After Rocco left I couldn’t sleep. I curled into my bed and rethought the entire night. The most traumatizing thing was Chad kissing Cleo. I couldn’t digest that I was single. I’d been with Chad for so long already. Rocco bore his heart out but the night wasn’t long enough for me to come to a decision.The next morning, I had to get ready for my sister’s engagement. I put on a brave face for my family and prepared of the engagement taking place at seven in the evening.Gianna told me she couldn’t make it. She hadn’t been feeling well so Brad put her on lockdown. I needed my best friend but this was my battle to face. There would be questions when I showed up without Chad. Mom would throw a fit.The sun came and went before I knew it I was packing up my makeup and picking shoes. After drowning a glass of wine I called a cab. The engagement was at my family’s estate which had been in the family for years. Mom would sell her leg before selling that piece of property. Thank goodness I did
“Sorry about your shirt,” I said as Rocco washed his hands.“It would have been my shirt or your dress. I needed a distraction to get you alone,” he smirked.“How do you know my Dad?” I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to this.“We’ve done business together. Whatever that is you don’t need to know.”I planted my hand on my hip, “The first day of our relationship and you’re already keeping secrets from me?”Rocco laughed. He grabbed my chin and kissed me. “One thing about me is I’ll try to protect you at any cost. Let it go, okay?”I nodded. My heart settled. Some things were better left buried.We walked of the bathroom at the same time and drew some eyes. I turned to Rocco he walked ahead unbothered. He oozed confidence. I appeared by his side. I still had to answer questions about my ex-boyfriend and being seen so close to Rocco would spark rumours then I remembered I needed to get Candice out of the bathroom.“I have to take care of my sister,” I whispered.Rocco smiled easily, “I’l
GiaRocco shut the door behind him. Closing me out from the rest of the outside world, blocking me from freedom, preventing me from backing out of the deal. Not that I would ever back out. It didn’t take me all night to decide what I had to do. She was my Mom and I wasn’t going to let anyone take away what she worked so hard to achieve. Even if she willing borrowed the money from Rocco, I wasn’t going to sit idly by and watch her go down.This was my fourth meeting with Rocco. I hated coming to this club even though it was exclusive and lavish it was still the scene of many shady deals. Rocco wasn’t an old sweaty man with a stomach that expanded so much it strained the buttons of his suit that I thought he would be. He was five years older than me. He was extremely handsome with his pushed back black hair, strong jawline and sculptured body.He took over from his father months earlier. He wasn’t giving m
GiaI already paid ten thousand dollars to Rocco and I knew I could do better. I just needed time, something the douchebag wasn’t giving me. The debt to be paid was more than this, but I thought I was doing well. If I was close to my dad, he would have given a fancy family heirloom and I would have sold that. My half sister Sydney was given an old diamond necklace. That would have come in handy right now. I bet Sydney didn’t even wear it she had a bunch of priceless jewelry pieces.I couldn’t ask Sydney for help. We hadn’t had much of a relationship since sophomore year in high school. The rest were just sad attempts at communication. Dad was worse I couldn’t remember the last time he showed up. He lived in a different town, but he did call to ask how I was doing at least twice a week.I didn’t have a relationship with Nora, Sydney’s mother. I really believed she hated me.
GiaMy dad and Nora lived three hours away in a small town. As promised a taxi came to pick me up by six in the morning. I barely slept wondering what Nora wanted to talk about. It had to be serious if she called me herself. It made me scroll my sister’s Instagram, but I knew it wouldn’t give me any answers. She hadn’t posted any pictures in a while. Most of them were of her on vacation or simply spending money with her rich friends.I hadn’t seen Sydney since Christmas two years ago. It wasn’t even a planned meeting. I really didn’t have a relationship with my half sister. It sucked too because when I looked at her I saw myself. Expect I was a little darker and had a thick head of curls. Otherwise we had the same brown eyes, same pointed nose, height and weight. We could be twins, but we lived totally different lives.I wasn’t sure I could help them though. They weren’t the type of peo
I stood and shook my head. Why was marriage suddenly on every table? I was still waiting for actual butterflies and fireworks before I thought about spending the rest of my life with someone.“You don’t have to do it.” Dad sighed.“What happens if I don’t? What happens to you?”Nora stood, avoiding dad’s gaze. She wanted to grab my hands, yet pulled back at the last second.“You can think of this as a deal too. What do you want Gia?”There were a lot of things I wanted, but none so important I would marry a total stranger. Then the terms of the contract I signed hit me. I had no more than seven weeks to pay back the debt I now owned and with each day five hundred dollars was added to that debt. If I failed to pay the debt went back to mom and surely she would lose everything and I might end up as a high end prostitute.“Nothing, nothing I’m not bribing my daughter into doing t
If dad hadn’t communicated the change of plans, then it really put me in an awkward position.“Um, you really don’t know why I’m here?’Brad eyed me up and down. I didn’t know how that made me feel. Exposed?“Of course I do. What I don’t understand it why the sudden change of plans. I also wonder why Sydney never mentioned she had a sister.”“You can imagine we’re not close.” I said, through clenched teeth.“A little sibling rivalry? No one else mentioned you existed either.” Brad shoved his hands in his pockets.“Why am I not surprised?”The party bellow us in the garden was getting loud. Nora would be here any second. It was time for the show. Put on the mask and get on stage. I picked up my dress and walked passed Brad into the room or at least I tried to.“Gianna,” he said.My name sounded so foreign coming fro
“Boundaries?” I lifted my head. His eyes were enchanting. “Yes, come with me.” He released me, but captured my hand. I lifted my dress so I wouldn’t step on it as I followed Brad into the house. All eyes were on us. Some people eyed us and smiled while others commented on how lovely we were as a couple. “Are you going to tell me there are certain places I can’t go? I don’t even live here.” I asked when we were alone in the dark foyer. “No, but there are a few things you can’t do.” “Like what?” I folded my arms. “Like, whatever you have with Rocco, I won’t tolerate it.” I nearly burst out laughing. Thanks to him there wouldn’t be anything between Rocco and I. “There isn’t anything going on between us.” “It didn’t look like it when you too were dancing. Look, I won’t be made a fool of. If you’re going to marry me you’re not going, bring your men into it.” I gasped, “I am not sleeping with Rocco!” I s