Chapter 1 - The proposal

Sofia Morelli

6 years later...

“Sofia! Turn off this stupid phone!” The teacher shouted loudly, for the third time.

I press my phone scream, but it didn”t stop ring. It was a call from my father. The fourth one I couldn”t answer.

I looked at Professor Rossi, trying to make him understand me, and went back to the screen of my rebellious phone. I finally managed to reject my father”s call. This was something I could deal with later. I just hope it”s nothing serious.

Professor Rossi walked towards me and stopped with his hand outstretched. I gave him my cell phone and crossed my arms in a frown.

“I want to talk to you after class, miss Moretti.” He said, as he walked back to the board. I”m in a trouble here!

“He wants to see you after class? Either you”re in trouble, or it”s something sexual.” My best friend Manuela murmured.

“Manu!” I scolded her.

“Manu what? He”s so delicious, Sofia. Look at that ass.” I tried not look at my art history teacher”s ass while he wrote on the board, but it was too tempting not to and I ended up taking a quick peek.

“Shut up!” I went back to paying attention in class.

In fact, it was very hard to concentrate on class and not think about why my father was calling. He was so strange these days. Maybe he was having some problem that he didn”t want to tell me about.

An hour and a half later the class was over. I slowly gathered all my things. After all, I had an inquisition with the handsome professor, who had my cell phone. No chance of getting out the door so soon.

“Good luck with the handsome professor. I hope he takes your virginity at that table.” Manu said smiling.

“Oh god, Manu! Keep your voice down, he might hear you.” She smiled, ignoring my total despair.

“I wish I could wait for you, but I have to go to the mall with my mom. And remember, tonight we”re going to Russo”s bar. You have to go, but please don”t wear your dead grandmother”s clothes.”

“I know how to dress, Manuela.”

“Hm! That”s questionable, darling” She wrinkled her nose. “Good luck with professor” She left, leaving me alone with my handsome professor.

I looked at Professor Rossi and he was putting his things in his bag. I approached him and huffed to get his attention.

“You can give me my phone now?” He looked at me and pointed to the chair in front of him.

“Have a seat, Miss Morelli.” I set down.

“I”m sorry, professor. My father was calling and my phone crashed.” I tried to start the apology session.

“This is why I tell people to turn off their cell phones in class.”

“I know, but this has never happened.”

“And I hope it never happens again.”

“Of course. It won”t happen again. I promise” He gave me my phone and sat down on the edge of the desk.

“What I wanted to talk to you about is actually a proposal, Miss Morelli. As you know, you are one of my best students.”

“I am?”

“Don”t be modest, darling. You”re dedicated and you get great grades.”

“I make an effort.”

“And I really appreciate your effort. Every year I choose a student to monitor closely, and this year you are my choice.” He smiled and I noticed that his teeth were as perfect as the rest of his face.

“Well, I”m happy to be your choice, but what would I do?”

“Well, I”m going to need more dedication from you. You can advise me and help me with the classes. And, if possible, substitute me for some class. You are a capable student and I believe that with some adjustments, you can do this. And, it will be great for your future.

"Wow. I am so glad, Professor Rossi."

“Call me Anthony.”

Professor Anthony was an undeniably handsome man. Brown eyes and straight black hair. He always wore well-fitting, tailored pants and shirts. This allowed him to get a glimpse of his body underneath his clothes. He was certainly adept at physical exercise.

“So, we have a deal?” He held out his hand to me. I looked at it for a few seconds and held it out.

“Yes, profe... Anthony.” He smiled and stared at me. That made me embarrassed. I could have sworn he was trying to seduce me or something.

“Well, just remember that I need some of your time after school. You know, to set things right.”

“Yeah, sure. I can stay after school with you. To study.” I made the reason clear.

He took the hand I was holding, put it in the palm of his other hand, and stroked it. He walked a few steps closer to me and I could have sworn this was a flirtation. I felt extremely nervous and unresponsive and, sure enough, I should have been as red as a tomato by now.

By the grace of all the gods my phone started ringing.

 “I... I have to take this...”

“Okay. See you tomorrow, Miss Morelli.” The relaxed and seductive man gave way to the harsh and serious professor. I gathered my things and left the room.

“Hello, Dad?”

“Hello, daughter. It”s Mr. Bianchi.”

“Mr. Bianchi? Hello... uncle?” I looked at the phone screen and it was my father”s number.

Oh my God! Something had happened to my father!

“My dad...”

“Don”t worry, dear. Your father is here beside me, but he”s had a bit of a bad time. And I”d like you to come home as soon as possible. We need to talk.”

Talk?

“I”ll be home in a few minutes.”

I finish the call and my heart was beating so fast. I had known that there was something wrong with my father for weeks, but he always played hard to get and changed the subject.

