Igor surprised me with a of his details within less five minutes. There was his name his office’s address because everything was secured. wasn’t to find the rest of details unknown-he was the Sicilian mafia boss. He had his protected. a businessman. The internet didus job in finding more details about company. Nothing too but it was enough to know about the business he was doing, even though I knew it wasn’t completely was way he was ‘clean’ business. He was feared. He was itself. my brother, Alexei, didn’t want to cross paths with him. seemed like the and Italians had bad in the past. never tried to form an alliance with them, and they signed a peace treaty to avoid war. It made about the secrets they were hiding. Then again, I was never interested in the mafia. His company, Fin-Tech were one of the leading companies. The company was well-known for their expertise in creating newer and better technologies future. It was billions and even Matteo was worth I did my research on the internet and found out that he was single. I mean, I assumed he was single because he wasn’t in any pictures with a woman by his side. He either alone business events but other than that, there were barely any pictures of him. Maybe he straight. No, he be. The way he me proved it enough. He exactly kiss me because I was the one but he responded back didn’t hold himself back or push me away-that was evidence for me convince myself he straight. His name was familiar. Maybe, it was his family’s name, but heard name, I just couldn’t remember Papa might’ve said name while he was business a few years ago but if Matteo was my age, he wouldn’t be more than forty. So, what was I to do with Matteo? was I planning? I needed to meet him first. Personally. Hence, which was why I found myself standing in front of Fin-Tech the next morning. My shift started at five in the so I had to go through my only if everything went according to plan. Apart from kissing and Matteo’s lips the first had never him before. Yes, I heard of him-about someone the Lerclerc family who was brutal and enjoyed killing. He was known for his and it exactly what to solve my problem. He was the solution. Even if I was risking my life. It ruined the first place. How I be so sure be would go through with it? How could I wasn’t going kick me or threaten to kill me? the moment I stepped office, he’d realized who I was, and he’d straight put a between head. I was being delusional to was going to help me. I was risking everything, but I couldn’t less, now. The longer I went on hold, the Papa would more plans and even decide to me if I to run away. Papa wasn’t a good option he was far too lost to communicate with daughter. We weren’t going to have a decent conversation either. What about Matteo! was a stranger. bad things him, but I was willingly stepping into the cage. Alexei warned me about him. I understand the bad blood between our but I was selfish, I needed way out. If he didn’t want me, I’d no other option. I my time in entering the letting my high clank across the floor. There were quite a and the lobby was busy chatters. I was left as I tightly handbag-I would lying I said wasn’t I trembling I raised to be and determined. As soon as I reached her eyes met and lips curved up into a smile. “Hello, welcome to Fin-Tech. How can I you?” I want meet with Mr. “Do have an appointment?” She on her laptop breaking eye contact. I but it’s important “Can I have name, please?” “Alena Orlov. “One second. The receptionist stood up, walking towards colleague saying something. Then, she reached phone to make a quick call as she glancing direction. The call took almost two minutes before she decided to up walk back to her seat. Lerclerc is you. Denise will you up, she pointed a man near entrance. He had a frown on his face as walked towards me. Matteo was expecting me. How could that be possible? I tried to push away any confusion as I followed Denise the elevator. He say a word while we were heading towards the top floor. I was already shifting and biting insides of my cheeks, he was standing still like statue. Was he breathing? As soon reached the top floor, he gestured me to follow him. kept a few away from him until we stop in of a closed door, and he decided knock once. “Come in. ” from the side of the door, which I assumed was Matteo. Denise opened the for me, and I stepped inside. Then, he immediately closed the door, me to stare the man Lerclerc. He was facing the glass window looked down at city, both his hands in his slacks” pockets. Even behind, he was masterpiece. If God had favorites, I was convinced He took time in creating Matteo because there wasn’t a single flaw. I still at my my eyes were unable to look away from sim. Then, that was it. The moment turned around look me, eyes met. perfect eyes could be for flecks of gold especially with the sunlight seeping the window and were as deep and expressive, where you could get lost if you enough. Matteo didn’t his intrigued he looked down at my body before meeting eyes once more. He was beautiful that night, he was even more today-how that be possible? The expensive tailored suit was perfectly made for him. He stood there with confidence which I was sure, nobody could easily achieve. 1 forgot that man in front of me was a killer, too. His dark brown hair back with a few strands, somehow perfecting it “Alena Orlov, to do owe pleasure?” He surprising He took one hand out of his pocket to something laptop before looking back at me, waiting my response. Every single had left my and I was speechless. didn’t expect him be expecting me knew name. It wasn’t a surprise to might’ve had someone did a check on me. Alexei did that all I guess it was common for someone in their line work. “You were expecting me?” I asked. “And you came willingly without knowing you expected,” he replied with a smirk. This man full-of-himself and that was me being nice. He knew he had an aura his own and he was putting it good use. There was no way he was to rejection. sure has rejected him. “How did you my name?” “I people up on you. “Found everything you wanted?” “Not exactly. Your brother well in hiding your personal information. Of course. Alexei or did a job hiding our identities from being searched or hacked because we were