With shaky steps she got out of the cab and walked into the restaurant. It was already evening, the wind was so chilling and she hated herself more for not putting on something warm.
She got into the most expensive restaurant in Italy. She had given the P.A a call and he had sent the address to her after making her wait for 30 minutes. But it really didn't matter now she was there already. She needed to act as soon as possible, her rent had expired and she had sacrificed lots of sleepless nights to make sure she was not a dropout. "You must be Ms Francisco ."A waiter impeccably dressed came up to her, staring at her closely. Her hands tightened on her little bag and she nodded numbly. "All right then, this way."He motioned with his hand and she followed him to a private lodge which was more beautiful and magnificent than the rest of the restaurant, so large and strikingly beautiful that it was only befitting for the rich. "Mr Fernandez will be with you shortly." the waiter said to her, smiling. She nodded, feeling her neck stiff with anxiety. She glanced down at her worn out wrist watch, It was past 7:30 pm. She tried to shut her eyes and relax but the pounding headache just wouldn't let her. No matter how she tried to forget everything that happened ,her mind still went back to the image she had seen that afternoon . Those words she had heard, the betrayal she had felt. her heart tightened and she almost started crying afresh. While she was waiting, another waiter approached her with a tray of expensive wine and even before she could refuse or say that she was fine she had already poured the wine and offered it to her. "Mr Fernandez asks us to treat you with the best .''the waitress said ."if you need anything we are at your service. " How stupid was she not to accept his proposal 2 weeks ago when he had just come back from the country after having a vacation and now he had asked them to meet in a restaurant. She gave a silent prayer that he didn't tell her he had found a bride because her world was going to come crashing down again. After waiting for several minutes she took the glass and gulped everything down. And by the time she glanced at her watch again, it was 8:45 pm. She was already growing impatient feeling pity for herself already and a tiny bit of anger had pierced her heart when she decided this was all a failed attempt ,she wasn't supposed to be here in the first place. She would rather get going and maybe try tomorrow or even try to find another job and beg any of her friends to allow her to stay with them for the meantime. Just as she got to her feet, her phone fell out of her hands and she went down to pick it. It was at that very moment that a powerful sweet scented perfume flowed into the room and the first thing she saw was a long leg which was pushed into expensive Italian shoes followed by another. The perfume was so powerful that it could even enchant the soul itself. Slowly she picked up her phone and let her eyes travel from the shoe up to the ankle and then slowly she looked up as her mouth fell open. Never in her life would she have imagined that this was the man who had given her the proposal. His well chiseled jaw drove into well sensual thin lips that could kiss one's sorrow away,icy gray eyes that will leave one spellbound staring into them. He was so ruggedly handsome that she had thought that he was probably a Greek god. "You seem to be in a hurry Miss," he said as he took the seat before her while she slowly stood up with her phone in her hand. "Oh no I was just....." She stuttered, staring at the old man who was probably in his mid-40s, his boyish look and strong stature making him look like he was in his twenties. Anyways he said as he glanced at his expensive wristwatch. I'm in a hurry and I would like us to go straight to business. " As she sat down she looked at him and already concluded he was arrogant. He didn't even apologize for coming late and it sounded as if it was her fault that she was in a hurry. He clapped his hands as one of his bodyguards came and gave him a contract file which he slid across the table to her. "While you read that ,I would like to give you my terms and conditions for you to be my wife. Normally I should have chosen a bride a long time ago but I'm a very busy man so don't think you are lucky to have me. " She raised her brows as she opened the file with shaky hands. I need you to be my wife as soon as possible,once you agree the sum of $20,000 will be paid into your account and after the wedding and the balance sum of $10,000 will be sent to you.You don't have much to do but to follow me around for every business meeting and for us to act like we are married." She wanted to ask lots of questions but merely staring at him made her head go blank. "You didn't tell me your name." That was the only thing she could come up with as the bodyguard handed her a pen. "My name is Sebastian Richardo Fernandez,CEO of Dez Incorporated,Mall Luna,Ardo Technologies and ... "He was about to continue when one of the companies he mentioned struck a chord in her head. "Ardo Technologies?"She stuttered and she could swear that she had heard about this company before. it was the same company that Ethan had worked in as the managing director. "You mean you own Ardo technologies ?"she asked. "Yes." he said with a proud look ."And my nephew Ethan Rivera,my sister's son, is the managing director. " "Ethan Rivera?" she asked He stared briefly at her "Yes ,do you know him?”She wanted to say something but the words were stuck in her throat and immediately a knot tightened in her stomach. She felt so suddenly hot and didn't know how to continue with the discussion. She only stared at him. "Are you okay?" he said ."You are turning red already, what's the problem?"It's nothing, she stuttered ."I'm just having a mad headache. ""Anyways, I would like you to meet me at my Mansion tomorrow so that we can discuss this further and introduce you to some of my family members ."before she would nod or comprehend what he was saying he had already gotten up and was out of the door. Taking a cab back to her apartment brought back memories which didn't want to have She thought about what Raphael had said to her when she pushed the door open and got in She was greeted by silence which she already knew was waiting for her. She avoided dinner, climbed into bed and as soon as her head touched the pillows she fell asleep.It was the chirping of the bird early the n
