Mona's POV:
"I don't want to do this, dad! What do you mean I need to marry that Mafia?! Why?!" I've just landed home from Europe upon finishing my studies, and my dad is telling me to not unpack my bags as I'm going to marry some fucker tomorrow!
My heart is everywhere and I'm lunatic at him to hear that. He's so damn calm with some gloomy brown eyes, but with a heavy and ordering tone of voice.
"It's settled, Mona. You're the only daughter I have. If you don't marry Frederick Shawn tomorrow morning, we can as well go on the streets tonight. I have a 40 million debt to him for our companies, baby. Business is not going well and he's not giving me any delays." He's drinking whisky on the sofa and I'm standing before him, in the living room.
I'm baffled. I didn't know about that. I now see he's worn out and at his limit with solutions. I've been out of the States for the last four years for studies and nothing lacked for me. I had no news for things going south back home.
I'm raking my hair with my hands, shaking my head, breathing with difficulty.
"Why didn't you tell me, dad? And how in hell have you two reached to this kind of settlement? To marry him for our debts? That's crazy, dad! I don't even know him! I just know his fucking name, that he's a billionaire businessman, and that he's a mafia head, one of the biggest out there! And you want me to marry someone like that?!" He's gulping whisky and now slams the glass on the table, leaning his back on the sofa in surrender. His gaze is down, and he sighs.
"My hands are tied, Mona. He found out about you when you called me last month. He knew I had a daughter but just as casual info. Because of your car accident back then, having you miles away in hospital, I had to take the call with you in front of him. When we finished our conversation, he started questioning me about you, being somehow concerned. I didn't think much of it, and I told him about you in general and what happened to you. We then resumed our former discussion about his investment and that things are bad on that line, with such a high investment, with me having other loans and investors doing the same with my business because I'm on a red line for two years now, just dragging to not declare bankruptcy. He left on me thinking on a last solution to deal with this in an amicable manner and not have him send me in official bankruptcy and take all my assets to compensate some of the investment. Of course, I had and have no solution as we don't have money in those amounts."
He's titling his sad eyes at me and my heart breaks.
"We have a total of 200 million accumulated debts to everyone, baby. And cash only around three million in all the companies. Real estate industry is flopping, and I have no means to earn money as I used to, baby. It's not that I don't work or do my best, but the economy is not helping. Transactions are not as they used to be, and the amounts are less and less as income."
He grabs the whisky bottle and pours himself another shot in his glass. I'm going crazy inside and I'm in a state of shock, unable to breathe right, as this is so bad.
"I can't bring in more investors to cope with the losses and do business because we're not feasible anymore as companies. No one invests in a red line company."
He drinks the glass in one shot and leans back on the sofa with the empty glass in his hand, gazing in the room with a lost stare.
"So, by the end of second day, he called me. He said he did a background check on you, and he wants you as his wife to drop his claims on the investment, interest, and penalties for the previous delays. He will also deal with everything we have as debts and will further invest in our companies as we'll become family. That's the good offer. If I refuse, he'll end us financially speaking and we'll end on the streets. He gave me two days to decide and sent me all documents for me to analyze. The documents are the marriage contract with all he offers and takes responsibility in doing, also between you and him, and the legal actions on the other side if I decide to refuse. That's the bad offer. I did analyze them and for us, it's apocalyptical. I didn't tell you until now because I didn't want to pressure you. I wanted you to focus on finishing your studies and come back home safe. But now, I have no way to not tell you. I accepted it as I won't let you suffer on the streets with me and have the rug pulled from under your feet because I flopped in business. He's not a bad guy at core against him being Mafia and all he is. The age difference is not big, only five years."
I'm going crazy in my mind glued with my stare to my crushed to his core dad.
