Chapter 6 A New Life, A New Name

~Melissa's POV~

Stepping out of the airport, a cool gust of wind brushed against my skin and make-up contoured face, roughly tussling my chestnut brown hair. As an unfamiliar sensation surges through me. Liberation? Freedom? or perhaps Power?. I couldn't tell for sure, but it sure felt damn good.

Two years had breezed by in a jiffy.

Two years, I had spent navigating the hallowed halls of European business schools, forging connections and meticulously crafting my persona to slip into the role of my new status......as an heiress, and CEO of Cassagrande holdings. Currently the No.#1 thriving hospitality firm in the country and it was all mine to claim.

My pastel blue tailored blazer felt like a second layer of skin, as my heels clicked with purpose on the tarmac below.

Each step, a declaration...... I was ready!.

"Welcome back, Miss Cassagrande". the family chauffeur, Mr. Anderson, greeted, with his usual stoic face softened by a rare smile. Standing beside the sleek black Mercedes AMG, with the rear door opened ajar, parked in a lot.

"Thank you Anderson, it's good to be back". flashing a smile, i replied instinctively, with a warm tempo in my voice, one mostly reserved for a few. Sliding through the open door, I slumped down onto the leather seat, with my back pressed against it, relieving the exhaustion I felt from the hours long flight, due to jet lag that clung to me like fog.

Igniting the engine, the Mercedes roared to life and glided through the bustling city streets flooded with different vehicles, as people went about their usual business. A stark contrast to the quiet, disciplined streets of Geneva. As I appreciate the common saying; "There's no place like home".

My eyes gazed outside the tinted window, through custom designer shades, as a small smile stretched across my lipstick smugded lips, taking in the view before me. The city was a vibrant symphony of horns, laughter, and the rich aroma of street food. Which felt good to breathe in again, as nostalgia enveloped me.

My phone chimed, pulling me out of my momentary drift, as a notification popped at the screen. I check and the sender information says "Mom". with a message "Get home safe darling, and don't forget about the party tonight". with a smiley emoji face as it's conclusion.

Ugh. Here she goes again about this damn party, I thought to myself, rolling my eyes to the side feeling slightly annoyed by her persistence.

All I wanted, was to go home, take a soothing warm bath and unwind.

But no, she had other plans. And the highlight was, it wasn't just a welcome back party, but an opportunity or more like a ritual to debut me. Throwing me back into the dating poll and hopefully bag a prospective husband with an arranged suitor or suitors she had lined up.

Seriously what era was this, that people still played match maker? I pondered, scoffing at the absurdity of it's existence. Considering how my last relationship/marriage took a dark turn, the idea of entertaining any man or possible emotions was the farthest thing from my mind.

Suddenly, the serene hum of the Mercedes turned into a jarring screech, forcing it to a jolted halt, throwing my body forward but I catch myself just in time before my head slammed against the seat in front of me.

Images of that terrifying night, that altered my life forever flashed before me, along with the echoed sounds of crushed metal and shattered glass, as panic rippled through me.

A cuss escapes my lips, "What the hell was that Anderson?". I snapped, as my breathe hitched between sentences.

With his hands still gripped on the steering wheel, visibly turning his knuckles white, Mr. Anderson offered a swift apology, "I'm sorry miss Cassagrande, that other car just cut us off".

Looking up, i see a matte red Maserati___ sleek, dangerous and expensive, had swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding a collision by mere inches. The driver...... a man with a tall domineering physique, climbed out. He had a dark gaze and a jawline that could cut through glass, exuding an aura that made the street pause and the world to a stand still at his mercy. Perfectly adorned around his masculine frame were a pair of charcoal slacks, a deep navy shirt, and arrogance like cologne.

"You should really teach your chauffeur how to stay in his damn lane," he scolded, running a hand through his tousled raven hair.

"Excuse me?". I scoffed, while alighting off the car. Moving towards the direction, where he stood.

"Wait! Miss Cassagrande". Anderson calls out to me, but I ignore, brushing off his pleas.

"My driver was well within the lines. Maybe you were too busy admiring your reflection in your rear view mirror to notice." I retort, my cultivated composure cracking underneath.

The man's lips curled slightly into a playful smirk, and blurts. "Feisty. It's always the ones with expensive shoes who think the road belongs to them." with an undisguised arrogance laced in his tone. As irritation rapidly spread through me.

My eyes flicked down to my Louboutins and back to him.

"And it's always the ones with daddy's cars who drive like they own the world. Perhaps you should learn how to drive! This isn't a racetrack, you arrogant oaf!" I charged back, matching his distasteful aura.

"Arrogant oaf?" he repeats through a cold chuckle. As his amusement at my utterance, infuriates me even more.

"Your not just feisty, but a comic as well. It's such a shame that a pretty face like yours, has such a sharp tongue". he snarled, with eyes full of judgment.

I had faced down hostile situations with far more grace before, but this man's sheer audacity was suffocatingly infuriating.

"What the hell do you mean by that?". I barked, with my brows furrowed.

"Look let's just call it even. I do not intend to waste anymore energy arguing with a spoiled rich brat." he mocked, just before he turned around and walked back to enter his car.

"Just keep your eyes on the road, princess." he concludes with a final, dismissive wave, revved his engine and sped off.

"Stop calling me princess, you jerk". I screamed at the peak of my voice, but my retort was drowned out by his roaring engine.

