It's always been you

Damian

My life hasn't been as easy as it may seem from outside. People thought I had everything in my life which in one way or the other true but it wasn't how they thought it was. I was indeed the heir of the Alessandro group but my own company, DA was the result of my hard work, sweat and blood. I have everything I want but the only thing I resent with my whole heart: Women.

I am not gay. I have particular interests in women that are limited to the bedroom but that's all that is to it. Each one of them is a gold digger. All they want is my hard dick and the hard cash that comes with me. So I maintain a safe distance from them.

I wasn't always like this. I was capable of warmth and love once. But just one night was enough to turn my Whole world upside down. It's been 7 years. The first year was difficult for me but then it got easier. But as a result of it I have walls high up around the place that once contained my warm beating heart.

"Addy, Your 5'o clock is here and then you free for your dinner with your dad." My Secretary Jillian pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Mr Williams is here with the contract papers between DA and Sarrson Corp. I have booked the usual table for you and your dad at the plaza." She smiled at me.

Jillian was an exception. She was in her mid 20's and I have known her since the time she started as an intern here. A alcoholic father and a younger sister to look after, she is a younger sister to me.

" You and Jules can join us as well. You know my dad love you both." I smiled back at her.

"I know Addy but Jules needs help with her paper for her upcoming examination."

I walk out of my tall office building and breathe in the fresh evening air. Even though New York can be stuffy and chaotic, this helps me calm my head. Miles, my driver and security guy but above all that my most trusted confidant parked my car in-front of me.

......................

"I think you should settle down." Dad took a bite of his stake and looked up at me.

This wasn't anything new for me so I decided to let it go. " I will think about it Dad." The best way to avoid this conversation.

"You better think about it Son or else The Montgomery project is out of your hand and so is the position of CEO."

I could feel confusion clouding my mind. "What do you mean ?"

"I mean I had a chat with Mr Christian Montgomery today at Lunch. He is my friend from college if you remember. He mentioned something about you not being too serious when it comes to your life and that is holding him back from considering you as the best candidate for the the project."

I glared at him and rubbed my temple. "I have put my life in DA and he thinks I am not serious just because I am not married." I drank the remaining whiskey from my glass.

"Calm down, Son. Chris is a man of old thinking and for him a man without a wife isn't too serious. If you don't get the Montgomery project the board will be disappointed. They already consider you a playboy billionaire in the media's words and that's what bothering Chris as well."

I can feel a headache building up. Obviously the media exaggerated every fucking thing. But I always keep my business and my personal life separate. How did it get so messed up all of a sudden?

I covered my face with my palm and took a deep breath. "What is the solution then? I find a wife and settle down? Will that show every fucking person how fucking serious I am? Which my fucking hard work couldn't show ?"

I look at my father anger boiling inside me like molten lava.

All these years of hard work and working my ass of for DA was all useless. My Dream project was inches away for me and an absolutely unnecessary clause was the hurdle separating me from it.

My Father took a sip from his glass of wine. He gave me a soft smile. "Leave it to me Son."

Anna

I signed the contract. I signed the damned contract and there is no turning back. I rush out of the building and place my plam on my chest as it gets difficult for me to breathe. If only I wasn't this helpless I would never do it. I closed my eyes and started Taking deep breath's. It all comes flooding back in my head.

Two days back:

I walk into my Father's workplace intending to apply for the Job he was working in before our lives were turned upside down. I could feel my vision getting clouded with tears as everything came back. I pushed the thoughts and tears aside. It was time for me to be strong and face the world for the sake of my father and Brian, my baby brother.

I took a seat outside of Mr Weber's office and waited for my turn. The lady, Mikala informed me that it would take some time for them to start with my interview and the more time it took anxiety started building up inside me.

When did my life take such a turn? What happened 4 years back was just Not enough for God that he had to bring another sorrow into my life. After my mother passed way and after that nightmare 4 years back, my father was my only support system. Brian was too young that time. I guess he was two and I was twelve when our mom passed away from Cancer. He was too young to feel the pain but I felt everything. Every inch of that pain was stuck in my heart like a bullet which I haven't been able to take out till this date. Who am I kidding? It's always going to stay there for the rest of my life. My mother's beautiful and youthful face and the pain of kissing her pale body goodbye. It's never going to get better.

And that night 4 years back. I was Sixteen. Th pain from the night 4 y back is even more profound than than the pain of losing my mother. And now my father. God why did this have to happen to him? A beautiful soul and an amazing father and now I don't even know how much time he has with us. All that is left in my life is unending and excruciating pain.

"Miss Dawson." Mikala's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I wiped the beads of sweat forming on my forehead and looked up at her.

"I guess it's not so lucky day for you."

I looked at her all confused. "What do you mean?"

"Mr Dave Alessandro will be conducting your Interview."

............

