella Romero*
Staring at the name on the contact, I was left dumbfounded for a moment as it didn't look or sound familiar.
Who the f*ck is this?
Scrolling through the messages making a disturbance this peaceful morning, I realized it was the most recent girl mama had tried to set me up with.
Bella Romero was the first daughter of a very close business partner (The Romero Inc.) and according to my mother, "the one for me" .
I chuckled at the thought.
She was pretty but not my type..
Bella and I had met at different dinner functions and business parties,
Too clingy and whiny for my liking.
This woman sent a bunch of emojis and hearts after every message, isn't that madness??
"Hi Dante boo"
"Good morning"
"It's Bella here but you can call me "your wife"
"Mrs. Armando informed me of your love and affection towards me. I'm flattered honestly, I had no idea you felt so deeply for me"
I burst into laughter suddenly as I couldn't believe my eyes.
Mental note: ask Mama what delusion she feeds these girls!
Scrolling through the numerous spam messages, I wondered if this Romero girl would be as easy to dismiss as my mother's other victims.
She appears kinda crazy, from what I can see.
I blame the woman that gave birth to me and no one else.
She gives these young ladies my personal number, tells them I'm interested in them and asks them to call or text me.
It's pathetic, really.
And not my thing, I was more into fierce brown-skinned women.
My thoughts drifted to my new personal assistant,
muñeca
Her doll-like features fit the description, a little too well I believe.
With her curly black hair, glowing chocolate skin, audacious curves and the most beautiful smile.
Her bare skin would look glorious on my white sheets..
Shaking my head to clear these intrusive thoughts, I got up to clear the breakfast table.
Getting the new employee out of my mind has been a serious struggle and it was starting to bother me.
She doesn't seem to fear me though. Why?
Am I not intimidating enough?
I huffed in annoyance and made my way out of the kitchen.
The time on my black Apple watch read, 9:00 am.
On my way to work, I would've stopped at a coffee shop to get my usual caffeine boost.
But Ms. Jensen made excellent coffee and I was looking forward to just that.
My phone ringing caught my attention as my personal driver gently reversed out of the concrete driveway.
The Romero girl had been calling my line non-stop for the past 5 minutes.
santo dios dame paciencia!
She was starting to get on my nerves.
My lips turned down in a frown as the black device began ringing again.
I picked it up and sneered with irritation,
"What do you want Miss Romero?"
"Dante boo! I've been trying to get to you all morning! Didn't you see my messages?"
"That aside! Are you home or at work? I want to hang out Dante!"
"I want us to get to know each other as we would be married soon"
The woman spoke giddily, giggling in between her words.
The line went quiet like she was waiting for a reply.
I haven't had my daily dose of coffee, I can't be dealing with this.
I took a deep breath in and opened my lips to speak, my tone straight and expressionless.
"I would advise you to forget whatever information my mother told you. She is quite the joker"
"Thank you for reaching out, but make no mistake in calling this number again"
"Not unless you want us to have problems".
"Miss Romero, have a nice day and say hi to your parents for me"
I disconnected the call and breathed a sigh of relief,
Mission successful.
Or so I thought..
But how was I to know that Bella Romero didn't take kindly to rejection?
Or that the crazed woman would plot an ambush at my place of work?
Wasn't it too early for all this drama?