03

Today was the day I finally get to meet the man who will own me, as father put it very eloquently. I would be his bitch apparently. I would rather stab out my own eyes and eat them than let someone own me. Who the fuck do these men think they are?

I scowled as I looked into the full length mirror. My attire didn't reflect what I thought, not in the slightest. My body was covered in a tight fitting red silk look dress. It had a deep v neck and full length arms. I wanted to hide my sore wrist, thanks to father. The dress stopped at my natural tanned thighs. Pairing the dress with red heels, I went for a simple look. Light makeup covered my face, my dark hair being pulled back into a slick ponytail.

There's nothing more powerful than dressing up. It made men weak. I made men weak. I pressed my lips together which were stained with red lipstick. The red blended well with my tan skin and stormy blue eyes.

KC entered my room after knocking. She eyed me and complimented my attire. I saw her fidgeting a lot more than usual and her eyes couldn't meet mine. Fuck. I felt like shit. Like meat on a platter. I sighed. "It'll be all right KC. I'll be fine." I reassured. I don't know whether I was reassuring her or myself.

"Yes I know, you'll be fine. You can handle yourself. I just wished you weren't forced to marry." KC frowned as she fiddled with the gun in her pocket. I smiled as I looked at the floor, maybe in another life.

"Your father is waiting for you." She spoke up as she held my bedroom door open for me. "Well I'd better go to meet this Ace fucking Hernandez." I said with no emotion.

Entering the SUV, I inhaled deeply as I saw father already seated inside. Why can't the bastard take another car. Fuck, he loves tormenting me. I took my seat opposite him and crossed my legs in the spacious car. Father smoked a cigarette and I watched the grey ashes flutter to the floor. Even being told that the damage to his lungs was irreversible and he should ease up on smoking, father smoked as if it were his last day on earth. I wish it were.

His suit was grey like the ashes which matched his greying eyes. His face was aged and tired. I often wondered if I would end up the same. It was no secret that I smoked occasionally. There was also no harm in drinking every so often.

I always got told I got my looks from mother. Unfortunately I haven't even a picture of her. Everything mother owned was burnt to cinders after her passing by father. I'm sure he wanted to burn me also.

After a few minutes of silence, father spoke. There was no need to but yet he fucking opened his dirty mouth. "I am sorry to let my only figlia (daughter) go." He looked at me. He's sneering. I know it. I looked into his eyes unable to read anything. He was being sincere, that's a first. He reached out and patted my hands which I kept on my lap. I scolded myself when I flinched at his cold touch. Fuck. When will this man die. In two hundred years no doubt.

Our SUV turned into a very upper class area. The houses were not houses but instead mansions. They were also quite far apart from one another to allow privacy and to accommodate the large front lawns. The tall steel gates at the entrance of one mansion were promptly opened up and our car traveled  all the way towards the front door.

The warm air hit my face as I stepped out from the car but I still couldn't help but shudder. KC walked behind me as did several other guards. Father threw his cigarette to the ground and put it out. He was an uncaring vile creature. He led the way to the front door and I held my head up in attempts to hide my anxiety. Shit I've never felt like this before. What the fuck was wrong with me. He's probably a bastard.

Upon knocking on the oak door, we were greeted by a petite brunette and a tall broad shouldered man. Father smiled as he shook the mans hand. I'm guessing these are the parents. Father nodded towards me. "This is my daughter. Alessia Ferrari. She runs the Italian mafia." They didn't see the spite in his words but I did.

Suddenly, all eyes were on me. Father never introduced himself which begs me to believe that he knew these people. The lady smiled as she looked me over. Her husband was the first to speak. "Hello Alessia, I am Tony Hernandez and this is my wife Grace." He introduced as he slightly lowered his rough voice. He placed an arm around Grace's waist and I didn't miss the subtle way Grace's first instinct was to pull away. 

I offered a small smile as I kept my mouth shut. I saw a young man leaning against the wall behind Tony and Grace. His posture indicated his reluctance of being here. I eyed up the tall man as he walked over to the door. He held out a hand and smiled, seeming quite friendly. "Hello Miss Ferrari, I am Kaden Hernandez." I shook his hand as I admired the various rings his fingers wore. "Hello." I replied.

"This is my youngest son, Kaden, he is twenty. The elder is your fiancé." Tony said as he watched me. Fiancé. The foreign word danced through my mind and shocked me once more as I realised my fate. Fuck. I wanted to run but I can't.

