HIS HIRED BRIDE

CHAPTER - 12

"Like In the end, the best victory is the one that looks like a defeat." ~ Neel Burton.

MARCELLO TROCELLI P.O.V

"Are you sure about this?" Rafael, asked me for the millionth time the next day. He carefully placed his coffee on the table and sat across from me.

"Raf, how many times have I told you that I am sure. I know what I'm doing and the girl also knows what she's getting herself into." I explained patiently as he played with the coffee cup.

"All I'm saying, this is bullshit. Are you really that desperate to drag this innocent, poor woman into your mess?"

"Raf, you know better than anyone, I can't lose the company, okay? I gotta do this. I'm not risking my position just because I don't wanna settle down. This is the only way."

"I'm going to say this again, karma is a b***h. Remember one day, all of these will come and bite you."

"If that's the punishment, then so be it." I stubbornly replied, making Rafael roll his eyes.

"Why can't I have a normal best friend?" He muttered annoyingly and got out of the private booth leaving me alone.

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AVA WILSON P.O.V

I went inside the kitchen with my wet hair cascading down my back. I wore a white jeans, with a baby pink blouse and my black sneakers. I wasn't really in the mood of dressing up nor I'm going out to impress someone, hence the chosen clothes.

I grabbed one apple from the basket, and poured myself a glass of chilled milk remembering how that arrogant ass texted me at 4 in the morning.

I just got home from the hospital and laid on the couch breathing in and out. I was feeling hungry so I stood up and searched the kitchen for food. But to my disappointment the food was all scattered around the floor. I took out the broom and started cleaning.

Once done, I exhaustedly sat on the kitchen bar. I jump down and open the refrigerator to find something to eat but to my disappointment it was also empty

My eyes caught the Cadbury bar and I munched on it.

I switched off the light and started going towards my rooms. I was just about to enter when my cell phone buzzed making me frown.

I opened it and my mood instantly turned sour. "Meet me at La' Raviòli at sharp 12 p.m."

"That infatuated man" I spat going inside my room.

I put down my glass and switch off the light, taking the house keys and locking the main door.

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The bus stopped right in front of the diner, La Raviòli. The building was huge and fancy looking on the outside. It looked more like a hotel than a diner to me.

I let out a sigh before entering the diner. The moment I stepped inside my mouth dropped to the floor. It might have looked like a hotel but it was not what I was expecting at all.

It looked exactly like a diner, but maybe a lot fancier than a normal one. It had a black and red combined booth by each compartment and an oval bar. It looks like each compartment has their own buffet.

Two chefs were presented in the main open kitchen. The sweet aroma of waffles and pancakes swelled in the air. It smelled so delicious that I could almost taste the flavour, making my mouth watery. Many customers were already settled in, eating their lunch.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" A waiter in a red short dress came and asked me.

"Actually, I'm looking for Mr. trocelli? Is he here yet?"

"ahh..yes Ma'am. Come I'll take you to him."

I kept walking with her passing everyone, which made me frown. She stopped behind a fancy black leather door and turned towards me. "Mr. Trocelli is inside Ma'am." She politely spoke and made her way back.

'Private Booth' was written in bold in front of the door.

I didn't expect that there would be a private booth but I'm not surprised. Anything can happen here. I open the door holding the golden brace handle and step inside as fresh air conditioning hits me, making me shiver.

I already saw the back of Mr. Trocelli and it made me nervous. My palms were sweating and I quickly rubbed them on my pants.

I took a deep breathe and greeted formally with a tight smile on my face. "Good Morning, Mr. Trocelli."

"Ahh, you're early. I'm impressed." He nodded his head in the process.

"Have a seat." He ordered as I sat across from him.

"Mr. Trocelli, I would--"

"First of all, if you're going to agree to this arrangement and accept my offer, I think you have to call me by my first name. It sounds weird, you're calling me so formally." He raises his brows.

I shot him a weird look and shook my head "Look....ahhh" I cleared my throat "Marcello, I would like to first hear your terms and conditions, please."

"I have already prepared a contract." He smirks.

"Contract?" I confusedly questioned him.

"Yes. We will have a contract marriage. Like a legal procedure. We don't have to face any legal problem in future claiming something. All the terms and conditions are written down here."

My mouth opened in shock and I gulped down the water, which was already in front of me in one go "That was mine." Mr. Trocelli pointed it out and I hurriedly put it down "Sorry."

"Here." He said handing me a folder. "Everything is explained there. How you would act as my wife, the story of how we met, and other details about money and our marriage duration. Do you want to read this now?" He questioned me as I already started reading the contract.

"I'll take this as a yes. Might as well order something to eat." He suggested and I nodded without losing my attention.

Marcello clicked the buzzer which was in the middle of the table attached with the vase. A waiter came from behind me in a few seconds.

But I didn't hear anyone talk for a minute, making me curiously look up. The poor young waiter was standing beside me with his head bow. He couldn't even look Marcello in the eyes.

I look at Marcello and scoff. He was studying the poor boy, within his calculating gazes. I decided to cut the tension and politely greeted the boy.

"Hello!" I greeted him as his innocent brown eyes met my hazel ones. He must be hardly seventeen or so and he looked really shy. "Can you suggest something to me, please." I politely asked him, making him smile "Try the tender lamb with baked vegetables ma'am."

"Okay." I cheekily smiled at him and he nodded writing it down.

"An...nd....you...sir...?" He stuttered nervously as he stared at the floor. Sweat beaded down his forehead as he wiped them with his handkerchief.

"Garlíc prawñ pasta." Marcello spoke, closing the menu with a loud sound making the boy jump in shock.

He hurried nodded with extra firmness before he left.

I stared with dead eyes at Marcello as he shot his eyebrows upwards "WHAT?" He innocently asked.

"What is wrong with you?" I question with narrowed eyes.

"What is wrong with me? You should ask, what is wrong with that boy?" He retorted.

"You were scaring him. It was clear that he was nervous. You could have at least been a little nicer or polite to him."

"But I choose not to." He bluntly replied and I scowled with a loud huff.

"Bastard." I mutter under my breathe.

"Yes, a bastard who is your lottery ticket. Now more reading and less talking." He ordered me to roll my eyes.

"A$$!" I again muttered more slowly under my breath and returned my attention back to the contract.

"Heard that." He said checking his emails on his cell phone."

I was getting exhausted reading this contract as it was getting me more hyper. So I closed the file and put it down with a loud bang.

"Finished already." He narrowed his eyes.

"Before signing this, I have a demand." I replied comfortably adjusting in my seat. Marcello got alerted and sat back with a serious look.

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