Chapter 1 Marriage Proposal

Russia Volkova Mansion “Are you listening, Athena?” her mother questioned sternly, while the girl inspected her nails with a bored expression. “Not a chance,” she finally responded. “Can I go up to my room now? I’m very tired.” “Athena Volkova!” her mother fumed. “Behave for once in your life! This is serious!” The only reaction her mother’s shouting provoked in the young girl was annoyance—and perhaps laziness. Yes, exactly that. She rolled her eyes and pretended to listen again, while her father sat uneasily. “Calm down, dear,” the man encouraged, though his wife’s face was red with anger. “Can’t you see your daughter? She’s still misbehaving!” she complained. “That’s because you spoil her too much!” “Oh, Mom, please, drop the paranoia,” Athena grimaced. “Why don’t you just finish your sermon so I can leave?” “Fine,” her mother exhaled, regaining her composure. “In two days, you’ll be in Italy. You will marry Clodan Rizzo’s son. It’s just a one-year contract, then you will divorce.” “Uh-huh,” she sighed. “You already told me the joke. Now get on with the important thing you have to tell me.” “Athena!” her mother exploded again, making the girl blink. She suppressed an amused smile but, noticing her father’s serious expression, she retracted. “Daughter, your mother is serious,” her father added in a calmer tone. “We just received the written marriage proposal from Valentino Rizzo. It’s a political marriage, where both families will benefit. We’ll help them recover their factory, whichh is on the verge of collapse, and they’ll provide us with commercial support to distribute our products in Italy.” “You mean I have to be the bridge between the Rizzos and you—for economic benefits?” she raised an eyebrow, clearly in disagreement. “I don’t want to marry some bastard I don’t even know!” “It will only be for a set time,” her father continued. “It’s also an opportunity for you to finally settle down. Besides, I owe a lot to the Rizzos—they supported me at one point.” “Athena,” her mother interjected, “do you plan to spend your entire life partying and wasting money?” “We’re rich enough for that,” she shrugged. “That’s not the point! You need to start acting responsibly. You’re always causing scandals and stirring up trouble.” “Me?” Athena widened her eyes, feigning offense. “And what about the fire at the president’s house?” “That old man wanted to touch me.” “And the video you posted on social media of your ex with three married women in his bed?” “For being a jerk.” “And the beating you gave your best friend’s boyfriend?” “He cheated on her.” “And the day we had to pick you up from the police station for stealing alcohol from a dive bar?” “The owner wanted to see my boobs. He deserved it.” “And the two men you bought at an auction?” “They were really handsome.” Her mother sighed heavily. “And many more incidents I don’t even want to mention. Isn’t that enough for you? It’s time to settle down and act like a decent young lady.” “I doubt the ‘young lady’ part, because just a while ago—” “No details,” her mother interrupted sharply. “The point is, you have no choice. Either you take this marriage seriously or I will be forced to send you to a convent for proper education.” “I’d prefer the convent.” “Enough!” her mother sighed in frustration. “Athena, this isn’t up for discussion. The proposal is already signed. You’re of marriageable age, so there’s no argument left.” “Marriageable age at twenty?” Athena raised her eyebrows. “Didn’t you marry Dad at fifteen?” “I can’t deal with this,” her mother lamented. “Bernardo, say something to this girl.” “I’m home, family!” The doors to the study swung open, revealing the triumphant entrance of the eldest daughter of the Volkova family. “Where are your manners?” their mother asked with a furrowed brow. “What’s wrong? Did you eat lemons? You all look like you did.” Cayetana took a seat next to Athena. “What did you do this time, Athena?” “They want to marry me off to a lunatic,” Athena muttered. Cayetana stared at her sister for a few moments before bursting into laughter. Their parents, exhausted, merely watched. “Stop joking. I’m too old for that,” Cayetana said, wiping a tear from her eye. “It’s not a joke,” their father clarified. “Really, Ate?” Cayetana turned to her sister with mock surprise. “Who’s the poor man? Dad, Mom, don’t do this to some poor stranger’s son. What did he ever do to deserve this?” “Says the one who wants to sleep with one of her employees,” Athena retorted with narrowed eyes. “What?” their parents exclaimed simultaneously. “Don’t believe her!” Cayetana yelled, her face red with embarrassment. “You know she’s always causing trouble and refusing to take responsibility!” “Responsibility? Why should I put up with some guy who’s probably tiny down there?” Athena questioned, crossing her arms. “This is the worst thing that could happen to me.” Her parents and sister stared at her in utter shock. Of all the concerns they thought she might have about this marriage, this was what she focused on? They thought she would be worried about the type of man, or that she would be in a marriage for a year that would prevent her from doing some slightly wild things she tends to do, but… is the size of length what worries her at a time like this? She must be missing a screw to only think about that. “What?” Athena asked, feigning innocence. “I can’t believe this,” her mother