important -Mama, Ana, and me. were the targets of our enemies. sense one Papa’s following me to me safe. They doing a great job because I could barely see them sometimes. I assume you know I am. ” I few steps forward, my chin I my confidence. “You’re Mikhail Orlov’s daughter. replied, watching my every movement with intensity. “You to Bratva. Yet here you are. in Sicilian territory I frowned, don’t pay attention my business. As a matter of I know nothing about business. I was never interested,” “Is that why you went to medical school?” “I assume brother really do a great job at personal information. The sides of his curved as he kept looking at “Why here, Alena?” Then, everything went back to being serious. had into a straight line, and he was staring into my eyes. This man knew a about me than I knew about him, but I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t a spy, and I here willingly for my own benefit. the at the charity-” He cut me off. “You came a second one?” “What? No,” I shook head. “I need your help. Matteo took a few steps towards stopped, leaving a big space between us. was intrigued and wanted me to speak up quickly. Then again, he wasn’t the words cut of my mouth. 1 didn’t to randomly blurt them out. “Do like someone who can help you? You’re looking at the wrong place. He looking away. “You’re the only that can help me. Besides, didn’t me out yet. He crossed arms, “And why should I hear you out?” did expect me to come. You know I want something, and you don’t even have to pretend you’re curious. ” I a couple of steps closer towards him caused raise an but he remained calm. He keeping his composure. It took me a while realize that we were inches apart and I were to make moves, our lips would meet. weren’t as close as we were first encounter, but we were enough. I even see the his eyelashes how they curled define his eyes. “I want yo to marry me. A chuckle left his lips as leaned back. He thought I wasn’t being serious, and he decided to back towards his completely ignoring me. “This Bratva princess crazy,” he muttered under breath but was loud for me to hear. “I think it’s funny. I want you to marry me,” makes you I’d want to marry you?” “You reason to disagree. In fact, you’d gain benefits of your own enlighten me. What could you offer that I don’t have?” “More power. The Bratva. ” I replied. not interested in maintaining good the Bratva,” father wants me to marry of his chosen. I don’t want to. I to to that he has no control your wife. ” in my life. So, I want you marry me. to be in with me. Show me off to everyone “You decided to into my to offer me marriage and expected an He asked, shaking his head. I said, you’re the wrong place. I kept my confidence even though I starting to lose hope. he really it when he said want to agree Who the right mind would want agree? was already risking everything the I stepped his office. It I was to lose it. “I can offer you money. As much as you want,” I added. already have billions. “We even have to stay for long. All I’m asking years and go on our separate ways. “You’re asking three years commitment. “It won’t even be real. pretend in front of everyone when go out but behind doors, we as strangers. won’t bother you in anything do, and you won’t have to bother what on in my life. All for three years of marriage. “You have no benefit for me. “You’d have Russians your alliance. You’d gain more respect. have enough” “You’d have more power. “I’m he scoffed. “Three years-all I’m for is of marriage” stared into my eyes, “If I were to marry you, I’d let you go after three years. As much as you scream your heart out for me to that’s going happen. “What?” heart started to fast as he took a closer towards me. Our eyes breaking contact, but I was to feel something different. Was I nervous? Was I scared of what was to come? He reached to a strand of hair behind car which caused me stay still, afraid to make any movements. was stuck place. “I’m Catholic. I don’t in divorces,” replied with a smirk. “As funny as that is coming from a sinner me, I do words seriously but only few not His every word. Do you still to marry You’d stuck for a of loveless marriage. “You… you’d married than let me because of your belief?” “Marriage is a lifelong bond. It would be grave offense to divorce you. I sure if he sarcastic or serious. The way his warm fingers ran my cheek when he was my the way his was hitting my face and his scent my was beginning lose my mind. Nothing was to plan. This man was turning the towards me. I was for three of marriage-of fake marriage but he was a lifelong bond. “I can’t stay married to you “Then, you way you came He walked towards his desk, seat and began typing away on laptop while stayed frozen at my spot. 20:30 Wed, Oct 9 mind wandering away to the possibilities solution my problem. Papa was figuring other plans as we spoke and Italian man in front of me was offering me a lifelong marriage, except love. was going to be hell of to make. I didn’t have another choice. I was left with zero choices to with I things to do way when I came here but I was shocked to see how the tables turned. ” I stated, firmly. His eyes looked into mine. “You can still change your Alena. “No, I want to. I came here with one and I away. So, settled then. You’ll marry me to be the loving and happy couple then can decide when you’ll propose. “You want me to you when it was initially your idea?” He raised eyebrow. how things work, don’t they?” “I don’t trust you. “You don’t to. can do another background check on me. I’m not my brother or my father’s spy” “I have a few conditions. Name them. -we can start Matteo close to our faces were inches apart as he looked down into eyes. My head was leaning towards him to meet his gaze. He made it very obvious that he was taking precious to eye my every feature. Lastly, my lips. gaze lingered a seconds longer at my lips. -“Don’t expect happiness from me. Don’t expect love. Don’t expect commitment. You’ll get my last name-you’ll never get I leaned forward, this we were a breath away. never get mine, either. “It’s a done then. he was, in the flesh. My future husband was promising a lifelong bond love, happiness, and commitment. I never ready to committed to after my past. This was starting great beginning.