Chapter 3: Proposals (Gianna's POV) I stared out the car window while my sunglasses stayed on and my dad attended a business call beside me. His business, not mine. Weapon trafficking, smuggling drugs, and the gold black market. That's what I know for a fact really happens. But there might be so much more going on behind the scenes. I mean, it's not very likely that so many lives are at risk because of weapons. Drugs? Maybe. Gold? Not too likely but possible. But it's all probably for power, isn't it? I'm almost one hundred percent sure that the Allister family is at the top when it comes to this. They make and have the most money which makes them the most powerful and feared. I don't know where my father stands, but I'd prefer to keep it that way because knowing might be much worse than not knowing. "No, the third batch. Double the quantity and triple the price." I rolled my eyes and kept my gaze where it was, watching as we flew past other cars. The car came to a stop in front of the Grimaldi's estate and I climbed out as fast as I could, my purse hanging on one shoulder. I threw my hair over my shoulders after closing the door and sighed. I looked at myself in the window reflection. I had on a red blazer today with matching red pants. Hence, the red-tinted sunglasses. My purse remained black though, otherwise, it would be too much red. And just like my purse, my heels stayed black too. Buttoned or unbuttoned blazer? Unbuttoned. I pushed the button open, my black camisole showing now. I walked around the car as my dad climbed out and I waited for him to walk ahead of me. We walked in and the housekeeper led us to the grand backyard where they were hosting this brunch. We were walking to the long, rectangular table when I saw Allister. "How unfortunate," I said under my breath and kept walking. My dad sat down and a waiter, an actual waiter, offered to pull back my seat. "That's okay," I smiled, pulling it myself and sitting down. I looked up, pushing my sunglasses to my head, and realized we sat right across from Allister and his dad. He lifted a brow at me and I pulled my sunglasses back down, leaning back in the chair and looking around. I heard him chuckle, while he leaned back in his seat as well, watching me. "What about you, Mr. Allister?" I listened in on the conversation that was going on between Mr. Kieran and Mr. Grimaldi. "How's your business going?" "Which one?" Hahaha, so funny, isn't it? That you don't know if you should talk about the legal or illegal business. "Both," Mr. Grimaldi laughed. "I think what we do behind closed doors should stay behind closed doors, don't you?" Fair enough, please, keep it to yourself. "What about Delirium?" "Delirium is doing just fine," Ace said, nodding. "I believe Cole was there last night, you could ask him." Cole is Mr. Grimaldi's son. He's known for being an absolute spoiled brat. Having sex with every girl in sight, getting wasted every night, and coming home in the late mornings. "He drank too much last night, I hope he made it back just fine," Ace smirked. I pulled my lips into a thin line and bit back a chuckle. It was funny, it really was. Mr. Grimaldi laughed uncomfortably in response. Cole isn't here because he's probably sleeping, wearing his hangover off. It makes sense. Delirium is the club they run and own, by the way. That's their front, but they run it just as seriously as they run everything else. Ace is there every night, running both businesses from his office, I hear. I haven't been there but Aria has and she's told me all about it. "Cole is actually out with his girlfriend today. He has a date," Mrs. Grimaldi said, a little bitterness shining through in her voice. "What about you, Ace?" she asked. "What about me?" He cleared his throat. "I hear you don't go on many dates. But I'm sure you get loads of proposals, don't you? You're a nice young man yourself," she smiled. It was a fake smile and she made it so obvious. He nodded, "I do. I actually got a very interesting one recently. It's one of the few that I'm contemplating." I stiffened. He's definitely talking about me. I didn't think my dad would talk to Mr. Kieran last night itself. Didn't he tell me to confirm if Ace was single? How did he talk about marriage straightaway? "Well, if you're thinking about this one in particular out of the many proposals you get, she must be some girl," Mr. Grimaldi nodded while two waiters came with all the food. "Do you know her well then?" He shook his head, his eyes flicking to mine. "Not yet, but I'd like to." I let out a breath and pushed my sunglasses back up to my head, turning to Cady, who was