The CEO's Little Untamable Girl

Take Your Place

"We're definitely going to get the hell out of here, Atenea," her friend looked at her while the men put the luggage in the room. "Do you want to continue with this? Look at that woman from a while ago. Was she his wife? For God's sake."

"Come on, Layla, my head hurts," she complains, making a face. "What else can I do? The contract between the families has already been signed. I just want to end this whole torment once and for all."

"Are you going to put up with that woman from a while ago? I'm sure that Valentino, or whatever his name is, is doing all this on purpose."

"I don't care," she shrugs.

"Why are you taking it so easy? Don't you care at all that he has another woman?"

"Hey, why should I care about a complete stranger? That's none of my business; she was probably his girlfriend before I arrived," she rubs her temples in frustration. "Besides, it's better for me that there's another woman to warm his bed, because I won't be giving him that kind of attention."

"Don't tell me you're going to go a whole year without doing it. That's extreme."

"I always have my resources, and you know it."

"Okay, let's leave this conversation here; I'm feeling very angry right now," she rummages for the phone that's vibrating inside her purse. "It's time for me to go, Ate; we'll talk tonight. I have to get settled."

"Don't forget to send me the address of the place," she bids her farewell with a kiss on the cheek. "Use protection."

"I will."

Atenea lets out a tired sigh as she is left alone in the hallway, watching her friend's back as she leaves. The escorts finish loading the luggage and are then guided by some maids to where they should stay. Upon entering her room, she finds her personal maid, or rather, her nanny, unpacking some things.

"You should leave it like that, Nana; the other maids will take care of that job," she says, letting herself fall back on the bed. "Take a break for today."

"I was about to prepare a bath for you, you look pretty tired," she replied, sitting down next to her. "Are you okay?"

Atenea closes her eyes, nodding her head.

"Better than ever."

"That wasn't a very pleasant welcome a while ago. Do your parents know about this?"

"I don't know... but it doesn't matter anyway, this is a matter of paper and ink, Nana; there's nothing personal involved, don't worry."

"If you say so... then I guess it's okay."

"Have they told you where you're going to stay?"

"Yes, on the first floor downstairs."

"Then go and take a break. I want to be alone for a moment."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay."

The door closes again when the nanny leaves. She collapses completely on the bed, ready to fall asleep after the uncomfortable trip she had. But just when she thought she would have some peace, the door burst open with a dry bang, causing Atenea to roll over in the bed, frightened.

"What the hell...?" she sits up, petrified to see a male figure standing in front of her. "And who the hell are you? Don't you know how to knock?"

"What?" the man reacts, disconcerted. "Is that how you talk to me?"

"Excuse me?" she raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you? Get out of my room right now."

"Who do you think you are?" he frowns severely, giving her a cold look. "I expected more from the fiancée they sent me."

"Wait," she blinks, analyzing the situation. "Are you my fiancé?"

"Unfortunately."

"Damn."

"How?"

Atenea remained silent for a few minutes, observing the man in front of her. She scrutinizes him without any hint of modesty, moving her eyes first towards his crotch. She raises an eyebrow as she notices the bulge that reflects in his pants. Then, her gaze goes to his face: green eyes, blond hair, fair complexion, square jaw, and perfect physical condition.

Everything about him seemed fine. She imagined that marrying an unattractive man would be a greater annoyance, but this was exactly her type. Despite this, he doesn't meet her high standards.

But what is that murderous look he's giving her? They barely know each other and that's how he treats her.

"I'm Atenea Volkova," she gets out of bed, standing in front of him like a small, fragile doll before a big ogre. "Your fiancée. Nice to meet you."

He looked at her for a brief moment, thinking that maybe she would be a little more mature, but she simply looked like a spoiled child in front of his eyes.

He analyzed her appearance for a moment. She's not bad at all. Brunette, gray eyes, with a good figure, as if she puts a lot of effort into taking care of it. A small, rosy mouth, her gaze appears to be sweet, like that of an innocent girl, but deep down you can tell how dangerous she can be. Her white skin is well-groomed, she's practically a perfect doll. But it's not her taste.

"Valentino Rizzo," he finally introduced himself. "It's best we make things clear right now."

"Go ahead," she purses her lips, downplaying it.

"I don't want you near Lily," he sentenced, in a hard, gruff voice. "This will be a marriage of ink and paper only, so stay away from her. She's the woman I love, make that clear."

Atenea tried to hold back a mocking laugh, but she couldn't help but let out a chuckle, hardening Valentino's face even more.

"What's so funny?"

