Millionaire Contract [Máfia]

Anna Narrating.

My name is Anna Contini, I just turned 18, I am Angelo Contini's daughter and my abuela (grandmother) is Rosa Contini. My mother died in an attack between the clans or rather, between the Spanish mafias in which my father is the leader of one of them.

I'm in the last year of high school and amazingly, I'm engaged to a man who is 11 years older than me... Yes... I said 11 years... Of course, against my will and according to my father , it will be a contract marriage of at least a year, just like that to finally have peace.

According to my father, this marriage is necessary because the two clans, Contini and Mallardo will unite and finally the deaths will end, if that is possible.

I wish my mother were still here, she would put some sense into my father's head and he would stop this madness of marrying an old man, after all, I'm serving as a bargaining chip.

Here in Barcelona, the mafias dominate most of organized crime, and no, I'm not proud to say that I'm the daughter of a mafioso, but I have no choice, I'm only 18 years old and the only thing I know is that I need get married.

I just don't know how to tell my boyfriend Carlos that in exactly 4 weeks it will be my wedding and that I'm doing it against my will.

Carlos goes to college, but during the week, in the mornings, he goes to the same school as me to take complementary classes to get a medical scholarship.

We are the perfect couple, except for the fact that I have to hide from all my family that we are together... except abuela, she always knows everything, it seems like she can read my mind. She fears that my father will find out, fears even more if I happen to lose my virginity, because if that happens, I won't be able to get married and the bloodbath between the two mafias would start again.

I don't even know my fiance, I've never seen a photo, I just know he's older because daddy was kind enough to tell me.

It sounds crazy, but that's a small part of what's about to happen to my life.

-

Barcelona 6:40 a.m.

I woke up early like every other day, took a quick shower, dressed in my Elite School uniform and grabbed my stuff, straightened my black hair in front of the mirror and sighed.

"Come on Anna, there are only two weeks to go..." I repeated to myself looking at my reflection.

I took my cell phone and went down the stairs of the big house slowly, I hate having to go to school and pretend to be a normal girl, the daughter of a great businessman and owner of one of the biggest casinos here in Spain. Little do they know Daddy's true identity...

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I could hear voices in the main room...

"Anna has to go to this reception..." It was Papa's voice.

"Come on, Angelo... Don't force the girl to get married..." It was Abuela's (Grandma's) voice.

"Buenos días papi y abuela, ¿estoy estorbando? (Good morning dad and grandma, am I disturbing you?)" I asked entering the room.

As soon as they saw me, they stopped talking and tried to disguise the topic of conversation.

"Buenos días, hija. ( Good morning, Daughter.)" He replied kissing my forehead. - We were just sorting out some issues at the casino reception tonight, weren't we, Mama?

"Yes of course." She smiled weakly. "Good class my Hija!"

"Thanks Abuela..." I said sitting down at the big table to drink my coffee.

"I want you to go to the casino tonight, Hija." My dad said sitting next to me.

"Of course daddy, do you need help with the accounting?" I asked even knowing what my trip to the casino was about.

"There you will know..." He said biting the croissant. "Dress up in Gala clothes."

"Como Desées! ( As you wish! )" I smiled and took a sip of juice.

My father was tense, I know him like no one else. I know when he's scared something bad is going to happen, he was like that the night my mother died.

I don't like it when he's like that, he usually takes action without thinking, he's selling me, but deep down, I know he's doing it out of fear of losing me like my mother did.

We finished our breakfast and like every day, dad took me to school, we said goodbye and I went inside without looking back.

I went straight to the bathroom, this prison feeling is driving me crazy... I'm just a teenager... in my head it's just Carlos and how he's going to react when he finds out.

Being with Carlos is crazy in anyone's eyes, he doesn't belong to high society, he's not part of any mafia, he's just an ordinary boy, he doesn't have money like my family. I don't see any problems with that, but it would be difficult for him to be well accepted by my dad if it weren't for this contract marriage thing.

He needs to wait for me, it's only a year... a year for me to be free to move on with my life away from that old man... yes, an old man... 28 years for me is old!

"I found you!" Tania said as she entered the bathroom.

"Hanging out, as usual." I said making a face.

"When will you tell him Anna?" Tania asked.

"I still don't know, but I need to create courage, it will be in 4 weeks Tania." I bowed my head as I left the bathroom. "Today my father wants me at the Casino..."

"Casino?" I heard Carlos' voice behind me.

"Oh, hi love..." I said smiling.

"Buenos días, mi amor! (Good morning, my love!)" He gave me a peck. "Tell me, what are you going to do at the Casino today?"

"Help my daddy with the bookkeeping, love!" I said trying to hide it.

