Chapter 1

Four Years Ago -Lexi "You should cut your hair short." "Don't you wear high heels? Women should wear modern clothes." I tried to keep my mouth shut from uttering any insulting words. The man in front of me treated me like a doll rather than a potential wife. I hated myself being there. He was just another man who was considered to be more suitable for me according to my father. To my bad luck, he was too clingy and didn't show any interest in my dislikes. He kept checking on my body parts. It was okay, until he commented on my breasts being too small. I lost my temper and excused myself from there, "Excuse me, I have to take a call." It almost took me a marathon run to mix into the crowd. To my surprise, the guy was chasing me. Fuck! Do all those old farts act so horny? He was the same as my father's age! I pushed past the crowd until I was heading up the stairs. I bumped into someone who was quite taller than me. My eyes rose to meet a very handsome face. He was 6 feet 4 inches tall, a man with a dark aura. The voice of my potential husband was heard again, chasing after me, "Mia Cara...Wait...Where are you going!" I didn't think of anything. Lifting my feet a little, I whispered to the old guy like a mad woman, "Kiss me!" His cold, slow voice replied with pure amusement, "What?" I didn't have any time to explain. Probably it was the best way to get rid of this marriage. I didn't wish to lose my virginity over an old fart. I urged, pushing my lips up to make the move, "Just kiss me, damn you! Don't you want to kiss a beautiful girl like me?" He didn't wait any second. The following moment, he pulled me up by my waist. His hand wrapped around my waist as he captured my lips in a powerful passion. He sucked on them as if he was waiting for this moment to come for years. I wrapped my hands around his neck to act accordingly. The kiss lasted a few seconds until I heard footsteps fading. I broke the kiss first to realize what mess I had done. I allowed a stranger to kiss me out of nothing. Shame poured over me as I realized my sin. I stuttered, my cheeks flushing red in embarrassment, "I...I...I am sorry...I was just... trying to..." I had to admit that he was a man of beauty. The dark suit adorned his body. He chuckled, wiping his lips sensually, "It's an honor for my lips, bella.” He says with a smile, “Now why are you running?” “To avoid whoever they are.” I say gesturing towards the crowd of men. “You haven’t met my potential husbands.” I add as I take a step away from him. “What’s their names?” “Don’t know. Haven’t bothered to learn them. I highly doubt I’d be married long before I’m a widow. They’re all older than my own papà.” I watch him almost winch at that statement but I was probably wrong. “Which one of Jack's daughter are you?” I flinched, a chill running down my spine. It was as if he understood without needing to say it aloud. I wasn’t a well-known face, not to everyone, but to those who mattered, they’d recognize the name. I was a Leone. "The middle one." He hummed thoughtfully, his gaze narrowing as he appraised the men. “He’s sure to make a good deal with your hands. After all, you’re young... and beautiful.” I grew crimson at his comment. He didn't just flirt with me. The sincerity in his tone was attractive. He continued asking, checking on the men in the distance. "But I am sure that there might be someone younger and interested in you. You will have to just find him out." I shrugged, crossing my arms. "No! They don't want me. Even if they want me, they won't dare to tell me. You don't know how scary my father is. He just..." The memory of Margery’s relationship with a common man slammed into me like a fist. Our father had been livid, and Margery had paid for it. The idea of marrying someone beneath us? Out of the question. I abruptly stopped myself, realizing I was sharing all this with a complete stranger. His gaze never wavered from mine as I shifted topics quickly. “Anyway... I never got your name.” "Hades." He answered with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. I nodded, trying to absorb the name. It felt like the air was thick with unsaid things, and I struggled to focus. I cleared my throat, embarrassed by how out of place I felt. “My papà will probably push for me to get married sooner. And I’m trying to avoid that. To push it back for as long as I can. I’m not exactly thrilled about getting married.” I quickly say. I want to change the subject quickly. Get my mind away from that thought. He does a nod like he understands before his arm drops. “Sorry again about… the earlier... uh, kiss,” I stammered, not wanting to seem like I was losing control. “Cattivella!” My eyes widen. Only my papà calls me trouble-maker! "Shit! I have to go. Bye, Hades." I mutter as I turn to see where he is. I know my papà’s looking for me. I spot him off to the side and he hasn’t looked my way yet. Good. Just as I started to walk away, his voice stopped me cold. "If you ever need to break your marriage again, call me to kiss you, Lexi. I’ll always be free." I froze, glancing at him one last time. He had that same enigmatic smile on his lips. But I never told him my name. How did he even know it?