"You look beautiful.'' The lady doing her makeup said to her and Bernice smiled as she swirled before the mirror. Her mermaid style wedding dress made her look so beautiful. Days ago she was trying to make ends meet, a poor and struggling waitress and now the bride to the richest man in all of Italy. The woman before her in the mirror was nothing like her. She was so beautiful and could even pass out for an Empress. Who says that luck can't shine on anyone it wants to. "On a scale of 1 to 10 rate my wedding dress," she said to the waitress."I will give it a 100 over 10." The beautician said and Bernice threw her head back and laughed at what she had done to both Ethan and Olivia.Taking the glass of vodka, she took a sip."Ma'am I think we should start getting you ready because the driver will come and pick you up soon.""Yes I know ."she said, giving herself one last look in the mirror and smiled .She was still admiring herself in the mirror when there was a knock on the door a
As soon as they stepped out of the Lamborghini that drove them home she already felt so tired she wanted to go to bed as soon as possible. "Welcome home my darling wife ."Rafael said to her, taking her hand into his as they walked into the mansion. It took a long time for Ethan to go in and as soon as they got in, the staff who had been waiting for them exploded into cheers and clapping as the congratulations rented the air. While all the staff dispersed, Bernice could swear that Ethan's piercing gaze was still on her.He has been feeling so uncomfortable all this while. He still couldn't believe that she was married to his uncle. "I think I'd rather start going home immediately ."Raphael glanced at his wristwatch."We just got back from the reception, don't you think it's quite late for you to go back to your apartment?"At the world apartment Bernice raised her eyebrows and she gave Ethan a funny look .If only Rafael knew that he had no place to call his home, that he had gamb
The honeymoon had barely worked for Bernice. Rafael and I had been gone only a week, whisked to the Amalfi Coast, with citrus floating in the air, waves setting against the cliffs playing melodies. That was until his empire called him back home. Who was she to argue with a man who gave her everything and more than she could ask for?They pulled into the mansion, hardly the sun over the horizon. A warm dawn greeted them back in Rome. Bernice hardly slept during the flight, the previous night as the quiver had run all through the night. Rafael's hand found Bernice as they strolled around the long driveway."I have something special for you, my love," Rafael murmured, sudden softness in his voice that shocked her to the core against all expectations.She turned to him with a sleepy smile. "You've already given me so much more than I ever could have asked for, Raf."He laughed softly. "And yet… I did promise you a car, didn't I? And I always keep to my word.Yes you do, Always. Bernice sa
The leather beneath the chair in which Bernice sat was smooth and cool, much like the life one will slip into so easily. She eased back a bit, letting the soft hum of engines murmur with her mind as she let the world slide by her window, blurring into green, blue, and gray striations. Her reflection stared back at her, a woman in charge now, covered in the type of luxury she had never imagined. Now the mansion, the clothes, the jewels were hers. None of it could turn her mind away from the real reason that she married Rafael—revenge.And the smile stayed on her lips. It didn't waver as she sipped that champagne Rafael had poured for her, filled with admiration and maybe love in his eyes. Ironically, this man had everything: money, power, looks. And he was now totally at her mercy. He didn't know; he had become but a pawn in her game, the tool to punish those who wronged her.When it pulled up in front of the boutique, Bernice turned to find Rafael typing furiously on his phone—no doub
The heat appeared to cling to Bernice, even here inside the mansion. It was hard to rid herself of the tension that had built up during the drive with her. Every minute crawled like hours, with her innocence grating on my nerves like sandpaper, and each further mistake jabbed at his patience. By the time they ran into Olivia, he was hanging on by a thread; the edges starting to fray at the seams with every passing second.Ethan stormed down the hallway, hardly noticing the servants who scurried out of his way. His head was such a jumbled tangle of anger and frustration. He needed space, a moment to breathe, a moment to clear his head. But that moment never arrived."Ethan.His feet stopped at the sound of her voice. He turned slowly, every muscle of his body tightening as his gaze met Olivia's. She was standing at the main door entrance, a portrait in calmness, a small smile playing on her lips as if she hadn't just thrown a grenade into my day. He had wanted to avoid her, just wante
"Round two, Ethan," Bernice giggled, smacking the chair as she buckled her seatbelt. Late sun rays dived through the car windows into a huge affectionate embrace.His fingers clamped harder around the rim of the steering wheel, and his clenched jaw gripped even tighter. He had been trying all morning to evade this, but for Bernice, another driving class was a must. Until he finally snapped, he said, "Can't you see, Bernice? It is time you ask for another instructor; this is not funny anymore, and I am tired of your games."Bernice waved the complaint off and smiled. "Never, Ethan, you're doing just fine. Besides, I just love these small moments we spend together."Ethan heaved a sigh of frustration, and his fingers started drumming up and down the wheel. "You cherish these moments, huh? Maybe you just like driving me nuts.""Maybe," Bernice teased, a twinkle in the eyes. "But it's your job, isn't it? To teach me stuff.""To teach you?" he growled, "or to endure this torture?" and Bern
"Ethan, you're delusional."Rafael's tone was scornful as he rolled his eyes away, rocking back in his chair with a glass of whiskey clutched between fingers. Ethan sat across from him. Animosity stretched across the table from him. The room was black and the fire dancing in the fireplace threw undulating shadows across the walls."It's not a delusion," Ethan persisted, his voice measured but razor-edged. "I've seen the way she looks at him, the way they interact. Bernice isn't loyal to you, Rafael. She's using you."Rafael's jaw flexed, but he didn't speak right away. He swirled the whiskey around his glass. His narrowed eyes considered Ethan's words. "And you're telling me this out of the kindness of your heart?"His body tipped forward, his eyes locked onto Ethan's. "I'm telling you this because you deserve to know the truth. You don't care about Bernice, but you care about your reputation. You really want to be that fool whom everybody is laughing at behind closed doors?"His eyes