The Don's Prey

 GIOVANNA 

“Hi, how may i—” His secretary was saying politely with a soft smile on her face when I raised a finger to my lips, making the universal "shush" motion. 

She blinked, clearly thrown off guard, but I didn’t have time to explain.  

“Is he in there? Your boss?” I whispered, nodding toward the grand double doors just a few feet away. My voice barely made a sound, hoping it would keep me out of sight.  

The secretary hesitated, brow furrowing slightly. “Uh… yes, but—”  

Before she could finish, I winked at her, unable to help myself, and slipped past, my feet light on the ground as I scurried away on my tippy toe.

“But that's not his office..” The remaining of her words filtered out as I had already pushed the doors open and stepped inside.

“Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart.” I yelled as the girls who held up the question “Will you Marry Me?” lined up behind me and the trumpeters I had hired blew, their sounds piercing through the air but my jaw dropped when Alessandro turned in shock, removing his mouth from the lips of an unknown woman.

Hold on, I'm sure it's just my brains imagining things. Alessandro isn't really kissing someone else right?

My eyes ran through the inner decor of the office and I realized it wasn't his office. The name tag on the table showed it was his assistant's office.

“Giovanna, what are you doing here?” He asked in surprise, his eyes darting back and forth as the ring I had held open slid out of my fingers and hit the ground with a loud thud.

“Is that— Alessandro, what's going on here?” I asked slowly, staring at the lady in confusion as she adjusted her tank top with a smug look on her face.

“Giovanna, let's talk about this outside.” He tightened his necktie and began to move closer to me and I took two steps away from him as tears dropped out of my eyes.

“Don't give me that crap! Why are you in your assistants office? Why are you kissing your assistant on Valentine's day? Why? Can you explain what's going on here right now?” My voice was a bit louder than usual and it has to be because I feel like everything I've lived in was all a lie.

“Happy Valentine's day, once more my love. I love this necklace you got me.” The lady placed her hands on his chest before winking at me and walking out and I grabbed her back by her hair.

“Where do you think you're going?” I yelled, my face red with anger but Alessandro just stood there motionless like I was the crazy one that needed saving.

“You know, I thought I had it all figured out. I'd propose, you'd accept because we're so in love and then we'll go directly to the Maldives after that but today, you've let me know that I am a complete fool for ever believing in you. For even trusting you for the slightest moment.” I stated and swallowed hard.

“Let go of my hair, you psycho.” The girl screamed, biting my wrist and I had no choice but to let go, wincing painfully.

“Now I understand the reason why you're so in love with Alessandro even to the point of proposing to him yet he loves me more. Awww, are you going to cry? Look at you, I bet no one can bear your personality enough to want to marry you. Quite pathetic, if you ask me.” His assistant mused shuffling her disheveled hair and I felt stung in the heart while blinking back the tears from falling out.

“You have no idea how many others would want to marry me and yet Alessandro, I gave you my love for free and you're trampling on it.” 

“Stop being so dramatic. It's not anybody's fault that he didn't choose you despite your riches, don't try to lay it on anyone and deal with it yourself.” His assistant muttered.

“I planned this elaborate proposal for you, Alessandro, for you! But guess what, it's over between us. Over! Alright?” I straightened my dress and pulled out a face wipe from my bag and wiped my tears, smudging my mascara in the process.

“Giovanna, wait. You can't break up with me like that? Where would you find someone as good to you as I am? We can literally work this out.” I felt like throwing my heels at him as Ollie gritted her teeth and I turned to the door.

“Where would I find someone else? Is that supposed to be a question?” I said in disbelief.

“Of course it is. I mean, who else would want you? Alessandro is doing a lot of job putting up with you.” 

“You're just rich, Giovanna. But you know that's the same reason no one wants you, I'm doing you a favour here so don't be ridiculous.” 

“I bet a lot of people wants me. I can let someone fall in love with me and even marry me.” I retorted.

“What's going on—” Some stranger walked into the room and I instantly turned to him slamming my lips onto his in a heartfelt kiss.

The stranger's eyes widened in shock as he stood there motionless while I sucked on his tongue.

“I know this is urgent and you don't even know me but, will you marry me?” The man's eyes darted back and forth as he opened his mouth to say something but shut his mouth back up while shrugging.

“I'll pay you for this favour but I really need to save face here.” I stated, whispering into his ears as I detached from his skin.

“You know what? Yes, I will.” He stated and I smiled despite the tears flowing down my face as I pulled out his hand and slid the ring onto his finger turning to wink at Alessandro.

“Looks like I found someone way quicker than I thought.” I mumbled.

“Quite shocking, I'm engaged in 5 minutes,” he muttered.

“Giovanna, don't be ridiculous. I'm sorry, sir. I'll get this crazy lady out of here now.” Alessandro pleaded, glaring at me while pulling my hands but I wiggled out of his grasp holding on to the hem of the strangers shirt with plea in my eyes.

“Giovanna, stop being foolish.” Alessandro yelled yanking me away but I lost balance due to the heels I was putting on and slipped.

I closed my eyes already relishing the pain that would come from my body hitting the ground when strong arms firmly wrapped around my waist held on to me and pulled me to himself, our lips softly grazing each others.

This is actually the first time I'm noticing his features for the first time and I couldn't help the knot that was forming in my stomach.

This man has to be well over 6 foot, a flawless skin, sharp, chiselled and sinful jawline, stubble beards, his shirt folded upwards revealing his hand tattoos and two of the upper buttons of his shirt revealing his broad chest.

It has to be sinful to be this hot! Lord, this man is a snack.

“I'm sorry Boss, she's my girlfriend and she's just being hysterical.” Alessandro stated coming closer while chuckling nervously and my breath hitched. Did he just call him boss?  

Did I just propose to his boss? I'm just a nest of bad decisions.

“Not anymore.” The guy stated simply.

“What?” Alessandro asked in surprise while I stared at the stranger wide eyed.

“I said, she was your girlfriend but not anymore.” My body froze when I felt the stranger's strong arms wrapped around my waist pulling me closer to himself.

Before I could process what was going on, he slammed his lips onto mine in a more urgent kiss, at that moment, all thoughts in my head disappeared and I forgot how hurt I was for an instant and then he looked up, “Alessandro, your files haven't been submitted for some days.” He questioned brushing off the situation like it didn't happen.

“I'm sorry, boss.” Alessandro muttered, his eyes still round with shock with fists folded like he was about to kill.

 I spun around after detaching from the stranger and ran out of the company, my vision was blinded with tears yet I couldn't stop, the humiliation, the hurt, everything filled me up to the brim.

I'm not sure if that was just it or the fact that my face burned from embarrassment due to the fact that I had allowed myself a stranger to kiss me like it was my last day on earth.

My car door was open and waiting so I ran into it immediately.

 I wept for a few more minutes before realizing that the car wasn't in motion yet.

“Drive!” I ordered in a cranky voice, but the door on the other side opened and the stranger I had proposed to got into the back seat and sat close by to me.

“Hello, my love. We meet again.”