"I'm left, see you later friend." Tania said leaving close to us and going to the living room.

"I don't like you going there... you know there's a lot wrong there, right?!" Carlos said crossing his arms.

"I know that mi amor, but I have no choice..." I said hugging him tight and entering the room. "See you later, okay?!"

"Of course, adiós..." He waved and turned his back.

I entered the room, class was starting, I sat down next to Tânia and took my notebook and tablet from inside my bag.

The Spanish teacher was handing out his final term paper and I was completely lost, over the moon to be honest.

My mind is doing 360 degree spins, my belly is bubbling, I need an excuse to try to end this whole thing.

Maybe if I talk to that suitor, he'll give up.

"Don't be crazy, Anna..." I mumbled and everyone looked at me.

"Is there a problem, Ana?" the teacher asked.

It was only then that I realized I was mumbling out loud, what a shame...

"No, no hay problema maestro... lo siento. ( No, no problem teacher... I'm sorry. )" I lowered my head and tried to pay attention to the rest of the class, but it was in vain.

The day passed quickly, I spent some time with Carlos after class, we chatted and dated for a bit, then I met Tânia and called a taxi to my house.

"Do you really think Carlos will understand?" Tania asked while we were in the car.

"I don't know, I hope so... He needs to understand." I said trying to be positive.

"That's crazy, my friend..." Tania said smiling. "But I would love to be part of the Mafia."

The taxi driver looked in the rearview mirror and I nudged Tânia, who instantly realized she had been talking nonsense.

"We're here, ladies." The taxi driver said as soon as he stopped the car. "30 euros."

"Here it is..." I said giving a 50 euro bill. "You can keep the change."

"Gracias senorita. (Thank you Miss.)" He said smiling and started the car.

Tânia and I go in, every time I stay with Carlos, Tânia comes with me so that my dad doesn't suspect anything.

Tania is my only friend, she knows everything about the Mafia, her father is part of the bank of partners in my father's company, a company he started just to launder money for the mafia.

I trust her with my life, I know she is an amazing friend and always does everything possible and impossible to see my happiness and always pulls my ear when she needs it.

Tania got tired of warning me about Carlos, she said I need to be honest with him, even though she thinks he doesn't really like me...

She picks on everyone, but deep down she just wants to protect me.

We entered the house and apparently it was empty.

We went up to my room, I needed to choose a sophisticated dress to go to the Casino and borrow something for Tânia, she's definitely going with me. I can't go alone, she always supports me and will give me strength not to do anything wrong.

Anna Narrating.

Tânia and I were in my room choosing our dresses when my abuela came in with a huge box in her hands.

She put it on top of my bed and sat looking at me with a sad face.

"I'm sorry hija..." She said patting the space beside her.

I sat down and she hugged me tight.

"I have no choice, right abuela?" I asked sadly.

"Unfortunately not, my beautiful... I tried everything, but unfortunately you will need to fulfill this contract." She said wiping my tears.

"We're with you, Anna." Tania spoke approaching us.

"You have a real friend, Hija!" My grandmother smiled at Tania.

Everyone wants my best, but no one is able to get rid of this madness that is being forced to marry someone I don't know.

I love Carlos and I idealized a life, a family with him.

What hurts the most is knowing that there is a possibility that he will simply abandon me, not forgive me for not telling him the truth and still hiding my true identity.

"I don't know what to do, Abuela... I love him..." I said lowering my head.

"Hija, listen... If he really loves you, he'll understand and he'll wait for you." My grandmother spoke.

"Rosa is right, my friend... give it time." Tania spoke confidently.

"See Hija, your fiancé bought it for you to wear tonight." My grandmother said opening the box and showing me a shiny black dress.

"That's great, I'll be ready for the funeral." I made a joke.

"Don't be a boring friend, until he has good taste." Tania smiled.

"You only say that because you're not marrying an old man..." I looked at my abuela and she smiled. "Nothing against old people."

"Go get ready, my beautiful.. Your daddy arrives soon and you know how he is when it comes to time." My grandmother said getting up and leaving.

"I'm going to take a shower then..." I told Tânia. "Have yours in the bathroom in the guest room, my friend."

Tania nodded and walked over with her red dress in her hands.

I went into the bathroom without an ounce of desire to get ready.

I hate doing things against my will, but I have no choice.

I took a long, hot shower to relax, did my hygiene, turned off the shower and wrapped myself in a towel.

I slathered moisturizer on my body, slathered on deodorant, and let my hair dry.

I styled my hair in some light waves and sat down in front of the vanity to apply my makeup.

I did a perfect eyeliner, highlighting my blue eyes, I put on a red lipstick and lit up my features.