"He's 31. His looks are featured in all magazines and he's one of the biggest and prosperous businessmen against his young age. What does concern me is that being Mafia, he does have a load of dangers around him. But I know his dad and Frederik took the mafia position from him. If his dad reached an old age and still going, with a wife, same one since his youth, beside him, it does bring some comfort to my heart you won't be affected by that side of his. His parents are with a solid marriage and his mom seems a happy woman with his dad. I don't know, baby.... I'm trying to see the light in the darkness, or I'll go fucking crazy.... And I managed to delay him in claiming you until you would come back home. He said that the next morning you'll go to him, sign the marriage contract, and become his legal wife and all included. That's tomorrow morning. He knew when you'd come back home even before I told him.... I've already signed the connected contracts to the marriage contract as a guarantee and settlement. If you won't do your part, everything will blow and we're...in a bad, very bad, situation. For the last month, because of his involvement with you now, he blocked the other parties in executing us for the debts we have with them. But tomorrow morning, if you don't do your part, we need to pack our bags and leave all premises we own. It's in the contracts signed by me. One way or another, we were in same situation. Sooner or later. Now, you decide if we pack our bags, or you want a further good life in financial aspects, as I'm not certain for the actual life considering the circumstances between you two...."
We're so fucked, dad.... FUCK!
Frederick's POV:
I'm in Gill Sandler's office, at his company, talking about my investment. I've extended the return of it for almost two years. He managed to pay back half of the set monthly instalments, and this is getting out of hand.
Gill Sandler has been and is a worthy businessman with no problems so far, before these two years. I can't blame him on one hand as there are problems in the market, yet I conduct business and I can't act otherwise than a cold businessman.
Sandler rolled business with my dad previously and they know each other closely. Therefore, dad told me to give him a slack and wait for him to have a better business as he will return the money as contracted. They know each other since their youth as business partners. So, I've done that. For two years. However, I don't run a charity and I can't extend more. You don't make billions with losses.
My dad has told me along the years Sandler's story with his wife dying before time and that he has a daughter, younger than me. How he suffered and hasn't remarried, staying even now faithful to his wife. He does have other women as he's a man, but nothing serious or in the public eyes.
Dad has always been fond of his daughter, Mona. No, I don't know her and have never seen her. But my dad said she's always been a little genius and angel, going around the world to study since a young age. She's been to China, Japan, England, India, Russia, and Germany with scholarships as she has always won with her studies, being an A-list student. Yeah, she's been more out of the States than inside. Yet, though I did have an attraction to such a girl, I didn't give much importance at the time as I had my own business to tend to.
Years passed and dad would tell me from time to time about her whenever I would hit home from one of my business trips and mom would call me to have dinner at their place as yes, I'm the only son. But no, he and mom would never tell me about her in getting me marry her or something like that. My dad would speak to her dad and ask him about Mona. Her dad would tell him her latest conquests and how proud he is of her and how lucky as a dad to have such a daughter compared to other dads having daughters nowadays. Mom and dad were always interested in her as they wanted to have a daughter as well and one like her. Mona seems to have never troubled her dad with problems, though my dad says she's a rebel, too. When he would say the rebel part, he wouldn't give the details of it, just smirked and shook his head in disbelief, entertained by the fact.
Anyhow, I've had her on my mind at times, but never went the mile to actually learn more about her, focusing on my duties and taking over my family business on all sides, which has consumed all my time and life. For my mafia side, to become the head of it, as my dad, I've trained since a young age, around seven, and had a deadly training, with a later deadlier experience to become what I am. The most feared and deadliest one. For my business side, I went through higher education to best schools and universities in the States and, like little genius, finished them with perfect scores. But yes, I'm a bad boy and not a one-woman man. I can't be as I'm cold in feelings. I'm not a beast or a bad man with women, but you know what I mean. Just getting laid and that's all. Never same woman. None has ever made me want more. They lack substance.
"Frederick, please, just give me more time. I'm trying to switch on another field to make profits, but I need more time." Sandler is at his limit with everything and has a tired expression but keeping himself with a poker and businessman face and attitude, like he always is. I've already seen your companies' financials. It's bad, Gill. It's end line, unfortunately.
I'm on the sofa in his office and he's on the armchair. I'm sipping some whisky on the rocks. "Gill, as a person, I understand. As a businessman, it's bad. Two years, I've been lenient to you because of our families knowing each other since long and you never breaking your contractual duties. And you are the only one I've done this with because my father vouched for you." I get interrupted as his phone is ringing and at the sound of it, he goes pale in an instant, like he knows who's calling.
