Trapped in a Millionaire's Revenge

Another of those nights where I must pretend to be the perfect daughter. The woman of high class that dresses elegantly, wearing the essential fashion brands for one of the many parties that my father hosts.

I finish putting on the long black Gucci dress, my matching high-heeled sandals, and I check, once again, that both my makeup and hairstyle are perfect. I was about to leave my room when someone knocked on the door.

I open it and meet Rosa. "Miss Sienna, the guests are arriving. Mr. Mauricio has asked me to come and get you". I give a sincere smile to my nanny. "I'll be right there."

"Perfect, I'll tell your father," She says, and I go-ahead to go down the monumental marble staircase.

I walk through the vast room and finally out into the garden where the party is taking place. "You're finally ready, daughter!" My father says when he sees me, and I give him a shy smile.

"You should find yourself a girlfriend, so I would stop fulfilling the role of my late mother," I tell him once more, like so many other times.

I am tired of repeating to my father that he must stop mourning for my mother, she has been dead for six years, and I will not be by his side forever.

"You are part of the shipping company, my daughter. My businesses are already yours and today is a significant night". He says.

"Because you said so?"I ask, while gently we welcome the guests that are arriving at the party.

He remains in silence for just a moment, "because of him," He says. With his gaze, he points out a very tall man with black hair, blue eyes, pale complexion, and a bearing that catches all my attention.

He is wearing a tuxedo that lets me know that he is not a simple shipping employee of the company, much less one of the minority shareholders. "Lucas!" my father says enthusiastically and shakes his hand firmly when he reaches us.

His name is Lucas, I think, and try not to smile like an idiot. I observe him, and I believe that one of the rich men from my father's parties catches my eye for the first time in a while. He looks so different.

"Mr. Di Marco, good evening," he says, and I notice his Italian accent just by saying those words, "Is she your wife?" He asks, referring to me when our eyes meet.

"No," my father replies, laughing. He then clarifies, saying, "is my daughter, Sienna. Daughter, this is Lucas Sandonin, a possible future investor of the Di Marco shipping company." My father informed me, and now I understand why he told me it was an important night.

"It would be a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Di Marco," he says to my father. Then he looks at me, "Miss Di Marco, a pleasure to meet you," he tells me with a smile that is capable of making anyone delirious; yes, me too.

"It's a pleasure," I answer kindly.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go get a glass of champagne; I'll be back." He lets us know and walks away from us.

"Italian?" I ask my father.

"Yes, he recently moved to Miami. He is the son of one of the most important businessmen in the industry in Italy. If all goes well, in our negotiations, we will begin to build luxury cruise ships".

"Interesting," I answer.

"I want you to treat him very well." My father asks, and I look at him confused.

"Excuse me?"

"Make him feel at home, just that. I don't want you to get too involved with him, okay?" He warns me seriously.

"Don't worry; he's not my type," I lie to him.

"Good. You know my rules, you should never mix business and love, especially when millions of dollars are involved", he says again like so many other times.

"I've already learned my lesson, okay? I will never again get involved with one of your potential partners". I repeat once more.

My father never misses the opportunity to remind me about Ramiro whenever he can. I know we have lost a lot of money, but I wasn't going to marry someone who cheated on me with my best friend a week before the wedding, was I?

"Now go." My father asks me, and he goes off to greet other guests.

Well, Sienna, let the action begin. I tell myself as I walk towards Lucas with my best smile.

I walk towards him, observing his elegant demeanor while he waits for his glass of champagne. I don't understand why he is not in one of those giant Calvin Klein advertisements that you find in the shopping centers.

"May I join you?" I ask him when I get to his side, trying not to show how attractive he seems to me.

Sienna, you must not fall for him, My inner self tells me, but I think it's a little late.

He looks at me from head to toe with those big blue eyes and then fixes them on my gray eyes. " Of course you can," he says, smiling at me, "young man, a glass of champagne for the miss per favore," tells the bartender, and I melt with his accent.

"Thank you," I say with a smile on my face, and then I grab the glass, "Come, let's go over there," I propose pointing to one of the tall cocktail tables that are free in a corner.

"I never would have imagined that Mauricio had a daughter so bella'." He says, and I love how the word "Bella" sounds with that Italian accent.

"Thank you very much for the compliment," I answer when we get to the table.

"And how old are you?" He asks after taking a sip of champagne.

"Twenty-eight, what about you?" I inquire, and it's just that I'm getting too interested in knowing him.

"Thirty-two, so you work with your father?" He says without taking his gaze from mine, and I feel that he is undressing me with his eyes.

Can it be possible?

"Let's say I'm the company's public relations officer," I explain. Even though the reality is that my work is intermittent, I go to the office when I want. I dedicated the rest of the day to designing dresses, which I would like to produce soon.

A half-smile is drawn on his face as he approaches me and remains standing by my side, "and this drink with me is part of your job?" He asks in a way that I don't even know how I'll be able to keep talking. I don't know what he wants with me, but it is clear that the art of seduction is his thing.

"No. This drink with you is because I want to", I answer in the most secure way I can, and I give him my best smile.