I put on my black lingerie and grabbed the black dress.

Looking at it well, it really is very beautiful and will fit my curves well.

I stopped in front of the mirror and dressed it, as I imagined, it was perfect. I slipped on my black stiletto sandals and sprayed myself with perfume.

"Perfect." I said looking in the mirror.

"Wow, how beautiful!" Tania said as she entered my closet.

"For me it is torturous." I replied picking up a shiny black bag. "You're amazing, thanks for being with me."

"I always will be, Anna!"

We went down the stairs and found my dad walking from one side to the other, he seemed to be anxious.

As soon as he saw me, he opened a smile and came towards me, but I was extremely sad with him, I preferred not to hug him.

"You look beautiful, Hija!" He spoke without grace. "Reminded me of his mother."

"I hope you are not disappointing my mama wherever she is." I said in an arrogant tone.

"I know what I'm doing Anna... Don't be an ungrateful daughter and behave yourself." Papa said irritably.

"Of course, sir... what else should I do?" I said sarcastically.

"ENOUGH, ANNA." Dad said coming towards me.

"Me vas a pegar ahora, papa? (Are you going to attack me now, daddy? )" I said looking into his furious eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, Anna... I wouldn't lay a finger on you." He said backing away. "Just understand me, it will be a good contract for all of us, I don't want to lose you."

"But you're losing me one way or another, daddy, you're giving me away to the enemy."

"They wouldn't hurt you, Hija. Papa looked at Tania." It's not nice to argue in front of your friend.

"Oh no... don't bother sir... pretend I'm not there." Tania said heading towards the kitchen, where Abuela was.

"I like her." Dad said smiling. "This child knows how to behave in places..."

"A child, just like your daughter who is selling." I rolled my eyes.

"Un día me entenderás... Un día! ( One day you will understand me... one day! )" Papa went to the kitchen door. "Come on... we're late."

"Sure, let's go..." Abuela said.

She and Tânia came into the living room and we divided into the cars.

Tânia and I went with our driver, Ruíz and Papa with Abuela went in his car.

He would certainly come forward to soften whatever Eduardo Mallardo's face was, that one over there, they say he's bad-tempered from birth... imagine if I'm going to succeed living in the same house as a man like him.

But I think the following, if the father is like that, imagine what the son must be like.

Imagine, I'm going to be forced to lose my virginity to a man much older and more experienced than me...

Just thinking about it made me feel a chill run down my spine.

How can my father do this to me, he knows the Mafia rules and if I don't marry a virgin, everything goes downhill.

Is this the way out for me?

The way was fast, we arrived at the Casino, it is located on top of a ship on the west coast, when the last gambler enters, the ship sails a short distance from the city and docks on a small island called Palma de Mallorca.

This island is considered the Spanish paradise, it is perfect, romantic, it looks like an enchanted island.

Every time we go to this island I remember my beloved mother.

If she were alive, I'm sure things would be different and my father would never sell me.

With all the certainty in the world, my mother would never agree with my father's attitude and only she would be able to convince him that this is madness.

Tânia and I got on the big ship with the help of the security guards, they accompanied us to the big hall, I looked inside and saw how many people were there, I could see my dad from afar with Abuela talking to some people.

I turned around and left, I went to the front of the ship, I needed to breathe, going in there is like signing my death warrant.

"Anna, where are you going?" Tania asked coming after me.

"I need to breathe." I said walking quickly.

We reached the front of the ship, I leaned on the railing and spent a few minutes watching the ship heading towards the small island.

"The problems won't go away if you keep putting it off Anna... you need to be strong and face it soon." Tania said watching the water.

"I've been thinking... and if I turn myself in, do you pay Carlos?!" I spoke with some doubt.

"¿Estás loca, Ana? (Are you crazy, Anna?)" Tania's eyes widened. "The Mafia kills you... along with Carlos."

"At least I wouldn't live this hell... try to understand me." Asked whimpering.

"Don't do that... face it at once. It's only one year, Anna. You can." She said hugging me tight.

"All right, there's nothing to do..." I let go of the hug. "This whole thing is crazy."

"Everything will be fine in the end... you just need to talk to Carlos!"

"I will go tomorrow!" I said sad. "Dios me ayude! ( God help me! )"

Anna Narrating.

After a while watching the sea, the ship finally docked on the island, I took a deep breath and walked slowly beside Tânia.

We entered the great hall and I could feel eyes on me.

I have butterflies in my stomach, I'm about to have a nervous breakdown.

I saw my dad sitting at one of the gaming tables, Tania went to talk to Abuela and I walked slowly over to the table where he was.