"I'm sorry, Frederick. I need to take this. It's my daughter from England. She recently had a car accident.... Yes, baby?" Mona.... Car accident? Well, dad said she's a rebel, too.... Ha-ha! Hope she's fine though.... I go silent and listen to them, sipping some whisky. He doesn't have the phone on speaker, but I have a sharp hearing and I can decipher her replies and hear her voice.
"Daddy? I'm fine, don't worry. Malika is not very well though." Such a sexy voice.... Gill sighs in relief. "But they said it's nothing bad, just that she's going to stay in the hospital for a couple more days. Her dad said the car is a mess and he freaked out, thanking God we didn't have the injuries the car presented. They've arrested the drunk driver." I think she's smoking.
"I thank God as well, baby. I would die to lose you like I did your mom.... What did the doctors say about you blacking out upon the impact?" What? I tilt my eyebrows and my heart gets a clench hearing all that. Never had such a reaction to someone or something. Only for my mom and dad I would have it.
"Eh.... I've been tired lately, dad. We had the Russian company as a study case and assistance for my PhD and spent nights without sleeping." Gill shakes his head and shuts his eyes, brushing his face with his left hand. "They said I'm a bit low in calcium and having a start of anemia and that's why. They gave me treatment for it and scheduled me for next checkup. I'm fine. Your daughter is strong, dad. The injuries are already healing. I have nothing bad, really. I didn't have shock during the impact. If I were the one driving, I would have prevented the motherfucker to hit our car. Malika is not with my instincts, and she loses herself. I managed to grab the steering wheel and avoid, partially, the bad part of the accident when I saw the car losing control and coming toward us from my side, but instead of keeping her foot on the acceleration pedal, she hit the break.... I didn't want to drive that day because I was sleepy, and she was better than me as she had a day off. I wish I was driving.... The detective was all a praise when I woke up and told him what had happened. Ha-ha! He said I prevented a worse accident with my intervention. Yeah, I didn't lie to him.... I can't fucking lie in general.... See, dad? You always worry over my car races, but it pays off.... Ha-ha! My guilty pleasure.... Anyways, how are things back there? Have you been good? Hope you're on your diet and meds, all a good guy. Once I land in the States, we're going for a full checkup, dad. I'll see if you lie to me or not." Gill chuckles. She's in a playful voice and a bit bossy. Hmm.... Now I get why dad is so fond of her.... Car races.... The rebel side.... Ha-ha! I'm smiling.
"I've been good, baby." His voice betrays him in front of her though as she becomes serious.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"What's the matter? I said I'm fine. You know your daughter."
"Yes, I know."
"Is there something going on?"
"No, just worried about you. I hate you not sleeping and being miles away for the last four years. And now the accident...." He's partially lying as he seems he hasn't told her about the problems with the companies.
"Dad? Don't lie to me. What's wrong? Is everything okay with business? Tell me. You had health problems? Something is off and I know you're not telling me the truth. Whatever it is, you tell me, dad." She's not stupid indeed....
The more I listen to her, the more my heart reacts and gets a warm wave enveloping it. I'm also concerned about her health state after that accident. Strange as fuck....
"No, baby. Everything is fine as you know it. I'm happy nothing bad happened to you. I was going to take the jet tonight and come to you...." He's clearing his throat. He's avoiding my sight all this time, focused on her.
"Come on, dad. I said you don't need to do that. Nothing will take me out of existence and let you out of adrenaline! Ha-ha!" He smiles. "By the way, the Russian CEO?" She's drinking something and pauses.
"What about?"
"Well, Malika knows about my car races. While working on the project in the company, she was reminiscing of my last year's car race and laughing on how I dealt with the last car in the race to win it. He heard it and asked me about it. I told him vaguely as it's...in the underground. He said his son is a car racing monster and he would love to see me racing against him. And we did it, last weekend.... I can never say no to that.... Guilty, dad. Sorry I haven't told you though...." He's contracting his jawline, but he remains silent. His eyes darken. The rebel daughter.... But she tells him at least.... Ha-ha! "And, my perfect score is maintained, dad. The sucker is a great racer, but he smelled my balls. Ha-ha! Okay, dad. I have to go now. I have the meeting with the team and they're coming to the restaurant near the hospital. Call you later. Love you. Bye." She rushes the last part and ends the call before Gill has opportunity to reply to her.
