“James, Ronaldo’s daughter came at the company?” Alex Russo asked his grandson who was caressing his Golden Retriever dog lovingly as he sat in his mansion.
“Yes,” his voice was void of any emotion. He caressed his pet as he tried to avoid the subject.
“What did she say?” Alex Russo asked taking the seat opposite to his grandson.
James let go of his pet and looked straight at his grandfather.
“Expected. She came barging in the office, shouting and throwing tantrum like a little spoiled girl.” He told him as his mind formed the image of the blonde beauty.
“Did you told that their is no way out? Either she marries you for the sake of her family or be bankrupt.” Alex Russo frowned.
“She is immature. Doesn’t even understand the situation. I told her that she doesn’t have much option.” James told him nodding to himself.
“James, do you really think that this marriage will be as benefiting as we think?” His grandfather asked a little unsure.
James Russo looked at his grandfather straight in his eyes. His pose more straightened. His eyes more serious than before.
“Grandpa, this marriage will strengthen our roots in business world. Ronaldo’s owe us a billion dollar debt which increased with interest. He failed to pay us when he had money. This debt which he took 22 years ago will be costing him his entire fortune. I already have hold on 60% shares of the their company because of the debt. Their daughter hold 15%. With the marriage fixed I will be having those 15% add on and technically I will buy the rest of shares her brother hold. We might have lost a billion dollar to Ronaldo but we will regain it back by owing his 4 billion dollar company. Are you getting my point Grandpa?”
His each word held the confidence of his actions.
“Yes I have that much in my mind but do you think that girl will sign the shares to you? After all she is Ronaldo’s daughter and she isn’t much willing to the idea of marriage.” Alex Russo voiced out the actual question.
“365 nights.” James spoke, “I need only 365 nights to make that woman willingly sign those shares to me.” He let it out.
“365 nights? Why a year when you can get it done in less than three months, son?” Alex asked a clear confusion in his eyes and a frown marring his forehead.
A smirk formed on James Russo mouth. His eyes glinted evilly. Alex Russo could read his grandson face without a difficulty.
“You have some other plan James?” He asked him out of pure curiosity.
James facial expression was still same as looked at his grandfather......
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Sapphire POV;
I was fuming in rage. My father just blindly demanded me to get married to some rich jerk! Did he really think it’s 16 th century where arrange marriages exist? Nonsense!
He wants me to marry a complete stranger just to save the company!
I am not a thing he can bargain in.
I still can recall the emotional play that my dad played just two hours ago......
‘
“Sapphire please....we need your help..daughter.....you are my last hope....if you will leave my side than what will happen? I will die my dearest! Everything will be ruined. We will be bankrupt! Worse your brother and I will be behind the bars for not repaying that bastard James Russo money...think about all the luxuries you are having now dear....you will have more if you get married to him but if you deny...this all will slip from you hand like water.....think of all those poor employees they work day and night to earn...your one wrong decision will affect so many lifes. We all depend on you Sapphire.....”
He narrated his very long speech which fell on deaf ears.
Why should I be put to be sacrificed in front of the butcher! Why me?!
“Dad if mom was alive you would never have thought to do this to me!” I complained with teary eyes. Never in millions years I thought that my dad would get this insensitive when he would have chose between me and his money!
“Sapphire I am helpless— that Russo guy he put forth this condition—.” I was quick to interrupt my father.
“—that guy! Why me? I don’t know him! Why not Lilian?” I countered back angrily.
“Lilian is your cousin and you are my daughter. This has to be you or no one else. Sapphire, you have to do this. There is no option. We need the company. We have worked so hard for it—“ Mason Ronaldo, my father, continued his speech not taking measures of how his words were like a acid to ears and burn to my heart.
“—you can’t force me dad! It’s my choice who I marry! I won’t be a toy in this business world of yours. I won’t—.” Before I could complete my sentence, a hand raised in the air and hit me hard against my face. Tears brimmed in my eyes.
“Dad!” Leo, my brother voice rang in the room, “dad how could you slap sapphire like this!” His voice boomed as he entered the room and was quick to come to my side.
