A black Bugatti Veyron stopped right in front of the gigantically amazing company and one of the numerous guards littered all over the building came running to open the door.
Black shoes stepped out before the physiques of a particular man came to view.
"Good evening, Mr Ricci,"the guard bowed politely but the man didn't bother replying as he headed right into his building.
His name? Giovanni Ricci. 6'7 ft tall, age 29,tanned skin, chiseled jawline, an undeniably beautiful slash handsome face.
In this era, he was what people referred to as a Greek god. He began his gaming career when he was nine and by age fifteen, he singlehandedly built himself an empire.
He was one hell of a reserved man which was why other than his staffs, nobody else knew how Giovanni Ricci looked like. He preferred keeping hus life PRIVATE. Quiet was his middle name, he's slow to anger but untameable when angered. Arrogant low-key, but was known for his intolerance. Strict to the core and wasn't at all passionate. Step on his tail and get ready to be bitten. Over all, his personality was one hell of a complicated thing.
The moment his secretary, Roman saw him, he approached his boss instantly.
"Boss, you're back. I thought you left about twenty minutes ago? Did you perhaps forget something?"Roman asked, jogging in order to keep with Giovanni's long strides.
"Go home, Roman. Quit butting in my business," Giovanni muttered, pressing on a button next to his private elevator.
"But that's my job, Mr Ricci. Your business is my business," Roman spoke in reply. The elevator pinged open.
"Are you sure you still love your job?" Giovanni glared.
"Goodnight, boss," Roman bowed before scurrying off. Giovanni rolled eyes before stepping into the elevator. Okay, maybe he's a bit arrogant as well.
His phone rang.
"What is it, Celine?" He mumbled looking down at his wrist.
19:38pm. Fuck, he was running late for dinner.
"Boss, I'm sorry if I interrupted your evening."
Giovanni sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Out with it, Celine. I don't have all day," he mumbled, tiredness sipping into his voice.
"Right. Uh.... I received a call from Mr Peng not too long ago. He said he's flying over in 4 days,"the lady informed and a frown fell on Giovanni's face.
" Excuse me, what? I thought he said he'd be here in 3 weeks? Why the hell is he changing his mind?"Giovanni asked stepping out of the elevator and into his office.
" I have no idea, but whatever you have to do about your having a wife issue, I suggest you do it fast. We can't have him suspecting anything,"the lady spoke and Giovanni sighed.
"I already know that. How are things going in Texas?"he asked, rummaging through his desk in search of something.
" Everything has been going well so far. I think I'll be back in 3 days tops,"she informed and he hummed in reply.
" Take care, Boss. G'night."
Giovanni hung up before reaching for a file.
"Gotcha,"he mumbled in relief, turning around to leave only to bump into a guy.
"Watch where you're going, Logan,"he hissed, rubbing on his forehead.
"Sorry about that,but what the hell is it I'm hearing? You're getting married? The hell!"Logan exclaimed in disbelief.
Logan Lee, a half Italian,half Korean. 6'5ft tall,age 28, brown skinned, perfectly fit. He's got the regular playboy vibe.
Realistically,he was a popular part-time actor, Giossie's vice-president and Giovanni's overbearing best friend.
"You're talking like I have a choice. I have to,okay?"Giovanni frowned.
"My point's exactly. I need to know why. Cause last time I checked, you aren't interested in the gender called women,"Logan spoke with folded arms.
He was familiar with the fact that ever since one certain girl broke his friend through and through, Giovanni turned away from any topic women related. His sudden wanting to marry was a shock to Logan,no doubt.
"It's because of a contract with Mr Peng,"Giovanni mumbled tiredly. The man wanted nothing but to go home. After the long hectic day he'd had,he at least deserved the rest.
"Sorry, who's Mr Peng?"Logan asked confusedly making Giovanni sigh in Exasperation.
"Should I just relieve you of your office as VP? It's obvious you're slacking off,"he glared, pushing Logan off his path as he walked away.