He motions his head, chewing from his left cheek. "You always kill me.... Car race.... Last weekend.... Car accident.... When you'll come home.... Yeah." He's saying this while placing his phone in his suit jacket and when he tilts his eyes and sees me, he comes back to reality I've been here this entire time. "Oh, sorry, Frederick. I always have my mind out when she's calling me. Especially after what happened two days ago.... She's my only daughter and family."
We have a deep lock of stares and I'm studying his eyes, rolling in my head all my dad has told me about Mona and what I've just heard. My heart is aching for her, and I now realize her voice, though strong and not giving signs of weakness, was a bit off. She might be covering her state in front of her dad to not make him worry about her.
"Don't worry, Gill. I understand. Tell me what happened and about her." I fake knowledge of their conversation, as in her replies.
After one look at me with surprise, he starts telling me about her, info I already knew in general from dad, and about the car accident. She called him the moment she came back to her senses and told him to not worry as she's fine, but she was involved in a car accident, and she wasn't the one driving. It was her best friend, Malika. He contacted the hospital to validate her words, though she never lies to him, no matter how bad it is, and they confirmed she's fine and that she's responding well after the accident, just that they'd run more tests to make sure the blackout she experienced is not a problem because of the accident with internal bleeding. Tests came out well and she's safe on that, just the low calcium and start of anemia are present.
He continues in telling me he hasn't told her about the financial problems as he's keeping things covered in front of her. He'll deal with them, though she's half in shares and one of the major stockholders. But he's the Chairman and it's his duty to solve this as both leader and father. And then, he comes back in asking me for another delay.
Hmm.... Delay. I can't give you another delay. But.... Something has changed indeed.... And you need to thank your daughter for that. It's not like I wouldn't give you a delay, but the situation you're in will only further your losses and not your comeback. You're refusing to accept that. I understand you're not a quitter, but let's face reality. I need to see some things first.... Yep. It's time to learn more about baby Mona. Only then I can make you an offer to solve your problems. We'll see.
I stand up and button my suit jacket. "I can't give you more delays, Gill. I've already done it and the results are worse. Think of a way to give the investment back and fast. I'm sorry, but this is end line for me. I'll call you soon to tell me. I'm glad your daughter is well though. She seems a good and loving daughter. I'll see myself out." I say this in a cold, businessman tone, which is my signature one, and walk out of his office, not letting him say more.
Fredrick's POV:
When I'm in my limo, I order my right hand, Randy, to give me all there is on Mona Sandler and prepare the jet to England to go and see her live. I won't approach her, but I need to see the rebel baby.
My heart needs to be sure she's indeed well after that accident. I don't know why I'm doing all this as it's out of my character, but I don't go against it. My heart has never dictated me such things, so, I need to follow its orders regarding her.
By the time I reach England, I have everything about Mona on my phone. Since the day she was born till present moment. Yes, I have everything, including her racing records in the underground. She's a lunatic.... Ha-ha! The more I read about her, the more my heart burns and so is my body. The moment her pictures come before my eyes.... Damn.... Dad was right.... She's like a baby angel.... Not only super smart but smoking hot as well.... She's a curvy Angel.... Mmm.... Can't wait to see her live.... She was adorable as a kid.... And now, she's.... Man!
I'm smirking over her pictures and I'm so damn taken in her like I've never been for a woman. Not even ten percent have I been so hyped on a woman like I'm on baby Mona. My heart was never given, though this baby Mona has captured it just like that, without even seeing her at first. So damn strange all this happening to me, but the fuck I care. She's mine.
When I land in England, my men tell Randy she's in a local, normal restaurant, with some of her friends, discussing on their project, second meeting with them. She's staying in the proximity of the hospital to go and check on Malika.
My heart is pounding all the drive there. Again, never happened to me before. I have a thousand thoughts at the same time, trying to figure out I'm not just temporarily like this regarding her. I don't want to make a mistake as I know how cold I am. I wouldn't want to be like this, do what I have in mind, and then have the clarity it was just a passing feeling and hurt her. I would never want to emotionally hurt a woman. I know what impact I have on women. They instantly fall in love with the man I am even before I would have sex with them. And I always tell them before sex that it's only a one-time thing and not expect more from me as I'm not that type of guy and don't do relationships. I never lie.
