His always and forever

The deal

- "I'd like you to marry my son."

With this sentence he brook the silence and made me gasp in chock. I was certainly not expecting that.

Help him get over his womanizer ways, sure I could have helped but this... To say I was surprised was an understatement. I looked over at Kate whose eyes were so big i thought they might pop out of their sockets. Where was the bad*ss sister when you needed her? I guessed I was on my own on this one.

- "Mr Borreli, I feel honored that you think of me as a suitable bride for your son but I'm afraid I'll have to turn down your offer."

I tried to be as polite as I could all things considered... I was still a bit afraid of Kate's reaction to my reply more than of Mr Borreli's. Before we left France, we made each other a promise; We will do whatever it takes to build our own empire and offer our children a better life than the one we had. This... the marriage.... was whatever it took. I should have said yes. Was it too late now? Was she mad at me or did she understand my position. We had both lived up to that promise till now, I didn't want to back off. Truth to be told, I was scared. I was still a v****n, a 25-years-old-v****n noless, and I wasn't ready to give up on that part of myself because I was forced to. I always imagined my first time to be with someone I loved. Not with some womanizer, because yes I didn't know his son personally but I read a lot about him in the tabloids. Alexander Borreli, the most wanted NYC's bachelor. Talk about husband-material!

- "Mrs Ivanenko, Caroline- can I call you like that?" The old man asked seemingly not defeated.

- "Only if I can call you by your name as well sir."

There, appeasing a business meeting is always a good thing. He chuckled and replied without hesitation.

- "Of course dear, call me Lorenzo; I understand you don't know my son and neither does he know you. But I for a fact know my offspring very well and I made my homework on you, Caroline. I know you are exactly what my son needs." He was smiling like what he said made perfectly sense.

If at the beginning I had found the old man gentle hearted, I was starting to get irritated by his insistence. His homework what did he mean by that? As I was about to reply the marvelous Katherina Ivanenko decided to finally intervene.

- "With all due respect, sir, I believe my sister declined your offer."

She held so much authority in her voice, she was a born leader. I was her acolyte; She was Batman and I was Robin, you get the picture. I loved it that way. Having the spotlight wasn't my thing as you already know.

Borreli didn't seem happy by Kate's reply and got up from his seat. My sister and I followed suit. The meeting was over and I was glad. I'd be able to talk alone with her and see what we do. I walked Borreli to the elevator where he stopped me.

- "Caroline, I really believe you'll be a great fit for my son. I know it's not how weddings should work but I'm confident this one will work out."

He seemed desperate. I guessed I could relate to his situation. I had a little brother after all. As much as I hated to admit it, he was a manwh*re. My mother despised that side of him and my father... well he was no longer there to say anything. But no matter how much sympathy I had for the old man or how much I could relate to him, I still couldn't give up my freedom. I didn't have it in me.

He handed me a business card with his phone number on it. I extended my hand to take but instead he put it in my palm and closed my fingers on it with his hand above my closed one he said:

- "Call me until midnight if you change your mind, all you need is some more time Bella (beauty) think about it."

I was speechless. Borreli was full of resources. The old man was perseverant for his age, not that he was old. He just wasn't so young anymore.

- "Have a nice day Lorenzo."

After his departure, I headed back to the conference room where Kate was waiting for me. She was pacing from one side of the room to the other. As I barely stepped foot into the room she looked up and started screaming.

- "The nerve of that man! Coming here to make such an inappropriate proposition! Who even still makes arranged marriages nowadays ?! I swear I didn't know what he was about to propose he just asked to speak to both of us."

She was fuming I could tell. I was sure that it wasn't just about that proposition but also about the fact that I said no. Maybe I should agree to the deal after all... It was a necessary sacrifice. We had wanted to expand for what felt like ages!

- "Mh Kate... I-I was wondering if maybe I should agree to it." I said quietly knowing well she wouldn't be pleased by this.

- "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR D*MN MIND?!" She screamed so loudly I was sure the whole building had heard it. I sighed and rolled my eyes. I walked to the table and sat down on it. I stopped her before she could scare anyone with more screams.

- "Kate, it's our chance we've been trying to expand for years now!"

She stopped pacing and walked to stand in front of me. She took my hands in hers like mother used to do when she was about to tell us something important.

- "Listen carefully Caro, first of all, all the money and power of the world aren't worthy of this sacrifice. Second of all, you are my baby sister if this sacrifice needs to be done, I should be the one to do it, not you. You deserve better than this little sister. And third, this isn't the only opportunity we'll have."

I wanted to believe her, I truly did. But I knew better. We had already contacted all the companies in America who could help us expand but none wanted to- none but the Borreli. Surprising, considering they were worldwide famous. Why would they take interest in our small company? Sure it wasn't that small but next to theirs it was. It didn't matter actually, it was a one in a life time chance.

- "Thank you but we both know that's not true. This is the only chance we have. Remember, whatever it takes."

It was our promise, I gave her my word and I didn't want to go back on it. As much as I hated the idea to belong to someone I didn't even know, I knew deep down that I owned it to her and to myself to do it.

She closed her eyes and letting out a sigh, she let go slowly of my hands.

- "I'm your big sister, protecting is what I'm supposed to do. How can I protect you from this ?"

- "I'm a big girl, sometimes I need to do dangerous things as well."

She chuckled and helped me up.

- "Dangerous things? This isn't just dangerous, this giving up on your freedom."

She was right, of course she was; once I'd be married I'd be his. Was I really ready for it? Surely not but did I have a choice; no.

- "Caroline, don't call him back if you're not at 100% sure, got it?"

I nodded and we both exited the conference room to head to our respective offices.

The rest of the day it was just impossible to concentrate on work. I kept thinking about this deal. No matter how many times I played it in my head, the end was always the same, I married him. I needed badly a break from work, I wasn't efficient anyways. I opened a new tab and decided to google him up. I instantly got a picture from a people magazine. He was on front page with a brunette Barbie by his arm. Amelia something, a model. Great! How could I compete with models? Many agreed that I was beautiful but I surely seemed like an old witch standing next to a model. This is just what I needed for my self-confidence, great! I took the business card out of my pocket and turned it between my fingers for a moment. I played with it, thinking about this whole deal until I finally knew my answer to the proposition. I returned back to work, my mind now cleared.

At the end of the day, I shut dow my laptop and gather my things ready to leave. Before switching the lights off and closing the door, I opened my top drawer to take the card and place it in my purse. I exited the building and headed straight for the car. John was already there waiting for me.

Once I got home, I immediately kicked off my high heels. My home was a flat with a view on Central Park. The decoration was in all white and gold. The walls were in beige nuances. It was my sweet little home. I got to my walk-in-closet and changed into a two pieces white sleek pjs. I took the business card form my purse and walked to the kitchen where I poured myself a glass of wine. I sat on the counter top and dialed the number on the card. My mind was set.

- "Evening, here's Lorenzo Borreli."

- "Evening Lorenzo, it's Caroline Ivanenko."

- "Caroline what a pleasure to hear from you so soon, I suppose you have an answer for me dear?"

- "I accept the deal."

- "Amazing! I cant' wait to call you my daughter dear!"

He was extremely happy, like that was the last thing on his to-do-list before he could leave this world at peace. We exchange formalities and arranged a meeting with my future in-laws and my dearest husband-to-be. I really wished I wasn't about to regret this decision but little did I know that my life would be a living hell by Alexander Borreli's side.