The Mafia's Hired Wife.

The One.

Zavian's POV.

I knew exactly what I was looking for when I stepped into this place. I was almost too eager to come because of the things I heard about it. But if I'm being honest, I was disappointed when I saw the girls they were offering me.

I made it very clear to Danton-- who told me about this place-- what I was looking for. I cannot believe he recommended this s**t hole to me. I am looking for a wife. One that lights up the room whenever she walks in, draws eyes to herself and honestly, the girls here are dried up. Most of them looked old and worn, although I am certain none is up to thirty five years of age. The appearance of the girl I am looking for has to agree with my reason. These girls would definitely serve good purpose in bed, but that is not what I am looking for.

In fact, I guess you could say I was looking for a media handbag and although the escorts might do well, I am not guaranteed that they wouldn't flop. They look like girls who would start unnecessary conversation and laugh too loud at things that aren't funny. I wouldn't get the respect I'm looking for if I marry a clown.

I was already worn out from staring at their faces and I almost gave up, but then she walked in. Her head was bowed but I still noticed her. She was the perfect pick, although I knew it would take some work to prepare her, that is Maria's job by the way.

As I stared at her, I brought out the mental list in my mind, of all the things I am looking for in a woman and began to check them out.

An amazing body. Check.

Extremely bright eyes. Check.

Aura that lights up the room. Check.

A woman who effortlessly oozes s*x appeal. Check.

The media would definitely love this one.

She looks like what you would call a breath of fresh air with a bit of feistiness on the side. I could tell from the way she was looking at me that she found the whole situation ridiculous and honestly, I know it is, but I cannot have it in me to care because I have a goal, one that I must achieve eventually, whether the person I'm using likes it or not.

As I walk out of the place, I cannot stop the smile that spreads across my face. Satisfaction. That is what I feel right now. I can go on about my day in a good mood because that is how I am. If something doesn't go my way in the morning, then the rest of the day would be a mess for me and s**t for those working under me. It is not intentional, just my nature.

My phone screen lights up and Danton's name is boldly written on the screen. My smile is wiped off my face as I swipe to receive the call.

"What?" I bark into the phone.

"Aww come on. Are you not going to at least sound nice to the person who helped you? I'm certain you have found what you were looking for'' he says.

"I did not" I half-lie. Technically, I did not find what I was looking for among the escorts and that was his suggestion so he did not help me.

"What? How is that possible? Among all the girls, there has to be someone..."

"There was no one. And if these are the type of girls you move with you need to get yourself checked because you have terrible taste"

I hear his gasp from the other end, followed by silence, before he speaks again.

"Uhh... Well, I have another recommendation if you are interested" I hear the crunch and I know he is itching his hair, he has the tendency to do that when he is called out on something he has done.

"No thank you. I'm really not in the mood to see more matchsticks."

With that, I hang up the phone and slide into my car. My phone rings again as we start moving and as I am about to roll my eyes at Danton calling again, I check and realize that it isn't him, but Derek calling this time. I accept the call and bring it to my ear.

"Are you done? You are running a little late for the meeting" He says.

I lean forward and motion to the driver to speed up and he does.

"I'm done, I'll be there soon."

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I guess you can say that. It is not finalized yet though, she seems a little unsure of the whole thing''

"What are you gonna do?"

"We are meeting up tomorrow. I'll figure it out then."

I hear some movement and mumbling on his end and furrow my brows.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Westcott just arrived"

"For Westcott to arrive before me, it means I am indeed late."

"The Haldings arrived a few minutes earlier and have been asking if you would make an appearance today at all. I think they are getting impatient."

The driver pulls up to the dide of the road, just right across the Council Meeting Hall.

"I'm here already, wait at the entrance for me" I say into the phone and hang up.

The meeting goes by in a blur, and about two hours later, I am climbing into my car again and going home, Derek by my side this time.

Derek has been my right-hand-man for over six years, the employer--employee relationship we once had evolved into one of friendship over the years and now he is presently the only one I can fully trust. He is extremely good at what he does and it gives me the assurance that I do not need to worry when he is around.

I check the time in my phone and see that it is almost eight pm. I lean my head against the headrest of my seat and shut my eyes, the low humming of the car engine lulling me to sleep.

"Should I tell the Secretary to cancel your appointments tomorrow?" Derek asks.

"She should only cancel the ones from eight pm to eleven. I will finish them the day after. Book a reservation at Notivas for 9pm tomorrow"

He nods.

"Maria called earlier. She asked if you were returning today at all. I guess she wants to know if she should bother making dinner"

"She shouldn't."

