(DANTE'S POV)

Since I got back to LA, I've been smiling too much and if I wasn't careful I was so sure my lips would double in size.

Ria.

She drives me crazy.

If it wasn't for the call I received at work I would have loved to come back to LA together with her.

God knows how much I miss her.

"Okay gentlemen. See you at the next board meeting." I announced, shaking hands with everyone before leaving for my office.

My secretary, Ana was with me the whole time. Immediately I settled in my chair I gave her a signal to report to me.

Work can be extremely exhausting. Ria was on my mind the whole time. I couldn't wait to finish up at work and have her in my arms. I wanted to see her so bad. Her lovely face and her angelic voice along with the fact that I would be seeing her soon was what kept me sane.

"And that will be all Mr. Moretti." Ana concluded.

Finally.

"Great work Ana. You should go home now it's late." I said, my eyes on my cellphone.

I didn't call Ria since I got back even though it was killing me on the inside. I wanted to break things off with Ceilia before going to her. And with how Ceilia is, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Her nasty temper and awful attitude was no joke. But I already made up my mind and I knew it was a decision I had to make.

With or without Ria, I knew I could never marry Ceilia Ferrari. Not after what she did to me.

I was so lost in my thoughts that the sound of my phone vibrating on the desk was what pulled me back to reality.

Dad.

I wondered why he was calling. My father was never the type to call for mere chitchat. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. It better be something good and.. short because God knows I couldn't wait to get to my Ria.

My Ria.

Just the thought of her put a smile to my face.

"Dad." I said into the phone.

The earlier he cut to the chase, the earlier we end this.

"Mio figlo (my son)." his voice came from the other side of the phone making me roll my eyes.

I wonder what the old man wants this time.

When he realised I wasn't planning to give him any reply until he said whatever he wanted to, he probably got the hint because I heard him clear his throat before speaking.

"Come home Mio figlo. We are expecting you."

What? Home? The hell?

Before I had the chance to voice anything, I heard the beeping sound. He dropped the call.

I groaned in frustration, raking my hair with my hand. I got up from my seat, still thinking of the one person on my mind before striding out of my office.

Hold on my Ria. I'm coming.

My car finally came to a halt in front of my father's mansion. God knows how much I hated the place. If it wasn't for my mother, I wouldn't be visiting at all.

I kept on wondering what the old man wanted even as I made my way into the mansion.

He better makes this fast. My Ria is waiting for me.

"Mio figlo. Come over here." My father called, a satisfactory grin plastered on his face as he signaled for me to join him and his company at the dining hall.

When my gaze fell on my mother, a smile appeared on my face voluntarily however, it soon turned into a frown immediately my eyes landed on Ceilia Ferrari, my fiancee and her gold digging parents.

My father patted my back, a satisfactory look on his face.

What an arrogant man.

With the look of things, I knew this wasn't going to be any good.

"Mum." I walked to where my mum was seated not even sparing Cici and her gold digging parents another glance.

"Hello baby." my mother smiled, getting up from her seat to place a kiss on my cheek.

My eyes set on hers, questioning her. But she only smiled and kept a reassuring arm on my shoulder.

"It's fine baby. Come, sit down."

Dinner was served and there wasn't any conversation whatsoever throughout the whole meal. It was delicious and that was the only good thing in this unexpected gathering.

The food was made by my mother and I knew that just by taking the first bite.

I missed the cooking of Mia madre (my mother).

I would have loved visiting often but I couldn't withstand my father and even my mum knew that. I wondered how she had put up with his arrogant self all these years.

"Thanks mum. The food was so good as usual." I smiled, taking a sip of my wine.

She laughed heartily and it made me smile, realising she looked so much younger when she smiled.

"Alright everyone. I think it's time to make the announcement." My father uttered, making me raise an eyebrow.

"What announcement? Father." I said, sarcasm dripping in my tone and the arrogant grin on my father's face got replaced by a scowl and I smirked in satisfaction.

Clearing his throat, he plastered a fake smile on his face before turning to the others as if ignoring my existence completely. I rolled my eyes.

"We parents have decided that my son Dante and Ceilia will be getting married three months from now."

No!

"Congratulations my son. You are so grown now and I'm proud of the man you've become. I know you will make a wonderful husband mio figlo and an amazing father as well." my mother smiled and it broke my heart to see her feeling extremely happy knowing I wouldn't be able to give her what she want.

At least not now and especially not with her.

"Congratulations mio figlo." my father said.

"We can't wait to have you as our son-in-law Dante." her gold digging father told me.

"Take care of our daughter okay?" her gold digger of a mother added.

"Of course he's going to do just that, right honey?" the witch herself finally spoke and I felt blood rushing to my ears.

"Father we need to talk." I finally said, trying to sound as calm as I could afford but no matter how hard I tried, it was obvious to everyone at the table that I wasn't pleased with what was happening.

I got up from my seat in annoyance, the screeching sound of the chair making Ceilia gasp as her eyes went wide but only for a second before smirking and winking at me.

That witch.

I opened the door to my father's office with a loud bang before settling down on the couch. He scoffed, obviously not pleased with my rudeness.

But honestly, who cares?

