I walk towards him, observing his elegant demeanor while he waits for his glass of champagne. I don't understand why he is not in one of those giant Calvin Klein advertisements that you find in the shopping centers.
"May I join you?" I ask him when I get to his side, trying not to show how attractive he seems to me.
Sienna, you must not fall for him, My inner self tells me, but I think it's a little late.
He looks at me from head to toe with those big blue eyes and then fixes them on my gray eyes. " Of course you can," he says, smiling at me, "young man, a glass of champagne for the miss per favore," tells the bartender, and I melt with his accent.
"Thank you," I say with a smile on my face, and then I grab the glass, "Come, let's go over there," I propose pointing to one of the tall cocktail tables that are free in a corner.
"I never would have imagined that Mauricio had a daughter so bella'." He says, and I love how the word "Bella" sounds with that Italian accent.
"Thank you very much for the compliment," I answer when we get to the table.
"And how old are you?" He asks after taking a sip of champagne.
"Twenty-eight, what about you?" I inquire, and it's just that I'm getting too interested in knowing him.
"Thirty-two, so you work with your father?" He says without taking his gaze from mine, and I feel that he is undressing me with his eyes.
Can it be possible?
"Let's say I'm the company's public relations officer," I explain. Even though the reality is that my work is intermittent, I go to the office when I want. I dedicated the rest of the day to designing dresses, which I would like to produce soon.
A half-smile is drawn on his face as he approaches me and remains standing by my side, "and this drink with me is part of your job?" He asks in a way that I don't even know how I'll be able to keep talking. I don't know what he wants with me, but it is clear that the art of seduction is his thing.
"No. This drink with you is because I want to", I answer in the most secure way I can, and I give him my best smile.
He looks me in the eye and then goes down to my cleavage, then comes back to my eyes as if nothing happened, "doesn't your boyfriend get jealous?"
I laugh at his question and deny, "I don't have a boyfriend" I confess and drink another sip of champagne, trying to keep my composure.
He smiles sideways, "how is a woman like you alone?" He asks and, without expecting it, he moves a lock of my hair behind my ear.
Is he trying to seduce me, or is it just my imagination?
"It's just that when your heart is broken, it's complicated to trust someone again," I answer bluntly, and he looks at me, narrowing his eyes.
"Do you believe in love?" He inquires and what a question he just asked me.
"No, not anymore. What about you, married, committed, girlfriend?" I dare to ask, trying to take the attention away from me.
"None of the above. It seems that love and myself are not compatible", he explains, and I quite like his philosophy.
"It's the best," I answered, and I took another sip of my glass. "Have you already decided whether or not you will do business with my father?"I ask, trying to change the subject.
"After seeing you, I have no doubts," he replies, and I think he has removed the straps of my dress with his eyes.
"So you took your decision because of me?" I ask, pretending to be unaware.
"Let's just say you're an excellent reason," explains " because of you, I believe that love and I could be compatible again," he says out of nowhere, and I must take a deep breath.
"Good reason ... I don't know how I should take that", I comment and pretend not to have interest in his words, although I suppose he must be used to women falling at his feet. He is exceptionally handsome.
He smiles broadly at me. "The business was already good before I met you, but it's much more interesting now. If you accept an invitation to dinner tomorrow, I'll explain", proposes.
"My father doesn't like me to mix business with my personal life," I let him know, trying not to smile at his proposal. Which I admit is quite interesting.
"Your father doesn't have to know," he sentences, and I can only look at him surprised.
"You are so direct," I comment with a mischievous smile on my face.
"I can be much more, but I try to be a gentleman," he answers in a very provocative way, and for some reason, I want him to stop being so.
"Interesting" I limit my answer to that word, and I only do it because I have to maintain my composure.
"Give me your phone number before your father arrives," he asks, looking nowhere, and when I turn around, I see my father walking towards us.
He gave me his cell phone, and quickly I dialed my number, letting it ring for a moment, and then I ended the call.
It only remains him to call me, right?
"Lucas! How's it going?" My father asks him as he stands on the opposite side from which Lucas is standing.
"Very well, your daughter is very kind," he says with a smile, and I smiled inside.
"I'm delighted to hear that. Can we talk about business?" my father inquires.
"Mr. Di Marco, there is nothing to talk about; on Monday, we signed the agreement," he answers in a confident tone, and my father looks stunned.
"Wow! ... I'm so glad to hear that", and knowing him, he must be wondering how Lucas made his decision so soon.
"It is a pleasure to do business with you," answers Lucas.
"I will leave you to continue talking," I say and try to retire, but before I go, Lucas gently takes my arm.
"It was nice talking to you," he says nicely.
"Likewise," if only he knew how much. I take a deep breath and go for another drink.
What happened? I ask myself. I have no idea why, but this man makes me nervous, and I kind of love it.
