Married by Mistake, Desired by Fate

Chapter 7 - Interesting

Salvatore DiMarco

Sienna f*****g Koch, she was… different. I could tell, just by seeing her, that behind that polished and primed-to-perfection facade, she was fire, and that intrigued me.

Scarlet was daring and upfront. She exuded confidence and sensuality. Scarlett knew how pretty and sexy she was, and she used it to her advantage. The first time I saw her in Italy, I was mesmerized. She took my breath away, and I have never been floored like that in my entire life. I wanted to become the man she deserved. At the time, I didn´t have much, and she was the inspiration for my sudden success.

She didn't care; she was cold and calculated. She led me on, holding hope that we would be together someday, yet she got engaged to another man. She was a woman who always pursued her best interest without caring if she trampled over others. That is the only reason I could think of for her marriage to Frederick. She even went as far as snatching the fianceé from her own f*****g sister.

The sister.

I was not expecting that. When her mother told me she didn´t look like Scarlett, and that she was the less-favored one, I expected something hideous, duller… not this bombshell wearing orange and a deep plunge cleavage.

I got hard almost immediately. I had to recite the whole table of elements in my head to get that under control. She might not know it, maybe she had that narrative drilled up in her brain, but she is hot, with a capital H, and I feel I am getting the better deal out of all of this mess.

She accepted the ring. She already knew it was a done deal, and after that, she went eerily quiet. “So, I guess we will be husband and wife,” I said, trying to break the awkwardness, “And I think we should get to know each other,” I added for good measure.

“And what do you want to know?” She leaned forward, her dress opening dangerously at the cleavage, showing me she was not wearing a f*****g bra under the colorful fabric. I gulped down, and in my head started reciting all the capitals in the world.

“I don´t know… whatever you want to share,” I said with a smirk and took a sip out of my glass of champagne.

She looked at her plate, and then up at me. “Look, I am being forced to do this… I know you might want to be agreeable, cute, and funny. God! I have no idea why…" she rubbed her fingers along her eyebrow, as if she was trying to hold back a massive headache. "I have always been a bargaining chip for my mother to ensure her social position. I have no say, no future, and no hope. So stop trying to be charming… it will take us nowhere,” she said, and I was amazed by how hopeless and bitter she sounded.

“Alright, then, enlighten me… what type of a life would you have lived? If you had had the choice.” I asked, every movement, every word, and every question drew me more into her.

“I would have had an education. Art…” She said with a faint voice, the sound of the ocean beside us muffling her words. I didn´t dare speak, for once, she was opening up. I guess I have asked the right question, because she took a deep breath. “I would have gone on shopping trips, to buy clothes that I actually like… I would have joined a gym, worked on painting, and maybe I would have sold my art in Galleries, making me financially independent. I would have married the love of my life…” she bit her bottom lip and lowered her gaze, “Which now, is not an option,” she mumbled the last part. Ouch, she was in love with Frederick. She was not doing this to save her sister or for her mother. No, she was doing this to give the man she loved what he wanted, even if that tore her apart. “I would have built a family, a career, a future… where love, peace, respect, and kindness would prevail,” she finally finished, and I nodded.

“And? What is stopping you from getting that life?” I said, and she looked up at me and laughed, a bitter, sardonic laugh.

“Seriously?” she mumbled, and so far, I have seen this kind, sweet side of her, and that little ramble showed me she had fire… deep down… she had balls bigger than mine.

“I mean, you can do anything… ask me for anything,” I said, and she looked up and met my eyes.

“Can I ask you to spare me from this engagement?” she said, and I shook my head.

“Sorry, I didn´t phrase it right,” he sighed, “As my wife, you would be able to ask anything of me.” I corrected, and she slumped on her chair, losing all the composure that had been drilled into her.

“Figured!” she sighed, while I smirked. “I am done eating…” She stood up, and I looked at her with a questioning look. She was leaving me there…or at least she was trying to.

“Where do you need to be?” I asked, genuinely interested in her.

“A day ago, I was a novice… a f*****g NUN!” she snapped, and I smiled. There it is, the fire, the balls, I knew she had. “I guess I need to go find a proper dress for tomorrow,” she sighed, defeated.

“Don´t you have more of those lovely garments?” I pointed at her orange dress, and she took a shivering breath.

“Look, Mr. DiMarco…” she sighed,

“Call me Sal…” I interrupted her. If she was going to be my wife, she should call me by my name.

“Whatever…” she sighed, and I found that I had a brand new thing I was addicted to: riling her up.

“Look… I mentioned that I have never picked up my clothes. When I was growing up, Aunt Claire always picked the proper attire for me; she screened and selected my entire wardrobe, even my undergarments. She picked for me what she needed society to see of me, as the future Mrs. Devereux. The only time…” she took a deep breath, and tears welled in her eyes.

“You don´t have to explain… I´ll take you shopping.” I stood up, knowing that she was my newest acquired weakness, and also understanding that she had had enough, and I swear to God, I will do everything to give her the life she dreamed of.

“No, you don´t need to do anything…” she said, and I laughed.

“You will learn, my future wife, that I don't take no's for answers, and that what I say goes,” I said with a definitive voice, and she shrank before me. God! I hated the sight of it…

I have certain fame, a name to uphold. I am a f*****g ruthless businessman… I am a shark, sharp and deadly. I have balls of steel when the occasion calls for them. People feared me; they knew I followed through on my word. If you crossed me, nothing would stop me from getting back at you… If you pissed me off, I would make your life miserable.

It was why her mother was willing to offer her as a replacement, because she knew if I opened my mouth, Scarlett´s future and the entire future of the Koch family would vanish.

I closed the distance and stood before her. I lifted my hand and cupped her cheek, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I am taking you shopping, end of discussion,” I said, and she trembled. God! I wanted her to tremble in a completely different way.

She lowered her gaze, submitting to me, and nodded. I should be pleased by her submission, but I hated the small tear I saw falling into the sand between her feet. “John,” I called out to my assistant and second hand.

“Yes, Mr. DiMarco,” he said,

“Prepare everything, I am taking my future wife to the shopping center,” I said, and he nodded.

“Come on, Sienna, we don´t have all day,” I said, and she slowly followed me to the helicopter pad.