CEO's Unwanted Bride

Meeting him again

Anna's pov.

I have recently returned home after being away for three years. I regretted confessing my crush on Matteo Romano to him while I was drunk and couldn't stand to see Matteo Romano after that night. So— I left under the pretext of managing my father's company in Rome, but in reality, I ran away.

However, I met Adam one year back in Rome. He was good-looking and a budding entrepreneur and had just made his debut in the business world at that time. I was impressed with his hard work.

We dated for some time because my family kept bugging me for a relationship, and then one day, he proposed.

Although I had no real reason to decline his proposal, my family's constant pressure to settle down led me to ultimately accept it and say yes. He slipped his ring onto my finger then and there, and we got engaged. I returned to introduce Adam to my family and seek their blessings.

But I was so nervous about whether my family would accept Adam or not. He was a nice man. But still, I knew Xavier would be strict with him. He was very protective of me, and I really didn't know how my father would react.

But most of all, I was afraid of seeing HIM again. Yet, I knew HE must be there. HE was Xavier's best friend and now had become his business partner.

When I entered Leonardi's mansion, every gaze turned toward me, making me more nervous. Nevertheless, I kept my eyes straight and held my chin up, searching in the crowd for Xavier.

And there he was, coming towards me, wearing a big grin on his face.

"Anna, finally you have come," Xavier stretched his arms and took me in a bear hug.

"I am so upset with you. First of all, you came late, and secondly, you got engaged without informing us," he complained.

"I really apologize for that, Xavier," I said hesitantly. "But this happened all of a sudden. I didn't get time to process and inform anyone. He proposed, and I said yes. He slipped his ring on my finger, and that's how we got engaged."

I showed them my beautiful solitaire ring.

"Congratulations, Anna!" Mia came smiling at me.

She looked mature and beautiful. A lot had changed in these years. I smiled and nodded.

"Where is your fiance? You want to hide him from us. Are you not going to introduce your fiance to your family?" Xavier asked annoyingly.

"Of course, Xav. He has come," Saying, I looked towards the hallway.

Adam had been parking his car. He came with me to Florence and preferred to stay at a hotel. But he came to pick me up for the party.

Then I saw he was coming towards me. I comforted myself that it was going to be fine. He was handsome and rich, and I didn't need to be embarrassed. He liked me, and most importantly, he was not like HIM, who made me sick with his presence, unwanted and low every time I encountered HIM.

Adam stood next to me, accompanied by his sister.

"Xavier, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Adam Ricci, and his sister, Emma Ricci," I said, smiling at my handsome fiance.

Adam extended his hand in a gesture of goodwill, offering Xavier a handshake.

"Adam Ricci from the Ricci Industry?" Xavier asked while shaking his hand with him.

"Yes, Mr. Leonardi," Adam replied, smiling.

"Oh, I am glad to meet you, young man. I have heard about the Ricci industry. You are a budding industry in the market but doing very well," he patted Adam's back.

I released my breath, which I had been holding for a long time. Thank goodness! Xavier approved of Adam.

"Thank you, Mr. Leonardi," Adam said politely.

"Adam, meet my wife, Mia Xavier Leonardi," he introduced Mia and pulled her forward, wrapping a hand around her shoulder.

She was looking at Adam weirdly. Her face turned pale.

"Oh, yeah! I know your wife. We were in the same batch back then in high school," Adam said, looking at Mia.

Xavier and I turned our heads toward Mia simultaneously. But she remained strangely silent and kept staring at Adam weirdly.

"Hi, Mia! How are you? I am sorry, Mr. Leonardi, if you don't mind, can I call her by her name? During my school days, we would address everyone by their name.," he apologized to Xavier.

"No problem, young man. I recall that Mia had mentioned you in the past. Now that you are a family, feel free to address me as Xavier," Xavier replied and laughed.

It seemed that Xavier had become more polite compared to how he used to be in the past.

Mia was still strangely silent.

"Congratulations, Anna!" I heard that voice which made my heart race at rocket speed.

However, I didn't want to turn and look at him, I had to. I didn't want to give him the impression that he still had any influence over me.

"Thank you, Mr. Romano," I replied, smiling forcefully.

"Are you not going to introduce me to your fiance?" He asked sarcastically.

I shook my head at his taunting me before turning towards Adam.

"Adam, let me introduce you to Matteo Romano, who happens to be Xavier's closest friend and co-owner of their business. Mr. Romano, allow me to introduce my fiancé, Adam Ricci. He is the founder and owner of the Ricci industry," I introduced Adam with pride.

"Hello, Mr. Romano! It's nice meeting you," Adam greeted Matteo and offered his hand to shake.

"Great to meet you too, Mr. Ricci," Matteo responded, shaking Adam's hand warmly.

"You forgot me, honey!" A gorgeous, hot girl looking like a supermodel came and held Matteo's arm. She clung to him as if her life depended on him.

"Of course, beautiful. How can I forget you?" Matteo smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Callie!" With a challenging glance towards me, he introduced the girl and I immediately understood his intentions.

Oh, no! Mr. Romano, your attempts to hurt me will not be successful this time.

"It's great to meet you, Callie. You are truly stunning," I said as I gave her a warm embrace.

"Thank you," she replied.

"Excuse me. I have to introduce Adam to my parents and other family members. So we will take your leave," I excused myself and took Adam to meet my parents.

Honestly, I considered distancing myself from them. It was difficult to conceal my jealousy upon witnessing him with that girl, and I was uncertain of how much longer I could feign indifference.