muttered, covering her face. “This is a bad idea,” her sister said, looking away. “You need a psychologist,” her father added. “Don’t look at me like that! I’m not going to touch that guy’s bed, then question my existence if my suspicions are true,” Athena huffed. “And what if he’s a virgin?” “Athena!” they all shouted in unison, making her shrink into her seat, grumbling under her breath. Athena Volkova: the little devil of the Volkova family. A spoiled, capricious twenty-year-old who always got what she wanted and followed no rules but her own. What would happen when she met her future husband? She didn’t know, and she didn’t care. She’d pretend to follow the rules, but if you weren’t careful, she might put a leash around your neck and keep you under her heel. Beware. Don’t trust the angel. Sicily Rizzo Manor “Marriage? Me?” Valentino repeats incredulously at his father’s words. “Don’t make that kind of joke; it’s not funny.” His father sighs, impatiently pinching the bridge of his nose. Then, he looks at his son, who keeps his brow furrowed, waiting for a response. “It’s not a joke,” he clarifies. “The marriage proposal was sent in writing to the Volkovas in Russia today. You are going to get married.” “Are you crazy?” Valentino’s frown deepens. “Did you call me here for this nonsense? Don’t waste my damn time.” “Understand, Valentino, it is necessary for you to marry a Volkova!” his father explodes, causing Valentino to stand up, bring a hand to his chin, and look at him reproachfully. “Don’t you realize what you’re saying? We’re talking about a wedding, Dad. Don’t be ridiculous,” he retorts. “It will only be for a year. This marriage will be contractual,” his father insists, standing up and approaching his son to place a hand on his shoulder. “Could you do it?” “No.” Valentino pushes his father’s hand away abruptly. “I don’t want to get married, and even less to a woman I don’t know or love. Forget it.” “Is it because of that woman?” his father questions. “She is not at our social level! She can’t help us!” “Don’t involve Lirio in this,” Valentino snaps, his anger rising. “She has nothing to do with it. But you know what? I’d rather marry her. Even if she doesn’t have what you’re looking for, I love her. Instead of trying to sell me to a crazy woman I don’t even know, find another solution.” “But our company is about to collapse!” his father laments. “The woman you’re with is of no use to us now. But if you marry the Volkova’s youngest daughter, we can get out of this crisis. It will only be for a year, and then you can divorce her. That’s the deal. By that time, we will be back on track.” “You want me to endure that woman for a year? I don’t think so. I don’t want to have a woman I will despise by my side. Besides, Lirio will be devastated by this.” “The marriage proposal has already been sent,” his father declares firmly. “I just wanted to help you see the good side of all this. We will get out of our debts, and our factories will start to thrive again.” Valentino closes his eyes for a few seconds, rubbing his temples. His headache intensifies under the pressure of his father's absurd yet advantageous decision. “You’ve done this without my consent?” he demands, fury blazing in his eyes. “You better cancel it.” “Too late for that,” his father mutters. “The youngest daughter of the Volkova family will be here in two days. You better behave with her. She is an important figure—more important than that insipid woman you have by your side.” With that, he finishes, leaving his son standing in the hallway with his hands clenched in anger, brewing inside him. The last thing Valentino planned to do was “behave” with that woman as his father had indicated. He did not want to get married, and if forced to do so, he wouldn’t hesitate to make the rich girl’s life a living hell. Later “What are you telling me?” The brown-eyed girl’s eyes widen in surprise at her beloved’s words. “You’re getting married, and you’re telling me as if it’s nothing?” “Listen to me, Lily.” Valentino holds her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “This was my father’s decision to save the factory. It will only be for a year.” She shakes her head, refusing to accept his words. It had been a year since Lily started dating Valentino, supporting him after the loss of his mother. She had endured so much, only to now be relegated to the background. Lily had thought she would be the one walking down the aisle to become his wife, but the proposal never came. “I don’t accept this, Valentino.” Her tears slide down her cheeks, a tactic that always works with him. “What about us? Don’t you love me anymore?” “Of course I love you.” He wipes the tears from her cheeks. “But, Lily, this is something I have to do. My father has made the decision, and the proposal has already been sent. I need you to understand.” “What do you want me to understand?” she asks, moving away from him abruptly. “That you’re going to marry someone else? That you’re going to spend a whole year by her side while I have to wait like a fool?” “I swear I won’t touch her,” he promises, approaching her again. She turns her back, still crying. “Lily, please. When the time is up, she and I will get a divorce. Then I’ll give you that place—as my wife.” “Are you serious?” she sniffles, her voice sweet and fragile. “You have to promise me.” “I promise,” he assures her, leaving a kiss on her cheek. “Just wait for me, Lily.”