Chapter 02

NICCOLÒ RUFFALO

Are we seriously doing this now?"

"Yes Nic, I asked you multiple times to find a woman you like. But did you find one? No, because you were busy being a workaholic and I'm getting old as well. We need to have an heir to run our organisation." Sighing at my grandfather's words, I replied to him saying "I'll just go and adopt a child from an orphanage, it'll be much easier since I don't have to deal with a woman."

He raised his eyebrow at me and said " You know that's not how our family runs, either you find a woman you like or stick to my word." I'm sick of our ritual family, they are honestly too cultural. What are we in the 19th century?. "Fine then,bring the girl you think who's suitable for me. Then let's decide whether she would be a companion or not." I spoke with an irritated tone.

"It's not for you to decide, it's a request from the Waltons to protect their daughter."

"I'm sorry what?! What nonsense is that ? I have to marry his daughter in order to protect her?" I asked in disbelief. What does the woman think she is, such a spoiled brat.

"Since you agreed to see the girl, get ready to fly down to America within the next week, don't make me repeat it again."

As soon as he left, Mike entered my work room as if something exciting happened and Cato was standing right behind him, he was the pretty much introvert in the group whereas Mike is the weirdo every friend group has.

"What do you want?" I barked at them.

"Damn dude who pissed you off today?". Sighing, I left my fingers to massage either side of my forehead.

"Nonno just set me up with a woman to get married with."

"Close your mouth Mike." Cato spoke, he doesn't even look surprised at all but on the other hand Mike was overreacting He fastened his pace and sat right in front of my table,

"No way ,he did that." He spoke all surprised.

"and now we have to fly down to America in within the next week"

"I am coming with you, " Cato answered, which was surprising. He usually avoids these kinds of things. I gave him a sharp look and he just shrugged his shoulders at me.

"Me too, I wanna see your soon to be bride as well!" Mike added. Our conversation was quickly interrupted with my phone ringing it was my sister Bianca,

"Hello Fratello, are you busy?"

"No speak."

"I heard from grandpa about this arranged marriage, is it true? are you really going to get married?" Honestly this is the last thing I needed today, people asking me whether I'm going to settle down soon. I just hummed at her answer.

The twelve hour flight had my body all cramped up, even though the private jet was pretty spacious it didn't help me quite enough. Coming to America again isn't the best decision, I have left many memories here. Coming back again is like provoking them again. Stepping into our mansion that we used to stay in while we were studying in America, why did I even agree to this?I don't see myself ever falling in love with another woman except her, she might not be on my mind every time but she has occupied my heart. She will always own my heart.

Going through my old drawers in my room, I came across a photo frame. Looking at it made my heart swell. It was my fault, I dumped her while she was going through a lot. But the disappearance really bothered me. I tried every means possible to find her. It was no use, she was nowhere to be found. I hope she is out there somewhere, healthy and happy.

"Hey, we are going to the market. Wanna join?" Mike knocked on the door. I think I really need to get out of this room.

"I'll be there," I answered.

"You didn't say we were coming to this korean street place." I told Mike with a side eye. He shrugged his shoulders ''You didn't ask me". I swear to god this man. Rolling my eyes at him I began to walk through the street filled with street vendors, many of them selling food and other accessories. This has always been her favourite place to idle, we would come here all the time when we used to go on dates. A familiar figure caught my eye, I had to take a double take. She looked just like her. I was ever confident that it was her, she was wearing a brown colour coat and beige colour boots and her hair freely flowing through the wind but I couldn't see her face as she was walking in front of us. I fastened my pace to keep up with her and to take a glimpse of her even if she wasn't the girl I was looking for but she managed to slip away through the crowd, I frantically searched for her through the crowd but I failed.

"What was that ? why did you run all of a sudden" Mike asked, panting.

I took one last look at the crowd. "Nothing, I am going to head back."

We arrived at so called Waltons house, judging by the surrounding they are pretty well off as well. "It's a pleasure to have you here Mr Ruffalo" I suppose it's the girls father

"Oh please Anthony call me what you use to call me or and let me introduce you to my grandson, this is Niccolò Ruffalo and Nic this is Anthony" Grandpa replied

"Hello Mr Walton,it's a pleasure to meet you." saying I shook hands with him.

"Alright then, I'll let the both of you discuss it" saying grandpa left the room.

"Please take a seat Niccolò, I'm pretty sure by now your grandfather has mentioned about the marriage. And the reason why I chose you is because I know you have dated my daughter when you were in high school." I was in utter shock but I kept a straight face. "I'm sorry, but what's your daughter's name?" I need to know if it's her and if it's I'm not losing this chance to lose her again. "Its Arielle Walton" Holy f*ck ,is this a dream. She's still there, she's here and now I can get married to her.

"And she doesn't know that you're the man she's going to marry, and she thinks that this is a marriage proposal so let it be that way."

"I'll make sure of that Mr Walton" he nodded his head and the conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"I think that's her " She won't be happy to see me, I'm very confident in that