I signed the documents. The curtains of my office were unveiled, revealing the strong bright rays of the sun.

There was a slight knock on my door.

"Come in."

My assistant, Bianca, walked in.

"Sir, Mr. Bianchi is outside along with his daughter," She informed professionally.

"Bring them in," I ordered and she nodded and left the room. Seconds later, the door opened again and Mr. Bianchi and his daughter walked in.

"Good morning, Mr. Romano," He greeted, shaking my hand.

"Good morning, Stephano. What brings you here?" I asked, leaning back on my chair.

He cleared his throat. "You see, Mr. Romano, we both own successful companies. Our businesses increase day by day. Now, what if we unite?" He asked, tapping my desk.

"Come to the point, Stephano," I gritted.

"Ah, how about an alliance?" He asked.

I raised my brow. "What kind?"

"A marriage between my daughter and you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. His daughter, Luciana, I think, seemed troubled. Clearly, she didn't want this marriage.

"I'm sure there are other ways of alliance," I said, dismissing this topic.

"Bu-but Mr. Romano, it's the most effective way," He urged.

"No."

"Bu-"

"I think I said no. Did I stutter?"

He gulped and shook his head.

"You may leave now," I added.

I noticed how Luciana let a sigh of relief.

They both stood up and left my office. Seeing this, I resumed my work yet again.

The door opened and I knew instantly who it was. Only one person had the guts to do it.

"Hey Enzo," Dante greeted.

I curtly nodded.

"Uh, Mr. Bianchi spoke with me...," He trailed off and I rolled my eyes.

"Look, by uniting both the families, your business will flourish," Dante urged.

I ignored him and scanned the files on my desk.

"Enzo you need to move on from her!" He yelled making me freeze.

He realized what he said and had a look of regret.

"I'm sorry I-I don't know-know what came over me," He muttered softly.

I hummed and shook my head. I always dismissed the topic of my marriage or relationship because I thought I was replacing her. I couldn't afford to do that.

"Enzo, it's about time you move on. 3 years man, look what happened to you!" Dante exclaimed in disappointment. "You've turned into a workaholic, no time for entertainment. I doubt whether you even had sex in these 3 years!"

I didn't.

I sighed. "Dante, there's a limit of hypocrisy. You never moved on from Ysaline either, so don't tell me to move on from her."

His face dropped. "She isn't dead! She ran away! I will never move on from her!"

"Well, neither will I!"

We looked at each other with our eyes blazing in rage.

Then, Dante's face softened in a split second.

Bipolar dumbass.

"You need to give them a chance," He motioned about Mr. Bianchi.

"Look, neither his daughter wants this marriage nor do I."

"Talk with her! Go out on a date! Get to know each other!"

"No," I muttered.

"ENZO PAOLO ROMANO!"

I abruptly halted. He used my fully bloody name.

"YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR ASS UP FROM THAT CHAIR AND GO ON A DATE WITH LORETTA!"

"Luciana," I corrected.

"YEAH WHATEVER. GO ON A DATE WITH LUCI!"

I chuckled and shook my head as 'no'.

"Enzo, if you don't...I'm gonna-I'm gonna," He started struggling with words.

"You're gonna what?" I grinned.

"I'm gonna tell Aria that you finished her lasagna yesterday!" He yelled.

"But it was you," I said, furrowing my eyebrows.

"She doesn't need to know that," Dante said sheepishly.

I sighed. Angry Aria was not good.

"Fine, one date," I agreed and Dante smiled widely. He dialed a number on his phone.

"Hello? Luciana? Yeah, he agreed on the date. Coffee House in half an hour? Will do, bye," Saying that, Dante hung up.

"Okay, go to the Coffee House. It's a café not too far from here," Dante instructed. I sighed and nodded.

Flipping him off, I got into my car and roared the car to life.

I drove to the café and parked my car near it. I scanned the area for Luciana and spotted her near the corner table.

"Hey, good morning," She greeted with a smile. I nodded and sat down in front of her.

None of us spoke for 15 minutes which made this whole situation awkward.

"What would you like to have?" The waiter asked, breaking the silence.

