Chapter Four: Raffaele Conte

Viviana walked down the hallway leading out of her room. She was dressed in a beautiful white short and fitted gown and her hair done in a messy bun with hair accessories in it. She glanced outside through the glass walls to see lines of cars in front of the house which didn't belong to the Bellini family. She could only guess the Conte were here.

Heading out towards the main living room, she could hear her father's laughter as he spoke to someone. Descending the grand stairway, Viviana scanned the living room and her eyes finally fell on the individual seated on a single sofa with his legs crossed. He was dressed in a suit and his dark hair was neatly combed. He had a calm yet deadly aura excluding from him. She knew he was definitely the Raffaele Conte she was getting shipped off with.

As Viviana got a good look at his face, she paused in her step, making everyone in the room turn their attention to her. And when the man turned to look at her, she felt like everything was playing out in an extremely slow motion.

“Oh, Viviana.” Her father said, standing up to meet her. He took her hands, leading her down the stairs as the other man rose from his seat. “This is Raffaele Conte, Don of the Conte family and your husband to be.” Her father introduced.

‘Is this some kind of cliche novel? Finding out your one night stand is your husband to be?’ Viviana thought as she stared at him, trying very hard to hide her shock. He didn't look like he recognized her or anything. He just had a calm look on which she couldn't read.

“It's a pleasure meeting you, Viviana.” He said with a smooth voice, taking her hand to place a soft kiss on her knuckles. She felt sparks as his lips touched her skin just like the previous night.

She didn't know if he remembered her and was just faking this in front of her father, or he really didn't remember her even though they were together till early in the morning.

Viviana didn't reply him and just took her seat. Massimo let out a fake cough before returning to his seat, and Raffaele did the same. “She just arrived from New York a few days ago and being met with the news was surprising to her.” Massimo explained to Raffaele who just nodded.

“So, Viviana, Don Conte would like it if you got married today in court, so you both can return to his place…”

“We only just met today, and we'd be getting our marriage certificate instantly? That’s surprising Don Massimo Bellini.” She scoffed, tutting as she shook her head. Massimo wanted to speak but he knew it didn't make sense also but just had to do as Raffaele had requested since he was busy with work.

“Stop being childish Viviana. You'll get used to each other and have all the time in the world once you get married. There's no point in trying to throw a tantrum.” Massimo sighed, totally defeated by his daughter.

Although it wasn't obvious in his expression, Raffaele was intrigued by the way Massimo, a ruthless Don was driven to a corner by his daughter. Well, he's only human with affection.

While in the midst of his thoughts, Viviana turned to him, staring right at him. “I'd marry you today on one condition.” She proposed, her gaze not leaving his and neither did her. He looked so strikingly handsome that she almost lost her words but she instantly composed herself. “You won't restrict my freedom when we get married. I like my free life to do anything I please.”

“Deal.” Raffaele replied calmly and she expected him not to agree but he did. So that meant they really would be getting married.

She remained seated there, her thoughts wandering around the fact that she would be getting married to him soon. Although she was lost in he rown thoughts, she could perfectly hear all they were conversing about and from her observation, her father seemed to do all the talking as Raffaele didn't really say much. He just listened to him and replied only when necessary. It was obvious he took a man of a few words to an extremely extra length of not talking much at all.

“Alright.” Raffaele said, rising from his seat before looking in Viviana's direction. She wasn't looking directly at him but was busy with a paper origami. “Let's go.”

“Don't tell me we're leaving instantly after signing the papers because I haven't packed a thing.” Viviana said, folding her arms across her chest as she looked up at Raffaele.

“We'll be back to say our farewells to your father.” Raffaele assured her, stretching out his hand to take hers which she took with a satisfied look. She just wanted to press his buttons but he seemed to be used to it.

That same morning, they arrived at the court with Raffaele’s lawyer waiting for them with everything already arranged. They were led into a VIP area to have their certificate registered and all. It was part of the perks of not only being popular underground, but also in the legal world.

“Why did you marry me?” Viviana asked him, turning to look at him with her head tilted to the side.

“Because my grandmother asked me to.” Raffaele replied, taking a sip from his served.

“That's a very half-assed response you know.” She said, pouting. “You should be my husband now so why are you acting all cold?”

Raffaele didn't say a word and just looked at her with a small smile on his face. “I thought you were throwing a tantrum since you arrived from New York because you didn't want me to be your husband.”

“What if I changed my thoughts about you once I met you?” She replied, leaning closer till there faces was only inches away. “I didn't know my husband would be into one night stands and forget the face of his partner a few hours later.”

Raffaele chuckled gently, not pulling away and she used that opportunity to grab his collar, pulling him close for a kiss. Yes he was the same person she had a one night stand with. His kiss was just so amazing that she could melt. He was handsome and good in bed, definitely a book boyfriend that anyone would want.

As they pulled away from each other, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. “Why would I sleep with someone who isn't my wife?” He asked before rising from his seat, adjusting his clothes. “Let's go.”

Sleep with someone who wasn't his wife? So he knew since the previous night that Viviana was his bride to be. She was stunned. “But that doesn't explain why you thought I was sent to you.” She called after him as they walked back out.

“Would you believe it if you suddenly seduced me and I agreed without putting up an act?” He asked, not looking at her but the papers he had just received.

That sly fox.

Raffaele turned to her with a sweet smile while showing her the marriage certificate.

“Welcome to the Conte family, Regina (Queen in Italian).”