ROSA I could sense the fire raging in his eyes from across the room.Marco?What the hell is he doing here?!"What's up, babe? You see someone you know?" He tried to turn his head back, but I stopped him."I... I'm fine. I just got distracted for a minute.""What's more important than what's going on between us?" He smirked and his hand started to slide up my legs, slightly squeezing my thigh as he leaned in to whisper into my ears."Do you want me to bring you back down to earth?" His hand moved higher and turned towards my inner thigh, and my eyes locked on Marcos.Let's see how he feels about that... He always takes one step forward and two steps back when it comes to showing me what he wants.Maybe some innocent flirting with Daniel would light a little fire under Marco.I leaned forward, slightly scooting closer making it seem like I was about to whisper into Daniels ear, but the fire raging in Marcos eyes before, suddenly turned into an inferno. He narrowed his eyes at me and t
ROSA "Your wife?!" I gasped in shock.No, no, no. He cannot be serious right now..."Um, this would be the part when you say yes, babe," Daniel said, then chuckled awkwardly.All I could do was stand there, staring at Daniel, utterly speechless.They set me up to marry a total stranger. I can't believe he's asking me to marry him after only one actual date! What the hell! "I...um..." I stuttered."Of course she says yes!" My dad piped in response to Daniel with a smile, while giving me a hard glare."..." No words could escape my lips as I stood shocked by my father's boldness."Amazing! That's what I wanted to hear," Daniel rejoiced."Congratulations, you two. I know you will get along just fine," dad said reassuringly, then took a whiskey bottle from the small hatch behind his desk and poured two glasses; one for himself and the other for Daniel. "I was keeping this bottle for a special occasion," he beamed."I'm honoured, Enzo.""You're family now, Daniel. Cheers to a prosperous
ROSA I was scrambling to find the best outfit to make a good impression and my mind was on its own journey, racing over how this was going to go.I would be meeting the infamous Vinny Cabrera. I was really curious to see what he's like– I've heard many things about him and I wondered what was true and what was not. But in any case, he's a criminal through and through. I bet Daniel didn't get his father's good side from him.I was still wandering in my mind when I heard the doorbell ding.Shoot! I need to hurry up! I dressed in a white lace top and black skinny jeans.Why should I dress my best anyway? It's not like I'm marrying Vinny. **Late, I rushed into the living room to find dad and someone I'd never seen before, who I supposed was Daniels dad, already seated.Vinny turned in his seat to glare at me."Hello. You must be Daniels dad," I grimaced. "Nice to meet you, I'm Rosa," I introduced."Good afternoon," he replied with a nasally voice and a scowl. He was a bulgy man, almos
ROSALike any ordinary day of the week, I was working at my family's restaurant. A restaurant that's actually the front of our Mafia family business, whose boss is my own father.The restaurant had brown floor boards, the table which were made from mahogany wood were a light brown colour, and a cream linen was draped over all of them and a small lantern at the center. We had bright yellow bulbs encased in glass dangling from the wooden ceiling."Here you go, Dad, your order." I smiled at him. He was wearing a black suit, with white undershirt that had the first button open. His black hair was now mixed with grey ones, his grey moustache and beard, very neatly trimmed."Grazie, Rosa. I'm starved." I placed my dad's plate in front of him and watched as he took the rings off his fingers one by one, as was his custom when having a meal. "Why don't you sit for a moment?"I wanted to say yes, but at that moment, my eye caught the very handsome guy pushing the front door open and taking a b
ROSAIt wasn't long before I felt like I was being watched.I glanced around and I noticed that Marcos eyes were fixed on me. He had the most piercing look, and I couldn't help but blush as he made his way to me."Hello, there," he greeted."Hi.""Looking at you, maybe I should have told Angelo to speed up the training," he grinned, his brown eyes holding mine.Woah... My eyes widened. He's coming on too strong... Dad's just across the room! I'd better play it safe with my response."I think you'd need all the training you can get to live up to Angelo," I replied.He seemed lightly taken aback at my response."Okay! Good thing I passed Angelo's test already. I can see that I have to prove myself to you," he chuckled.I realized how stiff I came across, and blushed. "No... If you're good enough for Angelo and my dad... you're good enough for me.""I'm glad to hear it," he smiled at me, and as soon as I saw the small dimples on his cheeks, I felt like melting.I'm aware that Marco might
ROSAI heard Marco shout out a warning, but I was frozen.The car was speeding towards us too quickly for me to even think to react.My dad yelled, "Rosa!"And instead of feeling the impact of the car, someone pulled me back from the side of the pavement and out of the path of the oncoming car.I slowly came out of my state of shock, and looked around to see Marco lying on the ground next to me, and my father, on the other side of him."Dad! Are you okay?" I called out in panic."I'll live," he grunted in reply."Do I need to call an ambulance?" Marco asked from his side.My dad turned to inspect me. "Are you hurt, Rosa?"I shook my head. "I'm okay too. Just a bit scraped," I responded shakily."I'm indebted to you, Marco, for pulling us out of the way," dad said thankfully to Marco. Hoisting himself to his feet, he spat on the ground and wiped his forehead."Those bastards!" He cursed, turning to Marco. "Did you get the license plate number?"Marco shook his head solemnly. "No. My fi