The nerve! Who the hell was that man? I wondered. As my nostrils flared from annoyance by his audacity.

"Are you alright miss?". Anderson, who had stood by watching us have a go at each other, asked from behind me. But I don't answer.

Stomping my louboutin heels against the hard ground, I get back into the car, pressing my back against the leather seat. My chest heaved and my lips quivered. A result of my current frustration.

"I apologize for the incident miss Cassagrande".

"It's fine Anderson, just take me home". I replied, and as we set off, I hoped in my silence I wouldn't cross paths with that arrogant excuse of a man ever again.

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The scent of old money and fresh flowers wafted in the air as soon as I strutted past the towering mahogany doors, down the grand hallway covered with velvet carpets, irradiated by glistering chandeliers as I made my way to the lounge area. Looking around I see no one in sight, at least so I thought, when I heard my mothers voice call out to me with excitement.

"Welcome home darling". as she locked me into a tight embrace and pulled away briefly. OR should I rather say......."Isabella!". she teased, through a sarcastic grin.

ISABELLA CASSAGRANDE!.

The name that shielded me from the traumas of my past self.

The face that now offered me salvation, and a new beginning.

An identity that no longer felt foreign, but had now become mine through hardwork and precision.

"Thank you mom. It feels good to be back home after all this time". I lovingly replied, locking her into an embrace once more and softly perked her cheeks.

"I've missed you and dad so much. Speaking of dad, where is he". I inquired, while glancing my eyes around in surveillance.

"Don't worry about him, he'll be here by the time the party starts later. We've missed you too darling".

"But.....there's someone who missed you even more". she subtly hints, as her words barely registered, right before a tiny two legged human ran in our direction smiling quite brightly.

"Mommy, mommy!". my son.......Tariq, a spitting image of his father, called out to me, with joy evident in his voice. I crouched down slightly, with wide opened arms to receive him. As soon as he's within my grasp, I lift him off the floor in an affectionate hug, as I twirl around on the spot.

"I'm happy your back mommy, I missed you so much" he tells me, with a smile stretched across his small lips. "Did you get me something from your trip". he asked inquisitively as his doe eyes searched my face for any clues.

"Of course I did my love". I release him from my embrace, as he watched in anticipation. Dipping my hands in my bag I pull out a variety of snacks ranging from cookies, chocolate bars and chip bags and also a small stitch figurine, which was his favorite animated character. Tariq's eyes quickly lit up with excitement at the sight of his gifts as he skipped and hopped around.

"Thank you mommy. he profoundly expressed his gratitude by giving me a kiss on my left cheek, while handing them over to him.

"Anything for you my love".

Strutting down from the opposite direction, came his nanny Ms. Celia gasping for air through shallowed breathes from running I assumed.

"There you are Tariq, I've been looking everywhere for you".

"Welcome back Miss Isabella". Celia announced, offering her salutations right after catching a glimpse of my presence.

"Thank you Ms. Celia. I hope my baby hasn't been much trouble during my absence?". I teased the question.

"Not at all miss. His been a very good boy so far".

"Hmm, is that right buddy?". I playfully threw the question at my little one, who kept grinning from ear to ear.

"Celia dear, please take Tariq inside so Isabella can have some rest". mother instructed, demonstrating with her perfectly manicured blood red fingers.

"Yes madame. Come young master let's go inside and allow your mom to rest". Celia beckoned, but his cheerful countenance immediately changed into a pouted lip, averting his face to the floor. Sensing his sadness I crouched down, hugged him again and whispered, "I'll come tuck you in later tonight, before going to bed okay". I let out, as his eyes sparkled once more.

"You promise?"

"Yes my love, I promise I will be there". I assure him, right before he and Celia disappeared back through the direction they came. While I made my way to my room to have some much needed rest and prepare for the party tonight.

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By the time I descended down the grand staircase, after having a soothing bath, dressed in a sapphire blue gown that cascaded to the floor, accentuating my curves, the party had already begun in full swing. As the room buzzed with soft murmurs of present elites, with the thick smell of fresh flowers and expensive champagne circulating the air.

For a moment I forgot it was a welcome back party, but felt more like a coronation, with the vibrant energy that exuded all over. One which made the parties the Mondragons threw back then to look like mediocre get togethers.

I glided through the crowd packed room with a practiced smile and demeanor, I had worked on for this very moment to avoid slipping out of character and brewing any form of suspicion amongst people I barely knew. Greeting guests and offering salutations with a champagne flute clutched in my hand as I made my way to where my adoptive parents stood entertaining guests.

"You look stunning darling!". my mom praised as she pulled me into a warm embrace. "Your just in time. He's here". she announced excitedly.

"Who?". I blurted the question, but met with no response, as she guided me towards where my father stood with a tall, imposing figure with his back turned in my direction.

"Isabella, my dear," my father...... Stewart Cassagrande boomed, with a hand on the man's shoulder.

"Allow me to introduce you. This is Dante Romero.......your prospective partner!" he blurted out the words like it was nothing.

As the man turned back slowly, my world seemed to tilt on its axis.

The broad shoulders. The dark gaze, the infuriatingly familiar jawline, as our eyes met, my carefully constructed composure shattered, replaced by an overwhelming sense of disbelief.......and then it hit me, like a slap on the face.

"It's You!".