The Mafia King’s Bride

Chapter 7

10:00 a.m

Elena’s P.O.V

The car pulls at the front of the building, the company’s name stretching in big bold letters at the top of the building.

MORETTI HOLDINGS.

My mind wanders back to Sebastian, as it has been doing since I woke up this morning. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss, how his hands felt on my waist, how it made me feel, how it ignited every fire in my body. I move to bite my lips unconsciously, the memories rushing in.

I barely got any sleep last night, and when i slept it was worse. All I could see were chocolate brown eyes and pink lips, kissing me desperately like I’m his next breath, so determined to memorize every inch of my body. His hands. His voice. His lips.

I haven’t heard from him since that night, and it’s probably for the best, because if i see him again, i might do something stupid like touch him or worse—kiss him again.

Snap out of it, Elena

I tell myself as I come down the car, straightening my dress. It’s just been a long time since i’d gotten touched by the opposite s*x. That’s all, that’s where all these thoughts are coming from. This is an arranged marriage, and I have to make sure I don't forget it, so I force all thoughts about Sebastian out of my head.

I look up at the big, tall building, housing all of Moretti Holdings’ secrets, my chest tightening as I remember that this is all mine now. Or at least, it’s supposed to be.

“Elena,” I looked up to see Uncle Vincent walking towards me, arms slightly open, his suit crisp and tie perfectly in place.

As i look at him, I can’t help but think he would have been the best person for the job, he’s been working here for as long as i remember, he’s devoted to this company. I mean, him and my father practically ran this place, and he definitely has way more experience than me in this field. So why on earth did my father appoint me as CEO? I have so many questions that no one will give me answers to.

“Uncle Vincent," I say, forcing a smile and letting him pull me into a brief hug.

“Right on time,” he says, as he pulls back to look at me. “How are you holding up?”

I tense slightly at that question, hesitating. “I’m fine,” I say, forcing my smile back in place, and practically lying through my teeth.

His expression softens slightly, but I’m glad he doesn’t push it. “Come,” he says instead. “There’s a lot to show you and a lot of people you need to meet.”

;) 🖤 ;)

We step into the building and my mouth opens slightly. The lobby is massive, with high ceilings and marble floors, glass windows make each office see through and the state-of-the-art furniture that adorn each area of the room. It's beautiful, and a part of me wonders why I have actually never set foot here before today.

There are people everywhere I turn, each moving with purpose. Executives. Assistants. Employees. All of them busy, all of them…staring.

Then I start to hear the whispers from different people around the office, some of them stop to look at me, others pause whatever it is they were doing to watch me, my next move probably, but I have no idea what I’m even doing here.

“That’s her?...” “She looks so young…” “Is she really taking over?”

And right here in this room, I feel it. The weight of it all. This company, its employees and staff all rest on my shoulders now, I am really doing this. I am really going to run this company all by myself. Fear and doubt creep up my neck, as I get the sudden urge to cry. But I refuse to show these people any weakness, not when they haven’t gotten the chance to meet me yet, right now they see me as a young sheltered girl, with no knowledge of how to run a business. I won’t give them any more reasons to think that.

So I straighten my shoulders with my head held high, and walk with a bravery I don't necessarily feel further into the building as Uncle Vincent shows me around.

“Your father built this from the ground up,” he says, as we walk. “Every department, every deal, he oversaw everything personally.”

I not trying to take everything in the office, the employees, trying desperately to feel something, maybe pride? Or a connection to this place? But all I feel is…pressure. Pressure to not screw this up.

“And now,” he continues, taking a side glance at me. “They expect you to do the same.”

We reach an elevator, and he presses the button and then we enter. The sound of his phone ringing fills the small space and he answers it with a calculated expression,

“What?” he says, his other hand forming a fist at his side. “How? They weren’t supposed to be here until next week.” “Okay, we’ll be there soon.” he ends the call with a curse.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, warning.

“No, the company’s board members are here,” he says with a sigh, and i take a closer look at him, the eyebags under his eyes, his hair, grey and thinning on the sides. He’s tired and he’s probably not sleeping.

“What? Why? What do they want?” I ask frantically.

“They weren’t supposed to come here until next week. I thought we would have a week at most to prepare you for a meeting with the board, but I guess not.”

“What’s the problem?” I ask

“They want to meet with you,” he answers, turning to look at me. And I feel fear like no other fill my veins. The board?

The elevator opens and I follow him. We stop in front of large double doors, their whispers from inside making me nervous, I rub my sweaty palms on my dress.

He pushes the doors open, walking in and ushering me inside, the room falls silent, every pair of eyes, turning to me, assessing me, judging me, watching my every movement. But this time…there’s no Sebastian behind me, no hand on my waist steadying me, no quiet instructions. It’s just me. Alone.

;) 🖤 ;)

The man with grey hair is the first to say something. “Miss Moretti, you look…very young.”

“I’m twenty-three years old. I’m old enough,” I say, with a confidence I don’t feel.

“Do you have any prior experience in corporate leadership?” The woman with a blue suit asks.

“I recently completed my MBA last year. I’m sure I’ll be able to learn the ins and outs.” I say without knowing what else to say.

“This isn’t exactly something you learn overnight,” Another woman says her voice stern, a subtle jab at her tone.

“Okay…let’s just all calm down,” Uncle Vincent says. “This seems more like an interrogation than an introduction.” he continues, his eyes meeting everyone in the room.

And as everyone talks, each person getting everything off their chest, their words don’t hit me all at once. Doubt creeps in, they don’t see me, they see a little girl, but I’ll be damned if I prove them right by cowering.

So I pull out the chair at the head of the table and take a seat, and straighten my shoulders.

They might not believe in me yet, but I’ll make sure they do.