As I got closer, I recognized Eduardo Mallardo, I've only seen him once in person and I saw some photos of him in my father's study folder.

With him were three more men, all older, except two, they weren't that old, one of them was actually quite presentable. With the physique of an athlete, clear eyes, very well combed hair, he even looked like a puppet.

I got close to the table and there were some women, I know exactly what they were doing there.

These women are used to distract players and make them lose, this is interesting, one of the ways the mafia makes money is called gambling exploitation.

I approached my father and put my hands on his shoulder, he took one of my hands and kissed it.

"You took your time, Hija!" He spoke while playing.

"I was watching the sea..." I said trying to hide my nervousness.

"What a beautiful girl, Angelo." One of the gentlemen praised me.

"Gracias!" Smile in the corner.

"My future daughter-in-law!" The man I deduced to be Eduardo replied.

"Lucky man!" You replied looking towards the man who caught my attention.

"Hija, go with your Abuela... when this game is over we'll go there." Papa was a little serious.

I could feel the man's eyes on me, he observed every detail of my body, which left me a little embarrassed.

A waiter passed by with glasses of Dom Perignon, I grabbed a glass and drank it down.

Everyone looked at me in astonishment, besides the fact that I was underage, they had no idea that I liked Prosecco.

"Of course, Daddy!" I said turning my back.

"A lady should not drink this way." The man said reproving me by the look.

"Good thing I'm not a lady." I rolled my eyes and left.

I already know that my father is going to talk until my ears can't take it anymore, but who wants to get involved where he wasn't invited?!

Just getting drunk really to put up with all this madness.

"Take it easy, Hija!" Abuela spoke. "No need to take it out on the drink."

"This is karma, Abuela..."

"I already told you that we are on my side, my friend!" Tania said holding my hand.

"Smile Hija, be kind..." Abuela asked even with her eyes. "Your father is coming with you."

I looked back and saw papa coming with that Eduardo, the other man and a lady, little older than my mother would be if she were alive.

"Is there time to run?" I said with my eyes full of tears.

"We're with you." Tania once again spoke.

Papa came close to us with the guests, the man whose name I still don't know handed me a glass of champagne, and smiled.

"For those who like Prosecco, they certainly appreciate champagne." He said handing me the glass.

"Anything that gets me drunk today I'll be turning." I said taking the glass and taking a huge drink.

"Hija, this is Eduardo Mallardo, your future father-in-law, this is Carmen, your future mother-in-law and this Matteo Mallardo, your future husband." Dad said introducing me to each one.

Ah, so his name is Matteo... I wonder how a 29-year-old man gets himself into this situation... getting married by contract...

"How unfortunate of me." I said taking another sip of champagne and I could feel my father's disapproving look. "Just kidding... Delighted..."

I rolled my eyes and the woman, Carmem, looked me up and down.

"You should teach this girl good manners, Contini."

"You should learn to hold your tongue, future mother-in-law." I crossed my arms.

"Enough, Hija!" Dad said nervously. "It's no use trying to be rude, the decision has already been made."

Don't worry, in a year I can teach good manners to a rebellious teenager." Matteo said.

-

"Don't you dare..." my Abuela interrupted me.

"Anna dear, shall we go to the toilette for a minute?" Abuela made a sign and I turned my back.

"Excuse me!" I said and followed Abuela and Tânia to the toilette.

We went in and she closed the door, I leaned against the sink and looked at myself in the mirror for a while.

I wanted to get out of there screaming, break everything or even do something crazy.

"Hija calm down!" Abuela asked.

"I can't, I can't... I'm really bad!" I said wiping away some tears.

"Anna, think about your mother... right now she would be giving you strength." Tania spoke. "Do it for her."

"It's easy for you to talk when you're not in my place." I said crossing my arms. "I won't be able to leave Carlos, Abuela..."

"It will be necessary dear."

"He has to understand, Anna... Everything will be fine!"

"He had taken!" I said turning to the mirror and touching up my makeup.

"Be strong Hija! Abuela hugged me tight."

"What would become of me without you?!" I said smiling.

"Nothing, babe!?" Tania joked.

We returned to the grand main hall, the games were all being closed to begin Papa's address and the long awaited wedding announcement to the other guests.

For me, everything that's going on is crazy, it's stressful and it's draining.

My will is to run away, but I won't be able to, so the way is to face the facts as they really are.

The torture started, my papa called me and the old man in front to consummate our engagement, it seems all the heads of the Spanish clans are present and if I make a scene now I will harm everyone. Not to mention Mafia leader Carroma, he came straight from Italy to honor our union, poor guy, thinking I agree with everything and that it's nothing more than a contract.