I really just need to get some sleep right now, I am not in the mood for food. A few minutes later, we are driving into the large compound of my home, the sight cooling me down because it means I can sleep now. Without waiting for the guards, I push the door and step out. Maria is already holding the opened door for me and I walk in, going straight to the stairs that lead to my room but I halt in my tracks when I remember something.

"Is there a problem, sir?" The middle-aged woman asks. I turn around to face her as I speak.

"We may be having a guest tomorrow. Female. You know what to do" She nods "Also, prepare the other room."

One thing I love about thr people under me is how smart they are and Maria is the definition of smart, I never have to repeat myself with her and she always gets things done really quickly, the way she is told.

I march up the stairs to my room, pulling my coat from my shoulders on the way. When I get to my room, I throw it on the bed, folding up the sleeves of my dress shirt as I walk towards the mini- cellar I have on the wall. I pour myself two glasses of my bourbon and revel in the taste.

Step by step. That is how I'm taking things, and very soon, I will see the results I've always dreamed of. This marriage is the first step, the one that would introduce many others. I just need to be patient, and fortunately for me, patience is my signature trait.

--

I step out of my office the next day with my eyes glued to the scteen of my tab, my secretary taking hurried steps beside me to catch up.

"What do I tell Mr Dawson, sir?" She asks

"That I will see him tomorrow."

"And Miss Howard from Casbury Inc.?"

"We can just have a video chat. No need to meet up again" I close the tab and hand it to her. "Schedule it for 12pm on Wednesday. I'm not free until then."

She nods and takes notes, scurrying off to her desk while I walk out through the entrance door. My driver, Jackson, pull up in front of me and I climb in immediately. Derek is already seated in the car beside me. I hold up my wrist to check the time, sighing when I see that its already 8:45 pm.

"Straight to Notivas, Jackson" I tell him and with a nod, he starts the car.

"You're late." Derek points out. "It will take at least thirty minutes to get there"

I nod my head without responding laying my head back on the headrest. About thirty five minutes later, we are pulling up to the parking lot of Notivas Restaurant and I am climbing out. As I walk into the place, I hear hushed whispers of my name and receive greetings from left and right, but I respond only to a few. The moment I step in, the owner of the restaurant greets me with a small bow.

"Mr Dorian. We are pleased to have you here" He says.

"The pleasure is mine, Alex" I say with a nod, shaking his outstretched hand.

"I'll lead you to your room."

As we walk to the private room he prepared for me, I scan the restaurant in search of the woman I am to meet tonight but I see no sign of her. It means she's late too. It better not be intentional.

We step into the private room and with a small bow again, Alex is out the door, leaving just me and Derek, and the guard standing at the door.

"She seems to be running late. Should I find out?" Derek asks and I shake my head.

"Leave her. She will turn up eventually"

I take a seat on the luxurious couch and relax my head against it shutting my eyes.

"You need to rest. Today was quite busy for you" I hear Derek's voice again.

"I will."

Just then, we hear hushed voices and footsteps at the door and soon enough, a lady in a black dress appears in the doorway. I visibly pause when I see her, my mouth parted in an inaudible gasp.

"Miss Florette Autenbry is hear, sir" Alex says, even though I can see very clearly with my eyes.

I rake my eyes over her slowly, taking in her appearance. She is in a body-hug black dress that brings out all her curves perfectly, her chest and shoulders exposed since the dress is a little low cut, but she is perfectly covered, her hair is styled in a high pony tail that reaches the middle of her back due to how long it is and she is wearing a mild makeup, her lips popping in red lipstick. There are red shoes covering her feet, matching the color of her lips and the small clutch she is holding, while the rest of her outfit is black.

She really took wearing something nice to a whole new level. To say I'm impressed would be an understatement of the century. Any doubt I had towards her being the one I am looking for is blown away, replaced by a resolution to get her to accept this contract.

She is perfect.

I nod at Alex and he steps out again, as Florette walks inside fully. She meets my eyes and gives a small, barely noticeable smile. Derek directs her to sit opposite me and she mumbles a small thank you as she elegantly sits down.

She even knows how to compose herself in public too. Who would've thought?

"Mr Dorian" She greets with another small smile.

"Florette" The name rolls off my tongue like a rhyme, intriguing me also. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up"

"I ran a little late. Sorry about that." She smooths out her dress as she apologizes.

It was not intentional. Good. Now we can carry on with the night.

I motion towards the bottle of wine on the table.

"Shall we?"