Chapter 4 IV
Days flew by like mere minutes. By now everyone in the company already got the news that I was dating Alessandra Ricci and was soon to be married to her. As the CEO, I was given great respect, but now as a potential heir, everyone at the company literally worships me.
I should be happy, I know I should. I have worked so hard for Ricci's enterprise. I did the best I can to make sure this company stands firm. I should be happy to become president in the future, but yet I found myself unhappy. Probably because I hated lying to Alessandra.
We have been going on dates throughout the week and we were getting to know each other quite well. In this short time I've known Alessandra, I realized she's an amazing girl and she deserved someone who would love her wholeheartedly, because I've realized I can only see her as a friend or as a sister.
But Alessandra on the other hand seems to be very much in love with me. After our first date, she was a lot more free. Now she was bold enough to place kisses on my cheeks when dropping her off at her house after our dates. She always runs away after though.
Alessandra is a really sweet girl, but I can't seem to like her anymore than a friend. But I have no choice. I guess everything will be fine as long as I pretend to love her forever.
I was busy in the office as usual, and I have decided to work late because I've been lacking behind on my paper works, thanks to the constant dates I've been going on with Alessandra. It's quite hard for me as a workaholic to balance my time between work and dating, but I guess I'm managing somehow.
Today, I've already texted Alessandra that I was very busy and can't see her today. Just being in her presence and pretending to be in love with her is exhausting. I really needed a break.
My phone rang loudly, and I picked it up absentmindedly and swiped towards the answer button without checking the caller ID. My eyes were fixed on reading the documents on my computer.
"Hello," I spoke into the phone.
"Rowan." At the sound of Mr Ricci's voice, I sat up straighter.
"Uh Boss. Good evening!" I stuttered out the greeting, flustered that I picked the call without checking who it was.
"Evening Rowan. I want you to come to the Ricci's resident to have dinner with us. My grandson is around and I would like for him to meet his sister's husband to be."
Wait, his grandson? Does he mean Alessandro Ricci? The guy who's position his grandfather wants me to occupy?
I bet the guy wouldn't even like me. Thanks to me his grandfather wouldn't be making him the heir to the Ricci's enterprise.
"Yes sir, I'll be there." I didn't dare say I had too much work to do. There was no saying no to Mr Lorenzo Ricci.
The call went dead and I pounded my head on my desk with a groan. I guess I can't escape not seeing Alessandra even for a day, and now I'll have to meet her twin brother who I've never met before and who would probably hates me for stealing his spotlight.
Fuck this! How did my life become so difficult overnight?
I sighed and decided to start arranging the unread files for next time. Right now, I think I should go have dinner with my future in laws.
Anna answered the door when I rang the door bell. At the sight of me, she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes as it used to in the past.
I wonder why that is?
"Hi Anna." I greeted with the usual polite smile.
"Hi," was her only reply which is strange. She usually tries to make conversation when it comes to me, but I didn't put too much thought into it.
She let me in and Alessandra came running towards me. "Rowan!" She called in excitement like a little kid. I braced myself and caught her in my arms when she jumped on me.
"Hi Alessandra." I said politely holding her legs securely around me so she won't fall.
Her smile was so big it's terrifying. "I didn't know you were coming." She kissed my cheek gently. "Its a nice surprise."
I decided not to tell her that her grandfather was actually the one who invited me. "Well, I'm glad you're surprised."
To my relief, she got down from my body but quickly linked our arms. "Common, lets go to the living room. Grandpa is waiting for you, and my brother is back from LA. You guys will be introduced at dinner." I gulped as she pulled me along with her. Why do I have a feeling that today is going to end horribly?
We arrived at the living room and Mr Ricci was seated on an armchair reading. "Hey grandpa, Rowan is here." Alessandra announced.
"Good evening boss."
He looked up at me and I could swear I saw a slight smile. "Evening son. I'm glad you came for dinner. It isn't ready though. You can sit for a little while."
"Thank you." I took a seat and Alessandra sat right beside me on the couch not leaving my arm once. It felt uncomfortable but I did well to hide it.
Mr Ricci studied us. "I'm glad you both are doing well."
"We are doing very well grandpa. Rowan treats me like a princess." Alessandra said smiling widely, and I returned it with a forced smile of my own.
"I'm glad to hear that. I made a good choice then, Rowan is the best man for you and for my company." He grumbled then added, "unlike that useless unserious brother of yours."
"Glad to know how much you adore me grandpa." A deep very manly voice filled the room. It was the kind of voice that commands attention. The kind that you just have to look when that person is talking.
My eyes followed the voice only to land on the most magnificent man I have ever been blessed to see.
He was tall and huge, and he was wearing a grey men tank top. His muscles bulge out huge and intimidating. Both arms were coated with dark ink tattoos. His hair was dark brown and messy in an attractive way. He had green mischievous eyes, but while Alessandra's were emerald green, his were forest green. There seem to be a permanent smirk on his lips, and his shorts showed off his strong muscular legs.
This guy definitely puts Greek gods to shame.
"Brother!" Alessandra exclaimed, and for once she left my side to rush to her brother's side. "I thought you won't come down until dinner."
"I wanted a glass of water." He replied simply ruffling her hair.
For some reason, his voice gave me tingles.
"Stop doing that. I'm not a kid anymore."
"But I'm older than you." He replied back.
"Nope, we are twins."
"I came out first so that means I'm older."
"Whatever." Her attention changed to excitement, "oh, I haven't introduced you to my boyfriend." Their attention fell on me. Those forest green eyes rested on me and scrutinized me with interest. It was a struggle to stand up on my shaking legs because I felt suddenly nervous before this hunk of a man.
I took some steps towards them and tried not to marvel at how tall this guy is. He was almost a head taller than Alessandra and a lot of inches taller than me.
I gulped and stretched out my hand before letting out my well practiced smile. "H...Hi, it's nice to meet you Mr Alessandro Ricci. I'm Rowan Brooks, Alessandra's boyfriend."
He didn't take my hand for a moment. Instead he used that time to give me a once over, then finally he took my hand. "You already know who I am. Can't exactly say it's nice to meet you."
Alessandra slapped his arm. "Don't be rude to him brother. Rowan is very nice. We literally grew up together."
Alessandro shrugged pulling his hand away. "I don't trust grandfather's minions."
Alessandra gasped and I flinched at the direct insult, although I knew deep down that it wasn't entirely a lie. Mr Ricci stood up sharply, grabbing our attention. He turned to glare at Alessandro who doesn't seem to care about what he just said.
This is the first time I've seen someone who wasn't afriad of Mr Ricci.
Before any words could be let in, Anna came in. "Dinner is ready Mr Ricci."
He didn't reply and just kept glaring at Alessandro while Alessandro glared right back. There was a weird tension in the air that made everyone uncomfortable. Even Alessandra doesn't look too happy.
"Let's have dinner." Mr Ricci said coldly and walked right past us.
This just confirms everything to me. Mr Ricci doesn't have a good relationship with his grandson, and the grandson hates me for sure.
Great!
My life is definitely fucked up!