I again politely smiled and Tony led us all inside to a dining room. They must think I'm shy or quiet but I didn't care. They would soon find out about my big mouth which spoke the truth. The room was large and beautifully decorated. We were served dinner on china plates and had a selection of three different vintage wines to drink. I only drank a glass as I needed to stay sharp, this wasn't the time or place to get drunk. Father was in the midst of a dull conversation with Tony and Grace. I somehow felt disappointed that Ace was nowhere to be seen.

This was his house after all and he couldn't be bothered to attend dinner with guests. For all I knew he could be hiding upstairs like the idiot he was. At least I found out that he's only twenty five and judging by what his brother looks like, he should be decent enough.

I looked over at Kaden whom I've enjoyed talking to this evening. His dark hair was long to his ears and neatly combed back although it was getting messier with time. He had a sharp jawline and was neatly shaven. His dark brows and eyes held a certain boyish charm. Kaden seemed to smile an awful lot and it suited him.

"My brother is not a bad guy but he can be an idiot at times. I do apologise on his behalf." Kaden said as he sipped his wine. I smiled at his honesty. "I'm just disappointed he didn't even show up for this dinner." I licked my lips now feeling less anxious.

"I will find him and make him clean up his act. Because you Alessia, will be the best thing to ever happen to him." He nodded his head knowingly. I smirked. "You know how to make a girl blush. Tell me do you have a girlfriend? Wife?" I asked him.

He smiled lazily and used a napkin to wipe his mouth. "None unfortunately." I dropped down my fork as I tilted my head at him. "Why not?" I asked. He seemed like a very nice young man. Women would be foolish to let him escape.

He chuckled and Grace turned to look at us with a scowl etched on her face. She soon turned away. I don't know what that bitch's problem was, but she had one with me. "Can't find that one special woman for me. I can tell you'll like Ace. You two have a lot in common." He smiled.

I stifled a yawn as I used a hand to cover my mouth. "How so?" I asked. He smiled, his dark eyes shining. "You'll see...Remember Alessia, If he acts like a dick. Tell me and I'll fuck him right up."

"You don't think I can handle myself?" I chuckled. He hummed. "I think you can. But I'd like to fuck him up regardless."

Once dinner ended, father went for drinks with Tony and Grace a somewhat private affair. One which I wasn't invited too. Not that I cared.

Instead I went for a quiet walk outside in the moonlight. I was accompanied by KC who stayed at my side. My heels crunched on the gravelled path as I walked. "The parents seemed nice and the son." KC chatted. "There was something off about them. Kaden was genuine but the parents, I can't figure them out." I said as KC hummed in agreement. There was always something.

I took a seat on a bench that faced a beautiful water fountain. I watched the water spill out from the mouths of birds and into a pool below. The water shimmered white and reflected the full moon. I stared aimlessly as I got lost in thought.

I had a shit ton of work I needed to do. And here I sat, wasting time. Ace didn't even show up. Perhaps he felt the same as I do. Of course he did.

Just then a husky voice spoke up, breaking the silence. "I'm here to see my fiancé." The bastard. I snapped out of my daze and turned to see KC with her gun out pointed at a man. "It's okay." I said and KC lowered her gun.

A tall well built man walked over and took a seat beside me. As soon as he did, I smelt his musky aftershave with a mix of cigarette smoke. I glanced quickly at him. He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. His dark hair was brushed although it remained unruly and some wisps of hair strayed. I wonder how soft that would feel if I ran my hand through it. His sharp jaws were covered in neat stubble and I could get lost in his dark eyes. And those kissable lips.

Fuck get a grip Alessia!

"I'm Ace Hernandez. I do apologise for not attending dinner princess." He spoke as he gazed at me. I stiffened and breathed slow.

"Don't call me that." I snapped, my jaws going rigid. His eyes darted elsewhere and rested on me again. "Well what should I call you?" He asked and reached into his pocket and grabbed out a cigarette. He lit it and began smoking. Now I can see it. How he carries himself, how he speaks. A mafia boss if I ever knew one. "I'm Alessia." I said straight faced.

"Alessia.." He tested my name on his tongue. The moonlight hit his eyes, making them sparkle ever more so. He leaned towards me slightly. "That's a pretty name for a such a beautiful lady." He whispered close to my ear. I felt his hot breath fan my skin, the hairs on my neck rising. Any other girl would find that to be seductive but I didn't.

"Would you like one?" He asked as he held out his cigarette which was ripe with fire and ash. I shook my head. "No."