I sat in a sleek dark Wooden chair in the middle Of a huge office room. In front of me was a wooden table with a glossy finish. A laptop and a wooden frame sat on top of it. Everything about this room was minimalist. On my left were four gigantic windows with the beautiful New York skyline. The sun was descending slowly and in an hour or two would be below the Horizon pushing darkness into my world and the thought sent a shiver down my spines. I despised darkness.

To my right four gigantic bookshelves dominated the walls with a humongous collection of books. I was fascinated by them. Books were my solace, my escape from reality. I was half convinced to get up at look at them but the other half convinced me to stay seated as I was here for an interview.

Then it caught my eye. The family portrait that hung just behind the dominating seat. The tall man who I recognised as Mr Dave Alessandro stood in his prime in his dark grey tailored suit. His jet black hair was styled back and his blue eyes glistened with pride as he held his hands in front of him. The woman beside whom also I recognised was Mrs Gale Alessandro, his wife and a famous Architect. She was shorter in comparison to her husband. She wore a sleek off white satin dress which enhanced her beautiful face with honey blonde hair styled in waves and her hazel eyes portrayed pure love as she had one Of her plams resting on her daughters shoulder who sat in front of her. I could feel the pain in my chest as it tightened. That girl was very lucky to have her mother beside her. The girl in her teens in the Picture who had the height and hair of her mother wore a blue summer midi dress that Synced with her eyes in harmony. She had a vibrant smile that enhanced her cheek bones and the light in her eyes could light up a whole room.

Then something caught my attention. Hazel eyes with flecks of blue in them. But that wasn't it. There was something else in them. Sorrow, a deep unstirred pool of sorrow. I could feel the pain. I could see myself in his eyes. The light in those orbs were replaced darkness, the same darkness that I was afraid of. He was in his mid twenties, I guess around twenty four- twenty five. He wore a dark grey suit similar to his father and his jet black hair styled with perfection. His lips curved into a smile which was Tampered by him for the photographer. He was physically present but his mind was lost. Lost in the pain.

" Miss Dawson, I have a so much respect for your father and so much respect for you." I didn't like the sound of it. " But I cannot give you the job as it requires a lot of experience and even I push the experience part aside, you are still in final year of college. You are just twenty."

I could feel my heart sink and Tears threatened my eyes. But I held on. I could not break down in front of him not now.

"Sir, if only your could consider. My father isn't in a good condition and this job means a lot to me. If only you could consider." I was at a loss of words. I needed this job but I wouldn't beg. He won't be impressed if I beg. I remembered my fathers advice. Keep your head held high no matter what.

I could feel his blue eyes bore into me as he rubbed his temple and thought over it. I could feel a flicker of hope in my heart. Was he considering?

"I am sorry, Miss Dawson. As much as I want to help you out" He stopped abruptly and looked at me. His pupils dilated for a moment and then. He gave me a soft smile. "Even though I cannot give you this job I have another proposal for you."

I could feel the hope in heart flicker again. But I didn't want to get my hopes high. I waited for him to continue.

"All hospital expenses paid. Your And Brian's education paid and a million dollars."

I could feel beads of sweat forming on my Forehead. There must be a but in it. Of course there must be for that but.

"But I have a condition." There it was. The but I. Was waiting for. Everything comes with a tag, a price, a clause.

The soft smile was back on his face as he turned his chair around to look at the window and folded his arms against his chest. The anticipation was killing me.

And then it hit me. "You have to marry my son."

Damian

"She signed the contract. How could she? Of course she could you stupid man. One million dollars and she gets you with it. How can she not Salivate seeing the money? " I slapped my temple as a tornado was taking its course in my mind.

"Addy, you are overreacting. It's not like she is the only one who is responsible. You agreed to this plan as well. You did this for the Montgomery project. Stop blaming her." Jillian placed a Glass of water and a tablet in front of me. "I have met her Addy. First of all let me tell you she is drop dead gorgeous. Innocent yet so so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes of her. But"

What !?" I spat

She sat down in the chair in front of me. " But trust me there is something in her eyes. Something that reminds me of You and I just cannot put a finger on it yet."

"Stop. You are just trying to make me feel better and make me think she is an angel but let me tell you she is just like everyone out there. One million dollars and she couldn't contain her happiness. And you calling her drop dead gorgeous just justifies the fact that she is just another bimbo who wants money."

"You shut up." She glared at me. She was the only woman apart from my mother and sister who had the audacity to glare at me. "Stop being a dramatic cry baby. You haven't seen her, you don't know her yet you are judging her. What level of asshole are you on right now ?"

She kept on glaring at me as I gulped the water with the tablet down my throat to calm my headache. "Oh really. You know a lot about her then. Why don't you try telling me ?" I challenged her.

She looked at me and the glare was now replace by sadness. "I wish I could tell you."

...........

I sat with my mother in my fathers office. Today was the day I was supposed to meet my future wife. Some gold digging bimbo. I can actually imagine her. With boobs and ass enhanced by surgery and fake blonde hair and some skinny cleavage protruding dress that barley covers her ass. What the fuck? I slap my chest and my mother gives me a confused look.

