To Alex
1057 Words
At his penthouse apartment, Giovanni's mind wandered as he soaked himself in the hot tub.
It had been a long day and a hot bath was well deserved.
His crazy secretary and her outburst lingered on his mind.
No one had ever dared to stand up to him like that.
She only got lucky, he told himself, shaking off thoughts that there could be another reason.
Another thing that plagued the billionaire's mind was his father's ultimatum.
It had kept him on edge now, especially when his time was almost up.
Three months ago, in the Verona mansion where Giovanni grew up as a kid, his parents had invited him over for lunch.
Giovanni loved his parents but was big on family time, but nothing prepared him for what his father was going to ask of him.
Giovanni's father, Antonio, had slammed his fist on the polished mahogany desk. The sound echoed through the opulent study, with its large windows, leather armchairs and shelves stacked with first edition books.
"It's time you settled down, Giovanni. You're not getting any younger."
Giovanni snorted. He couldn't believe his ears
"You can't be serious. Marriage? Me? No thanks."
Antonio's face turned beet red. Why did his son have to be so stubborn
"You're being obstinate, Giovanni. You need a wife, someone to stabilize you and help you take over the company." He tried again to make him see reason
Giovanni's laughter was cold and mirthless.
He didn't even have a girlfriend. As far as he was concerned, he wanted nothing to do with any woman that wasn't his mother.
"I'm sorry dad but you think some trophy wife is going to fix me? Please. I'm doing just fine on my own."
He was convinced that he was. Particularly after his ex girlfriend had left him broken and shattered.
It had been months since the tragedy but he hadn't exactly moved past it.
Alessandro's expression turned white. He had run out of options with his son and resorted to his last choice.
"Fine. If you won't listen to reason, then maybe you'll listen to this” He spoke with deliberation” If you don't get married within the three months, I'll strip you of your rights to the company. You'll be left with nothing."
Giovanni's eyes flashed with anger, his jaw clenched. "You'd do that? After everything I've done for this company?"
He knew his father was not one to call a bluff.
Alessandro's voice was icy. "Get a wife, figilio” He repeated
Giovanni had turned to his mother for help, but her averted gaze and silence told him enough.
His father's words were final.
Normally, this shouldn't be a problem for the most eligible bachelor in the city. Giovanni Verona was a Greek god. He had the build of an athlete, strong and sexy. With his full brows and pointed nose, he left every woman mesmerised.
But after Emilia- he shook his head as he struggled not to think of her. She belonged to his past and only to his past.
His phone buzzes, jolting him back to reality.
It was his good friend, Rhys.
“Don't you know what day it is today?” Rhys asked from the other end, skipping the pleasantries
“Well-” Giovanni struggled to remember what his friend meant
“It's Alex's remembrance today bud. It's been a year already”
Giovanni immediately felt the stab of shame. So much time had passed since his best friends death and here he was, doing everything but grieving
“We're going out tonight and don't even think of saying no. Drinks on me. I'll text you the location” Rhys said briskly and hung up, leaving no room for debate.
Typical Rhys.
Giovanni let out a long sigh.
***
The bass from the clubs speaker throbbed through the floor. Bodies swayed, glasses clinked and laughter mixed with the pungent smell of perspiration and booze.
In the midst of it all, Olivia sat perched on a barstool, her golden curls tumbling over her bare shoulders. She was nursing a drink in the dim light.
The club seemed like the perfect way to celebrate getting fired. She didn't dress in her red silk dress, that had her back completely open for anyone but herself.
She was having fun all alone. Men made advances at her but she pretended to ignore
In the VIP section, Giovanni sat with his friends, completely wasted
Giovanni enjoy alcohol. But it was a special day. As he sat he reminsiced all the good times he shared with Alex and how he would drag him to parties.
“A toast to a friend turned brother,” Giovanni stood up to say, slurring in his words. He rose his glass up like the rest of his friends.
“To Alex!” They all chorused and gulped down their drinks
He genuinely missed his friend.
“I'll be right back” Giovanni excused himself.
The music was suddenly too loud and his head was banging. It was a bad day to remember his good friend.
He weaved his way through the crowd in search of the bathroom
Until he collided with something. Or someone.
“Watch it!” A small voice warned him. It didn't stop the drink from spilling all over his grey t-shirt
He looked down to find Olivia. The frown on her face disappeared when she recognised his face
His jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation breaking his otherwise stoic demeanour.
“Are you always a klutz ?” He asked
“Ah” She forced a smile “A man who is rude all the days of his life”
“You do realize I'm your boss, right?” Giovanni moved a step closer to intimidate her. She stood still
“Former boss. You fired me this morning” She retorted, stating the fact.
He had forgotten
“Forget it” He said dismissivey. He didn't have time for her and he turned away towards another direction
She suddenly felt a wave of guilt
“Wait!” She held him arm. His eyes followed her hand and came to rest on her face
She had the nerve to touch him!
She looked at the mess on his shirt
“Let me clean that up. It's the least I could do”
- Writer
