The ringing of her phone made her stir a bit but she didn't wake up. She needed more sleep cause dang, she was exhausted.
Adele was so knocked off cause she'd been up all night doing her homework on a certain man but guess what she got. NOTHING. No matter how hard she tried to at least get a picture on him,her efforts went futile.
She still couldn't understand how a man could be so popular yet so unknown — if that even makes sense. The whole thing sounded absurd to her. Nobody knew how the CEO of Giossie's Games was? How hilarious was that?
Was this the kind of man she was getting married off to? A person totally unknown to the media? What if he was a serial killer? Don't blame her for having such thoughts cause he could kill someone and still roam around freely since nobody knew what the CEO looked like. The thought was as frustrating as it sounded.
The phone stopped ringing for a second and then blared up again in full force.
"Oh dang it! Who the fuck is calling, goddamnit!"Adele groaned frustratedly, feeling around for her phone. She picked up the call and placed it on speaker when she finally got it.
"This better be important cause I'm capable of murder right now,"she mumbled to herself.
"Hello!!"she grumbled at the caller sleepily not caring to check the caller's ID. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep anyways.
"Adele." The voice made whatever sleep left in Adele's eyes vanish immediately. She grabbed her phone, checking the caller ID and frowned.
"Lucy? Why the hell are you calling so early in the morning?"she mumbled.
"Early? It's past nine, Adele,"Lucy pointed out.
"What do you mean past nine? I only just fell asleep,"Adele yawned.
"I mean it's nine in the morning,"Lucy spoke and Adele's eyes widened. She had no idea! She was running late.
"Oh shit. Can I call you back? I'm kinda in a rush right now,"Adele made to dash into the bathroom.
"No need. I called in sick for you." Lucy's words had Adele freezing on her tracks.
"Wait,why would you do that?"
"Because you have somewhere to be?"Lucy spoke as though asking a question.
"I don't understand. Elaborate please,"Adele requested in confusion.
"Mr Ricci called last night. He said he needs to see you today. There are some things you both need to discuss,"Lucy informed and Adele rubbed her eyes in a tired manner.
"Do I have to go?"she asked, whining. She still had her suspicions about this popularly unknown man.
"Remember, Adele. You're doing this for your father,"Lucy resounded.
Aaaand she just had to remind her.
"Fuck you, Lucy,"she dropped the call begrudgingly.
"What was that about?"Karen asked from the bed, letting out a big yawn. She just woke up.
"Morning,"she added after the yawn.
"Good morning,"Adele muttered raking her hand through her hair as she plopped down on a nearby cushion.
"Any issues? You kinda look like the weight of the world has been dropped on your shoulders,"Karen commented.
"Trust me, if my situation was half as easy, I wouldn't be complaining. My dad's marrying me off to some anonymous dude. Isn't that crazy?"Adele puffed out air in frustration as she pulled on her hair.
"I don't.....sorry, can you explain?"Karen sat up properly wanting to get filled in on everything.
"My dad's company is kinda suffering from a major setback and if care isn't taken, it night crash,"Adele began and Karen gasped.
"Oh my God. That's terrible,"Karen spoke apologetically.
"Right. I know. Then a strange man suddenly pops in the picture with a big offer to help us. In return, Margaret married him,"Adele pauses.
"Holy Mary blood of.....fuck! Sorry, please go on,"Karen urged.
"Then Margaret says she's not ready for marriage and boom! The person getting married is me. And I don't even get a say cause I have to choose between my career and getting married. It's just insane,"Adele grumbled and Karen giggled.
"Your life has always been a soap opera I can never get tired of seeing,"her grin vanished the moment Adele gave her a glare.
"So you've made your decision? Are you marrying him?"Karen asked.
"Didn't you hear what I just said? I don't have a choice but do what Lucy says,"Adele sighed.
"I understand. This situation is one hell of an annoying one. But wait, you should at least know who you're getting married to, right? Who's he?"Karen asked curiously.
"I don't know KNOW him. I just know he's the CEO of Giossie's Games and
...."Karen's sudden scream cut her off.
"What the hell.... Karen!!"Adele scolded.
"I'm so sorry but hell! Jesus, you just got a free invitation to paradise. Like,fuck!"Karen fanned her face with her hands, a dramatic look on. Adele could only cast her a look of disbelief.
"You know who he is?"
"Who the hell doesn't? He's the only main news in Italy,gurl. He's rich as fuck and on very rare occasions,his back and side views have been captured — from which I can tell, he's really handsome!! He gives off this sexy vibe. Oh my gosh,"Karen squealed in excitement.
"Are you seriously fan girling right now?"Adele asked and Karen squealed louder.
