Cruel Boss, You Are My Destiny

Little mouse

**Valeria's POV**

I look at the ten dresses sprawled across my bed and frown, realizing I have nothing to wear.

"Most of them are business-like and dark."

So, I decide to go shopping. I've never been good at saving money, especially when I'm invited to a celebration likely filled with handsome and delicious mafiosos.

"Or their brothers."

I bite my lower lip hard, remembering the Italian's eyes and his rosy lips.

"What would they taste like?" I wonder to myself as my cheeks turn red.

Nevertheless, I shake my head, convinced that I'm going to the wedding to distract myself and not to see him. I grab my purse and leave my room. As I descend the stairs, I see Laura sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed over the backrest, sipping a glass of wine.

"I can't stand her."

I walk past her, completely ignoring her, and get into my car with clenched fists.

"I don't know how much longer I can endure such humiliation."

I start the car and drive, trying to relax. Twenty minutes later, I arrive at the boutique where I usually buy my dresses. The salesgirl immediately shows me the latest collection. I pick out two dresses and call Luisa to help me choose one, as she's more... "experienced" in these matters.

"Lu, I'm out shopping and can't decide on a dress," I tell her, pointing to the two dresses in my hand.

One is black with a golden brooch under the bust, and the other is a red off-the-shoulder dress.

"Good thing you called me, because if it's for the wedding you mentioned, neither of those dresses are approved." She frowns, and I roll my eyes.

"They're elegant and..."

"And mafiosos aren't just elegant; they're sexy, hot, and above all, fun. I'm sure even the bodyguards will be stunning and divine, so you, my dear, won't be the exception, not while I'm alive," she says decisively.

"Why did I call her?"

I ask the salesgirl to show me more dresses for the occasion, and she brings out several, including a golden one that falls above my knee and has an open back. It's really shiny and eye-catching, so much so that if I walk into the church with it, even the saints will say "amen," and not the kind of amen they should.

"It's too s****l!" I tell her as she examines it.

"It's the one, it's the one, for God's sake! With this, the Italian will fall at your feet, and believe me, he'll be the one indebted to you." I laugh nervously, and she immediately glares at me, knowing what I'm about to say.

"I don't want anyone falling at my feet," I say with a mocking smile.

"Don't try to fool a lawyer. I can deduce even your dirtiest thoughts. I'd bet you're giving yourself some self-love in his name every night..." I hang up the call and look around, my face red.

"Luisa tends to be very spontaneous."

I end up choosing the golden dress, and when I go to pay, I realize it's so expensive that it will take my entire month's salary. I clutch it tightly, seriously considering whether it's necessary to spend so much money on a dress, and the answer immediately comes to mind.

"When I die, I won't take anything with me," is my usual thought whenever I spend money recklessly. The peculiar thing is that the next day, I wake up alive and broke.

I hand my card to the salesgirl, who quickly swipes it for the required amount. I take the bag with a satisfied smile on my face and head home, more nervous and anxious than anything else.

"I'm going to distract myself and not let my friend down."

I go up to my room the same way I came in and start my routine, fearing I won't make it to the ceremony and will have to go straight to the reception. Luckily, both addresses are on the invitation, so I relax and take an aromatic shower. After half an hour, I come out ready to get to work. I do my makeup to highlight my eyes and small lips, curl my hair a bit, apply moisturizer and perfume, and then put on the dress, immediately regretting it once it's on.

"It shows my entire back."

And not only that, the neckline makes my small, cup-shaped breasts look more daring. I look at myself in the mirror, turning several times with a red face before putting on my red-heeled sandals.

"I saw the combination in a magazine," and paired with my matching clutch, I look spectacular.

I take off my wedding ring and put it in a small box before hurrying downstairs. Fortunately, Laura is no longer in the mansion's living room, so I assume she's with William in the bedroom since I can see his car in the garage. I ignore the pang in my stomach and rush to the car.

I get in and start driving. The estate is outside the city, so I assume I'll arrive by nightfall.

"And it was far indeed."

Two hours later, I arrive really thirsty and tired from all the driving. I park the car and hand the key to one of the guards before hurrying inside. As expected, everything is glamorous and elegant.

"Even the bodyguards look good enough to eat," something Luisa was right about.

I scan the room for Paula and find her with her daughters and husband, who, by the way, has such dark and mysterious eyes that I swallow hard.

"And have impure thoughts."

"Paula!" I call out, waving my hand, unable to approach.

"Valeria, you came! For a moment, I thought you wouldn't make it. Come, sit with us," she pulls me by the hand.

"I'd rather sit with the girls," I say honestly. "And the bride and groom? Uh, I owe them a gift," I say, blushing.

"Don't worry, look, let me introduce you to my daughters," she says, showing me the girls.

"They're beautiful."

I greet them one by one, unable to believe that all these years Paula hid them so well that I can't believe they're hers. I chat with Paula for a few seconds before escaping to where the rest of my colleagues are, who immediately compliment me on the dress. I thank them and take a large glass of whiskey before sitting with them to observe the place. The elegance and refinement, combined with the mystery, characterize the decor, and not to mention the guests. Many are workers from the publishing house, and I recognize some from my father's textile business.

"Even the most saintly has something hidden."

I finish my drink and grab another while nervously tapping my leg, until... I see him enter and sit at one of the tables, picking up one of Paula's daughters.

"My body trembles and my throat goes dry."

I watch him talk to her, unable to stop blushing; he's really tall, elegant, in his black suit with a royal blue scarf around his neck. His black hair looks shinier, and his lips are so red as if he had applied some kind of gloss.

"My God, he's perfect!"

I lick my lips and watch him for several minutes without taking my eyes off him, but when he looks up and gives me a sideways smile while winking at me, I freeze.

"Did he know I was watching him?"

I turn around, really nervous, and take another drink, gulping it down quickly, which makes me dizzy instantly. But the alcohol leaves my system the moment I feel his breath close to my ear as he says;

"So you came to pay me, little mouse," his voice is deep, "I'm afraid to tell you that your credit has run out. Today, we settle that debt."