Meet My Baby's Daddy Again: Bittersweet Revenge

Houses and people spread like grains of rice on the ground as I gazed down from the jet's window, taking my father and me to Italy.

"Quite fascinating right?" My father asked rhetorically, his voice pulling my attention to him. Our eyes met and I smiled, nodding my head. "Are you still angry?"

"Of course, this is my final year in college, I can't afford to miss any class and you know that, yet you insisted on taking me to Italy with you. I'm tired of all the travels Dad." I complained, my voice low with a mix of frustration and sadness.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, this meeting is important and I want you to be there, to watch and observe. One day, when I retire, all these will be passed down to you and I wouldn't want you to be ignorant of how to run this business."He cooed, nudging my shoulder playfully.

Sighing deeply in defeat, I turned my head back to the window as though the beautiful view would free me of all my responsibilities. I heard him sigh and his hand crept unto mine, stroking my hand in a comforting manner. "It will be fun. Venice is a beautiful city with beautiful dishes, people, and places to see."

"Mhmm" I hummed, staring out into the vast blue sky.

Feeling a series of soft rhythmic taps on my wrist, my eyes blinked open slowly, "Hmm? What is it?" I murmured slowly, turning my head in the direction of the individual beside me.

"We are here, C'mon, stand up, you will get some more rest when we get to the hotel," he urged.

"Alright, alright, I am awake," I murmured, informing him.

I stretched lazily on the soft leather couch beneath me, hearing the familiar cracking sound of my joints as I stood up. The cabin of the jet felt too big and too small at the same time. My father was already gathering his things, his face held excitement as he hummed some melody joyfully.

This trip was more than just another business trip for him; it was a step to secure the future of our company and by extension the family's future as well.

As we climbed down from the Jet, the Venetian cool air greeted us carrying with it the scent of the sea and something exotic. My mood changed slightly despite my earlier complaint about the Jet, a smile appeared on my face as I stared at the beautiful city in front of me, it was undeniably the most beautiful city I had ever been to, its aura and the stories we heard stood evident in the canals.

A beautiful black sleek car awaited us at the runway, and soon we were driving through the city, the architecture was a beautiful blend of the ancient and the modern. The driver drove us through the narrow streets, and I found myself mesmerized by the waters and how the sun's rays danced on the surface reflecting the sky.

After a few minutes of navigating his way through the streets, we arrived at the hotel, a magnificent building that seemed to be rising from the canals itself. Inside, the lobby had designs of marble and glass, the luxury almost overwhelming me. My father checked us in, and I barely heard his conversation with the staff, as I glanced at my surroundings, the place was beautiful.

Our suite was no less breathtaking than the lobby, offering a beautiful view of the canal, and a gondola gliding gently in the water. I dropped my bag and sank into the soft sofa. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

"Go get some rest," my father advised, planting a kiss on my forehead, "we have a big day tomorrow."

I nodded my head and made my way to the bedroom. The bed was softer than the sofa, the sheets cool beneath my skin. I closed my eyes ready to rest, but was finding it hard to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of the responsibilities that awaited me, both here and at home.

My parents had just my sister and me, with no son as an heir to take over his business, my father had no other choice but to pass down the teachings of how he runs the business to me. It hasn't been easy, moving from place to place, changing schools and states. It got to the point where my father decided to have us homeschooled, he felt it was better that way.

Luisa disliked the idea, she is a social butterfly with different cliques of friends but I loved the idea, it didn't affect me because I wasn't as social as her. We were homeschooled till I got to college. I chose New York University because it was close to home but I regret it now, father seized that as an opportunity to drag me along to all his business meetings. No time for myself or my education, I barely read my books anymore.

As I lay there, swirling in the whirlwind of thoughts closing in on me, the sounds of the city, and the dance of the water in the canal, lure me into a state of semi-consciousness.

My thoughts slowly drifted away, as my mind crossed the borders of wakefulness to a land of dreams, and I embraced the peaceful silent darkness.

When I woke up, the sun was sinking below the horizon, ready for his voyage to the West. The soft glow from the colors of the dusk coated the room. I felt rested and energetic as I walked out of the room.

