Chapter Two

The next day after her father was taken, Elena decided to visit Andrea. She stood alone on a deserted sidewalk and lifted her head to the top of Andrea's penthouse in the clouds.

She exhaled slowly as she thought about her family's situation. She was the only one who could save her father. But could she do it? Talk to Andrea Santino. It was almost impossible. Except she had to.

She couldn't secure an appointment with him despite calling over a dozen times the previous day. According to his secretary, only reputable businessmen could secure an appointment with him. And since her father had embezzled money from his company, she knew she was the last person that could get an appointment with him.

"I'm not scared of him. I will save my father." She repeated to herself, clutching the folder she had in her hands. "I would have to speak to the devil himself to save my father."

But the truth was that she had never really believed her father was guilty. She'd held on to the hope that it was all a misunderstanding or that Andrea was just a selfish man who blamed her father for his misfortune. Within her, she really prayed that she was right about her father.

She narrowed her eyes and sighed. Fine. She would have to take responsibility. She would have to do what her mother or the police couldn't do.

Elena looked up again at the top of the penthouse. What if Andrea didn't want to speak with her? What if she was too late and he hurt her father?

She pushed the thoughts to the back of her head and focused on her goal. Even the devil himself would have something he desired. All she had to do was to find out what he wanted. A lump rose to her throat.

Slowly, Elena forced her feet off the sidewalk and toward the penthouse. There was no backing out now.

"Can I help you?" The doorman asked inside the lobby.

She licked her dry lips. "I'm here to see Mr. Andrea."

The doorman didn't bother to hide his disapproval. "You? Here to see Mr. Andrea Santino?"

"Yes," Elena replied nervously.

"Do you have an appointment with him?" He asked, pinching his nose.

Elena considered saying the truth for a moment but she knew it wouldn't get her far enough.

"Yes." She replied. "I do have an appointment with him."

The man reached for the phone on his desk and dialed some numbers. Turning away, he spoke in a low voice. Her heart began to pound furiously against her chest.

There was no way he wouldn't figure out that she was lying. She had expected he would let her in and hopefully she would get to speak with Andrea's secretary. But she was disappointed.

Elena prayed that they would let her speak to Andrea. That her efforts to save her father would yield something.

"Excuse me miss, what's your name again?" The doorman, who was still on the phone asked.

"Elena." She replied quickly.

The doorman turned back and continued to speak in a low voice. After a few moments later, he faced Elena with a stern face.

"His secretary says you don't have an appointment with Mr. Andrea." He said with slight anger. "You may leave the residence immediately."

Her jaw dropped. "Please, I need to speak with him. It's urgent and I know he will be interested in what I have to say."

"Mr. Andrea is not interested in whatever you have to say." The man replied harshly, eyeing her ponytail. "He certainly does not condole liars."

"Look, please just call him, all right? Tell him that Elena Mario is here. And I am here to talk about my father."

"Call him? I will do no such thing." The doorman said. "Now, leave before I call security."

Elena was getting desperate and there was no way she could see Andrea without getting past the doorman.

"Please, my father has been accused of theft and if I don't see Mr. Andrea, I am afraid I might never see my father. Please, just inform him that I am here." Elena begged desperately.

The doorman snorted. "Why would he want to speak with you? If your father is a thief after all, his daughter is the last person he would want to see. Mr. Andrea is busy and I need you to leave immediately."

"My father is not a thief." She mustered, with her hands curled beside her. "I need to speak with Mr. Andrea because he has accused the wrong man."

"Well, you may speak with him when you have secured an appointment." He replied. Then he turned and pressed the intercom button. "Security! There's a young lady in the lobby who's causing a nuisance."

Elena's eyes widened at the doorman's orders. How could he call security on her after hearing her plea? How could he be so hard hearted?

Immediately, about four men stepped out and advanced toward her. With her hands balled up beside her and a determination to save her father, Elena decided to fight until she accomplished her goal. She was not going to leave until she talked to Andrea.

"Ma'am, please we will need you to leave the residence immediately." One of the security personnel said.

"Unfortunately, I need to see Mr. Andrea and I am not going anywhere."

With a signal, the security personnel rounded her and began to shove her out of the penthouse. She did not expect them to do that but she immediately put up a fight.

"I need to see Mr. Andrea!!" Elena yelled as she was being hauled away. "My father is innocent!!! Let me go immediately!!"

"Really?" A deep masculine voice asked from the other end of the lobby. Silence fell and the security personnel stopped struggling with Elena immediately. "Let her go."

The security personnel released her from their grips immediately. Elena straightened her dress and turned to face the direction of the voice.

Stepping out into the light, Andrea turned to face Elena. She let out a little gasp before she could stop herself.

The man standing before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Despite her attempt to regain her composure, she was thunderstruck.

His hair was raven black and fell across his face with perfection. His eyes which bore the same clarity as the deep sea were entrancing. It was like his eyes could bewitch anyone who fell under his seeking gaze. He had a hawkish nose which highlighted his dishy looks. His cheekbones held by firm jaws looked like they were chiseled by the finest master.

He seemed molded from a different cast as he did not look like every other man in the room. There was something about him that Elena could not quite shake off. Her eyes ran slowly from his tuxedo which screamed power down to his shoes. His only blemish was that he radiated too much energy and charm that was intoxicating.

She had heard a lot about Andrea Santino but the photographs she saw of him didn't do him justice. He was far more handsome and reserved than she imagined.

His deep blue eyes bore into hers like a pair of piercing arrows. He had a small cold smile on his lips which made him look even more exotic. For a moment, she couldn't believe he was the man that took her father.

Elena cleared her throat. "Good day, Sir. I am quite sorry for causing a scene but I have been trying to reach you but they won't let me in without an appointment. Is that how you treat everyone who comes here?"

Andrea's eyebrows cocked and the security personnel behind Elena gasped. "Why do you wish to see me?" He said ignoring her outburst earlier.

Swallowing hard, Elena took a step closer to him. "It's about my father."

"Your father? Who is your father?" He asked with deep-rooted curiosity.

"Rocco Mario." She replied. "He was taken yesterday by some men following your orders. He is innocent and I have come here to tell you that you've got the wrong man."

But Andrea wasn't listening as his eyes scanned the lady before him. Rocco had never mentioned he had a daughter, let alone, one that was so beautiful and fierce.

With a cold smile, Andrea said. "Come with me."