I enter the restaurant, alone. My men are outside in the cars. I already know her face and it won't be hard to spot her. Besides, I already have details of where she is. The moment the women in the restaurant take notice of me, the murmurs stop and they all drool on me. It's normality for me. I ignore everyone and take a seat at one of the tables close to hers having the waitress giving me the menu and waiting for the order. She's bending her cleavage at me, but my eyes are on baby Mona.
The only woman in the entire restaurant who doesn't notice my presence here, is rebel Mona who's surrounded by guys at the table, smoking, and reading some papers. You baby Mona.... No look to see why the entire restaurant had a halt in everything.... Mmm.... My heart halts at her image and my eyes hunger over her like hypnotized. I give a random order, not taking my eyes off my baby....
"Brad? This is not good, moron." She slams the file on his head, and he whimpers. She's with a bad girl look at him.
"Come on, love! I did my best on that!" Love?! I'll fuck you so good your own mother won't recognize you, fucker! She's murdering him with her eyes and slams the files several times on his head.
"What! Did! I! Tell! You! On! Calling! Me! Love?! Keep your fucking balls in check, Brad. Don't make me kill you. Bad time on that after what I had. Redo this." She throws the files on him. "You're one year under me, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to approach it. Stop walking on my nerves." She's sipping from her coffee, and I would so kiss those lips.... She's a natural beauty and dresses normally. She's in a pair of black skinny jeans, a black top on her neck embracing her torso, a thin leather jacket, a bit long on her, with elbow-length sleeves, and a pair of black stilettos. She has her hair in a messy bun, and she wears no jewelry, just a golden watch on her left wrist. And she has some delicious dimples.... And those jade eyes.... Oh man! She's carved to perfection.... Damn, baby.... She's not seeing me.... I'm smirking at her and for sure owning some animal stares on her.
I'm having my order and I sip from my whisky, not escaping her sight.
"Okay, okay.... I'm sorry." Brad fucker takes a serious stance and drops the lover boy act. She "Hmph!" at him. Oh, baby.... I make no mistake with you. You're mine, baby. Forever.
"Mona?" Another one is showing her some papers.
"Yeah?"
"This right here is what we proposed as change. We need your approval on this." She takes it.
"Did you check the trade market?"
"Yes. It's all there."
Brad is tranced on her, and I might kill the fucker. The others are hyped on her as well but keeping boundaries. Brad is not under boundaries. Son of a bitch.... Cross the line and I might end you, fucker. That's my soon-to-be wife!
"Hmm...." She's reading with speed the papers. "Yes. It's okay. If this goes accordingly, the Russian company will have a boom on the stock market. And it will go accordingly after we've worked so hard on it. Did you speak with the brokers yesterday, Kevin?" She's asking another, giving back the papers to the other one.
"Yep. They're preparing the action for tomorrow. They'll list the new branch and expecting the boom.
"Okay. Send them the change. Alright, guys. I'm going. Call me if anything. I'll be with Malika in the hospital overnight and I'll study next week's files. I have them in the car." She's packing her stuff in her purse. "Oh! Brad?"
"Yes, lo...." THAT FUCKER! He stops as she's having a bad omen stare at him, standing up with the hem of her purse in her left hand.
"Continue and you're dead, Brad." They have a deep lock of stares, and he grins at her but stays silent. "Check with the CEO the statute of the company one more time and see if everything is in place. For the other branch. And wipe off that grin on your face before I do it for you, moron. Better use your main brain on the important stuff and let the other breathe some." The others chuckle at this, and I smirk. Brad is breathing with heaviness, wanting to say something but stops as she walks away.
She strolls past me, without even glancing at me, sighing, and looking tired now. I pick up her faint jasmine scent from her perfume, intoxicating my senses and ravaging my being in torments. Her stance is that of a noble woman and her beauty is a match to that. Oh yes, baby.... We're so on, love. I'll call your dad and tell him my offer and decision. His daughter shall be my wife. I'll deal with everything else.
