Cassandra Reid

"I don't believe in coincidences", my friend declares arriving at the auditorium, "and I do believe in destiny. Why else would you dream with someone you've never seen?"

"First of all, I'm not sure he is the man of my dreams". At this point I'm not sure. " And secondly, if so, I may have seen him on television, in a magazine or in any news. He is very famous, Leah."

"Nonsense", she snorts attached to her ideas. The truth is I don't even know why I'm trying to dissuade her, since it's an impossible task. "You are meant for that man, period."

I roll my eyes before his ridiculous statement. Me being bride of most beautiful, rich and powerful man in Florence... it is something that will never happen. Maybe I would like to. I mean, who doesn't? 

'But what do I say?'

My friend is really insane... and so am I.

"Whatever you say, Leah", I conclude to close the subject before sitting down in my seat.

Seconds later, the event begins. In total we are about fifteen doctors who have survived the intensive course. The hospital hospital's CEO begins with some encouraging words and congratulations to the entire team. Then, he gives his turn to Santino Rossi, the program's supervisor.

"Half of you fell by the wayside because you were incompetent", he begins his charming speech. "The rest of you have made it this far, but that doesn't mean you're successful doctors. I am sure I won't hear most of your names in the rest of my life. To the few who succeed, I hope you remember what you learned in these two years. Don't come look for me to clarify doubts because I don't like to repeat lessons twice. And for those of you who stay in this hospital, I inform you that you will have to continue dealing with me and whoever will be under my charge, if you don't measure up, you'll be out of my team.

The CEO takes his place again to pronounce our names one by one.

"Wasn't that speech supposed to be motivational?", one of my colleagues asks.

"He's a jerk", I interject. "What did you expect?"

"He's still the best surgeon in Florence", Romeo alludes.

"And to close with a flourish", our boss says. "We certify Dr. Cassandra Reid as the most outstanding of the team."

The round of applause follows and I get up to go get my award, but not before leaving a message for my classmates: "He may be the God of Surgery, but if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I'm not going to miss him."

"Congratulations, Dr. Reid". The asshole surgeon hands me the certificate with a tiny gold seal that lists me as the most outstanding.

'Cool!'

"Thank you, Dr. Rossi".

"I must confess you were least worst of all".

"Least worst". I don't know if I ask or exclaim, every time this man opens his mouth he leaves me dumbfounded. The hardest thing for me to believe is that with his bad mood he has all hospital staff drooling over him.

"Believe me, doctor, that was a compliment", he assures me at the same time that he winks at me.

'He winked at me!'

I'll have to start believing my friends' nonsensical theories.

"Can't say I'll miss you though".

He had to mess it up. And here I thought there was still something kind about him.

"That wasn't what you told me two days ago, doctor", I point out sarcastically. 

I remember the conversation very well and despite his derogatory comments, I must admit I like to fight back. I think that's one of the reasons why he doesn't give me a break.

“I think he's confusing me with someone else, Dr. Reid".

He now he is playing with me. Will this man have personality disorders?

"Yes, that must be it". I make a move to leave, however, I stop to speak to him once more. "By the way, yo can be assured I won't miss you either, Dr. Rossi."

I go over to the makeshift bar staff've set up and order a glass of red wine. It's my last day here, I don't have to stress about my now ex-boss's mood changes. If there's one good thing I can get out of my current situation, it's that I won't see him again.

"Why did you take so long up there?", Romeo questions as he grabs a beer for himself and other one for my best friend.

"The asshole surgeon was saying goodbye", I reply before taking another shot.

"Don't tell me!", The idiot of my partner has the audacity to laugh openly. "Tell me, was there a goodbye kiss?"

"Well, not a kiss", I reply with feigned emotion, "but there was an attempt of flirtation, or so it seemed to me."

Romeo chokes on his drink and starts coughing to get through the moment. Instead Leah lets the liquid escape through her mouth.

"Seriously?", The nurse asks once the embarrassing and also funny scene has passed.

I try to answer, but I'm suddenly speechless when I see Adriano Di Lauro's blue eyes fixed on me. My friends follow my gaze to find same sight as me.

'He shows up that way again and I don't live to tell tell the story'

His mere presence is capable of stealing anyone's breath.

“Congratulations, Dr. Reid."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Di Lauro", I answer automatically, trying to get out of my half-stunned state. "I didn't know you were invited to the party."

"I have a couple of contacts", he explains with an unreadable expression. He is no longer the man who smiled at me two days ago. "I'd like to talk to you, doctor, if you are available of course."

I try to read his gaze, but it's still as pristine as before. So I force myself to nod and keep up with him.

We walked through some deserted corridors in silence. I have no idea what this is about. To my surprise, we stop at one of the executive offices and I'm shocked when I see him insert the key.

'Is that powerful this man?'

'Is he related to the hospital?'

'What does he want to talk to me about?'

"You will say, sir", I indicate once we are face to face.

"Take a seat, please". He acts like a host.

'As if he were in his house!'

'Maybe he is', suggests a little voice in my head.

But that's impossible. If Mr. Adriano Di Lauro was connected to the Palermo hospital, all of Florence would know about it.

"Thank you, but I prefer to remain standing".

"Well, the first thing I want to ask you is if you think it is necessary for you to hire a nurse to take care of my son."

I sigh with relief knowing the direction our conversation will take . I had no idea how tense I was. 

"Federico's complete recovery requires a limitation of physical activity until the stitches close properly and he takes the medications I prescribed on time", I explain in a leisurely tone. "He doesn't need special care, just someone to watch over him and you can do what you deem necessary for it."

"I get it. So, let's move on to the second topic to be discussed".

I stand rooted to the spot as he walks around the desk, then he sits down. The image before me looks like something out of a famous Renaissance painting and exudes only one thing: mastery.

It's not hard for me to deduce that he likes to be in charge of the situation.

"I want to make you an offer, doctor", he declares before handing me some filed documents. "Here you can examine the information in detail."

I hurriedly open the folder with intrigue raging in my stomach.

'It may be my lifeboat so I can stay'

However, when I read the first few lines I am petrified and my mind goes blank.

Premarital Contract

Part A: Adriano Di Lauro Rossetti

Part B: Cassandra Reid Burton

There's an old saying that says “be careful what you wish for”. Well, in this case it applies perfectly.

"What does this mean?", I ask in my native language, with my throat closed to the point of choking on my own saliva.

When I get nervous, my unconscious betrays me and forgets any language or knowledge.

"My proposal", he replies in the same language. "Sii mia moglie, cara. Marry me"

I can no longer give it back to my imagination. It's happening again. The dream begins to come true. Or will it be a nightmare?