Prologue

Nikos

As soon as he got done minding his own business in Spain, he immediately flew back to New York where his father was currently located at. Few days ago, he gave him a call and asked to see him as soon as possible. It got him worried a little bit as he noticed that his dad sounded so off during that phone call and he couldn't figure out why.

"My son, Nikos... You're finally here" his dad stood up from his swivel chair and gave him a fatherly hug.

"Of course, dad. I'm always a phone call away for you. Please remember that" Nikos reminded him and smiled.

"I know son, I know, and thank you" his dad tapped his shoulder, looking at him like he was the most precious thing he ever had.

At the age of fifty, Nikos could say that his dad was still a fine man which made him wonder why he didn't find a partner in life again. His dad had all those years to replace that someone who broke his heart but he never attempted. Instead, he isolated himself from women and spent most of his time on Nikos and the business.

"So, dad, what was the phone call all about?" Nikos asked him straight to the point as he wanted to get it over with.

Suddenly, his father's face went from all smiley to a very serious look, like he was in a business meeting, which got Nikos thinking that it might be something he was interested in or it could be the opposite.

"I want you to do me a favor" his father asked, or more likely stated.

"Sure. What is it?" he replied in an instant. For all he knew, it could be one of those business deals that his father wanted him to work on.

Easy, peasy...

"Are you familiar of the del Diosa family?" his father asked again, stil wearing his signature business look.

Nikos nodded. "Ahuh. Why?"

"Good! I want you to marry one of the del Diosa princesses" his father said in such confidence, like he knew that Nikos wasn't going to reject his offer.

He planned this all along.

Nikos must admit that as a guy, the news really sent a shocking wave into his system. He didn't see this day coming. He never could have thought that his own father would ask him this kind of favor.

To marry some random girl? HELL NOOOO!!!

But of course, Nikos kept that to himself. He didn't have the balls to argue with his own father.

"I'm waiting for your reply, son"

Nikos let out a not so obvious frustrated sigh and looked at his father. "Alright!" he surrendered. "I'll do it" he saw how his father's face lit up, but he wasn't done yet. "In one condition" Nikos added.

His father looked at him confused. Probably didn't see this coming, for sure. He forgot that Nikos was his son. Everything comes with a bargain, and Nikos learned that from him.

"And what condition you want to ask?"

Nikos looked at his father straight in the eyes and said, "I'll be choosing my own bride. I don't really want to tie the knot with somebody whom I don't find attractive enough. We don't want that, do we?"

Niccolo arched his brow and smirked as he realized that his own son just outsmarted him.

"Fair enough" he agreed. "But your bride should be from that family, no matter what. Is that clear?"

Nikos rushed his head for a nod. "Of course, as crystal ..." he, then lifted a glass of wine up in the air and tried to make an imaginary toast to his father.

Nikos chugged the whole thing down and let the alcohol ran through his system as he needed it so badly. His freedom was at sake and he couldn't even do something about it.

But disappointing his own father was not his cup of tea, so he would just definitely go with the flow. See how far he could go...