(Alana)
After a tiresome ceremony, Mrs. Erin Romero brought me to the same room and gave me some refreshments and something to eat. I told her I wasn't hungry, but she was adamant; hence I had no choice but to take a few bites
“What's this…it's very neat…did you draw this,” she said while I was busy putting the suitcases properly. I glanced up and saw her holding my sketches
“Your mom gave these to me, she said they are important to you,” she said and started checking the designs, I was quick to get them from her, knowing I would burn them later
“Oh no, actually just some silly drawing,” I said and shoved them in the backpack
“They are beautiful, the necklaces go with the dresses… are you a designer?” She asked with interest in her eyes. I shook my head in denial
“No, it's…well, I get sometimes bored so…”
“I'm a designer myself, I know something beautiful when I see it… my husband runs a jewelry company, and it's now run by Ricardo…. Show the designs to Ricardo…he might need some new inspiration,” Erin said warmly and picked up more designs and handed them to me. I thanked her and took my sketchbook as well. I made sure to pack everything, later on, once I settled. Not only that, but I was going to burn everything
“These are just rough ones…nothing special,” these were some of the designs I made, so I could show any good company I'd get a job in. Unfortunately, now it was no use,
“See this, I'm sure it will look pretty on you… I bought so many for you to choose from,” Erin said cheerfully while showing me all the dresses she bought. After the wedding ceremony and all the congratulatory wishes from people. Erin dragged me back inside to get ready for the after-party. I was exhausted and the wedding dress I was wearing was too tight
“Any will do, “I said, not sure if I wanted to attend any party. It was in the evening. What scared me was nighttime. As a new wife, what was I expected to do?
“Nonsense dear… you only experience this one time…come on, let's pick a beautiful dress. You have a sexy figure so…this dress will do,” Erin remarked mischievously and showed me a red half-shoulder denim dress… her gaze and words had my cheeks burning from embarrassment, all my life I tried certainly to wear loose clothes. It was the only way I was comfortable, I didn't like wearing anything that outlined my figure
“Your brown hair is beautiful,” she said while styling my hair differently. I didn't understand why she was such a nice lady, even if I was angry, I didn't show it in front of her “now you are good to go, hurry and get ready and oh did I tell you…you'll be leaving tomorrow morning,” she added while rushing to get her purse and go, I was a little confused
“To…a different house?” I asked even if I knew I would have to leave with my husband
“No silly, to France…well, that's where your husband stays…in Paris,” Erin said, pinching my cheeks lovingly. I was utterly surprised, Paris. Likewise, I thought we were going to stay in Italy. That way I would see my parents. But it seemed fate was indeed being cruel to me
“You'll love it… I'll come back to get you, let me see the guests,” Mrs. Romero said with a warm smile and left the room. The door closed shut, and I turned toward the mirror.
“Paris,” I muttered the words, even if I was sad to leave my parents. Paris was my favorite city, the city of love. Other than that, Paris was the world fashion capital. The heart of fashion…many great designers came from. France. I always dreamed to be among such people,
I undressed and kept the wedding dress on the bed. Wore the red dress and some heels Erin gave me and decided to find the party room. So far, my parents brought all my belongings, I just had to say goodbye to them,
I left the room and walked down the passageway. I was a little confused because it was the first time I came here. They used a different route to get me to the room. Then later Erin used another one saying she didn't want people to see her
“Oh gosh, am I lost,” I was lost because I came to a place where there were many passageways and rooms. I was about to take the left when I heard voices. Mr. Armando's voice was one of them
“I did what you told me…now can I go in peace,” I heard a deep stern voice say, I recognized it at first, and it was Ricardo talking
“Our family is here, stay and celebrate this just like everyone else,” Mr. Armando said this time? It seemed they were discussing something private; hence I turned to leave but stopped
“I have work, I have an important meeting tomorrow morning… I can't stay here and waste my time over something useless,” Ricardo said, this time Armando frowned, not sure if his little brother understood what a wedding was
“Work can wait… you are the boss…why don't you postpone the meeting for another day… you just got married,” Armando remarked bitterly and elegantly sat down. He was irritated with Ricardo. After coming to his wedding late, he wanted to leave immediately
“My work is more important… all this is rubbish, if you think I'm going to tolerate this…then you are wrong,” Ricardo spat out bitterly. He came to the wedding and did as told. They wanted a wife, and he gave them a wife. He hated parties. The least they could do was let him go back to France and focus on his work
