CEO's Unwanted Bride

Seven years ago... Anna's pov. For my birthday celebration, I was heading home, to Florence. I couldn't contain my excitement as I anticipated the moment when I would finally meet the person who had captured my heart in secret. I didn't tell anyone because I wanted to surprise them. Upon my arrival in Florence unannounced and without any companions, it became apparent that my cousin Xavier would be feeling upset. He was incredibly attentive and protective, almost like a brother figure. He often reminded us to be cautious since we had numerous adversaries. But sometimes he was annoying when he used to boss me around. He was the next in line to be the Mafia King. Though he was very rude and heartless to everyone, I knew he had a soft corner for his family and friends as he had always been supportive and committed to his friend Matteo. Matteo Romano: the love of my life! Matteo's family was killed in a car crash when he was very naive and young. His relatives took over all his property and fortune. At that time, Xavier came forward to offer a helping hand. Uncle Salvo also had no problem with taking Matteo to his wing. Matteo proved himself to be very hardworking and dedicated to his work despite having a very light and humorous nature, just opposite Xavier. At our school, all the girls were crazy for him. He was the most popular boy after Xavier in our school. In fact, I also had a crush on him. I giggled at the thought. Maybe it was just a teenager's crush on the most popular boy in our school. But gradually, it became more. I really began to feel something for him, and I thought he also liked me. Because the way he used to steal glances at me, and the way he talked to me, always smiling when he saw me, wanted to protect me from everything, gave me an idea that he also wanted something more than friendship. His gentle touches and his flirty talk were all a sign a girl needed to know that a boy was interested in her. I couldn't forget how his eyes always looked at me like I was the only girl on the earth. He seemed to focus on me and stuck around when I was there and everything didn't matter to him. Yes, I noticed all those things. What could it mean other than love? I felt secure and safe with Matteo when he was around. Besides my brothers and father, he was the only man I could trust. I didn't realize how and when I fell in love with him, deep and hard. I used to go to his place with Xavier so many times. Whenever I was near him, I could feel his warm gaze on me, radiating heat. I remembered the time when I dressed up in a red mini dress and went to a party with my friends. Out of nowhere, Matteo suddenly appeared and forcefully pulled me out of the party. He became angry with me for wearing a short dress while surrounded by so many horny boys. I really felt at that time that he was possessive of me and jealous of those boys. This meant... umm.. he really liked me. But why didn't he ever confess? Was he afraid of Xavier? After all, Xavier was next to be the Mafia king and known to be a man of his word and his own rules. But I had to confess my love to Matteo before it was too late. I couldn't stand being apart from him any longer. I had left Florence to pursue my degree and hadn't seen Matteo for six months. I knew that so many girls would be dying to get him for themselves, and they were ready to do anything. But he was mine. So I decided to fly back home on my 18th birthday and confess my love to him. We would see whatever happened next and find a way to convince our family. Upon my arrival in Florence, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. Upon reaching my home, I expeditiously swapped my attire to don my cherished crimson dress. Red was Matteo's favorite color too. Seeing myself in that red dress made me blush. I decided to apply some makeup and left my hair in a loose style to please him. I noticed him quietly twirling my long blonde hair with his fingers when he thought I wasn't looking. Unknown to him, he had always caught my attention whenever he was present. I smiled, thinking how his reaction would be when he saw me in front of him unannounced. I giggled as I stood before the large mirror on the wall. I took a quick look at myself before heading out to meet Matteo Romano. After reaching his apartment, I waited outside his door as I smoothed my hair nervously. I knew the security passcode of his apartment because I often came here with Xavier, and they didn't hide anything from me. I didn't ring the bell, silently typed the passcode on the security panel at the front door. Slowly opening the door, I entered his house. Silence filled the entire space and I started to think that he was not home. But thinking about checking the bedroom, I slowly proceeded, and suddenly halted after hearing some sounds coming from his room. Someone was moaning and whimpering. What the hell was going on inside? As I looked down, I was taken aback to see a few pieces of clothing belonging to a girl scattered on the floor. As I walked towards his room, my feet felt weighed down. With my heart racing, I cautiously opened the door and peered inside. Upon witnessing Matteo rocking against a girl who was lying on her stomach in his bed, I immediately covered my mouth in shock. He was naked and was taking her from behind. Bile began to rise in my throat. If I hadn't covered my mouth, I would have puked my guts out on his door. I kept standing there, frozen in my place, as I didn't have the strength in me to move. I was very shocked, hurt, and heartbroken. He suddenly pulled out of her and flipped her on his bed, grabbing her neck and thrusting into her again. She screamed his name in ecstasy as he slammed his lips on her roughly, deeply, and passionately. I could see their tongues entangling each other, dancing together. Then I got a glimpse of the face of that girl. It was Sienna. She was the most popular girl in our school. Any man would want to get into her pãnties. Of course, she was wealthier than me and more beautiful and sexy. I came back to reality. So he was no better than any man who wanted only one thing from a woman. He didn't care about my feelings because I was just a pastime to him, to flirt and have some fun with a naive girl. So all the rumors were right that said Matteo Romano was a big player. It was news that Matteo was used to fuck.ing a new girl every night. But how foolish of me that I never believed them. Watching my first love f*****g another girl, was the worst way to find out about it. I was really an idïot to fall in love with a playboy. I was dumb enough to misunderstand his flirting as his love for me. He only wanted to have sêx with me. But when he didn't get it, he lost interest in me. I didn't know how long I had been standing there, shocked, watching them fu.ck each other. Then I felt my cheeks wet and something flowing down from my eyes. When I came out of my trance, turning on my heels, I ran to leave his place. Tears kept streaming down my eyes, and I finally broke down when I was inside my car. He played with my feelings and made me believe he was very interested in me. How many girls like me must have been seduced by him had been left heartbroken just because Matteo Romano wanted some entertainment and fun? I would never forgive him for breaking my heart. He lost all the love and respect I had for him. Now I wished that he would never come in front of me. Otherwise, I didn't know what I would do to him. God, how I wished I had never met him. I felt like my heart was aching so painfully it stopped beating. I tried to inhale and exhale loudly, but I couldn't breathe. I was slowly losing consciousness. Before I could call someone for help, everything turned black in front of my eyes, and the last thing I remembered was my head hitting the steering wheel, and the horn started honking loudly.