Dante.
1394 Words
Dante’s POV
The meeting was taking far too long. I sat at the far end of the table in the boardroom. A group of men sat on either side of each other.
“Mr. Valerio, as I was saying…” one of the executives began.
“Cut the numbers by ten percent,” I said, not looking up. “If you can’t make that work, you’re wasting my time.”
The room went silent.
The door opened.
Just then a nervous assistant walked in. “Sir… there is a woman outside. She said, "She's looking for you."
I glanced up. “I am busy."
She sighed nervously. "Sir… It's the bride. Elena Alvaraz”
My pen paused mid-air. I said.
“Clear the room."
“Sir?” the finance head stammered.
I turned to him. “Now”
Chairs scraped the floor, and everybody walked out in a rush. In seconds the door was shut, and I was alone.
I leaned back.
My lips curved; she came. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a man like me?
The door creaked open slowly.
She walked in. She wore a simple pair of jeans and a top. Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders, and her eyes were puffed up.
It contrasted with the confidence she carried.
“Elena Alvarez”
“Dante Valerio" Her voice was soft, making me wonder how it would sound if she whispered it in bed.
She took a seat.
I didn't tell her to. Interesting.
I waited.
“I hate the Vegas with the very bane of my existence, and I have gone through the contract terms." She trailed her fingers nervously on the table, avoiding my eyes.
“You might want to check your socials,” I said, gesturing to the phone she held.
A few seconds later, her lips parted and her face paled. as she scrolled through.
Her sister had released a statement saying she was manipulative and a liar. She had framed her and orchestrated that video.
It looked bad. Such a pity one's own blood would do that to her.
Fucked her fiancé and now denies it.
I smirked. I must give it to Ajehandro; he bagged a lot of fine women.
She looked up. Her voice shook slightly. “I will sign the contract, but I want full coverage for my family. I need resources and a leading role in the Aurora production, the Vegas rival production."
"Audavious," I tilted my head, “Negotiating already?”
She lifted her chin. “If I’m going to sell my soul, I’m naming my price.”
I nodded. She's smart. Exactly the kind of asset one could use.
“Just to be clear this is strictly business." I leaned forward. “No feelings attached. This is just for public image. Maintain power and control. I don't mix business with pleasure."
“Me neither," she replied.
“Occasionally, I am going to need information about Ajehandro that brings us one step further to his destruction,” I said, leaning forward.
Not that I couldn't do it on my own, but this speeds things up.
“He was going to buy a studio for the premiere of his new movie." She glanced at me.
“Why don’t we start from there? The studio should be bought by the highest bidder instead."
My lips curved. “I like how you think, Alvarez; we might make a great partnership." I rubbed my chin.
“Here, it's signed." She slid the envelope towards me.
I glanced at it. “Good, you are now my wife. You move in immediately. And I don't want you going to his place or anywhere around him unless I tell you to.”
She nodded her head. “Oh, one more thing. My parents' house”
“I bought it already."
Her eyes widened.
I grinned satisfied at her reaction. I am always one step ahead.
“Welcome to the partnership, Alvarez."
Just then, there was a knock.
“Come in."
My assistant walked in. "Sir, the press are outside."
“The press?”
She nodded.
Elena gasped. I glanced at her.
“You may go,” I said to the assistant.
She closed the door behind her.
“Hmm, Elena, it seems you have brought visitors."
“I didn't…" she began.
“It's fine; let's give them a show." I smirked.
I got up from my seat and walked towards her.
She looked up at me with terror in her eyes.
She looked really shaken by the mention of the press.
“Stand. Let's go."
She gulped. “Outside?”
I said nothing.
"Okay." She stood up and hurriedly gathered her bag and the papers on the table.
“Shall we?” I arched an arm so she could lace her arm through.
She hesitated at first but then nodded. She laced it through.
We took the elevator to the last floor.
“Smile Elena,” I said before the doors slid open.
She forced a smile. Not quite reaching her eyes, but it was enough.
The elevator doors opened to the noise and chaos. Cameras flashed.
I raised my voice just enough to silence everyone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I said. A fake smile was plastered on my lips. “This is Elena Valerio, my wife.”
The murmurs began again. “Mr. Valerio! Is she yours?” “Why marry her?” “Is this true?”
Her breath hitched. She looked up at me, surprised.
“Answer them,” I said.
She inhaled, and then in a more controlled voice than I expected, she replied.
"Yes, we are."
And with that. I grabbed Elena’s waist and turned her to face me. Planting a hard, long kiss on her lips.
The crowd gasped.
Her lips were soft.
Softer than I expected for someone who looked ready to stab me minutes ago.
She stiffened in my arms at first, but the dozen cameras flashing at us forced her to stay in place. Smart woman. She didn’t pull away.
When I finally released her, I could hear the reporters shouting over one another.
“Mr. Valerio, when did you get married?”
“Elena! Did you know him before the wedding scandal?”
“Was this planned?”
I lifted my hand slightly. “No further questions for today.”
Then my security stepped in, creating a barrier between us.
Elena squinted her eyes under the flashes of the camera. Her cheeks flushed a bright red. Embarrassment was written all over her face, or anger, or maybe even both.
I placed my hand firmly on her lower back.
“This way."
She didn't argue.
The moment we stepped into the car and it drove out, she turned to me. “What the hell was that?”
I looked ahead to “damage control."
“Damage?… She laughed, a humorless sound. “You just kissed me in front of the entire press, Dante! You basically told the world we’re married!”
“We are,” I said simply, looking out the window. “Or did you not sign the contract?”
She glared at me. “It’s just that it all happened too fast. You didn’t even give me time to breathe…”
“I don't need you to breathe, Valerio… I need revenge. You wanted to save your family. I made that possible. Now you’ll do your part.”
“Don't call me that!” she snapped.
“Why?” I asked, leaning closer, “You signed for it."
She exhaled a shaky breath, running her hand through her hair. “You are insane."
I gave a low chuckle. “You’ll find that sanity doesn’t get you far in my world."
For a moment we remained silent. She parted her lips to speak, then, as if deciding against it, she turned her lips to the side and mumbled something under her breath.
The rest of the trip was silent.
The car slowed as we pulled up to the Valerio Tower. Sixty floors of glass, marble, and control. My world.
The driver opened her door, but she didn’t move.
“You said I’d move in,” she said slowly. “You didn’t mean… here, did you?”
I stepped out first, adjusting my cuffs.
"Where else would my wife live?” I arched a brow.
- Writer
