(Alessia's pov)
In the quiet aftermath of her father's revelation regarding her arranged marriage, Alessia finds herself grappling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. As she sits at the dinner table with her family, the air is heavy with unspoken tension, each member lost in their own thoughts. Alessia's mother, usually a pillar of strength, is visibly shaken by the news, her eyes betraying the weight of a decision made long before Alessia was even born. Alessia's father, the patriarch of their family, attempts to ease the atmosphere with casual conversation about his recent trip and the potential business opportunities that lie ahead through Alessia's marriage.Giovanni, cleared his throat, capturing the attention of the family. 'I have exciting news to share,' he began, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. 'Our latest project is underway, and it promises to be a game-changer for the Santoro family.' He paused for effect, allowing the significance of his words to sink in.
'A partnership with the Rossis,' he continued, his voice brimming with confidence. 'Together, we will expand our reach and solidify our position in the underworld and by the way "Meeting with the Rossis tomorrow, big hotel downtown," Giovanni announced, his tone matter-of-fact.Alessia and her mother exchanged a knowing glance, both nodding in silent agreement before returning their attention to their meal. Alessia retreats to her room, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings of her childhood sanctuary. She sits on the edge of her bed, surrounded by memories of happier times, as tears blur her vision. Each photograph adorning her walls serves as a bittersweet reminder of a life once filled with laughter and innocence her mind drifts back to carefree days spent running through sun-dappled meadows with her parents, their laughter echoing in the breeze.Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Alessia makes her way to the terrace, the cool night air offering a semblance of comfort. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape below. The rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl provide a soothing backdrop to Alessia's tumultuous thoughts. She leans against the railing, her heart heavy with the weight of expectation and tradition.Just as she begins to lose herself in the tranquility of the night, her phone rings, jolting her back to reality. and she sees her best friend's name on the caller ID (NOVA). With a mix of relief and trepidation, she answers, bringing the phone to her ear."Hey, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days!" her best friend's voice bursts through the line, a blend of concern and frustration evident.Alessia listens in silence, her emotions swirling inside her like a storm. Her friend's words wash over her, but she can't find the strength to respond. Instead, tears well up in her eyes, and she begins to cry softly.Her best friend's tone shifts, worry creeping into her voice. "Ally, what's wrong? You're scaring me. Please, talk to me." But Alessia can't bring herself to speak. The weight of her father's announcement, the pressure of her impending arranged marriage, it's all too much to bear. She cries harder, unable to find the words to explain her turmoil.Her best friend's concern deepens, sensing that something serious is amiss. "I'm here for you ally, okay? You don't have to go through this alone. Please, let me help you."As the call continues, Alessia's friend offers words of comfort and support, a lifeline in her darkest hour. Alessia didn't share a single word, but she manages to say, "Let's meet tomorrow in the afternoon." Her best friend responds with a comforting "Okay, sounds good." With a sense of satisfaction, they both silently acknowledge their plans and end the call, knowing that they'll be there for each other when they meet.Feeling emotionally drained after her conversation with her best friend, she cast one last glance at the moon before settling into her cozy bed. With a heavy heart and teary eyes, she drifted off to sleep, thoughts swirling in her mind.
(Marco's pov)
In the midst of a bustling evening, Marco finds himself engrossed in the intricacies of his empire. Seated at his desk, surrounded by the hum of his office, he delves into discussions with his team, each word a calculated move in the intricate dance of power.
"Alright, let's go over the export figures for the new shipment," Marco says, his voice cutting through the din of the room.
His team members nod in understanding, shuffling through paperwork and tapping away at keyboards. The air is thick with anticipation as they analyze the numbers, their voices blending into a symphony of productivity.
"Looks like we're on track for the quarter," one of the workers chimes in, glancing up from his screen. "The latest projections show a slight uptick in demand overseas."
Marco nods, his brow furrowing in concentration. "Good. Let's make sure we have enough inventory to meet that demand. We can't afford any delays."
As they continue their discussion, Marco's phone buzzes insistently, a stark interruption in the rhythm of his thoughts. With a curt nod to his team, he excuses himself momentarily, stepping away to take the call.
