Chapter 1 The encounter

Ana stands over her father's grave with a tear rolling down her cheeks "I know you don't like it, you don't want me to leave but I have to" she says to her friend Mia standing next to her " I know but what if it doesn't go as planned" Mia responds holding her hands staring at her with uttermost concern written all over her face, Ana blinked and stared back at Mia,

"This is my legacy, I can't just let them absorb my father's Oil Well, that's my inheritance and I need to secure it," she says as she hardens the expression on her face, Mia sigh and looks back at her "I have to meet Armani Ortega, and secure this marriage contract as soon as possible," Ana continuing her statement as she places her hands on Mia's cheek and kiss her on the lips "If that's what you want, the lawyers are ready to meet and make the preparations," Mia says holding her hands and they both walked out of the cemetery.

Later that day Ana meets with her father's lawyer.

" Here are the documents of the contract, it was signed 8 years ago by the head of the Ortega family," the lawyer says, she immediately follows up with his statement "Armani Ortega," she says looking up at him "yes" he replies, she relaxes into her chair narrowing her eyes around the room then asks the lawyer "what is he like?" This she asks with curiosity in her voice, he relaxes into his chair like and exhales "Well he is hum what I would describe as ruthless, unchallenged there is a reason he is still the head of the mafia despite the fact he is the first son of the family, his ways are considered vicious but effective" the lawyer responds to her as he observes her moving uncomfortably on her chair, she could visibly tremble at the thought of him, then he pauses and looks at her with a worried face "are you sure you want to go ahead with this?" she looks up and him and blinks twice taking a deep breath "It's the only way I can't let Mr. Benson and the other shareholders take that Well" she breathes out "Even if I have to marry this ruthless mafia boss, I will" she says with determination and the lawyer nods his head in agreement "alright then".

She arrives at her apartment on campus and throws herself on the bed staring at her ceiling, "How do I leave school in my last year, I've worked hard to get good grades and have a GPA of 4.3" She shakes her head and starts sorting out her stuff to leave for Monaco in the next two days, after hours of preparation, she decides to go out for dinner with her friends one last time. "Hey, bitches what's up, how about one last dinner and you know where," she says as she picks up her phone to make a group call on her friends' group chat and they all laugh at the excitement to hang out.

She arrives at their favorite fancy restaurant in a silk dress that catches every inch of her curve and gets every head turning at the restaurant for her, then she waves her hand at where her friends are already waiting for her to break the stares, "now that's how you dress on your last night out with friends" Mia yells out in excitement and they all giggle along,

"I know right," Ana says as she chuckles with a slight blush over her cheeks.

They all have their seats for drinks while waiting on entrée, conversation starts blurting out between them and laughter follows.

"I can't believe you are actually leaving all this behind," one of her friends says out loud as it draws attention to her, then she continues with the statement " I mean we all started freshman year together and we have come this far, I know it's a matter of family honor but do you really need that Oil Well"

Ana looks at her immediately in annoyance at what she just altered, "You wouldn't know anything about family honor would you now, as you don't have one so no I can't relate with you on that" Ana snaps back at her as she looks back at her meal and continues in silence for a while. Fortunately the meal and champagne come over to their table and that breaks the silence,

"Oh, it's the champagne" Mia yells out breaking the silence, "finally" one of her friends responds in agreement with Mia's outburst, then Ana stands up to make the toast,

"Okay everyone, I can't believe it has been three years of ups and downs with you lot by my side, I'm honored to leave here knowing I had the best college years and I do wish you all a successful final year, it is honestly sad to have to leave without graduating together as planned but I had the best years and I would want it any other way, cheers", "cheers!" they all respond and clink their glasses together as they gulp their wine.

Ana and Mia arrive at her apartment after the night out to have a little time together, "You know what Kate said at the table wasn't all wrong even though she was insensitive about it" Mia says as she strikes a conversation between them, Ana looks at her and exhales then pulls out a bottle of wine with two glasses to continue drinking. "I'm aware of what I'm giving up but I rather give this up than that Oil Well," she says and sips her rich-tasting red wine then looks out her window, Mia moves closer and places her hands on her shoulder as a means of comfort "In that case you need to go in prepared, have you thought of what if he doesn't want to marry you, What would be your resort to that, you cannot come back empty-handed," Mia says and Ana turns to her, her nose grazing hers, "You're right, I need a strategic means, I need to think, this contract might not be enough, I need to bring something else to the table" Ana replies to her suggestion, "exactly" Mia responds as she presses her lips on hers and kiss Ana passionately, " I'm truly going to miss you, Ana Marson".

The next day Ana requests a meeting with the lawyer to go over one final detail.

"I need you to draft an offer today," Ana says in a hasty tone looking up at him, legs crossed "You're leaving for Monaco tomorrow what could you possibly need at the last minute," he asks in confusion, " I thought about it last night, I'm walking into another man's life and literally forcing him to marry me, the question stands, what if he doesn't want to?" she tilts her head in his direction allowing him to analyze the question,

" I see no reason why he won't," he answers shaking his head in disagreement,

" you said it yourself, he is ruthless and has his way of life, he could decide not to even with the contract, maybe offer me some compensation," she says biting her finger slightly

"Okay so what kind of offer do you have in mind," he asks,

" state that I would offer him 49% of the Oil well after the marriage, it would be my wedding gift to him," she demands with a straight face and seriousness in her eyes. He chuckles for a moment but can tell by her face that she is dead serious.

" Do you have any idea what 49% is?" he asked placing his fingers on his forehead, she sat up and stared straight into his eyes,

" I'm aware what it is, but if I want this mafia boss to wed me on time I need to entice the contract so he can keep to it, it would be my trojan horse when he turns the contract down" she exhales loudly " I need to go in there strategically." She appeals to him,

He then shuffles through some documents, picks up his phone, and makes a call to his office to get going with it immediately. " I've made the call but I'm sure you know what you are doing, this Well is your inheritance," he says with concern.

"And I would be left with nothing if he doesn't marry me so half bread is better than none" she replies looking down at her fingers hoping she made the right call.

"Alright then the papers will be ready tonight before your flight tomorrow, I do wish you good luck on this journey, and stay safe, I know your father very well and I think of you as a daughter," he says placing his hands on her shoulder, she takes his hand in comfort " I will, by the end of this my father would be glad I took this path," she says as she walks out of the office.

The next day, she boards her first-class flight to Monaco, as they take off she feels a sense of nervousness knowing there is no going back. She has taken this path and she needs to make sure her sacrifice isn't in vain. She arrives in Monaco city at 1600, she is then ushered to her hotel by the detail sent by Armani Ortega. She takes a deep breath as she arrives at her room, throws her stuff on the floor flings herself on the soft mattress, and has dinner in her room before meeting with Armani.

Her meeting with him is at 8 pm that night at his mansion in Monte Carlo, she wakes up at 7:30 pm then hurriedly starts dressing up to leave and she eventually arrives at 8 pm sharp.

The mansion is so big and has this aura of dominance all around it, she is escorted to his office door by the detail sent to pick her up, and then she stands at the door for a while and takes a deep breath "You can do this'" she encourages herself. She opens the door and she sees Armani Ortega sitting on his chair like a God sent by Zeus to punish women, just as described fierce and handsome, he asks with a deep but calm voice "You must be Ana Marson ''.