Forbidden Temptation

"I am not going to do what you did to my mom," I said, pointing my finger to my father's face as everyone's head shot in my direction.

"I'm not your pawn that you'd throw in any direction, and it would obey your commands like a puppet you want me to be," I snapped at my father as he sat silently and listened to me.

"Vanessa, please, I'll talk to dad," Asher came behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder, trying to usher me down.

"What? What would you say? Would you be able to open your mouth in front of him and ask him to not make me marry that hog's younger son for his own good, huh?" I let go of the spoon as it fell on my plate with a clicking sound and pulled myself off of the chair standing up. I turned around and looked at him, waiting for him to say something, but as usual nothing came out of his mouth. He was always like that, shushing me down and doing whatever dad said because he can not go against him. Obedient son!

"I'm doing it for your own good, Vanessa Blackford. Enough with the senseless bickering, and be careful not to push me into actions we'll both regret," Dad's voice pitched higher as he warned me with those venomous words.

"I lived my whole life earning this fortune for you all. I always try to benefit from any chance I get so that my children can live the life they deserve," I scoffed at his effort to emotionally trap me into accepting the ridiculous offer. He was doing it all for his own good. He was doing it to land a great deal with the latter, which will eventually benefit him by increasing the profit rate of Blackford traders. He was signing me off, basically selling me off in order to sign the contract with Rossi Investments.

God, he can not help himself. Moving a hand down my face in frustration, I strolled outside of the dining hall, slamming the door behind me. I just wanted peace. I wanted to figure it all out. What happened in the last few minutes and what my dad said was totally insane. It didn't make sense at all. I wanted to move out of this house-this big ass mansion and I wanted to live in a cozy apartment instead where there would be just me and my baby plants. What I didn't expect was my father to announce my sudden marriage-contract marriage, to be precise.

I closed the door of my room and paced around, my hand sliding in the back of my nape in anxiousness . What if I leave the house tonight? I've enough money in my bank account to move to somewhere safe yet far away from here. But, I knew even the thought of it was ridiculous. My dad can dig the ground seven layers deep to get me out.

A knock on my door pulled me out of my never-accomplishing plans. I looked at the door and stopped pacing as the knob turned and Asher walked inside.

"Dad told me to get you ready, they are about to arrive in a few."

He didn't tell you my brother, he ordered you.

"Don't tell me. I-I can not, Asher. I don't want to live our mom's life. I can't let that happen to me," I said in utter disappointment as the feeling of helplessness washed over me. I wanted him to help me out, but I knew he couldn't. No-one could go against dad's will, if they wanted to live peacefully.

Asher walked forward covering the distance between us and took my hands in his.

"I convinced him, V. But, you know no-one can stop him from what he has already planned," His eyes glistened with pity while mine pleaded with hopelessness.

"I told him, we can arrange any other deal, but he said that they wanted this. It will interest both of them."

God! I tried to gather myself and exhaled slightly pushing my boundaries to say the words I had the only choice left for.

"I have a condition. Now that I am going to be thrown in this game, I want to play my own bet as well. Tell him, I'm not going to marry him until I prepare myself to do so. I can live at their place to sign off the deal that is much more dear to him rather than his own daughter," I said, adding, "But, as a bachelor, not as a wife."

There was no going back from this reality now that I have known it. I freed my hands from his and walked towards my closet taking out the first dress I got my hands on, indicating to him to leave the room. He did, though. He was as helpless as I was.

I walked towards my bathroom to get ready for the already ruined day.

☆☆☆

The dining table was totally packed when I entered the hall. My heels clicking on the marbled floor as I walked towards the direction of the table catching everyone's attention. I was wearing a golden coloured dress that fell short at my mid-thighs bunching around them. Its fitting made my curves slightly pronounced, my hair falling on my shoulders.

Besides, three members of my own family, dad, Asher and his wife, there were three more people, simply men sitting on their respective seats.

"Rossi, meet my daughter, Vanessa. Vanessa, It's Albert Rossi," Dad chimed in a cheerful tone looking at me addressing the almost grey haired man sitting on his right.

"Vanessa. Nice to meet you," Not really. I said offering a tight small to the old man.

"Nice to meet you too, Vanessa. You have grown into a fine lady. Meet Leo and Adrian," He said, praising me and pointed towards the other two men. One having chestnut hair, Leo, offered his hand forward for a handshake. He looked like he was in his late twenties. The other, brown haired, Adrian-as Albert pointed-seemed like he was in his early thirties.