“This ungrateful brat! I did right to slap her actually I should have done more so she could have been a little grateful to all the luxuries I have bestowed over her.” My dad again lunged for me but Leo was quick in hiding me behind him.
“Dad common you are being unnecessarily harsh...of course she will marry James Russo. She loves her family—.” Leo started but I jerked him away and ran to the door.
“I won’t! I won’t marry him!” Shouting loudly I was quick to run out of the room thankfully I had my phone and purse laying in the living room.
Quick to grab them, I headed out of the damn house where no one care about my feelings.
It was time to teach that Russo boy a lesson!
_________________
My ass still pained from the fall I had in that bastard office. He was stubborn as rock! I have told him repeatedly that I don’t want to marry him and he was hell bent on his decision!
One thing I am sure he doesn’t know me, neither does he like me and by no chance I am his type—
Uh no scratch that—he is not my type.
He was so cold and arrogant. His face didn’t held any emotion except the clear mock! He thought of himself as a superior! Against all this I couldn’t help but notice his looks.
He deep grey....that intimidating hovering frame...
My mind recalled his image...
He was handsome by no doubt. His jet black were thick and glossy and I wondered how it would feel to pass my fingers through them. From eyebrows sharp as arrow to the cold grey eyes that were so deep and I felt I can stare in them forever. Those pink lips....how would they kiss? slow and sensual or rough and hard.
Shaking my head as some indecent pictures clouded my mind, I further shamelessly examined his picture in my mind like a rare species under microscope.
His shoulders were broad and arms looks so strong that I couldn't help but wonder how they would feel around me, enveloped in a tight hug.
He was tall almost 6'2 and the aura around him was dominating. He had all those vibes that my mother had warned to stay away from....
He was the type of boy a girl love to be girlfriend of. Too bad, I am not interested!
I was sitting in the cafe waiting for my friends Selena and Emerald. They must be coming now here from the school. We three work at the school that I own.
3 years back, I made a private school ‘Bloomfield’ which is now a very reputable school for primary in NewYork. I work their as principal and CEO. As it’s still a developing school I don’t have much of head office. Just few employees for finance and marketing.
Selena and Emerald have also their share in the school and COO. We have been together since childhood.
I was tired of sitting here for quite some time. I picked up the magazine in front of and rummage through random pages. A news caught my eyes.
RODRIGUEZ BRIDE RAN AWAY!
Like a sky rocket an idea hit my mind and I was quick to calculate it.
I can disappear for a month till all this marriage fiasco is over. Dad will find some solution I am sure and as for the James Russo, he can keep on dreaming about making me his wife.
I quickly dropped Emerald and Selena a message,
“Plan cancelled, I am going for vacations. Will call you in a week time.”
With a satisfied smile, I stood up and walked out of the cafe.
I don’t care what happens, I am not for sale!
I never in million times thought that this would ever happen. Just a day of running away and my cards all of them were blocked and my stupid self didn’t bothered to carry the cash with me. I never thought dad would do something like this with me! The lust for money has blinded him so much that he has left his daughter penniless just so I agree to marry that stranger Russo. I don’t want to is it that hard to understand that I have simple dreams? I want to find love, go on a date, date someone, then get engaged after falling in love with the man of my dreams and then after a dreamy proposal get married to him and have kids and not to forget get a cat in process! I want simplicity which will be so ruined just because my father and brother think it’s best to bargain me in exchange to keep the company to themselves. It wasn’t after two day of running that my damn mobile ran out of charging and I w
I was quick to move and with one swift motion I raised my leg and kicked him hard in his ‘precious place’ where sun doesn’t shine. “Oofph!” He groaned as he fell on his knee in front of me groaning in pain as he clutched his precious jewel. “Don’t you dare come closer!” I shouted as I warned fiercely. He looked at me with his bloodshot eyes. “You stupid woman! I meant no harm! I was just going to talk—but you had to show your stupidity!” He spoke harshly as he gasped and took inhale and exhale repeatedly to calm himself down. I instantly felt bad. I was always like this. Hasty in all decisions. I made decision of running away in haste and here I am in an auction being sold to the man who I am being forced to get married. “How come I would have known you want to talk? If you want to talk you could have done it by standing where you initially were b
I sat quite the whole way to my house. He was sitting beside me and we were silent since our last talk. I didn’t wanted to talk or argue with him anymore. I will directly talk to my dad and ask him to get me out of this matter! I sighed in relief as my mansion view appeared in my sight. I was so happy to see my home. Really we are nothing without our home. As the car stopped at main entrance, I was quick to unlock the door and get out but halted when I heard him speak, “Don’t be too excited and if you really think your dad will listen to you and get you out of this matter and know it darling that is where you are gravely wrong....” His cold voice made me shut my eyes in anger. I without giving him a reply got out of the luxurious black BMW car and slammed the door hard.