I found my father in the living room, going over some set of documents piled in his hands. He looked up as I entered, with a smile plastered on his face, "Feeling better?" he asked

"Better than before," I replied, returning his smile.

Nodding his head, the smile on his face widened. "Good, very good. Our guests will be here soon, go get ready," he advised, checking his watch.

I pouted, dragging myself back to the room sluggishly with my luggage in hand. After bathing, I wore my body lotion, perfumes, and a two-piece black suit looking like a businesswoman ready to secure a deal.

I made my way back to the living room. The murmured conversation became audible as I grew closer to the living room door. Seems like the guests are already here. I paused in front of the door, as I felt a series of emotions twist in my guts.

Sighing deeply, I pushed open the door, revealing myself to the people inside the living room. My father turned to look at me, a smile formed on his face as his eyes met me. "Come in Darling" he urged, gesturing to me.

My eyes glanced between a middle-aged man in his late fifties and a young man in his late twenties, they had a striking resemblance, the son looked like his father in his youth. Feigning a smile, I walked up to them and took a seat by my father's side.

"This is my eldest daughter, Katelynn, and also my successor." he explained, pointing at me, "Katelynn, this is Mr. Marcello Ferrari and his son, Bruno Ferrari. My business partners"

"Piacere di conoscerla," I spoke in Italian, stretching out my right hand towards them for a formal handshake, still feigning a smile.

"Parli Italiano?" the middle-aged man's thick voice resonated through the room, his hand stretching forward to meet mine.

My smile switched into a scowl as I stared at the man, barely understanding what he said. The only thing I know in Italy, which I had to learn over and over again, is "Nice to meet you," which I had said to create a familiar atmosphere. But I did not expect him to hit me back with the language I know nothing of.

I glanced between the man and my father for help, rather they all burst out in loud laughter, disrupting the serene atmosphere.

"Don't mind my Father. He was playing with you. We speak your language," he explained, as he shook my hand gently, a wide smile ran across his lips. "I didn't expect the successor he has been on about to be a woman, a beautiful one"

"Yeah? Because women are not meant to be successors of a business?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm as my smile switched to a smirk.

He released my hand slowly, with his gray eyes boring into mine. "I didn't mean it that way. I am just surprised. It is quite rare to see... female successors ."

"I don't think I am the first female successor, nor will I be the last, it is not rare," I snapped angrily, feeling quite attacked by his statement.

He raised his hands gently in a surrendering gesture, with a smirk on his face. I heard my father clearing his throat loudly, "Well, that was a-a rough start. Let's head to business."

"Yeah," The Middle-aged supported him.

My conversation with Marcello triggered my suppressed anger, making my mind wander off from the ongoing meeting. The lack of concentration made me not realize that the meeting had come to an end.

After concluding the meeting with a handshake, the men left our suite back to their destination.

I turned sharply to my father, "Really? That was a rough start?" I complained, mimicking him. "Why didn't you give me any information about them? You allowed me to come in here and embarrass myself and the family,"

"Darling, you did just fine. That little mishap shouldn't weigh you down. You did great." He cooed, trying to comfort me.

"You should have said something," I nagged, my voice a low one.

"Honey, you were barely awake for any lecture," he explained. "But what did you grasp from our conversation?" he asked. My silence made him frown, "You didn't concentrate on the meeting, did you?" he asked.

His eyes met mine, they held a hint of disappointment, and my heart sank. "Is this how you want to handle the business when I retire? When you can't even concentrate on a few minutes of the meeting, how can you address the board, fix a problem, or even listen to ideas from the board members? You are going to become the CEO of this Corporation one day and you can't even control your temper or your tongue. Is this how you plan to secure deals? A successor shouldn't do-"

"I get it already, a successor shouldn't do this or that. A successor should lay down his/her happiness for the company, and shouldn't have a mind of her own. I understand all these, Father, but don't you think I deserve happiness, a little freedom from this cage" I asked.