"Coffee," We both said at the same time. He nodded and walked away.

"Well...seems like we both don't want this marriage," She began.

I sighed and nodded.

"My dad craves power. Domination. Authority. Don't get fooled by his cheerful looks, he has a twisted mind," She said shaking her head.

Wasn't she supposed to take her father's side?

I looked at her in confusion.

"My mother was raped by my dad's rival and then, she had me. Dad killed him, because my mom is his life. From the very start, dad despised me. After all, I am the daughter of a rapist," She chuckled dryly, "So, to remove my burden over his shoulders, he wants to marry me off to some rich family which can help him in his business. Firstly, he could get rid of me. Secondly, it would help in his business."

I looked at her, my jaw ajar.

"And anyways...I have a boyfriend," She said meekly.

"Fantastic! Then this marriage is over. You can go live happily with your boyfriend," I said with a smile.

"Uh, I need your help," She said biting her lip. I raised my brow in question.

"My dad won't allow me to marry Ace, my boyfriend. Could you like, maybe, help us?" She asked hesitantly.

I sighed. The way she talks about Ace, seems like they're truly in love. I couldn't have mine...at least I could fulfil hers.

"Okay. What kind of help do you need?" I asked.

Her smile widened. "Could you help arrange a wedding? Look, I know it's a silly request but you are way powerful than dad."

"You want me," I pointed to myself, "To arrange your wedding?"

She nodded. "Don't worry, I'll pay you back," She quickly said.

I chuckled. "No need for that. Take this as a wedding gift from me," I said and she smiled sweetly.

Luciana cleared her throat. "So, what about you?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my brows.

"You must have some special girl," She said with a grin.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I had a special girl."

She got the hint and her eyes widened and sadness washed over her face. "I am so sorry," She whispered and I nodded. "If you don't mind me asking...did you ever think of moving on?" She asked.

"No," I replied in a heartbeat, "Never. It's either her, or no one."

She smiled, as if impressed. "She was truly lucky to be loved by you."

I sighed and nodded.

"Okay, so when do you want the wedding to take place?" I asked, changing the topic.

"How about next month?" She asked.

"Perfect. Next month it is, then," I confirmed.

We both stood up and shook hands.

"Look, uh, I wanted this date just so I could ask for your help. Not for the marriage," She confessed. I nodded. "It's fine. Bye," I said, waving at her. She smiled and waved back.

I walked out of the café and just stood there, looking at the morning sky. The pattern of the clouds looked beautiful and so very mesmerizing.

My phone rang. 'Asino' flashed on my screen. It meant donkey in Italian and I saved Dante as that.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey bro. I was thinking about going to the bar in the evening," He said once I answered the call.

"Alright, have fun," I dismissed.

"Seriously? Do I have to spit it out for ya?"

I scrunched my nose. "What?"

"No one goes to the bar alone!"

"Okay....and?"

"And!" He urged, "You're coming with me!"

"No."

"Enzo!" He whined.

I groaned. "Fine."

"Great! Get ready. Matteo's gonna be there too. We both'll reach your house at 6, okay? Bye!" He hung up.

I chuckled and sighed. 3 years since that incident and yet I couldn't move on.

Not that I wanted to. I didn't know much about her but her rebellious and kind nature stunned me, attracted me. Love at first sight...

Shaking these thoughts off, I started walking to my car. I got in and roared it to life.

●・○・●・○・●

I got dressed in a white skin-tight shirt, black ripped jeans, and white sneakers.

Putting on a black leather jacket, I plopped down on my couch, waiting for Matteo and Dante.

I stared into the abyss, all the moments I had with her flooding down on me.

The sudden ring of my phone snapped me out of my trance.

Sighing, I answered the call.

"Don, we caught the traitor. He was hired by the Germans to spy on us. What shall we do with him now?"

"Kill him and dump his body outside the German Estate," I replied emotionlessly.

"Yes, Don," He said and hung up.

In 3 years, I really changed a lot.

And not in a good way.

I turned more ruthless, as people said, not sparing lives of anyone.

"Enzo!" I heard Dante yell from outside my house, "It's time to paaaaaaaaaarty!"

Oh lord.