“Sapphire! You my girl get here at the Russo Club at once! I need to know what the heck you are up to! You have 10 minutes! Get here!” It was the dramatic side of Selena which over reacted. I rolled my eyes and cut the call. Though I really don’t want to go to Club I want to let the havoc going in my mind out and no one is out to listen except Selena and Emerald. They are my high school girlfriends. We have been together since primary and now are together in high school, we are inseparable and we are proud of it. I took a quick shower and took out a short sexy blue dress to put on. Wearing a light make up and my glistening diamond studs, I walked out out my room with heels in my hand. No way am I going to let myself interact with my brother and then get another backslash. I had enough of him blaming me. I know I did wr
With a loud gasp, my eyes jerked open. A swear pain shoot in head. I grumbled nonchalantly as I adjusted my eyes to brightness.“Rise and Shine baby girl!”’a loud voice chirped and I got up and and sat in sitting position. My hand instantly clutched my forehead.“Are you awake finally?” Selena asked smiling as she she passed me a mug of coffee.“Ouff….this headache is killing me!” I grumbled out loud as I took the mug from her hand.“Of course! You drank a lot of wine. It was bound to happen! You drank then danced then again drank and the passed out on the bar. We had to carry you to my car and then my home.” Emerald said huffing.The vivid flashes of the kiss I had appeared in my dream amd I involuntarily touched my lips. Was it really a dream or it really happened? No&h
The bastard made me wait in the waiting room for fucking one and half hour. In the past hour all I could do was either drink coffee or read the stupid magazine or sit back and judge people dressing sense! “Miss Ronaldo, you can now meet sir in his cabin at 12th floor.” Finally! Bastard! I smiled tightly at the bitchy receptionist before heading to the lift without saying thank you to her. Even people working with him are as arrogant as him! I pressed the button 12th of the lift and walked to where his secretary desk who was busy apply deep shade of red of impress who? I wonder…. I placed my bag on her desk forcing her to look up and she raised an eyebrow at me. “Mr. Russo wishes to meet me. Tell him I am outside his cabin.” I told her sternly remembering how last time she ran after me when I tried to forcefully ba
It was hard but I know I had too. Either this or see the ruin. The future is unpredictable. Maybe now we are on these terms in next few months we might have different views about each other. Time changes, people changes, feelings changes, statements changes….. I have to think of present and the present needed to be secured and if agreeing to this deal is an opportunity to safety of my family I will take it. Who knows where future will take us? Future is unpredictable and so are people mind…. He might even leave in next three months than year! So for the sake of present I will risk my future….. “So what’s your answer? I don’t have all day miss Ronaldo….” His steely cold voice snapp
“First, we will be getting married in coming two weeks. No big event. A simple marriage but nicely done within the family. No outsiders.” He spoke crushing the idea of my grand marriage. “Uh okay but my two best friends are like my sister they will come.” I told him with furrowed eyebrows. “Okay, but only two.” He held strictness in his tone. I nodded and he further continued. “No one will know you are my wife. The fact that I got married will be released in public but who is my wife will remain a secret. You will be gone after a year. There is no need to come in public eyes.” He spoke with disdain in his voice making me frown at his dry tone. Is being my husband that shameful for him? Not wanting to give him any satisfaction I nodded speaking, “yeah, I also don’t want to tell anyone about me bei