Chapter Three

Isabella POV

I quickly leave the penthouse and head back home, the entire ride home involved me thinking through every detail, the money, his rules, I frown, at least he doesn't plan on being a serial cheater.

“Goodnight ma’am,” the driver says to me

“Goodnight Rupert” I reply entering the house, I’m greeted by my brother who looks worried

“Where is everyone? Nobody was home when I got back he frowned, coming into view, and he paused staring at my expressionless and tired face, “are you okay?”

“Dad is in the hospital I say, he ran into a small accident and we had to rush him to the hospital, he’s fine I stop him before he starts to worry, he’s with mom and will be discharged in a few days” I place my hand on his shoulder, “he will be fine” I reassure him

“Will you take me to see him tomorrow?” he frowns a worried look still on his face

I nod walking past him, “and dinner?” I ask remembering I haven’t eaten since brunch

“The cooks are at their quarters all ready for the night”, I can call one of them, he turns around about to walk through the kitchen doors.

“No dear” I wave at him, I’ll figure out something myself.

I quickly head to my room, have a quick shower, and change into my nightwear, I head down to the kitchen, I don’t bother with turning the lights on, before accepting his proposal, I have to see what I can do to save the company, so with my phone in one hand and laptop in one hand, I place them on the kitchen counter, pulling out some yogurt, strawberries, and oats, I combine them into a plate and pull up the company yearly finance reports.

Two hours into the night, my phone dings on the table, I look at the time at the top of my screen, 2 am, “who would send me a text at 2 am?’ I frown

“Diamonds, Emeralds? Or maybe Rubies?”

I read out the message staring at the unknown number who could this be? And what does this mean? I frown, confused at the message

The message is followed by three photos of the most gorgeous set of engagement rings I’ve ever seen, situated in their brown ring boxes, long, neat fingers wrap around the individual boxes, just above is a dark leather watch wrapped around his wrists “Dominic Deluca” I mumble

“Do you go around sending messages to women at 2 am like this? I’ve not even agreed to your proposal yet”

I type sending the message but regret it right after, I should have ignored it, that would have been a more painful experience for him

“I guess you’ll have all three then”

“Goodnight Mrs. Deluca”. he says

I stare down at the photos, the first one is an oval-shaped large diamond with a slim simple gold band, the next ring is a ruby ring shaped like a rose with also a gold band with floral designs around it, the emerald is square and large with a silver band, my eyes focus still on the ruby ring, “should I reply” I shake my head no, replying myself

I look at the time again, “Doesn’t the man sleep? I mean who goes shopping for engagement rings at 2 am? What jeweler would even be open at this time?” I shrug, benefits of being Dominic Deluca I guess

I yawn realizing it's late also, “Time to head to bed then” I mumble packing up and heading to my room to settle for the night.

The next morning, I wake up with anxiety running through my veins, I know I can’t delay giving Dominic an answer, I know it had to be today.

I quickly have a bath, dressing up in a tan suit and white heels I throw my hair In a bun, in between preparing for work, I get a call from Bianca

“Hey, hey, hey… how is our CFO doing?

“Bianca good morning” I reply to her normally, not wanting to break the marriage news to her over the phone

“so where are we having your first-day celebratory dinner tonight? I was thinking we go to the La’Rouge, the seafood is divine I heard’

“Yeah yeah let’s meet up there, time and dress code?” I say lining my lip and finishing my makeup with a lip gloss

“7 pm, dress to kill, maybe we can find our single ass some men worth our time” she giggles into the phone and I share a fake laugh with her, which she quickly picks up

“Baby girl? Are you okay” The sound of her calling me baby girl reminds me of last night which causes a shiver down my spine

“I’m great Bianca, just nervous about the day that’s all, I’ll see you at 8,” I say trying to calm her down

You’ll do just great girl!!” she exclaims “See you at 8!!” she says happily ending the call.

I have a semi-giggle to myself, this news would burst her mind, and she would be so confused, probably much more than I am.

I quickly grab my bag and head downstairs, Matteo already waiting for me patiently, one of the maids walks through the kitchen doors

“Ma’am breakfast is set” She pauses waiting on my reply

“Have you had some breakfast? I turn to Matteo.

“Yes, may we go to the hospital now?” He raises a brow at me, seeming inpatient

I turn to the maid, “Please pack up my breakfast, I’ll be at the car”

She quickly turns around and I turn to Matteo, “I have a question for you?”

“Yeah?” he raises a brow at me waiting on the question

“What would you think, if I suddenly told you I would be getting married soon?” I push the living room door open heading into the foyer with him behind me

“Married?, but it wouldn’t seem like such a far-fetched idea, I mean you are dating someone right now right?” he looks up at my finger as I push the doors open heading outside “There's no engagement ring on your finger so where is all of this coming from?” he frowns turning to me pushing his hair out of his face

“Just asking,” I shrug, we quickly enter the car, the maid giving the packed food to the driver, he places it in the passenger seat and we start the ride to the hospital first.