ROSAThe next morning when I woke up, I threw my covers off, had my shower, and headed to my closet to put on a lovely, elegant dress with floral embroidery, keenly aware that Marco would see me in it.Not having much planned for today, I decided to go to Dad's private library to see if there was anything there I'd like to start reading.It was with surprise that I walked in on someone in there."Oh, sorry for interrupting Dad," I called out thinking he was the one in, till I noticed that he wasn't. "Marco?"Standing at the bookshelf, he jumped when he heard my voice. "What are you doing here?" I asked with a small frown."I was... trying to find a good book to read," he smiled."It's your first day working for my dad, and you're in the library?" I quizzed, looking at him weirdly."And?" He retorted."Um..." I trailed off. He's trying to find a book to read too?I wonder if that's what's he was really doing here. Maybe Dad asked him to fetch something for him... and he doesn't want to
ROSAI sat down to the meal I had just made, when Marco strode in. "Good afternoon, gorgeous.""Do you usually talk to girls like that?" I teased, hiding a smile."Only the gorgeous ones. Where's everyone else?""Out on business."He slides in next to me causally, before a questioning brow was raised. "Nothing I need to know about?""I'm sure they didn't call you 'cause you're fresh. My dad might need a little more than a few days before he fully puts his trusts in you," I grimaced. "Just ask my dad. If he needs you to know I'm sure he'll tell you," I advised."Can't you?" He probed.I shifted awkwardly in my seat. "I don't want to without my dad's say-so.""You seem to be more clued in than I am. I didn't realize Enzo has been telling you all this," he gave me a curious look, muttering more to himself than to me.I shrugged, dismissing his curious look. "Well, he wasn't lying when he said he'd be bringing me into the business.""All the more reason to stick to you. But for now..." H
ROSA I was scrambling to find the best outfit to make a good impression and my mind was on its own journey, racing over how this was going to go.I would be meeting the infamous Vinny Cabrera. I was really curious to see what he's like– I've heard many things about him and I wondered what was true and what was not. But in any case, he's a criminal through and through. I bet Daniel didn't get his father's good side from him.I was still wandering in my mind when I heard the doorbell ding.Shoot! I need to hurry up! I dressed in a white lace top and black skinny jeans.Why should I dress my best anyway? It's not like I'm marrying Vinny. **Late, I rushed into the living room to find dad and someone I'd never seen before, who I supposed was Daniels dad, already seated.Vinny turned in his seat to glare at me."Hello. You must be Daniels dad," I grimaced. "Nice to meet you, I'm Rosa," I introduced."Good afternoon," he replied with a nasally voice and a scowl. He was a bulgy man, almos
ROSA "Your wife?!" I gasped in shock.No, no, no. He cannot be serious right now..."Um, this would be the part when you say yes, babe," Daniel said, then chuckled awkwardly.All I could do was stand there, staring at Daniel, utterly speechless.They set me up to marry a total stranger. I can't believe he's asking me to marry him after only one actual date! What the hell! "I...um..." I stuttered."Of course she says yes!" My dad piped in response to Daniel with a smile, while giving me a hard glare."..." No words could escape my lips as I stood shocked by my father's boldness."Amazing! That's what I wanted to hear," Daniel rejoiced."Congratulations, you two. I know you will get along just fine," dad said reassuringly, then took a whiskey bottle from the small hatch behind his desk and poured two glasses; one for himself and the other for Daniel. "I was keeping this bottle for a special occasion," he beamed."I'm honoured, Enzo.""You're family now, Daniel. Cheers to a prosperous
ROSA I could sense the fire raging in his eyes from across the room.Marco?What the hell is he doing here?!"What's up, babe? You see someone you know?" He tried to turn his head back, but I stopped him."I... I'm fine. I just got distracted for a minute.""What's more important than what's going on between us?" He smirked and his hand started to slide up my legs, slightly squeezing my thigh as he leaned in to whisper into my ears."Do you want me to bring you back down to earth?" His hand moved higher and turned towards my inner thigh, and my eyes locked on Marcos.Let's see how he feels about that... He always takes one step forward and two steps back when it comes to showing me what he wants.Maybe some innocent flirting with Daniel would light a little fire under Marco.I leaned forward, slightly scooting closer making it seem like I was about to whisper into Daniels ear, but the fire raging in Marcos eyes before, suddenly turned into an inferno. He narrowed his eyes at me and t