“Stop this now, I expect you to be a good husband even if you don't like the idea…do it for Santiago,” Armando said feeling frustrated, Ricardo didn't even bring Santiago to see his new mother all because he hated the idea of Santiago calling any woman his mother. The wedding was in the afternoon and Ricardo came the same day after threatening him
“I don't care, she's not my wife… she can stay here if she likes. I'm leaving,” Ricardo said coldly and turned to leave when Armando's next words stopped him. Turning around. Ricardo's expression turned cold
“You heard me, mom will be in Paris too watching you, if you hurt that girl… I'll forget who you are…do you understand me, Ricardo Romero,” Armando said in a dark tone and stood face to face with Ricardo? His gaze was dark and piercing that Ricardo stayed put. He didn't forget the black dragon, the mafia man before him. Ricardo knew any better than to say anything in front of Armando, knowing he was still a crazy mafia. it took time for Ricardo to finally accept he was a Romero too
“Be a good boy and don't let black dragon down,” Armando added with a smirk and patted Ricardo on the shoulders before walking out on him. Ricardo remained standing there contemplating what to do
“I'm.... I'm sorry, well” once Armando walked out of the room he nearly bumped into a woman, and it was Alana
“Are you okay?” Armando asked and let go of her. Alana but her lower lip and averted her eyes from him
“Y-Yes… well, I got lost… I was…” she didn't know what to do when she was caught eavesdropping…but she couldn't help it. It seemed even Ricardo was against the marriage…if so, then why did he agree to marry her…he was a grown-up and could have easily walked out when the priest
“Don't worry, Ricky is here,” Armando said with a smile just as Ricardo walked out of the room. And stopped when his eyes fell on the small lady before him. His wife
“Come on, show her around if you feel bored… I'll have the servants arrange your room and bring something to eat,” Armando said and left from there…as soon as he disappeared down the passageway. Ricardo ignored Alana completely, took out his phone and walked away, leaving her by herself.
(Alana)I was woken up by the noise of chirping birds somewhere by the window. Oh, how I hated waking up in the morning. I shifted a little to the left, and it was awfully cold. Grabbing a pillow I snuggled to it and attempted to ignore everything and go back to sleep. “Mom, close the darn window,” I mumbled and curled into a ball, I could feel my feet getting colder. Why was the window open, mom knew how I hated anything interrupting my sleep? Unfortunately, that was interrupted when I realized where I was.I sat up immediately, scanning the room I was in, and reality hit me hard. I was in a foreign room, decorated beautifully with red roses and some other romantic fabrics. “Darn it,” I ran my hands through my hair, of course, I wasn't at home. For one thing, I was tired after a long night at the farewell party. By the time I came to the room to sleep, it was past midnight. I recalled Erin teasing me and making remarks about a beautiful wedding night with my husband Of course, thi
(Alana)The flight was two hours and some minutes. When the jet landed, It was in the afternoon. The sun was bright and at its full peak. Throughout the journey, I was completely occupied with going through the city's brochure. I wanted to pin down some nice places I was going to be visiting. The city was huge, with countless things to explore. Paris had a reputation for being a romantic and cultural city. The city was also known for its high-quality gastronomy and the terraces of its cafés. Other than fashion, I was eager to know more and learn the French language. Although this was new to me and the people, I was going to try my best to adjust When we exited the jet, we found two cards already waiting for us. A slightly medium-height man wearing a black suit came to us. He looked to be French and well-kept“Good day, Mrs. Romero… welcome sir,” the man greeted us with a low bow. I responded with a bow, not sure how to react since I had no idea who he was. While Ricardo ignored him
(Alana)The lady told me Ricardo had a five-year-old son. I didn't believe it but, I wanted to ask him why none of his family members told me he had a sondid they think marriage was a joke, how was I going to be a mother to a five years old boy? This wasn't right, I was too angry to do anything; hence I started unpacking my things. The room they gave me was okayI didn't like big rooms, although this one was like the master bedroom“This should be burned,” I said once I took out my designs and sketchbook. I just needed to find time and a place to burn everything. “What's this?” I said once I took out a white envelope, I didn't remember having it. Maybe it was something my mom packed without knowing With ease, I carefully opened the envelope. There was some document inside. When I pried it open, I was stunned to find something I wasn't expecting, “No way, when did this come in!” It was unbelievable, it was a letter of acceptance. I applied for a job at several companies. I didn't mi