I watched his face crawl up into a frown, "Cage? Young Lady, I have been the one handling all these myself, watch your tongue. After a few years of following me around, you are already calling it a cage. I have been managing this business for the past 30 years since I was 19 years old. This was the way your grandfather raised me, I'm sorry if you feel suffocated!" He yelled, slamming the desk.

Sighing, I stood up from the sofa, and walked to the door, "Excuse me, I want to take a walk," I informed him walking out of the room, I heard him utter a few words as I walked out of the suite.

The Venetian city glowed brightly under the night lights of the beautiful city, setting a warm mood that seemed to soothe my anger as I strolled along the narrow streets. With each breath I took, a sense of comfort seeped in. After the arguments with Father, my mind craves alcohol, its bittersweet taste, and its ability to erase my worries. An escape from reality. I needed it, an escape from the expectations, and the constant pressures of being Katelynn Moore, the eldest daughter and the successor of a business tycoon.

I found myself walking into a dimly lit bar, that stood in the middle of two ancient buildings. Inside, the atmosphere was harmonious, with gentle chatters and murmurs, mixed with laughter and the soft voice of the Soprano singer on the stage. It felt like a haven to hide away in for a little while.

I strode to the bartender's counter, with my hand clenched on my purse. "Excuse me?" I called out to him, my voice was low yet loud to get his attention. He looked up at me with a wide grin on his face. He was beautiful, with black sleek hair. "Do you speak English?" I asked, don't want to repeat my mistake from earlier.

"Non, Parlo solo Italiano," he replied, with a grin still on his face. Confusion washed over me as I stared at him in disbelief. What is this? A tradition of annoying foreigners? Why am I getting played today?

I rolled my eyes at him, "Well, I don't understand Italian either but since you understood me perfectly, can I get your strongest alcoholic wine?"

"Mmm, going through a rough day huh?" he asked, concerned, his voice was thick and laced with his Italian accent as he spoke. "Give me a minute." He walked to the rack that held different varieties of wine and drew out a bottle from it. He poured it and a few other drinks into a shaker and shook it professionally. After he was done, he poured the mixed drink into a Vintage-cut glass tumbler and dropped it in front of me. "Here you go."

"Thank you," I greeted, pumped up to drown my sad self in the sea of liquor. I gulped down the whole content in the cup all at once. A hiss escaped my lips as I felt the burning sensation of the liquid in my throat. This is quite strong and I loved it. "This is strong and good!" I exclaimed. The tumbler made a loud sound as it hit the counter, "Add more,"

"Yeah?," He brought out the drinks he had used earlier and placed them on the counter gently. He began mixing immediately.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I asked curiously as I placed my right hand under my jaw, he glanced at me puzzledly, and a smile crept up his face, he shook his head and continued his mixing. "How silly of me to ask an obvious question. Of course, a beautiful man like you must have a girlfriend or girlfriends." I winked at him mischievously.

"I do not have a girlfriend," he corrected, still on his job.

"Be my boyfriend, beautiful boy," I flirted carelessly.

He shook his head lightly, handed me the readied drink and I gulped it down all at once again. "Easy on how you take all that in at once, Signorina," he warned, as he stared at me baffled.

The tingling sensation in my throat lingered, it felt like a small prick in my throat. My head spun and my inside twisted. I began to feel lightheaded, subconsciously aware of my surroundings. I signaled him to make another glass of the drink. He opened his mouth but closed it almost immediately as he shrugged his shoulders.

As time stretched, my impatience had me gazing around the bar searching for nothing. My eyes caught the gaze of another beautiful man across the bar, his gaze was fixated on me. He glared at me as though I was someone he knew. I withdrew my gaze from his immediately, focusing my attention back on the bartender. He was done with my drink and he placed it in front of me. I gulped down the content and wiped my mouth making an "ahh" sound.

The world began to spin around me, the corners became blurry, and I felt so light like a feather.

"Buona sera," a thick italic voice cut through my daze, a smooth tone that spread warmth through my body. I had barely noticed when he sat down beside me. I glanced sideways in the direction of the voice, my vision a little blurry, but his charm was undeniable even though I was drunk. "My name is Romano Alessandro," he introduced himself simply but it slipped my memory the moment he spoke. "Mind if I buy you a drink?" he asked, like a true gentleman but I politely declined. I wasn't interested in another party to join me.