Jillian told me she would arrive at 10 am so my mother and she ensured I was in my father's office by 9am. Great going.

The door opened and my father walked in. A perfectionist as usual in his black custom made Armani suit. He was followed by a man in his fifties I guess. He was tall but not as much as my father. He had a plain button down shirt with a blazer and trousers. His grey eyes looked content but His face looked frail like he could fall down any moment. His grey hair was coarse and fragile. His son, I guess so gave him support. He was an athletic young boy, maybe ten or twelve. He wore a flannel shirt and black denim with sneakers. He had dark brown hair and similar Grey eyes. He gave me a soft smile and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

Where was the girl? As if answering my question she entered the room behind her father. She was nothing, absolutely nothing like I had imagined her to be.

Thick long dark brown hair that went up to her mid waist and had natural waves. She pushed a couple of strands of hair that covered her face behind her ear and looked up at her father. I could feel the air getting stuck in my lungs. She had a diamond shaped face with Soft pink beautifully shaped lips that curved up into a small smile for her father. A small black mole right above the left side of her lips enhanced her beauty. Cute Round nose. But as my eyes went up to meet her eyes I felt lost. Those round grey orbs stared at me. But I could see it. The pain in them. Was it real or was she staging it?

"Addy met Anastasia when he went to NYU as a guest. Even we had no idea he was dating an English major. I expected so trashy model to be honest." My mother chuckled as my father spoke.

Wtf is wrong with them? If you are going to build a story you should let me know. I look at her and she seemed to be as shocked as me. I guess I should play along and put up an act like her.

Wait!! Did I hear it correct? NYU! ENGLISH MAJOR !! She is studying at NYU. That is a development. She does have brains. I have to be more careful now. Anastasia it is.

"We are really glad that you both found each other." Mom said with a huge smile plastered on her face.

Lies.Lies and Lies.My parents, all that came out of their mouth was Lies. I looked at her. She was looking down at her palms clenched into a fist. Her chest went up and down as if she was facing difficulty in breathing. She let out what seemed like a sigh and took her fathers hand in hers.

"If you don't mind Sir could I have a word with your son ?" Her father spoke up causing her to look at him.

He had a neutral face now as he stared at mine. I looked at dad as he straightened his tie.

"Of course, Robert. And call me Dave now onwards. We are gonna be bound now." The room filled up with his laughter. " and he isn't only my son now. He is your son as well."

...........

I gave Robert support as he held on to my arm. We both walked to the balcony of my father's office. The New York skyline in front of us. He let go of my shirt and sat down on the chair. I sat down in front of him. Even high end meetings didn't get me as nervous as I was at the moment. I may not be interested in whatever my parents had planned but I wouldn't hurt someone intentionally. I was still civil.

"My wife Dana passed away when Anastasia was twelve and Brian was two. She had breast cancer. Forever Thirty Four."

I could feel whatever that existed in my chest breaking. No matter what was going on inside Anastasia's head and with the contract the man in front of me was honest and innocent. I had no right to hurt him.

"I really respect your father, Dave. I have seen him in is best and his worst as well. I had been working for your father for twenty years before I was diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer this summer and the world broke loose on my Daughter yet again." Tears ran down his cheeks but he quickly wiped them away. "God I don't want to cry in front of my son-in-law." He chuckled.

I couldn't help laughing. This man was baring his heart and he had no idea about the contract. "My daughter Anna is really strong. A very good girl actually. Always taking care me and her baby brother. She is twenty but as mature as forty in her mind." He let out a laboured laugh. "She has lost all her happiness."

Then he looked at me and placed his fragile hand on mine. "I don't expect anything from you, Addy." No one apart from my family and Jillian called me Addy. But I didn't feel like correcting him. There was a warmth radiating from his body which had already succeeded In engulfing me. "Just take care of Anna. She is more fragile than me. There is something in her past but it isn't my place to tell. She will when she is ready."

Past! It had me intrigued and when I was intrigued it wasn't difficult for me to find anything out. But maybe I will take the old man's advice.

"That's all I wanted to say, Addy." He had a small smile on his face as he got up.

I held his arm as leaned on to me for support. His body was warm even tough it seemed like it could break any moment. And then something struck me.

"You can consider me as your son." I smiled at him.

"I already do, Addy."

We walked inside as my father poured champagne into his glass. Anna's father wasn't of course drinking and Brian as well because he was a kid after all. So it was just me, Dad, Mom, Jillian and Anna.

"To the to be Newly weds." Dad chuckled and poured the champagne into his mouth.

I looked at Anna as I drank my champagne. She took a sip from it and wrinkled her nose. Was she that honest or was she that clever to play mind games ??

My mother took her hand in hers and leaned down to whisper something to her. She then looked at and there it was.That thing in her eyes. Again.

Pain.