I took Leo's hand in mine as he forwarded it and shook it slightly moving my hand back beside me. On the other hand, Adrian sat straight, not moving an inch. Rude.

I walked towards the left side of Asher and put my hand on the back of the seat pulling it. Slipping down on it, I sat there while dad and his friend went back on the topic they were gossiping about.

Everyone started talking with each other besides lunch. Asher with his wife-Grace, Dad and Albert, Leo eating his food as if he didn't even care what was going on. Whereas, Adrian. He-he was silently watching me. His brown, hunter-shaped eyes bore in mine as if he could see me straight through them. His gaze not moving an inch from me like the world has stopped and he had nowhere to look.

I moved my eyes down feeling uncomfortable and took the fork in my hand. Creepy idiot!

☆☆☆

The tedious conversation going on the table between the boring men had me yawning so I excused myself from the table and walked upstairs. I wanted to have a good silent space to submit more emails for a senior position at multiple architecture firms. I was already working with Rowan but he suggested that I should apply for the league's contributing firms to get more recognition on my talent. I couldn't let this fucking marriage disturb my social life.

I was walking towards my room when the smell of cigarette caught my nose. I turned my head to the direction of the smell as it led me to the library's closed door. Dad and Asher were downstairs then who-Adrian, he was not at the table as he excused himself walking out of the hall when his phone rang earlier. I walked towards the library putting my hands on the door knob turning it around and pushed the door forward. It opened with me seeing a silhouette standing beside the desk chair, turned towards the window.

Registering the sound, Adrian turned around looking at me. His eyes met mine moving down till my bare legs and then moving back up fixing at my eyes. I walked inside, closing the door behind me as never in the hell would I want the awful smell to reach my room.

He threw the butt of the cigarette in the bin lying besides the desk and walked towards me, putting his hands in the front pocket of his pants.

"So, you're Vanessa. Vanessa Blackford," He said more like announced and stopped inches away from me.

"Guess, It's gonna be so much entertaining," He added.

I walked towards her, registering her full appearance. She wore a green coloured dress with brown long curls falling in front of her. Her green eyes looked straight at mine. Her petite curves showing in that tight attire.

God, she looked tempting. I told myself I was going to have her when I saw her picture and videos the last time in a convocation coat. She exhibited power and confidence from her actions ironically with that pretty face of hers.

Her hands curled itself besides her when I stopped a few inches away from her.

"What do you mean by entertaining?" She asked curling her arms around her chest.

"I meant by you becoming Leo's fiancée. It'd be fun right? When he'd not want you but you'd still be lurking, huh?" I said, emphasising the bitterness in my voice.

I asked my father to get her for me but guess what? That shitty father of hers signed her for Leo thinking that he was the heir of Rossi Investments. Not that Leo is dying to get married anyway. He already despises my father's company and wants to stay as far away from it as he can.

Her brows furrowed, confusion spilling through her expression as I took a step towards her, her step faltering behind. And then another, not missing her steps going back further until her back was pressed on the hard bookshelf.

"It means you're going to stay at my mansion. Seeing me every day and every night knowing damn well that you're living in someone else's name," I said, putting one of my hands beside her head while the other brushed a few of her strands behind her ear inhaling her scent. She smelled like vanilla and lavender.

"Who do you think you're? I don't even know you. And, not in the hell am I ever going to be pleased seeing you or anything. So, keep those vain hopes away from yourself because they're never going to turn the reality around," She spat. Wild!

Brave to spitfire, huh! I liked that attitude of hers, after all she was Edward's daughter. Soon she'd know how to use it better in front of people who really deserve it.

I chuckled, taking her chin in my right hand, my fingers meeting the back of her neck, and our mouths inches apart from each other. I looked in her eyes and asserted, "You'd know. You'd know very soon who I am and what I want. Until then I'm going to let you get settled at the mansion".

I wasn't going to play the game so soon. I've waited for it for a long time. I'm going to have her all to myself first.

"Welcome to Rossi's family, Ms. Vanessa. A great journey is waiting for you ahead," I said pushing myself away from her and turned around, leaving her there confused and frowning as I walked outside the library not towards the dining hall but straight to the driveway.

☆☆☆

My room was pitch dark when I entered inside. Leo and father could do whatever they wanted. I took my bike and rode back to the mansion because I didn't want to stay there anymore knowing damn well about Edward's selfish priorities and his animated aura.

I threw my coat off of myself, unbuttoning my shirt and pants as cool air hit my bare skin, and walked towards the bathroom. Standing in the shower, I tried to wear it off and cooled myself down.

