ANTHOLOGY OF SINFUL DESIRES

Chapter four

When it rained, it poured and in Alessandra’s case, it became a rainstorm.

She stood numbly on the porch of the main house where she had spent her childhood and teenage years. The scene before her was just as usual; the palm trees that made the semblance of a boulevard, leading to the back of the house. There was a similar one out front.

Only this time, altering the scenario she knew like the back of her hand was yellow tape fluttering in the wind.

Just hours after the custody papers were served, state inspectors had descended upon her family’s land, claiming that a rare, highly contagious livestock epidemic had infected their cattle. The quarantine meant total operational shutdown. Silverpine…her father’s pride, her family’s legacy…was being bled dry by the hour.

Her mother had called her crying hysterically and she had rushed down from the office, thinking something had happened to Lucien.

Behind her, the screened door creaked open and her mother stepped onto the porch, clutching a damp handkerchief to her mouth. Her eyes were red-rimmed from crying.

"They're culling the northern herd, Alessandra,” she sighed. “Thirty years of your father’s hard work just gone in an afternoon."

Alessandra turned to her mother. “I don’t understand how this is happening, Mom…I…I wish I could stop all this…” her voice trailed off.

Her mother glared at her. “You know exactly how to stop this, Alessandra.”

Alessandra was confused.

"Girl, your pride is killing us! Your father gave his word to Marcus Cole so this family would always be protected from situations like this, yet you refuse Roman, and now look!”

Her mother’s words were icy. "If you would just honor your father's wish... if you just marry Roman..." Her mother broke off, sobbing into her hands as she retreated back inside the house, slamming the door.

Alessandra stood frozen. So that was all she was to her family; an exchange?

Alessandra’s mind was still raving when she heard the sound of a car approaching. Immediately, she recognized Roman’s black SUV.

She watched him with hate as he walked towards her, then gave a low whistle at the sight of the yellow tapes.

"It sure is getting messy, Alessandra.”

Alessandra gripped the railings and her anger was so tight it silenced her words. He had the audacity to come here even after just serving her a court order.

"I am offering you a lifeline, Alessandra. All of this will vanish the second you sign the marriage certificate. I will make sure this quarantine is lifted and the custody will be dropped. Heck, I’ll even get you new investors.”

At that, she narrowed her eyes. So it was him! He was the one who influenced her investors to leave. The arrogant piece of s**t that he was.

“You want to save your child and your family, Alessandra? Stop fighting me."

…..

Isabella set a thick blue folder in front of Alessandra with a thud, snapping her back to the present.

"There is one option left."

It was nearing midnight and both women had nursed mugs of coffee as they went through potential investors that Isabelle had researched on and gathered.

"I pitched five domestic private equity firms today," Isabelle said, leaning over the desk. "Every single one of them declined within twenty minutes. Roman's reach in the U.S. financial sector is absolute. But..." She tapped the blue folder. "Cole Holdings has virtually no leverage in Southern Europe. I found Nexus Co.”

Alessandra grunted. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“Well, Nexus Co. is a multinational investment conglomerate based out of Milan. They specialize in high-growth luxury acquisitions, and they have the capital liquidity to cover our seed debt twice over."

Alessandra stared at the golden crest embossed on the folder.

"If Roman finds out—"

"He won't know until the wire goes through," Isabelle urged, her eyes bright with a desperate, convincing energy. "I managed to secure an emergency pitch with their head of international acquisitions. But there’s a catch.”

“Which is?”

“We will have to be in Milan in person. If we win Nexus, we clear the debt and save the company. It breaks Roman's stranglehold."

Alessandra closed her eyes and rubbed a finger against her temple. She was exhausted.

"Book the flight and make hotel arrangements." She finally instructed and Isabelle nodded, taking the folder with her. She made to leave the office, but she paused momentarily and turned.

“Alessandra? I know it’s not my business, but I sense that you have many troubles. I just want you to know that I have a good feeling about Nexus. You’ll be fine.” She smiled sympathetically at Alessandra.

“You’re kind, Isabelle. Thank you.”

Isabelle left and Alessandra returned to her storm of thoughts.

….

The glass-and-steel monolith of Nexus Co. towered over the financial district of Milan, and its smooth surface reflected the skyline.

Alessandra stepped out of the taxi, dressed in a sharp, slate-gray power suit, her hair pulled back into a sleek, professional knot. She was trying to give the impression of a fierce CEO even though internally, she was doubting herself.

She and Isabelle walked into the building where the Investment Director was waiting for them.

She shook his hand firmly and he said, “Isabelle Gomez?” In a thick accent.

“Oh, no that would be me. I’m her assistant.” Isabelle chipped in and he smiled apologetically at Alessandra.

“Come with me.”

He led them through the marble lobby to a sleek glass boardroom. Soon enough, they were seated and they went straight to business.

Alessandra laid out HOA Corp’s financials, market reach, and explosive growth projections. The man listened quietly, nodding his head at intervals.

When she was done, he leaned forward. "Your brand's metrics are extraordinary, Mrs. Cole." For some reason, the Cole name being attached to her felt prickly in her ears.

“The domestic legal entanglements you mentioned are... messy, but manageable for a firm of our size. The board approves the preliminary term sheet."

A wave of dizzying relief washed over Alessandra. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to—"

"However," the Director interrupted smoothly, standing up, "all capital allocations exceeding fifty million euros require the personal, final sign-off of our Chief Executive Officer. He happens to be in the building today and has agreed to review the file."

Alessandra stood, smoothing her skirt. "Of course. I’m ready."

The Director led them down a private, carpeted hallway toward the penthouse suite of the skyscraper. Heavy oak double doors stood guarded by two security detail officers. The Director knocked once, pushed the door open, and gestured for her to enter.

"Mrs. Alessandra Cole, sir," the Director announced, before stepping back and allowing Alessandra walk in.

The office was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The room was styled in dark leather, brushed steel, and minimalist luxury.

Behind an expansive desk of black marble, a high-backed executive chair was turned toward the window, looking out over the city.

"Nexus Co. is willing to risk a hundred million dollars on a failing American brand, Mrs. Cole," a deep, gravelly voice echoed through the quiet room. He did not turn around as he spoke and Alessandra shifted on her feet.

Slowly, the executive chair rotated around.

Five years had erased every trace of the boy and sitting before her, was the one man she had hoped and prayed she would not cross once she stepped foot in Italy again.

Xavier Yamine.