The drive through the city, takes longer than I expected, already stressing and giving me more anxiety, I know my answer today has to be yes, I have to succumb to Dominic request and marry him, even though he is the most annoying and egoistic piece of work I’ve ever met

“Something tells me today is going to be a long day” I sigh

We finally make it to the hospital and my dad seems to be in a better mood, I guess he has had a conversation with Dominic already, or maybe he is confident I would accept the proposal, he knows I would do anything to make this family happy.

“My princess,” he says referring to me as I and Matteo are about to leave

“I need to speak with you,” he says sending me a look.

“Matteo, why don’t you head to the car, I'll be down in a few minutes” I turn to him sending him a short smile.

He nods, leaving the room, and closing the door gently behind him.

“Dominic Deluca called me last night,” he says sending me a tight smile,

“Dad” I huff turning to him, a tired look on my face.

“I know, I know, my dear,” he folds his hands across his body “This is a lot for you, the company, the new job, and now out of the blues a man you don’t know want to marry you” he sighs turning to look up at me, the bags under his eyes much more prominent, a tired expression on his face.

“I’ll do it, I’ll marry Dominic Deluca Dad’ I stop his train of thought, “I made the decision last night” I bit my lip, nervousness sinking into my bones

A look of relief washes over his face and a pure smile graces his lips, just like the happy dad I know.

“But only on a few conditions I say to him, his smile drops immediately

“Go ahead dear,” he says blinking at me

“No more gambling, and I want you to start training Matteo to take over from you in the next three years”

“You’re forcing me to retire early?” he pauses, “retirement is meant to come in the next ten years” he frowns

“I know Dad, but your decisions placed us in this position today’ I stand upright, showing confidence in my words, “Owing a single man over four hundred million, those are bad decisions!!” i say huffing while pacing the room.

“And I haven't checked how much you owe others yet” I sigh

“So you will be training Matteo part-time and every single contract and money leaving the company has to be signed by me and Matteo before it can go through”

“you want me to make both of you signatories to the company account?” he says in shock

I nod, “it’s my life I’m giving away forever to a man I don’t know, I’m being threatened into a loveless marriage, it’s the least you could do Dad,” I say, the last of my strength leaving my body

He heaves a heavy sigh, turning his head to the window and breathing heavily like he’s thinking about it “The company belongs to both my children anyway, he shrugs, “Fine, I’ll call the lawyer immediately, he will have the documents waiting for you when you get to the office today” he says nodding at me with a proud look in his eyes

“Thank you Daddy” I nod

“I’m proud of you Isabella, this new age came with a lot of wisdom and understanding, thank you for carrying the family on your back in these hard times,” he says, his voice low and filled with emotions.

My eyes immediately water, nodding at him, “I’ll do anything for the family Baba, anything.” I reply turning away and walking out the door.

I don’t leave the hospital room myself anymore, I leave the room with a whole lot of responsibilities on my shoulders, now I have to figure out how to save the company, maintain what's left of my family and the family name, marry some rich asshole and bear him children” I sigh, time to be Mrs. Deluca then.

I wipe my tears and meet up with Matteo in the car, I tell him the new information on his training after school and drop him off at school.

“The company Rupert,” I tell the driver after dropping him off

The drive to the company is a long one, and we park right in front of the building, the sky-rise building made of glass stares back at me, large and daunting.

Rupert grabs my bag and my breakfast, following me into the building through the revolving doors, my new assistant Dana is immediately by my side grabbing the bag and food off Rupert, and I’m escorted into the elevator alone with her.

I can feel eyes on me when I enter the finance floor, I mean everyone on this floor knows the company is going into debt, and they are probably wondering if me being here means the company will be saved, if their jobs will be saved.

“Dana, has the company head lawyer dropped by?” I ask her sipping on my coffee as I take a sit on my chair.

“No mam, but he will be here by 11 am, but you have a meeting with the company shareholders, and there are some accounts that need your approval and balancing,” she sends me a look, pointing to the pile of files on the table

I nod, looking around me “Does my office have to be so- I mean, open?” I ask her pointing around me”

The office is situated right in the middle of the room with glass walls and blinds at the top which are currently open, it allows everyone to stare openly at me, some judging, some in wonder.

“I could close the blinds” she suggests

“No leave it,” I wave her off, “you may go” I watch her leave closing the door behind her, my eyes rise to meet with the office one more time before I focus on my work.

“I guess it’s time to save this company”