Vanessa, those emerald eyes of hers came in front of my vision and I lost control of myself landing my fist on the wall. I punched again gritting my teeth, this time harder than the previous one but the pain I felt inside my chest was still not overcome by the pain I felt shooting up my arm. That bastard father of hers, I couldn't stand him even for five seconds but I sat with him today, in the same room, breathing the same damned air. He was still fine as fuck, thriving the same way he always wanted, he always planned to. He was still doing fine after whatever he did to my mother.

I exhaled, closing my eyes out of frustration, opening them again, shaking my hand in the air as I looked at the drops of fresh blood on the scratches formed at my knuckles. Cleaning myself and showering completely, I tugged a towel around my waist and walked back inside my room towards the walk-in closet and took a t-shirt pulling it over my head. It clung to my torso as I pulled the pants up my legs zipping it up and placed the phone inside my pocket.

Walking downstairs, I called Matthew, our senior security and inlet manager.

"If Leo or Dad comes and asks for me, just say that I went to Vincenzo's," I said letting him know to make sure that I didn't want anyone disturbing me for the night.

Seeing him node, I slid my foot in my shoes and stepped outside the foyer, striding towards my bike. I put the helmet over my head and turned the ignition, driving outside the gates.

☆☆☆

Around 2 am, I finally came back to the mansion after having a long party night Isabella threw for her husband's birthday. I wanted to distract myself for the night and the party paid off. It was pitch black inside the main hall when I entered. Padding up the stairs I walked towards my bedroom when suddenly my step faltered on the tracks.

Faint voices spilled out from the room where Leo always stayed when he arrived from London. I walked forward rolling the keys in my fingers as the voices pitched higher. It seemed more like someone was arguing.

Leo didn't bring any girls in the house, he had this habit of his. I tucked my head on the wood of the door to his room. I listened closely as his voice caught my hearing and some gi-Vanessa?

Too early for moving in but alright, this is going to be interesting.

"If you have any kind of misunderstandings in your little mind, related to me or my dysfunctional father, I'm telling you right away to take them out of your mind," Leo said, snapping his finger right at my face.

"I get that your father is dysfunctional, so is mine. But, I didn't know that you and your brother are douchebags as well. Thanks for letting me know by the way," I said sarcastically, taking my hand bag in my hand, and moved beside him towards the direction of the door. I was halfway through, when he grasped my wrist, gripping both of my arms with his giant ones and pinned me to the side of the door.

"You're getting quite comfortable, isn't it? Now, let me tell you something. It might disappoint you that you're being left here like that but you're going to stay here, alone. I'm travelling to London and I'm not going to get back here soon enough," He said looking straight in my eyes, rage dripping down his flared expressions, as he added,

"Neither am I interested in you, nor in my father's business. You stay here or go back, your choice. But, I'm not going to ruin my life staying with you, a woman I don't even know," His grip on my shoulders tightened at his last words and then without any further word, he turned towards the door, flashed it open and walked outside.

I stood there looking at nothing in general as I tried to process what happened just now. What happened today. I didn't expect such an upturn in my life suddenly. Where did dad even throw me? How am I going to survive it here? After the lunch we had back there, I was told by dad that I was going to Rossi's at night and all of my clothes were already packed by Mia, my head assistant. Didn't he love me enough to at least let me stay for the night to sleep in peace and then ask me to move tomorrow?

I non-instinctively slid down the wall wrapping my arms around my knees. Not that I was expecting him to treat me any better, but, I didn't expect him to say such things either as if it was all my fault. I always promised myself that I was never going to live the life my mom lived, the life she didn't deserve at all but fate threw me here. In a house, where I was just the title-subject of a piece of paper. My dad's pawn. And a man, Adrian, who claimed that he knew me. God, I didn't even know what's the matter with him, not that it affected me. I'm fucked.

I put my hands over my head and closed my eyes for a minute. I was so tired, I just wanted to have a quick shower. I opened my eyes trying to carry the strength to walk outside and ask someone as to where I had to stay. But when I fluttered them open, I saw someone's shoes in front of me. Moving my gaze from the shoes, up the legs and then a giant abdomen, I was met with brown eyes. His eyes. Cold, hazelnut coloured. He looked down at me, his hands inside his pants pockets while his shirt was at the mercy of his broad shoulders.

I pushed myself on my feet and took my handbag. I was clearly not in the mood to argue with another Rossi at the moment. Both the brothers needed medical attention. I walked outside the room to ask some staff member for a spare room.