"Hey Dad, what's up?" Marco says, his tone shifting to one of familiarity as he answers the call.
His father's voice crackles through the line, a steady presence amidst the chaos of the office. They exchange pleasantries briefly before getting down to business.
"We're having dinner tonight, Marco. Your mother and I thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up," his father says, his tone warm but authoritative.
Marco nods, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Sure thing, Dad. I'll be there."
After ending his call with his father, Marco swiftly returned to his desk, his mind already shifting back to the tasks at hand. With a determined focus, he delved into his work, tapping away at his keyboard with precision. Glancing over at his personal assistant also his best friend, who was stationed nearby, he gestured for him to come closer. "Hey, I need to step out for dinner. Take over and ensure everything runs smoothly," he instructed, his voice commanding yet composed. "Email me the details of the equipment export and the upcoming schedule," he added, emphasizing the importance of thoroughness. With a nod of understanding, his personal assistant set to work, already familiar with the routine. Marco rose from his seat, a sense of purpose driving him forward. "Keep up the good work, team," he said, As he departed, the room seemed to exhale, every eye lingering on his retreating figure. They knew he was the man to be feared, the one whose approval meant everything and whose disapproval could spell disaster.
After Marco's car pulled up to his parents' grand estate, he made his way inside, the familiar sights and scents of home washing over him. With a quick nod to the security detail, he headed straight for his sister. "Hey, Elena, how's work been treating you?" he asked. Elena looked up from her laptop, a bright grin lighting up her face. "Busy as always, but you know me, I thrive on it," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
As they chatted about Elena's latest projects, Marco couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his sister's accomplishments. She was fiercely independent, much like him, and he admired her drive and determination. After catching up with Elena, Marco made his way to the main living area, where his mother was waiting for him.
"Marco, darling, you're finally home!" his mother exclaimed, enveloping him in a warm hug. "I've missed you so much." Marco returned the embrace, savoring the familiar scent of her perfume. "I've missed you too, Mom," he murmured, feeling a surge of affection for her.
As they made their way to the dining room, Marco's father greeted him with a nod. "Let's sit down for dinner, shall we? It's already late," he said, gesturing towards the elegantly set table. The maid served up a feast of Italian delicacies, each dish more tantalizing than the last.
As they ate, Marco's father turned to him, a serious expression on his face. "So, Marco, how's business been lately?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. Marco took a moment to savor his food before replying, "It's been good, Dad. We've had some successful exports this week." His father nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response.
But then, without warning, his father broached a topic that caught Marco off guard. "I've been thinking, Marco, it's time for you to settle down. Have you given any thought to marriage?" Marco nearly choked on his food, his eyes widening in surprise.
As Marco's father broached the topic of marriage, Marco's initial shock quickly gave way to a simmering anger bubbling just beneath the surface. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain composed as his father continued speaking. "It's our tradition, Marco, you know that," his father said, a note of finality in his voice. "And we've received a proposal from the Santoro family for your marriage. There's a gathering tomorrow night to discuss it further."
Marco's heart sank as he heard the words, his mind swirling with a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. On one hand, he felt a deep sense of loyalty to his parents, knowing that they had always done what they believed was best for him. But on the other hand, the idea of being forced into a marriage with someone he barely knew filled him with a sense of dread.
As his father spoke Elena, who sat quietly beside her brother, her head bowed in resignation. He could sense her discomfort, her silent plea for him to speak up, to put an end to this charade. But Marco remained silent, unable to find the words to express the turmoil raging within him.
As his father's words echoed in his mind, Marco felt a surge of determination rising within him. With a steely resolve, he made a silent vow to himself. "I will go along with their plans," he thought, "but I will not allow myself to be ensnared in a loveless marriage." The idea of being bound to someone he didn't love filled him with a sense of dread, but he knew that he had to tread carefully.he knew that he could never give his heart to someone he didn't truly love. Little did he know, fate had other plans in store, plans that would test his resolve and challenge everything he thought he knew about love and duty.
(Author's note)
Thank you for reading
I love you all °<°