As I sized him up, I replied "Yes sir, I can pay for my drinks,"

"It's Romano, and I insist," he urged.

"Mr. Roman or Rowando, thank you for your offer but I can pay for my drinks," I declined politely, but annoyed at his persistence.

"Make another glass of whatever she is having," He instructed the bartender who was watching our little display.

Anger surged through me, and I turned my head sharply in his direction, "I said I can afford my drinks, Sir," I snarled between clenched teeth. "And you," I said, as I turned my head back to face the bartender, "I thought we had something,"

He raised his hand in a surrendering gesture, "Business always first, Signorina." I watched him mix the drink as a few italic words left his mouth. "Questa stronza è pazza,"

"Come osi insultare una signora?!" the familiar thick voice spoke and the bartender's mood switched up immediately. I glanced between the man at my side and the bartender in front of me as they held a staring competition between one another, after a few seconds the bartender gave up and went back to mixing the drink. He dragged the tumbler closer, poured in the drink, and pushed it back to me. "Drink," the man instructed, his voice was a low one of laced with authority.

"If you insist," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I gulped down the drink.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" he asked, as he flashed me a bright smile.

I ignored him, too drunk to argue. The fourth glass knocked me off balance and cobbled with the annoying man by my side. I signaled for the bartender to give me my bill, so I could leave. The place was becoming too cramped. He left and came back with it. I reached for the money in my purse, picked out the certain, and slammed it on the counter.

As I stood up from the chair, my legs wobbled as they met the hard concrete floor, and I almost lost balance but was quick to get a hold of myself. "Are you sure you want to leave this place in that state?" the man asked, his glass hanging below his mouth.

"You gave me no choice," I replied cynically.

"C'mon, I only bought you a drink," he explained

"Yeah, a drink you forced me to drink...

"Alright, I'm sorry if you felt insulted," he apologized.

"It is undeniable that you are all beautiful, but have a nasty character," I complained.

"Yeah? Tell me about it," he replied, his voice swallowed by the sound of his throat as he gulped his drink. I couldn't help but stare at his Adam's Apple dancing up and down. I swallowed hard on my saliva, to wet the dryness behind my throat. I need water.

My mouth was open in response to his demand but closed up almost immediately as I had lost my words. His eyes locked into mine, and as they held unspoken conversations with my eyes, I felt an unfamiliar shiver of thrill spread through my body. "Well, you see, Miss?"

"Katelynn, Katelynn Moore," I responded, quickly in anticipation of what he was about to say.

"Miss Katerin...

"KateLYNN," I corrected him immediately the mispronunciation of my name left his lips.

"Katelynn? Mind if I call you Lynna for short?" he requested and I nodded in agreement. I did not know how that rhymed at that moment but I found myself dancing to his rhythm. "I don't know the Italian men you have encountered but I can assure you, I am different,"

I scoffed, blowing raspberries, "You just did. You assumed I needed a drink from you, which I didn't because I was perfectly fine on my own. He assumed me to be a man because he had never heard of female children taking over the business of their families."

"He did? That is absurd. There are female successors everywhere," he replied.

"I told him the same thing, he is living in the modern world with an ancient mentality,"

He chuckled lightly, shook his head, and signaled to the bartender to get more glasses of the drinks. "You are a funny one,"

"That wasn't funny,"

"Yeah? If you say so," he said, with a smile.

"Did you think that was funny?" I asked to confirm his reason for the laughter.

"It was hell-ass funny to me," he responded, as he sipped the drink slowly, his eyes glared at me from under his long lashes. Suddenly, I burst out into laughter, no certain cause for my laughter but the feeling lingered. Soon he joined, as our laughter rose to the roof of the bar barely heard through the murmurs and chatters.

Time slipped away, unnoticed as the bar slowly emptied around us. I became extremely aware of his every movement, the way his eyes lingered on mine. The slight brush of his hand against mine across the counter. "Do you want to see the city from the water?"