sitting beside me. I think she's a year or two older than me and since she's asking about my clothes, I should talk to her. I smiled, accepting her compliments. "Where did you get them?" "Phoenix," I answered. She gave me a knowing look. "You love promoting yourself, don't you? You always get the most clients to your company, I hear. Is it true?" "It might be. But if my employees and me take so much time and dedication to make the clothes, it's only fair if I bring the clientele." "I should drop by sometime," she mumbled. I nodded, "You should." "Do you plan to keep working once you're married, Gianna?" I looked past her and at her mother. "Once I'm married?" I asked, trying to hold my smile. "Or does that depend on your husband's approval?" "Mom," Cady hissed. "I'm just curious, I apologize if I was being rude." Bitch. I smiled, "Why does it depend on my husband's approval? It's my company, it's my job. Besides, don't you think it would be rather boring to be a housewife who just sits there with no purpose in life?" "You think housewives don't have a purpose?" She seems offended. Good, she offended me first. "Not at all. Being a housewife is tough. But so is running a company. Why the comparison, right?" She scoffed, "Running a company is nowhere near as tough as being a housewife, my dear. You'll know when you raise a child." "Hopefully I won't know anytime soon then." I turned to Cady. "What about you? Getting married anytime soon?" She shook her head, rolling her eyes. "What do you like to do then?" I chuckled. "She paints," her mother answered for her. "I wanted to open a studio," she said. "Why don't you?" "We're preparing her for marriage." If her mother interrupts our conversation one more time, I will lose my shit. She gave me a small shrug and started eating. People here are so miserable. "Gianna." I turned to my dad. "Hmm?" "Why don't you take a walk with Ace after you two have eaten, hmm?" He was talking softly, so I guess everybody isn't supposed to know there are talks about us getting married. "That's up to him, isn't it?" I whispered. I ate without talking to anybody else, occasionally smiling to accept a compliment on the clothes. I pushed my empty plate away once I was finished eating. I was debating whether I should ask for ice cream or not when he called me. "Gianna." I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows. "Would you like to walk with me?" Very nice, Allister. Ask me in front of everybody so I have to say yes. I can't ignore everyone's eyes on me even if I try. "Sure," I mumbled. He stood up and I followed, leaving my purse on my chair. I ignored the whispers that were already starting and walked around the table, falling into step with him as we walked to the other end of the backyard. "Why did you want to walk with me?" I asked when we were at a safe distance from the table. "Because I think you left our conversation in the middle, last night." "Did I? I don't think so." He chuckled softly, keeping both his hands behind his back as we walked. "You know who I am, right?" "Doesn't everybody?" I glanced at him and he looked at me at the same time. "You remember me from that night, don't you?" "I'm not sure what you're talking about," I lied, smiling softly. He nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll play along. Anyhow, would you be interested in marrying me, Ms. Gianna?" I stopped walking abruptly. "Excuse me?" "You know our fathers talked about it, right?" I resumed walking with him. "You've rejected more than twenty-five proposals within this circle. I expect you to reject me too." "How could I reject you?" He stared at me. "You know too much, darling. Now that I've met you again, it's crucial I keep you close." I started grinding my teeth. "If I didn't tell anybody all this time, do you think I'm stupid to open my mouth now?" He smirked, "So you do remember?" "Allister-" "Will you marry me or not?" "Not," I said slowly. "We'll see," he said, amusement seeping through his voice. "Is it because I killed Chase or is it something else?" "Should it be something else?" I scoffed. I shook my head. "I don't know you at all." "Then get to know me." I don't want to, that's the problem. "I haven't answered your father yet. But I think I will today." "I expect you to say no, Allister." He made a 'tsk' with his tongue and shook his head. "Expect me to say yes, Ms. Phoenix. I think I'd be stupid to say no." "I think you're stupid to say yes." "Then stupid I am," he smirked. "But I will say yes." "Is that a threat?" I asked. "Threat or promise, whatever you want it to be." . . . . . Chapter 3 what do you guys think so far??