Kill or be killed: That was the motto of a predator and a prey. Turns out that was the same motto in love and relationships. Walking in on my fiancee making out with someone else was the last straw it took for me to break but to save myself the humiliation, I couldn't let the huge proposal I had planned out go to waste. What happens when the stranger I had forced a ring on turned out to be the Capobastone of the Ndrangheta Clan? Even worse, my ex boyfriend was involved in the mafia and the stranger was his boss. Fate twisted and lies were uncovered and I was caught up in a little cat and rat chase with a Mafia boss and there was no hope for me getting out. His words sealed my fate: "Now i didn't force this ring on myself, you did. Might as well add more meaning to it."
Chapter 1 Episode 1
GIOVANNA
"Everything has to be in place and perfect. Sebastian, drop me by the jewelry shop so I can collect the ring I pre-ordered." I instructed as I slammed the car door shut while scrolling on my phone.
The streets were decorated with red and white all over and it seemed like every nook and cranny of the city was filled with lovers and couples hovering around.
February 14th. Valentine's day, I smiled in satisfaction as I stared at the date again. I'm quite sure I picked a perfect date to propose to Alessandro. Almost immediately, my phone began beeping and staring at the caller id, I picked the call up immediately.
"Girl, I would say happy Valentine's day but I'll leave that for Dave to do." I chuckled as I got on the line with my best friend.
"Same here, sweetie pie. You're still moving with that proposal idea you came up with?" She questioned and I smiled again nodding frantically like she could see me.
"Yes, of course. You promised you're going to be there." I stated.
"I will be there, when have I ever failed on any of my promises? The thing is, sweetheart, I just feel it's a little too forward going to propose to Alessandro in his work place. It's Valentine's day and you want him to be happy but he should be the one proposing." Ollie brought up the long forgotten topic making me grit my teeth in frustration as my grasp tightened on the phone.
"Are you serious? Come on, Ollie. We've moved way past this. And you know, Alessandro, he would have proposed a long time ago if he had enough resources, alright? So please, don't discourage me further."
"And besides that, I've booked our flight to the Maldives where we can get a Vacation. Just I and him." I pleaded and I could hear her release a soft breath from the other end of the phone.
"Sure girl, I'm sorry I even brought it up. Have fun and we'll see you there." She ended the call and I placed my hands on my chest as Sebastian stopped the car in front of the jewelry shop and I collected the ring.
Sparkly as diamond, it was exactly the definition of our relationship and I'm sure as hell that this would be shocking to him.
In less than 20 minutes after leaving the jewelry shop, we were at Alessandro's company and I walked directly to his office.
"Is your boss in?" I smiled and she fidgeted a little bit before standing to face me.
"Yes, he is. But he demanded to be left alone, he isn't receiving visitors." I raised a brow, smiling sheepishly with squinted eyes.
"What are you talking about? I'm not just any visitor, I'm his girlfriend." I tried moving past her but she intercepted and with her hands wide open, stopped me from going any further.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I know you're his girlfriend but I can't let you go inside of his office." She restricted and I sighed, glaring at her before taking two steps forward.
"Apart from being his girlfriend, you do know who I am right? Get out of my way if you don't want to lose your job." I nudged her out of the way and walked to Alessandro's office.
I raised my hands to knock on the door but paused when I realized that the door was unlocked and now, that is even better.
I straightened my dress and smoothed it before pushing the door open.
"Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart." I yelled as the girls who held up the question "Will you Marry Me?" lined up behind me and the trumpeters I had hired blew, their sounds piercing through the air but my jaw dropped when Alessandro turned in shock, removing his lips from the lips of an unknown woman.
Hold on, I'm sure it's just my brains imagining things. Alessandro isn't really kissing someone else right?
"Giovanna, what are you doing here?" He asked in surprise, his eyes darting back and forth as the ring I had held open slid out of my fingers and hit the ground with a soft thud.
"Is that- Alessandro, what's going on here?" I asked slowly, staring at the lady in confusion as she adjusted her tank top with a smug look on his face.
"Giovanna, let's talk about this outside." He tightened his necktie and began to move closer to me and I took two steps away from him as tears dropped out of my eyes.
"Don't give me that crap! Why are you kissing your assistant on Valentine's day? Why? Can you explain whats going on here right now?" My voice was a bit louder than usual and it has to be because I feel like everything I've lived in was all a lie.
"Happy Valentine's day, once more my love. I love this necklace you got me." The lady placed her hands on his chest before winking at me and walking out and I grabbed her back by her hair.
"Where do you think you're going?" I yelled, my face red with anger but Alessandro just stood there motionless like I was the crazy one that needed saving.
"Sorry, I'm late!! Girl..., what's going on?" I heard Ollie trail off as she walked into the office, her eyes darting back and forth in confusion.
"Is the proposal over? What...ummm guys?" Ollie asked letting out a nervous chuckle and I took in a deep breath, bending to the ground and picked up the ring I had purchased.
"You know, I thought I had it all figured out. I'd propose, you'd accept because we're so in love and then we'll go directly to the Maldives after that but today, you've let me know that I am a complete fool for ever believing in you. For even trusting you for the slightest moment." I stated and swallowed hard.
"Stop being so dramatic. It's not anybody's fault that he didn't choose you despite your riches, don't try to lay it on anyone and deal with it yourself." His assistant muttered and before I could react, Ollie dragged her by the hair, grabbed a cup of wine that was laying on the table near by and poured it on her hair while the girl tried to wiggle out of her grasp.
"Say another word and I would let you know why I'm the only one that can cuss my best friend out." Ollie warned pushing the girl backward and she fell to the ground on her butt.
"I planned this elaborate proposal for you, Alessandro, for you! But guess what, it's over between us. Over! Alright?" I straightened my dress and pulled out a face wipe from my bag and wiped my tears, smudging my mascara in the process.
"Giovanna, wait. You can't break up with me like that? Where would you find someone as good to you as I am? We can literally work this out." I felt like throwing my heels at him as Ollie gritted her teeth and I turned to the door.
"What's going on-" Some stranger walked into the room and I instantly turned to him.
"I know this is urgent and you don't even know me but, will you marry me?" The man's eyes darted back and forth as he opened his mouth to say something but shut his mouth back up while shrugging.
"Umm, you know what? Yes, I will." I slid the ring onto his finger and turned to wink at Alessandro.
"Looks like I found someone way quicker than I thought." I signalled at Ollie to come over while the stranger just stared at the ring for a while.
"Quite shocking, I'm engaged in 5 minutes," he muttered and looked up, "Alessandro, your files haven't been submitted for some days." He questioned brushing off the situation like it didn't happen.
"I'm sorry, boss." Alessandro muttered, his eyes round with shock. Did he just call him boss? Hold on, I thought Alessandro owned this company?