She's out of the restaurant but before I stand up to go after her and see her more, the other guys are speaking to Brad who's leaned back on his chair, all tensed up, with some battles in his dark brown eyes. No, he's a hunk himself and not ugly at all. They're all dressed in a suit like me and seem at least millionaires by their clothes.
"Man.... You always piss her off, Brad." And me. I relax on my chair, gulp from my whisky, and listen to them. Brad is rolling his glass of red wine in his hand, staring on the table. "She refused you countless times. I don't know how much you can still handle it. From how I see it, she will never accept you. Or another...." This is Kevin guy speaking. Hmm.... So, you did ask her....
He drinks his glass in one shot and slams the glass on the table. "I'll never give up. I fucking love her. When I heard about the accident, I almost had a heart attack because of her. I don't even know when I went in the car and drove there to see how she is." Give up. She's mine.
My heart has another clench being reminded by her accident, but it comforts me she's looking well and not having visible injuries. She just looks tired. My baby Mona.... And she doesn't know about her dad's mess yet....
He pours himself another glass of wine and sips from it. "I'm waiting for this month to pass and her to finish her PhD. I'll have another talk with her. I'll go back to the States in two months, and I'll officially approach her. I will not lose her. I already bought the ring to propose to her. That serious I am with her." WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY?! I'm bull staring at him. He's gloomy and sincere. He's hurting because of my baby. I can see that.
Kevin guy shakes his head. "I don't know, man. Prepare yourself for a total rejection. It's been four years and she hasn't accepted you or anyone else. She's just into what she's doing here and nothing more. I don't know if she'll change her views once back to the States. Malika says she's always been like this, and they know each other since teens." Things will change when she'll be back to the States. She'll become my wife, next morning. Yep.
After this, I stand up, pay my order, and get out. Once I'm in the limo, I tell Randy to give me all on that Brad fucker. Then, I go after my baby to see she's safe to the hospital. Some of my men are already tailing her. She's in a black BMW sports car.
At the hospital, I send my men to live stream to me what's going on in there and see her some more. I'm aching to go and grab her, feel her in my arms, kiss her and have her, but I'll refrain for the moment. I'll wait....
Meanwhile, I have the identity of Brad. He's Brad Loren, son of Loren Estates in Los Angeles. Millionaire and about to take over the business upon completing his PhD. He's a prodigy as my baby is, finishing his studies in record time and having a range of academical achievements. Same age as my baby, 26. He's also a black belt in taekwondo. However, he's nowhere my level. And, he has media scandals with women. A bad boy himself. Well, he's sincere in feelings with my baby. I give him that. And I know from personal experience that media scandals are not like that in reality. Whatever the scoop, it's never at the level reality has it. Media always tends to present things in the worst light possible. For example, not all women I appear with in scandal magazines have I fucked. So, it is the same with him. I don't find him as a bad guy in general, but because it's about my Mona, I won't let anything come between us. She's not a passing feeling for me, she's the feeling of my life. I'm sure of it at this point.
My men send me footage from inside the hospital till the room that has Malika, and baby Mona doesn't step outside after that.
I get a call from one of my mafia businesses and I'm needed back in the States. Yeah, I'm undertaking some new territories in the country and outside the country and there's war on that with other mafias. Nothing out of the ordinary for the one I am.
I leave England ordering men to guard and protect my baby from the shadows and send me footage with her and her everyday itinerary. I announce them she's soon to be their Madam and that if anything happens to her, they're dead.
In the jet back home, I order my lawyers to prepare the marriage contract and all the contracts to make the deal with her dad for the investment. I also order them to start buying the debts from the other companies and banks Sandler has with them, but to do it quietly and Gill to not take notice of this.
I'm aware of baby Mona now after reading her files and seeing her in action. She'll try to propose me a new plan of returning the investment and ask me for a delay. I need the entire sum of debts against her. She's able to make the forty million in a few months as she has high connections in England, Germany and Russia who would jump to help her if she were to ask for it, but 250 million, no. I'll trap her to me without a way out. I saw she has a hidden bank account with 10 million dollars. She might use it to negotiate with me, but it won't work. I'm not after money, I'm after her.