"Do you know where your room is?" I heard him say behind me.

"That's none of your business. Rossi's empire must have active staff, right? I can ask them," I snapped without looking back at him.

"If you think that dear father is going to let you stay in the guest room when you're taken in one of his son's names, then you're mistaken, Princess," I heard him huff a laugh and almost gagged at his interpretation of calling me princess.

"He's going to make you stay in this very room with Leo if you'd go ask someone to escort you to a guest room," He said, his words pouring to a downfall followed by silence. I wanted to say that it's none of his concern but I didn't want to stay in a single room with Leo either. So, I chose to stay quiet, letting him speak further.

"So, it's better if I help you. Isn't it?" He added with that deep voice of his.

As much as I despised his presence, the more I wanted to have a personal space for myself so I turned around and asked, "Where's the guest room?"

☆☆☆

"There are only three rooms on this floor, others are on the other side, but they're not in use at all. So, you'd have to settle here," He said pointing to the room towards the left side of Leo's which was on the other side of the mid-parting stairs. There was another room in front of the one he'd pointed to. I wonder who used that.

"This one's mine."

Aah, bet, this was left. Misery multiplied by 2.

"As if I care," I muttered while walking inside the room.

The room was quite big with vintage interior and in-wall designs cascading the full length walls. I placed my handbag over the bedside and looked up at him.

"Thank you," I said, waiting for him to leave the room now.

"Keep your gratitude for another time princess," He said turning around, his broad shoulders catching my eyes as he walked outside, clicking the door shut behind him.

What was that? What another time? Is his socket loose or something?

Whatever he did in the library at lunch was still roaming through my mind. The encounter vivid in my psyche. The way he stalked towards me, the way he looked deep inside my eyes with his honey one's. His intimidating stare had my knees wobbly to the core. I didn't understand why I felt my gut churn when he ran his fingers in my hair and when he placed one of his hands beside my head.

It was-It was frightening how my heart reacted to it. It was confusing how he said those words as If he had some beef with me.

Exhaling, I ushered those thoughts away from me and walked towards the bathroom for a quick shower to resign for the night.

☆☆☆

Ring, ring, ring.

I swear whoever the piece of shit is calling me. I rubbed my eyes trying to adjust my vision. Sharp sunlight found its way in my room from the curtains of the window at my left. I looked for my phone inside the rolled over comforter between my legs. Taking it in my hand, I looked at the call tag.

Rowan calling

"Hello? Make it quick Rowan, I want to sleep for a few more hours," I said almost frowning.

"Vanessa, you'd not sleep once I tell you what has happened!" He said, his tone cheerful and excited .

"What has happened? Is it bad news, or a good one? I'm not in the mood for any bad ones, please!" I said pleading, I was already so pissed off.

"No, it's not a bad one. It's your designs, V. They're finally accepted by AXR Interiors. I just got a call from their senior manager that they want to sign a contract with you," He announced excitedly.

"WHAT? Are you serious? This-O-Oh my God! Rowan, don't tell me that you're drunk and it's not some silly prank," I said jumping out of the bed, almost falling down from the comforter tangling in my leg and putting a hand over my mouth anxiously waiting for his response.

"C'mon V. Why would I be drunk at 8:30 in the morning? I'm so fucking serious, I've managed the meeting here and I want you to meet me at my office in one hour, fingers crossed," He said, his CEO aura coming back in his tone.

"I'd be there, I'd be right there. Shit!" I exclaimed, cutting off the phone call. I dropped it over the bed and walked towards the closet seeing every piece of my clothing already staked in it. Taking a formal dress in my hand, I walked towards my bathroom to get ready for the day.

I can't believe my architecture designs are finally accepted by one of the top ranked interior construction holdings of the league.

☆☆☆

I walked towards the main gate of the driveway and asked the driver to drop me at Rowan's office. Luckily, I didn't meet any of the Rossi's as I didn't want the day to get ruined this early in the morning.

After a while, I reached his office and walked inside. Adrenaline pumped in my veins, not that I was going to meet my friend, Rowan, but I was also going to meet AXR's senior manager.

I walked inside the conference room already seeing both of them sitting on their seats, I extended my greetings and gestured to start the meeting.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Blackford, I want to extend my gratitude to you by saying that we as in AXR would feel really gratified to have you as our senior designer. Our..." She stopped mid-sentence, being interrupted by the knock on the door.

"Oh, and here comes our CEO, Mr. Adrian Rossi," She announced getting up from her chair looking towards the door.