He looks me in the eye and then goes down to my cleavage, then comes back to my eyes as if nothing happened, "doesn't your boyfriend get jealous?"

I laugh at his question and deny, "I don't have a boyfriend" I confess and drink another sip of champagne, trying to keep my composure.

He smiles sideways, "how is a woman like you alone?" He asks and, without expecting it, he moves a lock of my hair behind my ear.

Is he trying to seduce me, or is it just my imagination?

"It's just that when your heart is broken, it's complicated to trust someone again," I answer bluntly, and he looks at me, narrowing his eyes.

"Do you believe in love?" He inquires and what a question he just asked me.

"No, not anymore. What about you, married, committed, girlfriend?" I dare to ask, trying to take the attention away from me.

"None of the above. It seems that love and myself are not compatible", he explains, and I quite like his philosophy.

"It's the best," I answered, and I took another sip of my glass. "Have you already decided whether or not you will do business with my father?"I ask, trying to change the subject.

"After seeing you, I have no doubts," he replies, and I think he has removed the straps of my dress with his eyes.

"So you took your decision because of me?" I ask, pretending to be unaware.

"Let's just say you're an excellent reason," explains " because of you, I believe that love and I could be compatible again," he says out of nowhere, and I must take a deep breath.

"Good reason ... I don't know how I should take that", I comment and pretend not to have interest in his words, although I suppose he must be used to women falling at his feet. He is exceptionally handsome.

He smiles broadly at me. "The business was already good before I met you, but it's much more interesting now. If you accept an invitation to dinner tomorrow, I'll explain", proposes.

"My father doesn't like me to mix business with my personal life," I let him know, trying not to smile at his proposal. Which I admit is quite interesting.

"Your father doesn't have to know," he sentences, and I can only look at him surprised.

"You are so direct," I comment with a mischievous smile on my face.

"I can be much more, but I try to be a gentleman," he answers in a very provocative way, and for some reason, I want him to stop being so.

"Interesting" I limit my answer to that word, and I only do it because I have to maintain my composure.

"Give me your phone number before your father arrives," he asks, looking nowhere, and when I turn around, I see my father walking towards us.

He gave me his cell phone, and quickly I dialed my number, letting it ring for a moment, and then I ended the call.

It only remains him to call me, right?

"Lucas! How's it going?" My father asks him as he stands on the opposite side from which Lucas is standing.

"Very well, your daughter is very kind," he says with a smile, and I smiled inside.

"I'm delighted to hear that. Can we talk about business?" my father inquires.

"Mr. Di Marco, there is nothing to talk about; on Monday, we signed the agreement," he answers in a confident tone, and my father looks stunned.

"Wow! ... I'm so glad to hear that", and knowing him, he must be wondering how Lucas made his decision so soon.

"It is a pleasure to do business with you," answers Lucas.

"I will leave you to continue talking," I say and try to retire, but before I go, Lucas gently takes my arm.

"It was nice talking to you," he says nicely.

"Likewise," if only he knew how much. I take a deep breath and go for another drink.

What happened? I ask myself. I have no idea why, but this man makes me nervous, and I kind of love it.

Next day

After having slept more than usual, since I went to bed very late last night and spending a relaxed Sunday at home; It's time to get ready for dinner with Lucas. I chose a set consisting of a short white skirt, a strappy blouse close to the body in the same color, and a black blazer with white details and matching heels. I look for my favorite matching Prada bag and make sure my light brown hair falls properly in waves above my shoulders.

"Perfect," I say to myself in front of the mirror and leave the room.

I walk downstairs and say goodbye to my father; he reads a book in the mansion's main hall. "Will you go out?" He asks me with a shy smile.

"Yes, father, I will go to dinner with some friends," I lie.

I suppose he would not like the idea of me going to dinner with the man who will be his next partner.

"Be Careful," he says like he always does, and I throw him a kiss from a distance.

"I love you, father!" I say, smiling, and leave the house.

I get in my red Audi R8 and drive to the restaurant where Lucas has summoned me.

"La Savina Meditteranean Grill" is the restaurant that he has chosen and now I know this man knows where to take me for dinner. It is no other than the most luxurious restaurant in Miami, located in the heart of South Beach. I have been here before, and I love it. The restaurant is inspired by the Spanish island Formentera. The food is incredible, not to mention that the decoration is exquisite.

I went into the valet parking area, and once the man who works there opened the door for me, I got out of the car. "Your last name please?" He asks to write my name on the valet's paper ticket.

"Di Marco," I say, and he smiles at me.

"Thank you very much, Miss Di Marco. Welcome to La Savina." He speaks kindly and looks at me a little more than he should, but it doesn't bother me.

"Thank you," I answer and walk towards the entrance.

"Good evening. Do you have a reservation?" The restaurant hostess asks me upon my arrival.

"Mr. Sandonini is waiting for me," I let her know, and she smiled.

"Marc, could you take Miss Di Marco to Mr. Sandonini's table? Please", he asks the young man with blond hair next to her. He nods.

"This way, please," he says, and I follow him until I see Lucas.

