Chapter Five

ISABELLA POV 

I gulp, my gaze settles on his frosty eyes, my brain screams at me to speak, give him a reply but my heart pounds in my chest urging me to flee.

I take a deep breath steadying myself, “I... I don’t” I stutter my voice barely a whisper.

I gulp again, daring to meet his icy gaze, his eyes narrow crossing his hands across his chest, his expression still, watching me.

I shrink back in fear, looking back down at the folder, as my father's new finance officer, I knew this would be an impossible number, yes we made money, and yes I come from a family with money but not this much money.

“I’m sure you know what decision to make Miss Isabella,” he says his voice low.

He turns around, leaning forward to grab his phone, distracting himself a bit, allowing me to finally catch my breath.

His taut back moves swiftly as he walks past me.

I pause, the scent of his perfume filtering into my nose making my heart race.

“You can stay as long as you desire, enjoy the facilities,” he says his voice polite but his statement is far from it.

“I will see you later.” he stops right beside me, turning his gaze to me making my heart stop.

“Mrs Deluca” he nods, a sly smirk on his face as he continues his walk, the double doors pulling open, and they shut back behind me in the room

My heart immediately picks up again at his exit as I breathe out a heavy sigh, I hold the file in my arms tightly, “I need to figure this out” I whisper to myself rushing out of the room.

I head to the company and immediately get to work, trying to figure out a way to not accept this deal and save the company at the same time.

I bite my lip looking out the window, the night reminding me how long I have been trying to work out the company finances.

I sigh spinning around in my chair, the office empty, I turn my eyes to the clock, “2 am” I read out shaking my head at the ludicrosity of everything.

I have the best birthday ever, I see a man kill another man, I feel this immediate attraction for him but at the same time, I really want to grab a gun and punch it in his face, he arranges a marriage with my father to pay off his debts and now here I am at 2 am in the morning trying to figure out how to save the company.

“All in 48 hours” I mutter rubbing my head.

Ding!! A sound comes from my phone

I frown, even Bianca would be sleeping at this time, “who could that be?” I frown spinning the chair to my phone, another ding lighting it up.

I grip the phone in my clutches, staring down at the phone, and my eyes widens at the message.

“Diamonds? Emeralds? Or maybe Rubies?” 

The text is followed by three photos of   Delicate engagement rings, each nestled in a navy blue box, a pair of long elegant fingers wrapped around the box

My eyes move down, a leather watch wrapped around his wrist 

A shiver runs down my spine, “Dominic Deluca” I whisper.

“Do you make a habit of sending messages to women at 2 am?” I type, my finger sliding across my screen, and I immediately hit send.

Annoyance fills me at his audacity, “I haven't even agreed to your proposal yet, Mr Deluca I say shaking my head in exasperation.

But as soon as I send it, I regret it, “I should have just ignored him” I whisper to myself, but it's already too late now.

Dominic’s response comes almost immediately, “I guess you'll have all three then” I read out my heart racing at the text.

“Goodnight Mrs.Deluca” he sends a final text causing goosebumps to cover my skin.

I head back home, and time passes by with different thoughts running through my mind, the day passes by and I take Matteo to see our father in the hospital

“You should listen to your sister” My father nods at him as we stand in his room, the sun setting, my mother by the corner making a phone call

He nods with a wide smile on his face.

“Wait outside, I want to speak to your sister” he coughs out slightly causing my mother to rush to his side immediately.

I look down at them, Mom feeding him water and staring at each other with all the love In their eyes.

My heart breaks for me, accepting Dominic DeLuca's marriage proposal means I will never have this, I will never have true love.

I sigh heavily prompting them to turn their attention to me, “Bella” my dad whispers softly.

“I will do it,” I say my voice even, my expression hard as I nod at them

“I have to be here for the family, help us in some way, and if this includes marrying Dominic DeLuca then I’ll do it,” I say nodding 

They breathe out a sigh of relief sharing a look, “I will inform him as soon as I can” he says hastily 

“I have to go,” I say quickly turning away from them, “I have dinner with Bianca” I immediately leave the room heading downstairs to my driver Rupert.

He drives me home and as soon as I burst through the doors my eyes come in contact with Bianca, a wide smile on her face.

Bianca is like the middle sister I never had, playful, annoying, and convinces me to do things I wouldn't do.

“Madam CFO” she jokes, standing up to bow before me.

“You need to stop calling me that” I laugh slightly following her upstairs to my room.

“Did you pull out a dress for me for dinner?” I lift a brow in her direction

She feigns shock. “How can you ask that?” we reach my room, “I didn't pull out a dress for you girl, I went out and I bought you a whole new outfit” she giggles pulling out a shopping bag from behind my door.

I raise a brow at her, already knowing what to expect.

“I hope it’s not one of those pieces of materials you call a dress?” I nod at her, stretching my gaze to the bag.

Bianca winks, “Girl shut up, you will wear what is in the bag,” she says pursing her lips.

I shake my head, chuckling at her attitude, soon we are dressed and ready to go,

Wearing a short red dinner dress, Bianca in a skimpy blue dress we head to the restaurant.

The dim lighting and luxurious atmosphere welcome us as we find our seats near the balcony, the balcony view being much more exclusive and expensive.

“Good evening ladies, I am Vivian and your server for the day, can I get you started with some water or appetizers?” she lofts a brow at us.

Bianca orders a bottle of white wine and Vivian returns with the wine in hand.

In her other arm is a bouquet of beautiful red noses, enclosed delicately within a white wrapper.

I frown turning to Bianca, and turning back to Vivian, “I didn't order these” I say 

Vivian smiles, her dimples pinching  her cheeks, “They’re from the gentleman outside” She pauses 

“He said they’re for Mrs. Deluca.” she nods turning around.

Bianca's eyes narrow, looking down at the flowers and then back at me. 

Her mouth pops open in shock, turning her eyes to the only man sitting on the balcony seat outside.

My heart races as he moves his head, he turns around, his piercing blue eyes boring onto mine.

My heart flutters and I move my gaze away from him, swiftly gripping my wine glass trying to ignore my racing heart.

“Mrs Deluca?” Bianca repeats her eyes moving from his wide back to me in confusion.