Chapter Three

Marcello

This day couldn’t get any worse. First, the company’s stock crashes because of a fake piece of news that circulated social media this morning. Apparently, a girl “I dated” went online to say that I was an abuser and I had constantly beaten her in the short duration of our relationship.

Pfft. Everyone around me knew I didn’t do relationships. It required a lot of emotional investment I simply could not afford.

I have been up and about since the early hours of today, trying to shut down the rumors but it had already circulated every corner of the media. Being young, rich and popular had it’s perks but it also had it’s downsides; one of it being that when any news about you gets out, people pounce on it like bloodthirsty zombies, regardless of it’s truth status.

I just concluded a meeting at the office with the PR team when my father burst into my office with murder in his eyes. My father, Hernandez Andres is who you would describe as terrifying; big build, thick brows and a constant scowl on his face, when it came to outsiders at least. To the family, he is a loving husband and father.

That is why I knew I was in trouble the second he leveled me with his infamous scowl. He dropped the newspaper in his hand on my desk with a loud thud.

“ Marcello Julio Andres! What is the meaning of this?”

“You know it’s not true, Papa. It’s just an attempt to slander my name”

“Which wouldn’t be the case if you’d learnt to keep it in your pants. What have I said about keeping multiple partners, son? It…”

“does not speak well of your integrity. I know, Papa”

To my immigrant parents, a good name and reputation was everything. They had immigrated from Mexico when I was about ten and my mother was pregnant with my sister, Carlotta. My father never fails to remind me just how lucky we’ve been to have made it in a place where foreigners have limited opportunities.

“How long will you be photographed in every gossip magazine with a new woman on your arm? I did not raise you to be so irresponsible.”

Before I could plead my case further, he had hit me with “ You have two months to bring home a respectable woman and get married to her or you can kiss your inheritance and your position in the company goodbye.”

He had left with a bang before I could formulate a coherent thought,, successfully ruining my day for the second time. Now, as I stand on the platform of Oasis, one of the clubs in my name, my irritation seems to be growing. The women flocking around me, seem to irritate me further. The drink in my hand does little to quell the unease floating around my stomach.

Marriage.

That is one word I have never given much thought to. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not an entirely bad concept. My parents have been married for about 30 years and are still going strong. I just don’t know if I’ll ever find someone to tolerate me like my mother tolerates my father. I can be quite cold on the outside and I’ve never been one to keep many friends. Currently, I have just one idiot of a best friend whose life goal is to drive me crazy but that’s about it.

The club isn’t doing it for me, so I’ll just head home. I turn around to leave when I spot tight leather. The leather sits snugly on a tight ass. My eyes move upward and lands on a pair of delectable bossoms. I feel the incoming of a boner. I look further and am met with the most gorgeous face I’ve ever laid eyes on. Beautiful

I watch the woman move forward in slow, tentative steps, as if unsure of her environment. She is flanked by two other equally beautiful women but something about her stands out to me. I watch as she downs her cocktail and orders another. I also watch her throw back a shot and go into a coughing fit. My lips lift into a smile.

What the hell is wrong with you, you creep?

I look on , even as she takes to the dancefloor and begins to move in ways a vixen would. I see her look around and I see her eyes meet mine. Brown

The color has always seemed like such a boring one but this particular brown seems to shine through the multicolored lights of the club. She watches me now, gaze unwavering, even as I down my drink.

I make my way downstairs, eyes never leaving hers, until I am standing in front of her. She does a one over of me and I hear the sound of her harsh breaths, right next to me . She has painted her lips a vibrant red and I try and fail to conceal my ogling. She has such plump lips. I wonder how they’d feel.

My God, this is laughable. Marcello Andres falling over his feet for a woman. I have a reputation to maintain.

I turn to walk away but she grabs onto the fabric of my shirt. I raise my brows in question. She bites her bottom lip as if in deep contemplation. The music from earlier has changed to a slow one now, the voice from the speakers merely flitting through the room. She leans in to whisper to me and I bend to her height.

“Doyouwanttogetlaid?”

A smirk ghosts my lips. “I couldn’t quite get that, Sugar. Mind repeating it?”

She fiddles with the hem of her dress, shifting her body weight from one foot to the other. Those eyes meet mine again in a display of confidence. “ I said, do you want to get laid?”

My smirk is a full blown smile now. I place one hand on the small of her back and pull her into me. “ Why don’t you answer that question yourself, Sugar. Would you like to get laid?”

I barely catch the tiny nod of her head, too focused on the tongue that sneaks out to lick her lips.

My throat feels dry all of a sudden.

“Are you sure?” , I ask her

She merely nods again. I feel my irritation rising again. Consent is important to me and I always make sure to get them, loud and resounding, preferably in writing. “ Use your words or I’m out”

When she replies “yes “ again, it’s borderline nervous and squeaky but I’ll take it. I lead her by the hands, headed for the entrance and see her waving to the other girls she was with.

My driver, Philip, a man in his sixties stands by my Mercedes AMG. At the sight of me, he unlocks the car for me and holds it open even though I give him a disapproving stare. I look down to see that I still have a small hand in mine and drop it immediately.

The woman climbs in after me, fiddling with her fingers. “ Are you scared of me?”

She shakes her head “ I’ve just never done this before”

I scoff under my breath. Women tell you that they have never done something but turn out to be masters in the game. I refuse to be fooled. I just settle for “ it’s okay. I’ll make it worth your while.”

In no time, Phillip pulls into the driveway of Lotus Hotel, owned by my family. The receptionist nods in greeting when I walk in, my company hot on my heels. We step into the elevator and I press the button for the penthouse.

Now that we’re in this confined space, I take my time to really appreciate the woman standing in front of me. I thought she was captivating before but she was all woman ; curves in all the right places, legs for days. The tip of her hair brushes merely inches above her butt. I feel my self growing with need.

The elevator arrives the top floor and we walk out. I swipe my key card and push the door open.