Chapter 6: Are you really interested in Franco Rossi?
1547 Words
Susan's legs turned into jelly; however, she tried to hide the discomfort that Franco's words caused her, and quickly left the apartment.
In the elevator, neither of them said anything. She watched attentively as the floors descended, the proximity to him was dangerous. When the cabin door finally opened, Susan breathed in fresh air and felt relieved.
Franco's driver had the car ready and the door open. Susan got in on one side, and he got in on the other.
"To the police station," he ordered.
Susan looked at the skyscrapers, people walking back and forth, and suddenly her senses were alert:
"What was she going to tell her father? She couldn't tell him that she spent her birthday night in a hotel suite with a stranger!"
"What am I going to do?" she questioned aloud without realizing she was not alone.
"What do you mean?" Franco asked, arching one of his bushy eyebrows, looking at her intently.
Susan, upon hearing his deep voice, snapped out of her thoughts.
"I don't know what to tell my dad about... our arrangement," she bit her lower lip.
Franco nodded several times, sighed. They had to be very careful with the version they were going to give of their sudden relationship, so he started thinking about it.
"Well, you'll say that you met me at a restaurant. You were there with some friends, and I was with some businessmen. We invited you for drinks, and when we realized you were underage, that was it. But I gave you my personal card, and we kept talking on the phone as good friends. All of this happened a month before your birthday."
"And what kind of relationship are we supposed to have?" Susan looked into his eyes, reflected in that cold and expressionless blue gaze.
Franco scratched his chin.
"I proposed to start getting to know each other, to go out as friends. You told me about your family's difficult situation, and I decided to help you, claiming that my intentions with you are serious."
Susan snorted, pressed her lips together, looked out the car window at the city once again.
"Fine, I'll say that, but my dad will want to meet you," she communicated.
"I have no problem with that," Franco said calmly.
Tayler paced around the room like a madman, grunting in despair, looking at his watch, and Susan still hadn't arrived.
Then he left the main hall, stormed up the stairs, and entered Grace's bedroom, Susan's mother.
"Have you heard anything from your shameless daughter?" he questioned.
"I haven't been able to reach her; her phone is in her room. I hope she's okay," the woman expressed sorrowfully, her eyes glassy.
Tayler became more impatient. It was true that Susan had left the house in a frenzy.
"What if something happened to her?" he questioned himself and sighed.
"Have you looked for her at her friends' houses?" he asked, furrowing his brow.
"I've called all of them, and no one knows anything. If she doesn't show up, I'll report it to the authorities," she sobbed.
Tayler paled and rubbed his face.
"Let's wait a few more hours," he said with a dry voice and left the room.
Susan walked hugging herself through the cold corridors of the police station where her father was confined. She was startled by some whistling and vulgar words from some prisoners being led to a cell by a couple of guards.
"What a horrible place!" she thought, feeling her skin freezing and tingling. When she finally reached the visitation room, the guard opened the door, and she entered.
It was a very cold and solitary room. There was barely a table and four chairs around it. Then a door at the back opened, and Mr. George Miller appeared.
Susan's eyes filled with tears, and she ran into her father's arms, embracing him with all her strength, sobbing.
"How are you, daddy? Have they been treating you well in this place?" she asked, whimpering.
George felt his heart tremble, hugged his daughter tightly, let out a long sigh.
"I'm as well as can be expected. It's not the best place in the world," he said. "How are you all doing? Did your mother come with you?" he asked curiously, looking at his daughter attentively.
Susan lowered her head and shook it.
"Tayler is a monster. He tried to blackmail me, asked me to be his lover in exchange for your freedom," she said, biting her lips, ashamed.
George growled, clenched his fists tightly.
"Don't tell me you agreed to it. I won't allow that," he said, looking angry as he clenched his jaw, pacing back and forth.
"Chill, I didn't agree," Susan said, a bit weakly.
George blinked a bunch of times, then turned to face his daughter, giving her his full attention.
"How did you manage to swing permission to see me?"
Susan grabbed her father's hands, motioning for him to sit down. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Dad," she huffed, "I'm seeing this guy, a bit older. Met him at a restaurant a month ago, asked for his help, and he said yes."
George widened his eyes, furrowed his brow, clearly on high alert.
"An older dude? Who is he? Where'd he come from? Damn it, Susan!"
The girl jumped, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"He's a decent guy," she lied, not thinking much of Franco besides him being arrogant, bold, and opportunistic. "He's outside, wants to talk to you," she said with a shaky voice.
"Tell him to come in."
Susan stood up, her legs shaky, heart racing. She opened the door, stepped into the hallway, and faced Franco.
"Dad wants to see you."
Franco Rossi looked at her with his usual seriousness, got up, towering over her. He let out a huff, cleared his throat.
"Let's go."
Susan nodded, walked beside him, and as she opened the living room door, he took her hand. She trembled all over, looking at him puzzled, not getting it.
"Mr. Miller, good evening," he greeted confidently, walking with Susan to the table. "I'm Franco Rossi," he introduced himself.
George scrutinized him, noticed he had his daughter's hand, and saw the tension in her.
"My daughter says you're dating. Let me be blunt, Mr. Rossi. What are your intentions with Susan?" he asked without breaking eye contact.
"The best," he replied. "Right now, we're getting to know each other. If Susan decides to be my girlfriend later, it'll be an honor." He turned to the young girl. "My intentions are serious."
"Liar!" Susan thought.
"Why should I trust you?" Mr. Miller questioned.
"Because right now, I'm the only ally you have. Tell me, which of your friends showed up to support you? None," he answered cynically. "But I believe in your innocence. Knowing Susan tells me what kind of person you are."
However, George Miller was a savvy man, an old wolf of Wall Street, and he wasn't buying any story.
"And what do you want in return, Mr. Rossi?"
Franco smirked, glanced at Susan, and smiled at her. She looked at him anxiously, unsure how to react.
"I just want to see Susan happy and for you to give me your permission to keep seeing her. I want to take her to Italy, to meet my family." He gently caressed Susan's cheek, and she shivered at his touch.
George looked at his daughter with tenderness.
"Susan is my greatest treasure. I wouldn't mind losing everything for her sake, as long as she's happy. I hope your words are true, Mr. Rossi. However, my daughter, despite being young, is independent. Only she can decide if she wants to keep seeing you."
Franco turned his face, looked at Susan, raising one of his well-shaped eyebrows, waiting for an answer.
Susan took a deep breath. Her stomach fluttered with anxiety. She had never lied to her dad and hated doing so, but she had no other way.
"I like Franco, Dad," she said, biting her lower lip, trying to appear calm. "I want to keep getting to know him, and if things go well, maybe meet his family."
"Very well, then we'll trust you, Mr. Rossi," Miller said without taking his eyes off him.
"You won't regret it," he assured. "My personal lawyer is handling your case. Tomorrow we'll pay your bail, and you'll be released to defend yourself."
"Thank you, Mr. Rossi. I'll pay you back every cent," Miller guaranteed.
"I have no problem with money," Franco replied. "Besides, Susan told me you don't have a place to live. I've rented a villa for you and your family."
Susan widened her eyes in surprise, looking at him without understanding anything. Then she analyzed things. It was all part of his plan: pretend to court her, become a couple, and take her to Italy.
"You think of everything," she said in her mind, clenching her fist.
"I ask you to add up all those expenses. The Millers don't like owing money or favors to anyone," Miller said.
"We'll see about that," Franco replied. "For now, I'll leave you alone." He left the room.
George immediately approached his daughter, took her hands, looked at her attentively.
"Tell me the truth. Do you really care about Franco Rossi?"
- Writer