He chuckled, the sound sent tingles to the pit of my stomach. "Are you a virtuous girl?" He asked. The fuck?

"What the fuck?! Let's get one thing straight. I didn't get to where I am by being a good girl. This marriage is nothing more than an alliance on paper. Don't expect me to be some kind of housewife. And I will talk back and I will not hesitate to fuck you up if you act indecently." I growled lowly as my face remained stoic.

He blew his cigarette between his lips and put it out by tossing it to the ground. He didn't seemed to be affected at all by what I said or he didn't show it. He turned to face me, only looking at my face and hummed. "I like you."

I furrowed my eyebrows. What is one supposed to say to that? The fuck. He reached out and tried to place his hand onto my thigh. I say tried because I grabbed ahold of his hand tightly. I had it twisted back, a move I learnt from a young age.

He hardly flinched or even showed an ounce of pain. Instead he smirked. That fucker smirked. And God, he looked so devilishly handsome. I let go off his hand, pushing away the feeling of the tingles I felt when our hands touched.

I observed him as he ran a hand through his hair. He certainly knew what boundaries were. And he's not a disgrace. "Sorry about that. I just wanted to see how you would react." He apologised casually. I narrowed my eyes as I pushed back my hair which fluttered forward in the gentle breeze. "My reaction?" I scoffed. "I would have cut your hand off."

"Good answer." He hummed once more. I looked at him again. "What would you do if I touched you?" I asked. Oh fuck. My big fucking mouth. He grinned showcasing his perfectly white teeth. "I'd let you." He breathed. I felt my cheeks burn up as I hoped the blush I wore couldn't be seen. I chuckled. "Fuck, I should have seen that coming."

He chuckled as he stood up and cracked his neck. He held out an arm for me. I stood up and refused his arm by walking away from him and towards the house. I also noticed his fine looking guard which accompanied him. I also didn't miss how KC's eyes lingered on him a second too long.

I heard footsteps behind me as we all made our way inside. Upon entering the house, father wanted to leave for the night. We said our goodbyes and left.

Father again sat in the same car as me. "What do you think of him?" He asked. "Why do you care?" I scoffed. Fuck. I'm in urgent need of sleep and I fucking can't stand the man. Fuck I knew what was coming.

Father quickly reached forward and slapped me across the cheek. I let him. The pain was nothing to me. If I fought back the aftermath would be disastrous. The piece of shit talked once more. "Do not speak to me like that. I am your father. You should respect me."

I looked across at him. "Forgive me. I'm just very tired...I like him, he seems decent." I looked down at my hands. Father laughed hysterically at me. "Him decent. You really are a stupid whore. He didn't get to where he is by being 'decent'" He mocked, his belly full of laughter.

I looked away and wished I was anywhere but here. Soon enough we arrived at a hotel. A standard five star. We got booked in and I took in the luxurious sight of the penthouse suit I'm sleeping in for the next two days. In two days time the wedding was to happen. Two fucking days. I felt my heart race as the thought of running away crossed my mind again. Would I rather be free and not forced to marry? No, I'd be a fucking coward.

I'd rather die fighting for my mafia than being known as a coward.

I lay onto the bed after I changed into comfortable clothing. I glanced at the time on my phone before tossing it onto the armchair beside the bed. It was just past midnight and I was wide awake.

"Well, what did you think about him?" KC asked me as she entered the room, knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep. Several guards were posted at my door as usual. I smiled as I patted the space beside me. She walked over and sat down. She wore her slim fitted suit for she was still working, her blonde hair being pulled back into a ponytail. "He's a bastard as all men are." I said as I looked up at the white ceiling.

"I saw you blush Alessia. No man has ever done that to you before." She smiled. I sighed as she continued. "I have a good feeling about him and I can read people pretty well."

I hummed. "What about you and his guard?" I looked at her, she didn't meet my eyes. "I knew it! You find him attractive." I grinned. I could see why. He was a tall glass of fuck me.

She smiled as she tried to brush it off by picking at invisible specks of dust on the bed. I rolled over to my side so I was facing her. "Truthfully. He is a fine looking man. I would have fucked him if he wasn't..well...you know. It's too complicated." I pursed my lips.

She smirked as she looked at her bare nails. "It's not complicated at all. You will be legally married soon so by all means fuck him."

"It's a matter of principle KC." I said as I ran my fingers up and down the bed sheet. She nodded unconvincingly. "I truly want the best for you Alessia. So at least try with him. Don't push him away."