ROSALater in the evening, now laying down on the couch, I was deep in a great novel when I heard a knock on the living room door."Yes?" I called out uninterested, my attention on the book in my hands."Babe?""The hell?" I cursed aloud. Seconds later, Daniel was next to me on the sofa, one arm around me, the other on my thigh. "What in the world are you doing here?" I asked with gritted teeth as I turned to him."I called your father about an hour again asking if you'd be available tonight. He said you'd love to see me again," he said in explanation.I guess it wasn't Daniel's fault that my father didn't give a damn about what I thought. I turned my attention back to the book still in my hand. "Yeah, well, obviously I have other plans--""It's okay, babe. I can wait for you to get ready," he responded, cutting off my words.My brows furrowed in confusion. I turned to glance at him. "Umm... ready for what?""I'm taking you to this great new club in the city! I bet you love to get do
ROSA"Come and sit. You too, Rosa," dad ordered, waving his hand at the empty chairs in front of where I was standing. We both obeyed and sat down. "Daniel and Rosa just had their first date, so things are moving forward," he relayed to Marco.Unbeliveable!I scoffed internally and with held rolling my eyes. What's Marco going to say?"Have you done more background check on the Cabrera family?" He turned to Marco in question."I have, yes," he affirmed with a nod. "Everything checks out. Their assets are solid. I have to say, I'm impressed. I mean the projection for the numbers are far above competition. If you look here..." He said and leafed through some papers.As I sat on the council of my fate, my own voice unheard, the rest of their words all start to blur out.As we walked out of dad's office about thirty minutes later, I couldn't help but feel betrayed by Marco words.I turned to him wearily, the will to fight no longer in me. "Are you sure about what you said about the Caruso'
ROSA I'm pretty sure Marco didn't ask a rhetorical question but neither of us uttered a word. I was pleased he was here at least, but I still needed to stay quiet. Speaking up would only make this situation worse."Why were you yelling, Tony? I could hear your voice all the way down the hall," Marco commented."It's none of your business. I don't know you," Tony remarked rudely."Yeah?" Marco pursed his lips, giving Tony a scrutinized look. "I'll find out eventually.""Oh, sure, the golden boy," Tony mocked, "I mean, what's Enzo thinking?! He brings you in! A damn stranger! And now, he's choosing yet another stranger to marry Rosa! He's a damn fool," he insulted. "And obviously on the decline. I've seen it coming for years now.""I get that you want to be given more responsibility. I mean, that's why we all work our asses off," Marco pacified, "but what does Rosa's marriage have to do with anything?""If Enzo wants a son-in-law to lead the family, why not me?" He splayed his arms in a
ROSA Marco was leaning against the door frame, his face causally close to mine. He was looking at me with his beautiful, hypnotizing brown eyes, and I almost forgot why I was angry with him."Hey, beautiful," he cracked a smile.I frowned and crossed my arms across my chest, not saying a word. I said almost forgot, not that I had forgotten. Seeing as his smile wasn't doing the trick, he sighed and looked at me with remorseful eyes. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come to you. I wanted to follow you as you walked out, but I couldn't escape from your father," he explained.I snorted. "From where I was sitting, you were pretty chummy with him," I hissed."C'mon, Rosa. You know I didn't have a choice," he retaliated with an exasperated tone."It all sounded very convincing to me," I huffed."Do you really think I'm happy with you getting married to some schmuck?" He demanded angrily.I shook my head, letting my arms fall to my sides. "I don't know... You're saying something very differ
ROSAMy mind was racing, furious at both of the men sitting within strangling distance of me... But the look of astonishment on my face didn't do anything to change the words that had exited Marcos lips."I... I think Rosa should accept."How could he agree with me marrying someone I didn't know?I thought he and I had something together...I looked over at Marco, who was nodding his head slowly. "Yes, I think if you find the right family, it would work," he told my father."Good, I'm glad to see you have the best interest of the family in mind," my father appraised with a wide smile.He expects me to be like him and put business before everything, no matter what. He should understand that I would never want to marry a stranger."Why ask Marco? Shouldn't I be the one with the most say here?" I frowned in question."Your judgement wouldn't be the objective. And marriage is business," my father reminded."Well, I don't agree," I frowned.My dad didn't seem fazed at all. "That's why I as
MARCO The next day..."What do you want, Simms?" I frowned, stepping to the alley that had become our meeting point. "You can't keep dragging me out here so often. The Castillos will soon catch on to me," I grumbled loudly as soon as she came into sight.Skipping any greeting, she went straight to the point. "Angelo called to talk earlier today. He's getting impatient. He wants to know the name of the person who poisoned him," she announced."I need more time.""It's been weeks!" Her shrill voice squeaked."I thought he had more time." I tilted my head and scrunched my nose. "He's getting worse by the minute," she said and started pacing furiously, her black pumps making a soft 'clacking' sound as it touched the ground."He's angry and frustrated, and says that if we don't get him a name soon... He'll tell the Castillos about our deal." She stopped right in my front, concern blazing in her eyes. "You see... He's threatening to expose you."I furrowed my brows in thought, sucking on