He looks gorgeous. He is wearing a black shirt with the first two buttons unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and matching dress pants. His blue eyes look at me relentlessly, and he outlines a wide smile when I stop next to him.

"Buona Notte Bella," he says with his exquisite accent and stands up to give me two kisses.

"Good evening," I answer with a smile on my face. Lucas smells delicious. I could recognize that perfume thousands of miles away; Invictus by Paco Rabanne.

"Allow me," he says and moves the chair opposite him so that I can sit down. "You look gorgeous," he comments in what seems almost a whisper as I take a seat; it's incredible how nervous his voice makes me. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before.

"Thank you," I manage to say while smiling, and I watch him sit in front of me. It should be forbidden for a man like him to be so handsome and to smell like that.

"Champagne, wine, or a cocktail?" he asks me without taking his eyes off me.

"Champagne," I answer firmly and smile.

"Woman with exquisite tastes," he comments, and I have the feeling that there is a lot of double meaning in his sentence.

"You said it," I reply immediately, without taking my gaze from his.

The waiter approaches us and introduces himself; his name is Paul. "Paul, bring us the best champagne you have," he asks, and Paul nods.

"Have you invited me to dinner just to show off you're a millionaire?" I dare to ask with a sarcastic smile on my face.

He denies it and smiles. "No, but before I tell you why I invited you to dinner, choose your meal," Lucas asks me with his gaze fixed on me. Pretending that I don't care, I do what he asks. I won't let him intimidate me.

I choose for my plate and, once Paul returns, we order the food.

"I am listening," I start the conversation. At the same time, I get comfortable paying attention as he pours me a glass of champagne and hands it to me.

"I want us to talk business," sentences while his blue eyes fix on mine.

"You should discuss that with my father," I answer, and then I take a sip of champagne.

"This is another type of business," he answers firmly and with a sarcastic smile.

I don't understand what he is talking about. "Please Explain yourself," I ask.

"I don't know how much you are aware of your father's business, much less of his financial problems," Lucas comments, and I start to worry.

Is my father in trouble?

"Economic problems, what are you talking about?", I ask confused.

"Well, if my family and I do not sign the contract for the construction of luxury cruise ships, it is most likely that your father will have to sell more than half of his company. To cover the failure of his business with Ramiro Santibáñez," he speaks. I am too surprised that he is aware of what happened with Ramiro. Who is this man?

"What do you know about what happened with Ramiro?" I ask, pretty confused.

"Enough to know that you were going to marry him, but that you found him in bed with someone else," he says firmly, and I don't like that he knows so much about my life or my father's.

This man is not to be trusted. Why did he invite me to dinner with him? This question haunts my mind with concern.

"What are you looking for?" I ask sourly.

"That's the matter that I want to talk about," he says and smiles. "My family and I can save your father from losing his patrimony by signing this contract," he explains.

I know this won't be free.

"But?" I ask. I know that there is something else.

"But there is a condition," Lucas firmly admits.

"Tell me," I replied, narrowing my eyes.

"You have to marry me," he says so naturally, and I open my eyes widely.

"What?!" I exclaimed, and I leaned my body towards him. "Have you gone mad?"

"Certainly not. A year of marriage and we saved your father from losing everything", he repeats, and I think he has lost his mind.

"And why do you want me to marry me?" I ask, very confused.

"You are the ideal woman for me; you can accompany me to all the events that I will have to attend here in Miami. You are beautiful and elegant, in short, everything a man needs by his side. In this way, all the big businessmen will take me seriously", he says, but it doesn't make sense.

"That is not the reason," I answer firmly, and he smiles.

"And you are smart," he adds in a mysterious tone.

"You won't tell me, will you?" I ask seriously, and he denies it.

"You don't need to understand anything, this is just a business. Just one year, and you save your father and his empire".

"And what do I say to my father?" I ask, wanting to understand his logic.

"He can find out everything after we sign the marriage papers," Lucas answers.

"You're a miserable man, taking advantage of the situation," I say angrily.

"Maybe, but it suits you. You will be the wife of Lucas Sandonini", he says in a way that makes me want to punch him in the face.

"If you're doing all this so you can get laid, you're wrong," I warn him.

"I never said anything about sex," he comments and takes a sip from his glass.

"Even better," I answer since I don't know what else to say. I had never thought I would live in a situation like this.

"You have until 9 am tomorrow to give me an answer. If your answer is no, I will call your father and drop the whole negotiation", he warns me, and I hate that he has me between a rock and a hard place.

I know the billions of dollars that my father lost with Ramiro. I also know that it was my fault for not marrying him but, how could I do it if he cheated on me a week before the wedding? I know there was a fortune involved, but I couldn't do it.

"I know the situation very well. Let's not dwell on the matter anymore, I accept the deal, but for the record, I will only be your wife in the name", I clarify.

"In name, but we will live together." Lucas sentences and I hate him so much right now.

"If there is no other choice." I finish my drink, trying to assimilate what I just did.

"Very good, future Mrs. Sandonini, you are an intelligent woman. In a few days, we will marry," He says triumphantly, and I want to be a widow before signing any paper.