"Yes," I found myself whispering the word with ease. I had barely known this guy and I had already agreed to his demand, again?

His smile widened at my response, and he stood up, brought out a few bills, and dropped them on the counter for the bartender. "After you, Princess," he gestured.

I tried to stand up but my legs were giving in as they wobbled directionless. "Here, let me help you," he offered, his right hand wrapped around my waist slightly and he used his left hand to hold my right hand as he guided my steps out of the bar.

The cool night air hit my face as we stepped out of the bar, which made me a bit sober and my vision a little clearer. I wasn't quite cold because I was still wearing the two-piece suit from the business meeting earlier. I staggered in his arms as he led me to a gondola port.

The moonlight cast a bright glow over the canals, as its water reflected the beautiful white light. With each step he took, I contemplated the plan, but I was too curious to turn back.

He led me to an awaiting gondola, his hand steady, guiding me as he helped me in. He exchanged words with the gondolier but I was barely sober and lost in the daze of drunkenness to understand them. After a couple of minutes, the gondola began to move slowly on the water beneath us, as the gondolier paddled away into the night.

As we glided through the water, the evening cool breeze brushed past my face, its strong waves sent my hair strands in different directions, messing up my straightened hair.

I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't known in years, a temporary release from the troubles that stirred within me. A thick blanket of silence hung above us, comfortably filled with unspoken words. It was as though we both understood each other and that the moment was significant as the fresh breeze of the night seeped in.

"You are not from around here, are you?" he asked, his voice piercing through the silence.

"No," I replied calmly. My eyes were fixated on the sky as I searched for stars in the night sky.

"Thought as much," he murmured.

"Was it that obvious?" I asked, surprised at his response and he nodded his head.

"When will you return to your state?"

"Tomorrow," I replied, my attention moved from the starless sky to the beautiful man in front of me. "Why?"

"I would love to do this another time with you when you are sober."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, but you will be leaving tomorrow, guess I have to make tonight count." he sighed deeply.

I smiled, as I stared at him. He seemed different from the man who had insisted on buying me a drink. His aura had shifted from a dominant one to a protective one and now to an obsessed one. How intriguing. "Tell me about yourself," I requested.

"Ladies first," he reversed my question back to me in a tricky and tempting way.

"You know my name already," He nodded, "I am the eldest daughter of my parents and the heir to his company. I have only one sibling, a girl. Her name is Luisa."

"How has life been as the heir apparent?" he asked.

"Would I sound ungrateful, if I say it has been horrible?" I inquired of him and he shook his head in disagreement. His response gave me a sense of belonging, a warm feeling that I loved and embraced. "The pressure, expectations, I have to be perfect in the eyes of people because any little mistake can lead to a scandalous end and it will be bad for the image of the company. I am tired of being who I am not. I want my childhood back, maybe a few friends to chat and play with, female friends because I have a male friend already but it doesn't feel the same. I love my little sister with all my heart but I don't think she has come to the age where she can understand what I am going through. The friends I made called me several names and I couldn't even pour out my heart to them, because they will call me ungrateful and a spoiled child that doesn't deserve the life I am living. It is exhausting and suffocating," I felt my throat constrict under the weight of my words, and my eyes bested up as tears threatened to slip away from them. "I am sorry for boring you with my complaints," I murmured, as I removed the strands of hair bothering my eyes.

He brushed his fingertip against the skin under my eyes to wipe the tears that escaped from my left eye. "I am not complaining," he assured me.

I sniffled gently, pushing all the tears back, "What about you? Who are you, Mystery man?" I asked.

He hesitated for a few seconds, which created a certain tension, "Well, Miss Lynna, Mind if I call you that?" He asked and I nodded gently, giving my approval. "I am nobody, just a vessel created by God to fulfill a purpose,"

I broke into loud laughter that made him flinch, "That doesn't make any sense," I spoke, still laughing.

"Yeah?" he asked and I nodded again, still laughing, "I know," he said and joined in my laughter.

