*~ Rosalina ~*
Two weeks had passed since we got back from Spain.
Brian and Betty had not stopped talking about the gifts. Brian wore his football jersey almost every single day, and Betty — well, Betty had turned the whole thing into a full dramatic performance. She kept saying things like "a man like that doesn't just buy gifts for no reason, Rosa" and "did you see the blue gown? That's not a boss gift, that's a message."
I let her talk.
Betty meant well, she always did. But she didn't understand the position I was in. I couldn't afford to read meaning into anything — not the gifts, not the Spain trip, not any of it. I had debts sitting on my shoulders that had been piling up since my parents died in my second year of college. I had Brian's operation to save for. I had a life to hold together.
This job was everything. I would not jeopardize it by letting my imagination run wild just because my boss bought me a gown.
So I kept my head down, my fingers on the keys, and my thoughts to myself.
Speaking of Enzo — he had been in the boardroom with Luca for over an hour now.
Enzo.
My inner voice decided to show up uninvited.
First name basis now, Rosalina?
I immediately rolled my eyes at myself.
I call Luca, Matteo and the twins by their first names too. So it means absolutely nothing.
Right. Exactly. Nothing.
I went back to typing.
*~ Enzo ~*
The boardroom was too warm and the meeting had gone on for too long.
Enzo sat at the head of the table, jacket on, expression unreadable. Luca was beside him. The board members had arranged themselves around the long table like they always did — suits pressed, folders open, and that particular look on their faces that told him they were about to say something he wasn't going to like.
Mr. Creede cleared his throat first.
"Mr. Salvatore, the board has given this considerable thought. Many of our business partners remain hesitant — and the reason, to be honest, is that our CEO is young and unmarried. I know that may sound old-fashioned, but in some sense, it's simply the reality of how certain people do business."
Enzo said nothing. He let Mr. Albert go next.
"The Hamilton deal is the clearest example," Mr. Albert said. "Senior Hamilton has made it known that he prefers to work with someone he considers settled — someone with a mature, responsible mindset. And if you'll forgive me for saying so, you are the same age as young Hamilton, and young Hamilton is already married."
Enzo's jaw tightened slightly.
"That's complete bullshit."
The room went quiet.
"Every single person in this room knows what I have done for this company since I took this seat," he continued, his voice low and controlled. "I took Salvatore Group to the top — highest profits, biggest global reach, every year since I sat down in that chair. And I did all of that unmarried. So don't sit in front of me and tell me a ring on my finger is what's been missing."
Silence.
Then Mr. Thompson spoke.
"Mr. Salvatore, we are all proud of everything you have built. No one is questioning that. But if the Hamilton deal falls through, our rivals will use it against us." He paused. "The board has reached a conclusion — and we have the full support of the Chairman. Your father. The terms are simple. You either get married — or your father returns to head the group and you step down."
The boardroom was completely still.
Enzo didn't react. His face gave nothing away. But behind his eyes, something had shifted.
It was Luca who moved first.
"That's fine, everyone," Luca said smoothly, his tone easy and unbothered. "Let's give him some time to think it over." He glanced at Enzo. "Can the board dismiss now?"
"Yes." Enzo's voice was flat. "The meeting is over."
The board members gathered their things and filed out quickly. Nobody lingered when Enzo used that tone.
When the last person was gone, Luca leaned back in his chair and looked at his best friend.
"My old man," Enzo said the moment the door closed, his voice low. "Him and my mother. They're the ones who pressured the board into this."
Luca smiled slowly.
"Nahhh." A pause. "Well — maybe. But they're not entirely wrong, you know."
Enzo shot him a look.
"I actually have a solution," Luca said.
"It better be something reasonable."
"Oh, shut up and listen." Luca was already smiling, which was never a good sign. "You remember when Allison told me about those stories she reads? She mentioned once that in some of them, the male lead hires a girl for a contract marriage — no strings attached. They act like a couple for a year, everyone believes it, and then they announce it didn't work out and quietly divorce. Clean. Simple. Nobody gets hurt." He spread his hands. "So. We find you a contract wife. She gets paid. You get the board off your back. After a year, it's over."
Enzo stared at him.
"Your sister told you this."
"I know Allison doesn't always have the best ideas," Luca said fairly. "But I remembered she'd mentioned it before and honestly? It makes sense."
"It happens in stories, Luca. Not in real life. And even if I entertained the idea — where exactly am I supposed to find a girl willing to do this? My family has to believe it. They have to actually like her. And how do I know she won't fall apart halfway through or tell someone the truth?"
Luca leaned forward, elbows on the table, that smile still on his face.
"What would you do without me in your life?"
Enzo looked at him for a long moment.
"Absolutely nothing," he said. "Now stop stalling. Spill."
"Meet me tonight," Luca said. "Ten o'clock. The Bahamas Club. I'll bring someone — someone who is perfect for this job."
Enzo stood and buttoned his jacket. He picked up his phone and turned to leave.
"You've really thought this through, crazy idiota."
Luca stood too, still smiling.
"I love you too, bro."
*******