Next dayAfter having slept more than usual, since I went to bed very late last night and spending a relaxed Sunday at home; It's time to get ready for dinner with Lucas. I chose a set consisting of a short white skirt, a strappy blouse close to the body in the same color, and a black blazer with white details and matching heels. I look for my favorite matching Prada bag and make sure my light brown hair falls properly in waves above my shoulders."Perfect," I say to myself in front of the mirror and leave the room.I walk downstairs and say goodbye to my father; he reads a book in the mansion's main hall. "Will you go out?" He asks me with a shy smile."Yes, father, I will go to dinner with some friends," I lie.I suppose he would not like the idea of me going to dinner with the man who will be his next partner."Be Careful," he says like he always does, and I throw him a kiss from a distance."I love you, father!" I s
Ten days after:I am staying in a luxurious hotel room as requested by the person that will be my husband in a few hours. Once again, I observe the large white box wrapped with a bow of the same color on the bed. I open it and find a fancy and exquisite wedding dress that I will wear in just one hour. It is still difficult for me to assimilate that I have agreed to this, but everything Lucas has told me is true. I have given myself the task of investigating the finances of the vessel company and even my father's. He is on the verge of bankruptcy, and I can't allow that to happen, knowing it's my fault.I take out the dress, put it on my hands, and when I remove it from the box, I am speechless; it is the same model as the one I had chosen to marry Ramiro. How does Lucas know about this? I wonder again and remove the little card inside."Since you haven't worn it with him, I thought you could wear it with me. I'll wait for you. Lucas"Idiot, I don
My father slowly approaches me, and when he is two steps away from me, Lucas takes my hands between his. "Daughter, what is all this?" my father asks, confused and somewhat dissatisfied.I want to answer and shout the whole truth, but if I do it, nothing I have done will have been worth it. I look at my father silently."Mauricio, I can explain," Lucas interrupts with his arrogant tone that I dislike so much."I would appreciate that Lucas," my father replies in a tone that is practically a claim, and I understand his attitude perfectly."I understand that you are confused, but the night that your daughter and I have met at your house, it wasn't the first time," he says, and I don't quite understand what he is about to plot."How is that possible?, Would you like to explain to me how this ended in a marriage?" He demands, and I have a panic attack here."Sienna and I met when she traveled alone to her frustrated honeymoon in Capri," he start
I go back to the same room where I dressed for my wedding, the one that now witnesses the tears that run down my cheeks, as I put on the short white dress that Lucas has left on the bed with a note that says, "Put this on." The dress is practically a copy of the same one that I wear in Capri. I no longer understand what he expects from me. Is he trying to torture me with memories?Now I understand the reason for bringing the suitcase with clothes; it was to travel to Italy. I dread traveling to that place with him. What if he hurts me?While I can't stop thinking about how my life has turned into a nightmare in a matter of days, I walk the corridors of this hotel until I reach the reception. I see him waiting for me at the hotel entrance, and when he sees me, he approaches and takes my suitcase."It would be nice if you hurry. The pilot is waiting for us," he asks me as I follow him to leave the hotel and get into the limousine."Pilot?" I ask, conf
I dreamed of something different for my life. I had the illusion of marrying someone who loved me without limits, becoming a mother, traveling the world with him. Still, this is not the case. I married someone who uses me for his revenge.I am sitting inside this room, watching through the small window as the city gets smaller until the clouds appear. These look like cotton, softening the way the plane moves a bit. I wish I could float among them and disappear.Once the plane stabilizes, I stand up and go to bed to lie on it. I close my eyes, trying to return to my imperfect world, which was better than the one I live in now. I get carried away until I fall asleep.[…]A rub on my back makes me open my eyes, and once again, I don't know what is happening. I have fallen asleep. I turn to see who it is, and I see Lucas staring at me as his fingers caress my skin.I sit on the bed, a little scared, and move until my back hits the ba
Venice, what a beautiful city! Its landscapes make me forget this nightmare that I am living. Her beauty is the reason that brings a smile to my face as a limousine takes us to Lucas's house. "Can you imagine living here?" he asks me, and I must turn to see him.I look at his face and try to figure out what that question means, but I can't understand him."The place is beautiful, but no. I love my city; I love its warmth, the sea, and being close to my father," I say firmly and turn my gaze to the window.I can't allow him to take me away from the only thing left of my life. That is not an option."What a shame," he says, and I don't even want to look at him. I'm afraid he might convince me of something else.I don't understand what he meant by that, but I prefer to avoid asking him. I have already understood that he will never answer any of my doubts.[...]The limo enters what appears to be a mansion. I am speechless by the
I try to get away, but it isn't easy. His arms are holding me close to him, and his mouth does not give up mine. Why does he have to kiss so well? Suddenly, I regain my sanity, and I manage to bite his lips, causing him to complain. Finally, he pulls away from me."But what are you doing ?!" Lucas exclaims as he complains of the pain, and I look at him thoughtfully."Who do you think you are to kiss me ?!" I reply angrily, and he grabs my arm.Our gazes challenge each other. If they were bullets, we would probably be injured."I'm your husband, and I assure you that what happened here won't stay like this," he warns me.His words send chills down my entire body. I'm not sure what to expect from him."Don't even think about touching me again because I'll forget about the whole agreement," I warn him."I like that you have personality," he says with a smile that I would like to erase. With his finger, he removes the blood that is left o
Painted in light gray tones and with some minimal details of purple, the room where I will be staying is ridiculously huge. It has a living room, bathroom, and huge walk-in closet that makes my room in Miami just a sizeable one."Does it please you?" he asks while he stares at me."I guess that doesn't matter," I express coldly. Then I go where the staff left my bags.I bend down to open them and start to unpack my clothes when I see him standing in front of me "we will have to go shopping. You have to change your style," he tells me, and I look up to meet his eyes."Don't even dream about it. I won't stop being who I am because of you. Also, you should know that I always appeared on the list of the best dressed in any social event I went to," I reply firmly. The desire to erase that stupid smile comes back again."It seems very good to me, but the clothes you wear in Miami are very different from those used by women here in Italy. In my family, im