"What do you think? This act of imbecile you're doing right now," she replies, trying to hold back again. "Let's see. We just met. I don't know who the hell you are, and you don't know who I am either. And now you're asking me not to get involved with your lover, as if I were a jealous woman? Really, I didn't know that Italians liked to make such a fool of themselves. First, the wilting flower telling me she's your wife, acting like an unpaid secretary, and now you with empty threats as if I cared about your pathetic life."

"Watch your words," he retorts. "If I tell you all this it's so you're clear; Lily has told me everything that happened and what you said as soon as you set foot here."

"I didn't say anything that wasn't true."

"Do you think you could threaten me to get rid of her? She was here before you."

"And I don't argue with you," she sighs, taking a seat on the bed again. "I'm not against you having your stupid romance with her, but for her to live under the same roof as me, well, of course not. Find her a nest to warm your eggs."

"You're insolent!" he explodes, full of anger. "I won't allow you to mess with her; you'll just be my paper wife, so you have no right."

"Come on, drop this boring speech," she rolls her eyes. "Just like you, I didn't agree with this, I don't like being tied down, and even less with bitter guys like you, so stop playing the victim. If I'm here, it's to save your father's factory. Stop whining, please."

"How dare you?" he grabs her wrist, pulling her to her feet abruptly. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

"If you don't want me to kick your balls, let me go right now," she sentences. "Don't think that just because I'm going to be your wife, you're even going to think about controlling me. Get a grip, Rizzo."

"You better get a grip," he let her go without a hint of kindness. "Don't expect any kind treatment from me, because you won't get it."

With that, he turns on his heel and leaves the room, slamming the door. Atenea takes a deep breath and leans back on the bed, thinking about what to do with this guy who apparently feeds on scorpions.

Threatening her not to go near his lover. Something really ridiculous that actually amused her. That sentence couldn't have been more absurd.

Atenea expected many things from this marriage that was suddenly planned, but it turned out to be more fun than she thought. It was time to start with the Volkova disaster.

***

Valentino was pacing in his study, quite furious after a confrontation with his soon-to-be wife. He didn't like the idea of sharing his life with her, and even less that she was so haughty, trying to be in control of everything.

At that very moment, Lily peeks at the door, and he lets her in without taking off that devilish face he's wearing.

"What happened?" she asks, putting on a tearful face. "Did you meet her already? It must have been unpleasant for you, she's a pretty rude girl."

"She's insolent!" he explodes, almost on the verge of madness. "How dare she...?"

"What did she say?" she approaches and clings to his arm.

"Nothing," he releases her grip and goes to his desk to pour himself a drink of liquor. "Move to your old apartment today."

"What?" she tenses up. "Are you going to kick me out because of that woman?"

"Don't argue, Lily, I've had enough of her," he combs his hair, quite stressed. "Do what I tell you; I already told you it's only for a year when the deadline is met. I'll visit you from time to time; besides, we see each other daily at the factory."

"But, Valentino..." her eyes welled up again. "Are you going to fall for her threats? She just wants to get rid of me, don't let her..."

Valentino projects into his head the words spoken a moment ago by Atenea about her complete disinterest in Lily. It's obvious that she knows what she's come for and doesn't care at all that he has a relationship, so he concludes that Lily's words are meaningless. A woman can't be against another when she shows no interest in her man.

"Ask the servants to help you pack," he concludes, standing up and walking towards her. "Try to make this easier for both of us; I have to think about saving the factory, okay?"

"Valentino..." she sniffles.

"Go back and pack," he leaves a kiss on her forehead. "I have things to attend to now."

He turns his back, returning to his desk and pouring himself another drink. The woman clenches her fists, containing the helplessness caused by being kicked out like that, simply by an apparition who will only provide financial help, while she is the woman Valentino "loves."

She leaves the study furious with the current situation. How can things change so quickly overnight? Before, she was the only one who could be by Valentino's side. They didn't have a stable relationship as such, but he was always attentive and affectionate to her.

They were practically a couple. But something keeps her uneasy, and that is that Valentino has always seen her as that emotional support he had during a time when he lost his mother. What if the affection ends, and he falls in love with his new wife?

It's a risk she's running, as Atenea is much younger and prettier than her. Besides, Valentino's father doesn't agree with their relationship, so things have always been difficult for her in that regard.

The only solution for Lily to keep her place by Valentino's side would be to stay in the role of victim, being hurt in some way by the jealous wife.

"Valentino is mine, only mine, you'll see," she murmurs, heading to her room to pack.

Now, her role as "mistress of the house" will be taken by that little girl, and that little girl will be the downfall of both of them.