Second Chance Love: The Billionaire's Claim

1. Respect, Pride And Honour

Respect, Pride and Honour

Damien POV.

Respect is what I wanted since childhood. People always tend to believe that you are beneath them if you don't have the power and money. I always thought no matter how badly people treat me, I would never drop down to their level. Just because I know I'm better than them, and with my head held high I walk away. At the young age I have learnt to work hard so that I can gain people's respect. Work hard was the only motivation, my dad's encouragement and my brother's support. That was the only thing I needed in my life to gain all the power, respect and pride. I wanted to be my father's pride to fulfil all his needs. I feel immensely proud of myself as I stand in front of my empire. After the patience, struggle and hard work the fruit of success has paid.

As I walk through the front steps of my venture THE BLACK ROSE HOTEL, the receptionist Althea greets me "Buongiorno sir," with a wink.

Ignoring her wink, I only smile at her greeting her back. As I walk through the lobby of the building I take a look around and see that my employees are busy managing their tasks.

Walking in the elevator I press 26th floor, after some time I reach my floor and walk towards my office. My receptionist, Mrs. Malcolm greets me . I greet her back as I'm walking towards my office.

I check today's schedule, as I was going through the file my personal phone rings and I see its my brother from another mother calling me.

"Hello, Damien speaking?"

"Hello ass**** remember me," my brother 'Rocco de Moretti' speaks on the other line.

"Cut the crap Rocco get to the point," I say.

Rocco knows me to the very core. He is the brother I never had. He saved me, helped me to build my business. I owe him with my life. He was always the understanding and serious type , we were both alike in many ways.

"Earth to Salvatore" says Rocco. That is when I'm brought back to the present. 

"Yes, Moretti"

"Salvatore, you are invited to my princess's birthday party as she is turning four year old and she misses her uncle Dammy"

I smile at the thought of Amanda. She is Rocco's four year old daughter. Very mischievous as her mother and my close friend Olivia.

"Yes, I will come Rocco. Give my love to Olivia," I tease.

He laughs and says, "In your dreams ass****."

"Give a kiss to 'mi princessa',

"Si. (yes)".

"Bye Rocco".

I buzzed my secretary, who immediately walks in with a note pad to take the orders.

"Yes sir?"

"Can you please get the jet ready till tomorrow afternoon as I have to fly to New York and" .

"Sure sir, I know I have to book a suite in our hotels for your stay. I'm already working on it."

"Thank you Mrs. Malcolm", I smile at her. She smiles and gets back at work .

Mrs. Malcolm is in her 40's. This is what I appreciate about her. She does not ask too many questions, she is a fast worker. A very loyal person who respects me and gives advice whenever I need it.

Rosalia POV.

As I stare myself in the mirror I see a girl with bruises on her body. Once a cheerful girl has turned into a lifeless soul. Without giving another thought to my life, I remove my clothes and head to the shower. My body aches all over, I control my sobs which have started. I try to keep quiet so that no one hears me crying . David my husband is very angry today, so that is why I have got so many bruises. This was always the case when he meets his friends, he comes home drunk and uses me as his punching bag. Once the happy going David my best friend/my husband who I thought will be there with me forever, who promised to love me I dint know would turn into a devil after marriage. Here I'm married to my best friend who I thought will support me.

But as said,

"There is reason behind everything that happens in life."

"Rosalia mam are you in there?"

I hear our maid calling me from outside the bathroom. That's when I'm brought back to present.

"Yes , I'll be there in a minute."

"Ok mam."

After the shower, I walk in the closet and put on a pair of full sleeves shirt and a long skirt so as to cover my bruises.

" Yes",

I asked to the maid who is cleaning our room.

"Ma'am, sir has asked you to meet him in his study"

"Ok."

Later I walk through the corridor of our house. It is a two storey building with a living room, a modernized kitchen with the dining area attached to it. On the left side of the living room is the study, which is occupied by my husband. Beside that is the guest bedroom. On the first floor we have a master suite with a walk in closet and a bathroom. There are two other rooms including a gym. At the entrance of the house we have a front porch and in the backyard we have a big garden of flowers as I like them very much.

After some time I reach the study and knock, David?

"Come in Rosalia."

I walk in and I'm greeted by David's back. He was looking out of the window.

"Yes David"

"We are leaving tomorrow to New York as there is this event for the business and this leading company is organizing it. There will be best hotelier's of NYK, Italy and many more. I want you to come with me as we have to see the site for our new venture setup. As a marketing manager you have to be present to check the location of the site."

"Is that clear Rosalia?"

"Yes David"

"Good that we understand each other. You may go", he says dismissively.

I walk towards the study room door. I turn the knob of the door, David stops me and says to be ready at exact five p.m. tomorrow evening. I nod at him. I'm looking at my once sweet best friend, who now looks at me with no respect. He has robbed me of my dignity, pride and respect. My loving caring best friend has become my worst nightmare.

"Are you listening to me you who**".

"I go numb at the sound of his fist connecting my cheek".

"Get out," he says.

I raise my head and look at him with tears, he looks like he is in pain as well. "I'm sorry" is all I get.

I shake my head and walk out from there. Next day at exact five p.m. I'm ready. After the car ride we reach the airport where the jet is waiting for us. David was walking ahead of me with his driver , as I was walking to the airport I collide with somebody.

"My heart starts beating faster. It is as if everything around me freezes. I feel the butterflies inside my stomach pouncing as I look at those aqua blue eyes."