"Of course, I'm asking the obvious. But you haven't even seen his full face yet. You can't just judge..."Adele was saying.
"Who needs his full pic? His side profile speaks volumes sis!"Karen grinned. Adele shook her head before sighing in self-pity. What was she thinking when she befriended a crazy ass?
"So you're gonna meet up with him today?"Karen asked.
"Apparently. And hey, don't you even dare to ask me to get his picture or autograph for you. I'll personally kill you if you do,"Adele glared.
"Pretty please!!!"Karen pouted giving the most ugly puppy eyes there is.
"No thank you. What would he take me for? A fan girl who stalks him on Insta? Impossible,"Adele shook her head, giving a solid no.
"Eish. You're no fun,"Karen puffed.
★★★
Giovanni jogged down the stairs to meet his daughter, Cassandra, who was already eating breakfast.
"Good morning, Angel. D'you sleep well?"he grinned, walking over and kissing her on the cheek. Cassandra refused to reply since obviously, she was still mad at her dad.
Giovanni was hardly ever home and so, they hardly ever eat together except for breakfast. He promised to make it up to her only to fuck it up and this wasn't even the first time it was happening.
"C'mon, Angel. You're not gonna give daddy the cold shoulders now, are you?"he asked,but the girl focused on her breakfast as though there was something intriguing about toasted bread and scotched eggs.
Sighing, he held her small hands, turning her around to look at him.
"It's gonna be hard to forgive me on this one, isn't it?"he asked, a sad smile on his face. His dimples popped out, standing out.
"I joined Bailey cook,"she replied after minutes of silence,her voice low.
His smile disappeared. Cassie never liked doing anything. She cared about her nails,her looks and just did absolutely nothing other than go to school and press on her phone. He wasn't complaining though since she was super duper intelligent. Her suddenly saying she joined in cooking for him,killed his spirit. The level of guilt he'd been feeling, doubled.
Cooking with Bailey? He didn't expect it. Cassie hardly ever communicated well with anyone who wasn't her Dad. Translation? She HATED her nanny. She was a rude ass who did whatever she wanted so she didn't see a reason to respect anyone other than her dad. Giovanni knew all these which was why he was really so surprised.
"You...you what?"he asked in disbelief.
"I begged Bailey to let me help out with dinner,"she repeated. "And you missed it,"she completed her statement, pushing back a strand of her very long hair. Cassandra took after her mother, as Giovanni would always say. He called her his little Rapunzel. Long, blonde hair. She didn't miss out on the beauty either. She was so cute, you'd pass by and turn around for a second glance.
"Damn, I'm so sorry, Baby. I promise, I'll show up tonight whether you cook or not,"he promised and the girl gave a voiceless chuckle.
"I accept your apology, but please. Don't make promises we both know you're not going to keep,"she pulled her hands away from his, grabbing her tablet from the table, smothering her beautiful uniform to get rid of slight wrinkles.
She walked towards the door, not wanting to run late for school. She turned around just when she got to the door.
"Oh, and I'd really appreciate it if you paid me just one-third of the attention you pay to your work. I understand it's too much to ask,but hey. I'm your daughter and I think that should give me a free pass, right?"she gave a fake lopsided smile before turning around and walking away,her hair draping way below her butt.
Giovanni sighed, getting up and sitting on a chair.
"Good job, Gio. You're a perfectly terrible father,"he mumbled, facepalming himself as he thought of how on earth he'd make it up to her. On getting an idea,he pulled out his phone, calling someone.
"Yo,bro,"Logan greeted cheerfully.
"It's boss to you, Logan,"Giovanni rolled eyes.
"Yeah, whatever. Why'd you call? I'm kinda in the middle of something." Giovanni could literally hear his smirk.
"Eww. Whatever. Just help me out on something. I was supposed to meet with Miss Margaret today but I can't. Cassie's so fucking mad at me and I feel like she's gonna hate me if I don't do something to fix this. What you're gonna do is....meet up with Miss Marino today and I'll text you what exactly you're to talk to her about. Think you can do it?"he asked.
"Sure thing,"Logan replied and Giovanni hung up not even saying a thank you. That's him.
He dialed another number.
"Henry. Where are you right now?"he asked.
"Not too far from the house,boss,"the man replied.
"Perfect. Turn around and bring Cassie back home. When I drop this call, call her school and tell them she can't make it,"Giovanni instructed.
"Alright boss."
Giovanni hung up with a content exhale.
Cassandra ran in a couple of minutes later.
"Dad,"she called, trying hard to hide her grin.
"What d'you say bout taking the day off? It's going to be all about you,"Giovanni winked and she giggled, running forward and giving her dad a tight hug.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world,"she smiled happily.