Alana had woken up early after her alarm clock went on just as she managed to get some shut eyesTo be honest, she didn't get any sleep. She kept tossing and turning until it was morning. Only when she closed her eyes to get some sleep did she hear her buzzing alarm which startled her“Oh gosh, I only have thirty minutes to get ready,” she jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. She didn't even manage to arrange what she was going to wear. Getting in the shower room, Alana didn't even mind bathing in cold water. She was getting late for her first day hence had to be quickAfter minutes of showering, she was finally done. Alana quickly got ready, she didn't have to wear too much makeup but just blow-dried her hair. Straightened it and was good to goShe grabbed her files and purse and rushed out of the room when she met Mrs. Marks on the way“Ah, good morning madam…breakfast is ready…what…” the lady said adjusting her specs“Well I can't eat…maybe later,” I said as I walked towa
The Romero jewelry company had existed for years and Armando had run the company to success and greater heights that it became the number one leading jewelry company across the world. A highly fragmented sector of most developed economies, the jewelry industry was the sector that involved the making, distribution, and repair of jewelry, such as watches, rings, and necklaces. The company offered a wide range of career opportunities. When Ricardo took over the company, he decided to make some changes. Used fine gems and diamonds to extend their business. Moving to France, Paris was a good idea because of its rich in fashionEvery week, the company got over a million clients, and Ricardo knew he had to produce the best. The reason why he needed a highly trained secretary. He needed a person he could trust, a woman for that matter. He knew women had creative ideas, and something new on the tableHe fired some employees due to their lack of experience, Two years ago, Armando decided to
(Alana)After I was told what to do by Ricardo, one of the employees dragged me away an empty office so I could get rid of the clothes I was wearing “This should do…please be still”“You don't have to… I'm fine,” I tried to say slightly, pushing the lady's hands away, but she looked up at me with a frown. To be honest, it was my fault that I climbed that tree and got hurtThe lady cleaning my wound was the same receptionist who guided me to the boss's office and told me I got the job…her name was Brigitte, and she was French and beautiful as well as friendly“You are new here… you should get your wound cleaned before you suffer any infections… we don't want you going on leave before you even work for two days,” the lady said with a smile and gently cleaned my arm. I was a little nervous, but she was so welcoming and lovely. No wonder she was given a position at the reception. She knew just how to treat people “Thank you, it's terrible that my first day is this disastrous, oh I do ap
(Alana)“Do you need a ride?” Brigitte asked when we were heading out, it turned out my first day wasn't so bad, I attended the board meeting. And no one found out about my identity “No, I'll take a taxi,” I said while glancing at my wristwatch. It was just 7:30 pm. I wondered if Ricardo already left. Earlier in the day, I heard Brigitte say the boss left for a meeting. He didn't tell me to come with, so I didn't bother. “Are you certain, or is your husband coming to pick you up?” She asked throwing a mischievous look, I shook my head feeling a little embarrassed “Nope… it's just that I have someplace to go to,” it was true, I had plans to get some nice fabric at some local shop I saw online. I wanted to buy a sewing machine as well. I thought of asking Ricardo to let me have space for setting up my office in the house for making my designs“Fine Alana, you seem like a pretty secretive girl…but, see you later,” Brigitte said with a loud exhalation but smiled once we left the buildi
Alana Woke up to the sound of her alarm clock. Like always, Mrs. Marks was already arranging her things. Alana sat upright. Rubbing her eyes a little while trying to get out of bed“Good morning, madam, I hope you slept well,” Mrs. Marks said with a smile which Alana returned “You don't have to… I'll arrange my clothes once I get back,” Alana said and got out of bed. “It's my job, don't worry madam, I'll make sure you are comfortable" Mrs. Marks smiled and finished up what she was doing…she was a happy lady. I wondered why Ricardo was hiring that nurse. Especially when she said Santiago was mute“Mrs. Marks, about Santiago…well, I want to meet him but…” I started saying, I was hesitant. Afraid I might say something inappropriate, but I feared talking to Santiago. The idea of being labeled a stepmom scared me. What if he didn't like me“He's a sweet boy, actually you can go and see him now… he just woke up,” Mrs. Marks said and took the laundry basket and left the room. “Oh gosh,” o