I left the university as fast as I could. I took a cab and drove home. When I arrived at the Bianchi mansion, I headed for the annex house in the back, which was where my father and I lived.

My father had worked for the Bianchi family for many years. Mr. Bianchi and his wife were great people and have treated us like family members. I owe them a lot, from my education to all the material possessions I have.

I went straight into the bedroom. I saw my father lying on the bed and my heart froze. Mr. Bianchi was at the foot of the bed.

“Hello, dear.” Mr. Bianchi greeted me.

“Hi, Uncle Mario.” I gave a half smile, but couldn”t help focusing on my father.

“Dad.” I said, sitting on the side of the bed. “What”s wrong?”

“Oh, my dear. Everything is fine now, you don”t have to worry.”

“Is everything all fine now? What happened to you, Dad?”

My father sat up in bed with difficulty and held my hands. It hurt me so much to see my father like this, so fragile.

“Dear, I need you to remain calm and understanding. There are things in life that are inevitable. Death is one of them.”

“No, Daddy...” My eyes filled with tears. I wanted to run away, so I wouldn”t have that conversation.

“Dear. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago.”

“A few months?”

“I know what you are thinking. As much as you think that I should have told you, I believe that I have the full right to choose whether or not to make people suffer in advance. I chose to go through this alone. Well, at least until today.”

“It”s dont right, Dad. If you had such a serious problem, we could fight together to find a solution. Not you deciding to suffer alone.”

“Dear, the point is that there is no solution to be found. There is nothing more to be done. Now the question is to wait.”

“WHAT?”

“This is a rare type of cancer, which has no effective treatment. What I mean is... there is nothing that can be done now.”

“No! We can find good doctors. Medicine is so advanced. We can... Uncle Mario can help us, right?” I looked at Mr. Bianchi, who looked at me with a pitying look. He came up to me and held my shoulder.

“Darling, I am so sorry. We have already sought all possible treatments for your father. I”ve been with him from the beginning.”

“No! God, no! Please!”

My eyes filled with tears, which fell without my being able to control them. I felt such immense pain overwhelm me. I didn”t want to appear weak in front of my father, but I also didn”t care to control my emotions at that moment. My father hugged me and we stayed there for endless minutes.

I had already lost my mother to the same illness, years ago. So for me, it was as if I was reliving the whole situation.

“Dear, you have to be strong. I don”t want to see you like this.” I sniffled and wiped my tears.

“How long?”

“A few months, maybe a year. You can”t predict exactly. But it”s okay. I will have palliative care at home.”

“I”ll take care of you, Dad.” I hugged him and cried into his chest again.

“About that...” He looked at Mr. Bianchi, who had gone to the other side of the bed. “Dear, I have something to tell you. In fact, a request that could change your life forever.” I frowned, confused. “Mr. Mario and I have come to an agreement, that it is time for you to take care of your family. I won”t be here to take care of you in a few months, and I would be happy and safe to leave if you had someone by your side.”

“I don”t understand.”

“Dear, I know that I have always given you free will to make your own decisions, but this time I ask you to trust me and promise me that you will do exactly as I say.”

“Dad, I have always been obedient to you, it would be no different now.”

“Mr. Mario made me a marriage proposal for you and I accepted. You will marry Luca Bianchi, Mr. Mario Bianchi”s son.” My shock was immediate upon hearing the words marriage coupled with Luca”s name, the man who gave me my first kiss and who fulfilled a good part of my adolescent desires.

“Daddy, I...”

“Take this as my last wish and don”t refuse.”

“I... I don”t...” I got out of bed and paced around trying to find breath. In fact, so much bombastic news all at once had brought me to the edge of a mental collapse. “Dad, I can”t... I... Luca... Did he agree to this?”

“That”s not for you to worry about, dear. “ Uncle Mario spoke, reassuring me. “He”ll do exactly as I say. He”s a young man, only a few years older than you, but he”s heir to almost everything I own and will take care of you. You will make a great couple.”

“I don”t know, Uncle Mario...” He came to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

“Darling, you”ve called me uncle since you were very young. You are like a daughter to me, just as your father is to my family. Because of the affection I have for you, I am doing my best to keep you safe. I am sure that my son will take care of you, I will make sure of that.”

“Please, dear. I need to leave knowing that you are protected with your family.” My father completed.

I don”t know if it was the shock or the confusion, but I was really inclined to accept this crazy proposal of an arranged marriage. I understood that my father knew what was best for me, and if what was best for me was to marry the man I was once in love with, I would accept that harsh fate.

“All right. “I looked at my father and Uncle Mario. They seemed surprised by my answer.”

“Is it all right," my father said.

“Yes, I accept to marry the man you have chosen for me.”