Time slipped away, unnoticed as the gondola glided slowly on the water around us. I became aware of his every movement, the way his eyes lingered on mine, the slight brush of his hand against mine. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with an unspoken understanding that this moment was meaningful.

"You're beautiful, Lynna." He spoke, his voice a low one filled with a rich accent breaking through the silence. I found myself blushing at his confession. It wasn't a discovery that I was beautiful but hearing him say it felt different.

We stopped beneath an empty bridge, the shadows wrapping around us like a protective blanket. The stranger turned to me, his hand gently brushing my cheek as he leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was soft and searching. I responded instinctively, my fingers curling into his jet-black hair as I moved closer, losing myself in the feeling.

The kiss deepened, a slow, sensual dance of our tongues that left me breathless and wanting more. It was as though the world had fallen away, leaving only the two of us suspended in time. I lost myself in his embrace as his hands held me like I was the most precious piece in the world.

In my intoxicated state, I didn't question who he was or where the night would lead. He was a beautiful stranger in a beautiful city and that was enough for me at that moment. I was caught in the spell of Venice, the romantic city of Italy, and of the man who seemed to have stepped out of my dreams.

As the gondola rocked beneath us, I surrendered myself to the moment and of the man whom I believed to be a gigolo. Pulling away from our kiss, he stares at me lustfully. "I feel like I have known you my whole life," he murmured, planting kisses on my palm.

"And yet it has only been a few hours," I replied, my voice a soft breathless whisper and my brows furrowed as I returned his gaze.

His lips found mine again, and the world around us seemed to fade away. The kiss sent shivers down my spine, like an electric spark that set my heart ablaze.

I felt myself responding with a hunger that surprised me, my body pressing against his as if drawn by some invisible force. His hands were everywhere, tracing along my skin, and I was lost, completely and totally consumed by the feeling. I found myself speaking words I hadn't planned to say. "Take me to a hotel," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper but carrying the weight of a decision that felt both reckless and exciting.

His eyes met mine, holding unspoken questions in them, but he simply nodded his agreement silent and instant. The gondolier glides through the trenches bringing us to a small dock near a beautiful boutique hotel that stood along the edges of the water.

The hotel was pleasantly old-fashioned, decorated with ivy and flowers that seemed to bloom even in the moonlight. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting creating a perfect mood for the night we were about to share. My head was spinning slightly, my senses heightened from the wine and the excitement of the unexpected.

He led me to a room on the upper floor, the stairs creaking under our feet. The room was unexpectedly big with a king-size bed. I barely had time to take in my surroundings when he appeared. His lips found mine and his hands traced their way through every inch of my body.

He removed my jacket and began unbuttoning my shirt. I did the same for him. The world outside ceased to exist as we tumbled onto the bed, the soft sheets cool against our skin. Every touch, every kiss, was a discovery of something I hadn't realized I was missing until now.

We moved together on the bed, following the same rhythm as our tongues danced in each other's mouths. His tongue left my mouth and slowly traced its way to my breast while planting kisses on my bare body, I shuddered as the pleasure overwhelmed me, and moans escaped my lips.

Time stretched, the night an endless moment of whispered names and shared breaths. I surrendered completely, allowing myself to enjoy the immense pleasure and a sense of belonging in his arms.

As dawn's first light penetrated through the curtains, painting the room in soft shades of pink and gold, I felt the weight of reality begin to hit me in my sober state. My head was clearer, the daze of wine lifting to reveal the gravity of what I had done.

His face was submerged in the pillow as he slept peacefully. I watched him for a moment, a strange mix of emotions swelling within me. This was a man I will never see again. Quietly, I slipped from the bed, gathered my clothes, and dressed in the dull light. My movements were silent, careful not to disturb the serenity of the moment and wake him up.

Before I left, I reached into my purse and pulled out a small amount of cash, placing it gently on the bedside table, a gesture that felt both necessary and stupid, given the connection we had shared. It was a reminder to myself that this was nothing more than an encounter, a moment suspended in time that will never repeat itself.

With one last look at the sleeping stranger who remained a mystery, I slipped out of the hotel into the awakening city.