He settled down on his chair behind the desk waiting for me to speak.

Oh! He bet I will.

There was no way in hell I was going to let this go.

"What the hell dad?" I shouted, getting on my feet immediately.

"Language Dante. Language." was all he said, sounding calm as if we were discussing the weather and beautiful flowers.

"Do you think I care about fucking manners right now?" I scoffed, a satisfactory smirk played on my lips when I saw his reaction after using yet another curse word.

If he thinks he's the only one capable of frustrating me then he's oh so wrong.

"You will marry Ceilia and that is final." he said, his voice nowhere calm this time.

"I'm not going to marry her and you know you can do nothing about it. Nothing father." I spat.

"And that's what you think?" he raised an eyebrow.

"No. Not think dad, I know it. After all my company isn't yours and you can't threaten me with what is mine. So say something else. Father." I spat, making sure to drag the word "father".

"Yes you are right. Your company is yours and I can't threaten you with that of course." he smiled and I sensed danger coming soon.

"But I can threaten you very well with something else."

Huh?

The sound of a drawer opening and closing made me squint my eyes at my father.

What's he planning? It can't be good.

He took one last look at the envelope in his hand before throwing it at my feet.

No.

No!

My eyes almost bulged out when I saw the scattered photos all over the floor.

Ria.

I picked up a few photos and anger took control of my system when my eyes landed on Ria.

In one of the pictures, we were kissing in the rain. In another, she was smiling at me when we talked after the wedding and there were other pictures like that from our wedding trip to Paris.

But the very one that caught my eyes was a picture of myself in front of Ria's apartment.

That son of a.. Ah! I can't even curse him for fuck sake. If only he's not my father.

"You didn't." my voice sounded deadly even to my own ears.

"Only that I did." he shrugged.

"Why? Why?" I questioned, forming my hands into fists.

"I hired people to watch you at first of course. And then I heard you took an interest in some lousy girl." he said in disgust.

"I wasn't sure she would be with you in Paris after all she's as poor as what do they call it again? Ah! A church's rat. But I still had you followed anyway and of course she followed you."

The more he spoke, the more I felt irritated. If he wasn't my father I would have done something crazy but unfortunately for me, we all know the answer to that.

"What do you want?" I stated, closing my eyes to calm the fury burning inside me.

"It's very easy mio figlo. Break things off with her and marry Ceilia then everyone can live happily ever after." he said, his eyes on me the whole time.

"And what if I don't?" I said through gritted teeth.

Even a part of me didn't want to know the answer to that.

"Well it's simple mio figlo." he said in a high pitched voice, getting up to his feet, he walked to where I was.

"I. Will. Ruin. Her."

I closed my eyes tightly this time. I couldn't believe the human in front of me was my father. He disgusted me.

I've been cornered by my old man.

The one human precious to me after my mother was definitely Ria. And now because of me, the man in front of me, the one I called my father was going to hurt her.

I can't let her get hurt.

Never!

"No you won't" I said but it sounded like a plea.

"Test me Dante." he smirked, his eyes dark and he seemed like the devil himself.

And then he whispered into my ear,

"La scelta è lasciata a te figlio (the choice is left to you son)."

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"Dante." her voice came out in a whisper immediately her eyes landed on mine.

I miss her even more now that she's in front of me.

She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly to her body.

But I know I can't hug her back even though it kills me not to. If only she knew how much I want to touch her, kiss her, feel all of her, hold her to me and never let her go. But I have to. Because of her, I have to.

"God knows how I miss you so much." She breathed.

I have to let go of her even though it's the worst decision of my life. But for her sake, I have to let her go. I can't let her get hurt, not because of a worthless man like me.

She pulled back gently and when I realised she was about to look me in the eye, I mustered all the strength I could gather to seal away the emotions in my eyes. It was the only way this would end easily even though I knew it would break her heart. But it was for the best. It was for her own sake and that's more than enough.

"Ria." I finally said, my eyes devoid of any emotion and it made my heart sink when I saw the fear in her beautiful hazel eyes.

I placed my hands on hers that were resting on my shoulders and dropped them at her sides, away from me.

Oh God! This is so much harder than I imagined in my head.

"Dante what's wrong? You didn't call or text or-" she started but I cut her off.

I have to put an end to this and fast. That way maybe it won't hurt much. But why is it hurting so much right now? Ugh! Who am I fooling?

"Remember when I told you we aren't done until I said so?" I said, my voice completely drained of emotions.

Fuck! She looks so sad and it's tearing my inside apart.

"From the look on your face I guess you do."

This is gonna hurt Ria but you will get through this. I'm doing this for you.

"It's over Ria. I'm getting married in three months time and I feel it's better to let you know myself. I mean that's only proper you know? Hearing from others might be a little bit harsh." I laughed quietly when in fact I felt like dying.

"Well since you already know then I better get going. Goodbye Ria Lee."

Immediately I said my last words, I pushed past her and released the breath I didn't even realise I was holding.

Don't look back Dante. It hurts but you know you are doing this for her.

Don't look back.

Don't!

But I want to look at my angel.

And I did. Only that she was gone by the time I listened to my heart.

I'm sorry.