Chapter 5

Pov. Alessandro

When I saw her enter the office, she looked so delicate, just like a flower. I immediately realized that she recognized me, she turned pale from fright upon learning my identity.

I turned to my friend.

"Lorenzo, can you leave us alone?"

"Sure."

She straightened up and regained her composure.

"Tell me, Mr. Lombardi, what can I support you with?"

"Claudia, you can call me Alessandro, it's not necessary so much formality."

"I couldn't, you're my boss."

I saw her very nervous, she looked so cute. I approached her, we were face to face.

"You can't call me Mr. Lombardi, tell me Alessandro." I reiterated.

"It's not that easy for me."

"Claudia, stop being so shy, after all you and me... It's not necessary to go into details, you already know."

Her blushing face provoked me to kiss her at that moment.

"Tell me, Claudia, Did you go back to your ex-boyfriend?"

She was silent for a few seconds.

"No, he and I definitely broke up."

I was happy with his answer, I don't want any man to get close to her.

She looked into my eyes.

"Mr. Lombardi, forgive my boldness with respect to that night. I take responsibility for my actions, for my part no one will find out, I don't want to get you into trouble. I promise to stay away from you."

Suddenly, an annoyance inside me became present and I decided to change the topic.

"Claudia, I actually summoned you here because I need to make a deal with you."

"A deal? What do you mean?"

"It's very easy, I just need you to marry me."

"Excuse me, Sir, I think I heard wrong, you can repeat again what you told me."

"You know, Claudia, I don't like to repeat things twice, I need a wife and I want you to be one."

"Excuse me, sir but this is a joke, right?"

"It's not, I'm serious."

***

Pov. Claudia

He approached me, our eyes met, I felt his breathing and my heart was beating strongly.

I couldn't process that information, why did Mr. Alessandro Lombardi wants to marry me? It just doesn't make any sense.

I was direct when I asked him the reason.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"I want to be as honest with you, my grandfather Daniel Lombardi is in somewhat delicate health, he wants to see his grandson married, it would be a shame if he died without seeing that wish come true."

"I understand that part, rather the question is why me? You are one of the most important people in the country, you can have any woman."

"But I don't want just any woman, I want you."

Those words shocked me.

"Don't worry we will make a contract, in case of divorce you will be benefited with a large sum of money."

"Mr. Lombardi, with all due respect, for me marriage is not a game, of course I want to marry but with a man who loves me and vice versa."

"Do you think I can't be that man?"

I remained silent with his answer, his gaze is charming but no matter how handsome Alessandro is, I can't go over my principles.

"I don't want to get married just for money Mr. Lombardi, I really want to start a family in the future."

A small smile formed on Alessandro's face.

"Well, I'll give you until tomorrow to think about my offer, Claudia."

"It is not necessary, my answer is no!"

***

Pov. Alessandro

Wow, she's not like any other woman, I like her transparency, she's a worthy girl to become my wife, I'll see how to convince her.

"I hope you will consider my offer."

"I'd better retire to my work area. I apologize to you."

***

Pov. Claudia

As soon as I could I left that office, I was extremely nervous, for a moment I thought I was going to faint from shock.

This really has to be a joke, why would Alessandro Lombardi want to marry me? It seems to him everything is a game.

I got to my desk and Eva was trying to tell me something but I couldn't stop thinking about Mr. Lombardi's proposal.

"Claudia, how did it go?"

"My friend..."

"Are you okay?"

"Claudia, wake Up!"

I reacted to his screams.

"What? Sorry, what were you saying, Eva?"

"Claudia, you look like you saw a ghost, you're very pale. What happened in the offices of the Presidency?"

"Nothing, we just talk about business, go back to work, Eva".

"If you say so, I'll go."

All afternoon I could not concentrate on my work, I was very overwhelmed with what had happened, I returned home and saw my mother crying.

"Mom, what do you have? What happened?"

"Claudia, your father had a horrible fight with Pilar".

"Why? Did Pilar get into trouble again?"

"My little Claudia, why didn't you tell us that you had ended your relationship with Javier?"

"Now I understand, Pilar told you that now she is his girlfriend."

"Yes, he came home with him to talk with us and ask for our blessing to marry."

"Wow, that is a surprise, apparently they want to get married soon."

"Claudia, your father got upset with her, he was supposed to be your fiancé."

"Mom, they are adults, they are responsible for their actions."

"I know that, daughter, but it was your fiancé, Pilar exceeded this time."

"Mom, you know how impulsive my sister is, besides Javier is also guilty, if he really loved me he would never have betrayed me like that."

"What hurts me is your sister's attitude, Claudia. She didn't take into account your feelings and the pain were going to cause you."

"Mom, Javier is part of the past, as parents you must support Pilar, otherwise you will get her upset with you."

"To be younger than Pilar, you are undoubtedly more mature, I am proud of you."

"Thanks mom, let me talk to dad, to make him understand."

I went up to my parents' room, my dad was always a very serious person and full of principles, he is my greatest pride.

I saw my dad sitting on the edge of the bed, he had an anguished face, it hurts me to see my parents so worried because of my sister.

"Dad, can I come in?"

"Go ahead, my girl."

"Dad, my mom already told me everything that happened."

"Your sister sometimes does not measure the consequences of her actions, This time she really disappointed me."

"Dad, my relationship with Javier is over, besides you can't force love, I admit that her betrayal hurt me but on the other hand she is my sister, I can't be angry with her."

"Claudia, I apologize on Pilar 's behalf."

"Dad, the only one who has to apologize is her, you don't have to bear her mistakes."

"My girl, please don't hold a grudge against your sister."

"Of course not dad, in my heart there is no room for those feelings, it's not worth it. Dad, it's best if you support Pilar."

"I suppose it will be."

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Yes Claudia, you know you can ask anything."

"To some extent I know it's silly, but Pilar told me something that hasn't stopped running through my head.."

"What did she say?"

"He told me that we are not sisters, is it true?"

My father's face turned pale, his eyes darkened, and suddenly I could see an expression of anguish.

"Claudia, I feel bad."

My dad began to feel a strong pain in his chest and I immediately saw him fade away in front of me.

I screamed like crazy and my mom immediately went up to the room, I called an ambulance which didn't take long to arrive and my dad was rushed to the hospital.