2: Not Your Pawn

Alessia's POV

'No matter what you do, return home before 6, Alessia.'

Locking my screen, I tossed the phone to a side, trying not to look at it and reply the my father in my head.

"You don't want to get on your father's nerves."

Ruby, my best friend spoke up. She walked to the opposite couch and lounged on it.

"Really? Who's side are you on?"

I sighed and looked away.

Slowly, she pushed to where I was sitting and rubbed my arm.

"Why not give him a try?"

"That douchebag? Never."

"Jeez, Alessia." She frowned. "You haven't even met him yet."

"In person." I pointed out. "I've spoken with the idiot on the phone, and yeah, he's an idiot."

Ruby laughed. "What did he do?"

"A lot of things. Gosh. I can't even start mentioning." I heaved a loud sigh. "He's rude and..."

She just laughed.

"Babe, you know your father means well, right?"

I scoffed. "Tell me something. Does meaning well entail selling me off to a total stranger? An arrogant one at that."

"My point exactly. This is just transactional for him. For his selfish gain."

I pointed it out a million times.

"He may have succeeded in concealing me away from the world, choosing my school and career, but a husband..."

I shook my head in disapproval.

"Nah. That's above the line."

My words were as blunt as a knife.

"Come on, Alessia." She puffed. "This is the family business we're talking about."

"And I don't care." I cursed under my breath. "I've never wanted to be a part of his dirty cartel anyway."

There was a short pause between us.

"I think you're overreacting, babe."

Ruby picked up the argument.

"Get to meet with him, he might be a good guy..."

"Why is it so hard to see that I'm not interested?"

I slapped my palms together.

"They're all the same. Use you to scratch an itch one minute and dump you the next minute."

Knowing I'd talked too much, I pressed my lips together and just watched Ruby bat her lids at me.

"You never told me you've dated any."

"Well... I... I read stuff." I stutter.

Trained and guarded all my life, there was no way in freaking hell that my father would let a man come six feet close to me.

I guess he was grooming me for his choice. If only he knew his naive daughter got knocked out at the casino.

Screw that... Threw herself at a stranger and gave him her virginity.

The image of three nights ago played in my head.

His piercing brown eyes and perfect features. He had these kissable small lips, rich brown hair, and high cheekbones...

A light blush painted my cheeks, followed by a mix of anger and hatred, too strong to ignore.

"Such a jerk."

"Did you say something?" Ruby pressed on.

"Uh... No." I shook my head. "It's nothing."

Still, Ruby kept her eyes on me.

"You look troubled."

"I'm bound to be."

My eyes rested on the wall clock. 4 PM.

"I have to go."

Surprisingly, she beamed with a smile.

"I knew you'd have a change of heart."

Her response had me chuckling.

"Don't be so sure."

Assembling my things in place, I got up from the couch.

"Be a good girl. And yup, securing my spot as your chief bridesmaid."

"Whatever."

The ride home was long and exhausting. Thankfully, I didn't drive to Ruby's place.

After a heated argument with my father this morning, I left home for Ruby's. I'd be dumb to visit the casino after my last incident.

Sometimes, the urge to go see him one more time and give him a taste of his medicine lingered. A few times, I'd be able to suppress it, other times, it overwhelmed me.

I had no idea why, probably because I wanted to get my revenge, or just have him on top of me again.

"We're here, ma'am."

The cab driver announced.

Once I settled in, I walked towards the gate.

"Signora."

A guard by the gate called out once he identified me, and allowed me in.

Our house was a large expanse of land with fine decor and sculptures. Guards strolled around, vigilant.

Trying to avoid another argument, I sneaked in and headed for the stairs.

"I see you finally came back to your senses."

Argh!

Forced to stop on my track, I trailed in the direction of the sound to the dining room. As expected, the table was set in honor of his guest, one I'd never accept.

"Good evening, father."

He flapped the magazine in his hand and continued reading, not sparing me a glance.

"Call me that after the arrangement."

He gave a subtle warning.

Perhaps if I disobeyed, I'd be out of his house and on the streets. What difference would it make?

"You know," I aimed for his attention. "For a man who has so much money and power, I wonder what the shenanigans are for."

Only now did he look at me.

"Something about more money and maintaining it for generations."

He looked back at his magazine.

"Go get ready, your betrothed will be here soon."

Following his dismissal, I dragged my feet upstairs. Instead of putting on my finest fabric, I'm dressed so shabbily that I could literally pass off for a maid.

'Come downstairs young lady.'

I read the message from my father.

Reluctant, but left with no choice, I obeyed and joined the crew at the dining table.

"Hey, Allesa."

"It's Alessia."

"Hmm." He faked a smile.

Frankly, he wasn't bad looking, but he was nothing like the stranger at the casino that kept me punching the air all day, from need and hate.

"Here, my lady."

He proceeded to pull out a seat, but I settled in the one farthest from him. All these while, I ignored my father's silent warning.

"I'm Gabriel Lopez,"

I ignored him and cut down on my juicy lamb.

"Hmm, so yummy."

Purposely trying to piss him off, I groan.

"I've heard so much about you."

Interested, I paused.

"Well, Mr. Gabriel, the only thing I know about you, is that you're incapable of finding your own bride."

"Enough!"

My father growled and slammed his hand on the desk.

A loud silence followed next.

"Daughter, meet Gabriel, your husband." He motioned towards Gabriel.

"It's a pleasure, Don Eduardo."

His grin broadened and my father smiled back.

"And Gabriel, your lady, Alessia."

Gabriel reached for my hand and I pulled away!

"I'll be back shortly. I need to check my mail."

My father stood up to leave.

We both know he wasn't going to check on any mail. If he said it to a third party, then he was tripping.

"Don't be silly, Alessia."

He mouthed a warning before leaving.

"So, tell me more about yourself."

"I appreciate people who leave me the eff alone."

Oddly, Gabriel began to giggle. He pushed forward to meet me at a point.

"Listen up, miss." He mumbled.

"The only reason I'm putting up with this shitty attitude of yours is for the alliance with your father."

He groaned, refraining from kicking me in the face.

"Don't make this any harder."

"Wow." I scoffed in disbelief. "You didn't even wait for a moment to show your true self."

He ignored me and bit down on his sandwich.

"You might as well use the door, the deal is off the table."

"Says?" He chuckled and looked at me. "Am I supposed to shiver when a lady barely worth a penny speaks?"

"What?"

My words got stuck in my head.

"You're just a means, and you'd be damned to think you have a say in this."

That was it.

In fury, I picked up my cup of hot coffee and doused him in it.

"What the fuck!"

He growled and pushed the chair backward, yielding to reflex.

"You'd be delusional to think you're worth the stress, Gabriel."

The sound of my father returning, had me keeping mute.

"I'm done here." Gabriel brushed coffee from his designer's shirt.

"Shit."

My father sighed and hurried down the stairs.

"Gabriel, we can sort this out."

"Don, I'm sorry, but I can't do this."

He dashed out of the house, red with anger.

Deadly silence enveloped us, leaving me to twitch my fingers beside me.

"He was mean..."

"You have forty-eight hours to clean up your mess."

His tone was thickly laced with bitter emotions.

"Kiss his feet, go on your knees, I don't care." He resumed. "Don't push your luck, daughter."