9. Confrontation

As I sat on the edge of my bed, I took a deep breath and reached for the tubes attached to my body.

My mother put her hands on me.

"No you can't, you'll hurt yourself,' she said, placing her hands on mine. I could see the worry in her eyes. I tried to control my breathing, but my mind was spinning. The constant beeping of the machine and the sterile hospital smell made matters worse.

The door opens and Giovanni walks in calmly. 'What happened, who was murdered?' I ask frantically, my heart racing and my mind filled with fear and confusion. I catch the quick look he gives my mother, and my anxiety only grows.

"The driver, apparently someone snuck into his ward and killed him," Giovanni responds in a calm tone, almost as if he's talking about the weather. My mind goes blank for a moment as I process this information. Oh my God, I say to myself, putting my hand to my mouth in shock.

"You'll be discharged today," Giovanni continues, his voice still calm and collected. I can't believe what I'm hearing. I was just in a car accident and now there's a murder at the hospital I was staying at. What's going to happen? I ask, my voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

"Don't worry about it," Giovanni reassures me, but his words do little to ease my nerves. 'The police will get to the root of it and the hospital will cover it up.' I nod, trying to convince myself that everything will be okay.

Afterward, I was finally discharged and taken home. My mother insisted I stay with her but I refused and continued living with Giovanni.

But after my accident, I am being watched closer than ever. Two bodyguards follow me everywhere I go, and I can't help but feel suffocated. Giovanni had insisted on this for my safety, but I can't help but feel like a prisoner in my own life. I'm sure that man had a GPS tracker on me, and every move I make is being monitored.

Nothing is said again about the murder. It's as if it never happened, but a shiver still runs down my spine as I think of it, knowing that someone had snuck into the hospital and killed the driver. Was it a random act of violence, or was it somehow connected to me?

I am currently seated at the table in Giovanni's company. Despite protests from my mother, I have continued to work there. It's been a month since the accident, a month since the murder. I got back on track and resumed work. I worked diligently trying to prove to Giovanni that I wasn't as useless as he probably thought I was. I was made the head of the marketing team, much to the shock of the employees, rumors about me and Giovanni ceased although new rumors arose of me being made the head due to nepotism.

D'errico was one of the biggest car companies in the world. The marketing deal dealt mainly with promoting and selling vehicles. It also manages branding, digital marketing, and social media presence. D'errico cars already had a massive audience. D'errico cars as of 2024 reached a record of 5.6 million users ranking it as the most valuable automotive brand worldwide

The sales of the company skyrocketed three times more than how it was before if started working there over the past weeks and I had become a hot topic on the news.

"Emily Rivera, wife of Giovanni D'errico set to become the richest youngest woman in the world." was the news revolving around lately.

I was being interviewed every day. It was like a dream. Everywhere I went paparazzi were sure to be there, Giovanni made sure that I wasn't pressured by them.

D'errico was one of the biggest car companies in the world. The marketing deal dealt mainly with promoting and selling vehicles. It also manages branding, digital marketing, and social media presence. D'errico cars already had a massive audience. D'errico cars as of 2024 reached a record of 5.6 million users ranking it as the most valuable automotive brand worldwide

I found myself on the cover of Forbes as America's youngest billionaire.

But what the press didn't know was that I hadn't gained control of my father's business but I was working on that. I had hired a lawyer to help me find a loophole in my father's will. Soon enough I would have full control over my father's company.

"Let's go out to dinner, "Giovanni says to me one fine evening.

I agreed and afterwards, I was dressed in a strapping black dinner gown which accentuated my curves. My hair curled at the ends and cascaded down my shoulders giving me a regal look. I looked like a princess, I felt like one.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I catch a glimpse of him. He stands there, transfixed, his eyes locked onto me. I can see the admiration and desire in his gaze,

With every step I took towards him, I felt powerful, Giovanni was a man that didn't falter under any circumstances but I could almost feel his heart beating faster as I got closer and closer.

He takes in every detail of my appearance. A strange feeling erupted in my chest from the way he looked at me.

"You look beautiful" He finally spoke.

I smile trying to hide my blush. He was dressed in a fitting suit, two buttons undone. I couldn't get over how attractive he was. His hazel eyes continued to stay fixed on mine.

We entered into his limousine, the ride was silent but comfortable. I felt a hand slowly grasp mine and I looked at Giovanni, he was staring at me. His hand was warm, I didn't remove my hand and it remained clasped in his.

We arrive at the restaurant. It was a luxurious restaurant where elites usually dined. It was very expensive to get a reservation here. The food was made from the finest and highest quality. We walked in and immediately we entered curious heads turned in our direction.

A waiter immediately came to our side and we were led by him to our table, a private dining where we were seated.

I take a deep breath, I was going to use this opportunity to ask him to release a part of my father's company to me.

"Giovanni, I appreciate everything you've done for my father's company,' I began, my voice trembling slightly with nerves. 'But now that he's gone, I believe it's time for me to take over as the CEO."

He hums clearly not surprised by my request "Emily, we've been through this already. You have no experience in running a company. Your father knew that and that's why he entrusted me to take over until you were ready"

My heart sank at his words. I knew I lacked experience, but I was determined to learn and prove myself "I know I'm capable, if you give me a shot at this, you've seen the way I've improved the marketing division."

I was frustrated but I maintained my cool. "Giovanni I'm willing to learn. I'll work hard and do whatever it takes to prove myself. Please, just give me a chance."

He leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before speaking. 'I'll make you a deal. You'll work as the head of your father's company for three months and if you can show me that you have what it takes, I'll gladly hand over the reins to you".

I look at him in surprise and watch him carefully, trying to see if he was pulling my leg. He looked serious.

"Deal," I say and smile at him sweetly. My smile instantly faded. There Zachary was at another seat, facing us. He slowly gets up from his seat.

I silently prayed that he wouldn't approach our side

He continues walking and he stops directly at our table.

"Emily, I need to talk to you, in private".