Chapter 1

~Edwina~

The door to my black Rolls-Royce opens as Elliot takes his stand dressed in his usual black suit. He offers me his hand and I take it my feet leaving the comfort of the Rolls-Royce and coming in contact with the pavement.

Elliot closes the car door behind me wishing me a good day as he gets back into the car driving away.

I can't help but smile at how much I have grown fond of him considering he has been a part of my life for the longest time.

Elliot's not much of a people's person and never has been but over the years I have managed to live with that fact.

He's been my driver for a while now and is one person who has earned my trust without even trying.

I walk towards the prestigious building I call my own, dressed in a fitting black short skirt suit matched with Black Suede Stilleto high heels.

My long hair is straightened crashing on my shoulders and I walk through the automatic sliding glass doors.

My heels echoed across the glassy but not slippery marble floor as I walk towards my private elevator pressing it open.

I step in pressing the elevator doors closed as I patiently wait to admire my look through the indoor elevator mirrors.

The elevator finally comes to a stop as its doors open and I step into the lobby; my secretary, Alexxis, rushing up to me.

"Morning boss," she says in her usual honey-coloured voice handing me a plastic cup of Espresso.

"Morning Alexxis. Mind telling me my schedule for today?" I ask taking a sip from my Espresso.

"You have a meeting with the new investors starting 11.00 a.m. and another starting 3.00 p.m. Other than that, your all clear," replies Alexxis and I thank her as she hands me my schedule and I walk straight into my office.

A sense of satisfaction fills me as I roll my office chair to my desk start up my Mac book and get straight to work.

My office was quite big giving me a bird's eye view of the busy city of New York through the big glass windows which surrounded the room.

It is one place that always gave me a sense of peace and contentment from the minute my father handed the company down to me.

I end up working for two hours before heading to the boardroom for my first meeting of the day.

I take my place at the head of the table as the meeting begins and in between, Alexxis walks in excusing herself saying it is urgent.

"It better be important Alexxis, "I say seriously as she closes the boardroom door gently behind me once we step out.

"Do you know of any man known as Alessandro?" she asks puzzled and my eyes widen in shock asking her, "Yes I do, why?"

"He's been calling since your meeting started demanding to speak with you," says Alexxis frustratedly and the phone in her hand rings showing an unknown number.

"That's him," mutters Alexxis unpleased and I take the phone pressing the receive button.

"What do you want Alessandro? I'm busy," I say on receiving the call.

"It can wait. I need you back at the club now," he says dismissing my pissed off tone.

"I'm in the middle of a very important meeting," I say through gritted teeth and he responds, "Call it off."

I laugh at the decency of this man and he goes on, "A black Lamborghini is waiting outside your building. It will bring you to the club and princess, don't waste time."

Before I get a chance to respond, the line goes dead and I hand the phone to Alexxis.

"So?," asks Alexxis and I say, "So you go back and take my place in the meeting. Something important just came up and I need to leave to sort it out."

"Is everything okay boss?" asks Alexxis concerned and I quickly nod my head saying, "Everything's fine, trust me. Now hurry up and resume the meeting."

I turn away from Alexxis in a hurry rushing into my office to pick up my handbag and leave the building.

Indeed outside of the building awaits a sleek black Lamborghini Aventador the doors automatically opened as if expecting my arrival.

I look around noticing the building grounds are clear of people walking towards the car and getting in as it slowly pulls out of the parking lot.

The driver makes no form of eye contact nor does he speak the ride remaining silent the whole way.

The car finally comes to a stop at the club as the doors once again automatically open and I step out.

The club looks quite odd in broad daylight compared to at night as I walk towards it getting inside; the place looks all too familiar.

My eyes scan the place littered with a few people finally landing on Alessandro leaning by the rail to the V.I.P lounge.

I walk up to him as he drags away the cigarette attached to his lips puffing out smoke.

Alessandro doesn't say a word leading me to a table to sit. He doesn't join me rather, he stands next to me dialling a number on his phone.

The phone rings for a couple of seconds and when the line is received, he hands it to me and I stare at him puzzled as I place it next to my ear.

"Hello," I say through the phone not sure who I am talking to when a deep sensuous voice is heard, "I hear you want my help sì?"

"Yes, yes I do, "I reply not being able to stop the shivers that run through my body at the sound of the man's voice.

It's clear he is Italian from his rich Italian accent as he speaks, "And why do you think that I'll help someone like you?"

I feel anger rise in me at the choice of his words gritting out, "If you have something to say about me, state it."

"I have nothing to say about you baby But tell me, why would you Edwina Gemstone; a woman quite known for her family's wealth and prestige want to turn to the devil for help?" the man asks his voice deepening by the second.

"Are you going to help me or not?"I ask icily tired of the man's arrogance.

The line goes silent for a while when his voice is heard again, "What do I get in return for my help?"

"State your price and the money will be delivered," I say in a gravely calm voice despite the shivers running through my body.

"I don't want your money, Tesoro. I'll demand my prize when the times right," he says dangerously low and I sense the promise behind his words.

"So do we have ourselves a deal?"I ask and he replies, "Deal," the line going dead.