Bound To The Boss

I should have known meeting my father after all these years would be a terrible idea.

The second I stepped into that overpriced, sleek little cafe, I felt it.

That twist in my gut, a warning. But like an idiot, I stayed.

I told myself it was just coffee and a conversation; closure. Right??? Boy could I have not been more wrong.

Here I was, staring at the man I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade, and he looked… older. Colder, more expensive.

He smiled and I could tell it was a fake, politician type smile. He gestured to the empty seat across from him. “Please, sit, Ciara.”

Gee, I came all this way to stand... I said sarcastically. I took the seat. Of course.

After a moment of awkward silence I asked "I hope you're not planning to poison me?"

He smirked and said “If I wanted you dead darling, you wouldn’t have made it past the door.”

How heartwarming.

I folded my arms tightly across my chest. “Now that we've gotten the fake pleasantries out of the way, why am I here?”

He slid a thin black folder across the table.

"What is this?"

"Just...... open it"

I hesitantly reached for the folder, flipped it open and instantly regretted looking.

It was a contract. A Marriage contract with my name on it.

My eyes locked on the other name scrawled at the bottom. Luca Romano. The name practically made alarm bells go off in my head.

“Very Funny, dad. This is some sort of a joke right?

His jaw tightened. “This isn’t optional.”

What do you mean!!! I yelled.

You disappear from my life for ten years and.....now, now you’re auctioning me off to the highest bidder?”

What part of this says it's not optional????

I said with a shaky voice while trying to sound bold.

I shoved the folder back at him and made to leave, but he caught he by my wrist. Firmly enough to remind me just who he was.

“Listen to me, Ciara. You don’t understand”

“You’re right,” I snapped at him, yanking my hand free. “I don’t understand. I don’t understand why you think you can control my life. I don’t understand why you think I’m still your responsibility.

And I sure as hell don’t understand how you sleep at night knowing you intend to throw your daughter into the lion’s den.”

His eyes darkened, lips pressed in a tight line. But there was a flicker of something I couldn't quite quite place my hand on....guilt? No. More like… resignation.

“I made mistakes Ciara, but this, this is necessary.”

“Necessary???!!! For who!!? You? Your reputation?

when has anything you've done been necessary dad!!! Tell me! Just one time!!! Once!!! I had hope for us dad! in you!!

I barked a humorless laugh.

But you know what? screw that and screw you!.

I grabbed my bag and was just about to storm out when I heard his voice

.

“She’s feisty. I like that.”

I froze and slowly turned. There he was, hidden in the darkest end of the cafe.

Luca Romano.

He rose to his feet and gently approached us. Like time was his. He looked like he owned every building in the city and maybe he did. Tall, broad shouldered and his eyes....so dark that they pinned me in place. He had a smirk that promised trouble.

Gorgeous. What is wrong with you Ciara, snap out of it. I thought to myself.

“This is the girl?” His gaze dragged over me, slow, unapologetic. “Hmm, she’ll do.”

“I’m standing right here! And I'm not some.....thing you just pick off a shelf,” I hissed, fire rising despite pounding in my ears.

Luca chuckled low, dangerous.

“No, sweetheart. You’re much more interesting than that.”

His eyes met mine, unblinking, unyielding. And for one, terrifying second, the entire café, the contract, my father,all of it, faded. All I could see was him.

And for the first time in my life, I felt completely trapped.

I got the sinking feeling that my life had just changed.

Forever..