"C'mon, it's not intentional! I was just preoccupied with the constant shoots we were having!"Logan yelled, running after him.
★A RANDOM BAR IN ITALY★
"So that's your reason?"Logan asked, peering at Giovanni who chugged down a bottle of tequila down his throat.
"Wait, even at that, why would you get married to someone you've never even seen face to face? Listen, I'd say it's best to loose a billion dollars worth's deal than get married to a stranger. That's depression calling out to you,bro,"Logan spoke plainly.
"You talk as if the marriage is going to last forever or something. It's just for the purpose of this deal. Once it's done,I wait a year and then divorce her so it doesn't look suspicious. It's that simple,"Giovanni shrugged taking another shot of tequila.
"Hmm. If you say so. Who're you getting married to by the way?"Logan asked out of curiosity.
"You know the Marinos, right?"
"I think so. They own ADL Global.... something like that. Right?"Logan asked for confirmation and Giovanni gave it with an affirming nod.
"Yeah,they do. Their only daughter, Margaret Marino was the one I asked for. She looked like one hell of a wild horse. She didn't look like one to cause unnecessary trouble. She minds her business and I mind mine, simple,"he replied causally and Logan nodded.
"I see. But have you stopped to think of what would happen if along the line,one of you were to fall?"Logan asked and Giovanni rolled eyes.
"That's not possible. She isn't one to fall and I lost my ability to feel long ago. Besides, this marriage is meant to be one with no strings attached. I help them,she helps me,"Giovanni sounded.
"You'll be helping with their company? I heard it's this close to crumbling completely,"Logan spoke taking a sip of the drink in hand.
"I'm supporting with massive funds. That's the only reason they're giving me their daughter,"Giovanni said.
"I still don't know why I'm getting a bad feeling about this,but just be careful,"Logan gave the only advice he could think of.
★★★
Giovanni walked into the house letting out a sigh of remorse. For the umpteenth time,he had broken his promise to her. He didn't expect the end's result to be funny.
"Angel, I'm so sorry I'm late....."he stopped mid sentence on seeing a fragile girl sitting at the dining area,her head rested on the table. Her eyes were closed indicating she was sleeping and the foods all over the table was left untouched. She held her iPad clutched to her chest, her grip on it, firm.
"Fuck, she's gonna be so mad at me tomorrow. Logan caused this,"he mumbled lowly to himself before stalking his way towards her.
"Angel?"he tapped her but she didn't budge. "Baby, c'mon. I'm home,"he whispered in her ear but the girl was obviously far too deep in sleep.
"Mmn,"she whined in her sleep, puckering her lips slightly as a frown settled on her face. She held on tighter to her tablet.
Giovanni chuckled as he stared at his mini demon. The one girl he loved with his everything. The only one he'd go to the moon and back for. She was his daughter, Cassandra Ricci. She was just nine, but meant everything to him. He was willing to give up all he had in a heartbeat for her sake if need be. That's how deep his love for her ran.
"Frowning in your sleep? Should I dread seeing you tomorrow morning?"he chuckled at his own words before picking her into her arms.
"Gawd, what has your nanny been feeding you with?"he groaned at how much she weighed. Getting up to her room, he tucked her in bed and left a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight, My Angel,"he turned off the lights, locked the door and disappeared down the lobby.
★★★
Adele turned over, facing Karen who was so fast asleep,her snores, evidence.
Adele's mind wandered far.
Was this it for her then? Because there wasn't any way to avoid it. Lucy was a hundred percent right.
If it were to be her in this kinda situation, he'd do anything to get her out of it. She knew how much the company meant to him as well.
She sighed lowly, careful not to wake Karen up. After few minutes of internal conflict,she got up heading for the living room, grabbing her laptop on her way out.
"Might as well figure out who exactly I'm getting married to,"she mumbled to herself as she got comfy on the rugged floor, feeling determined to begin her search.
GIOVANNI RICCI, she typed into her search bar.