"Thank you for the warm welcome, Augustus. Please, call me Leo. " Leonardo Voss extends his right hand which my father graciously receives in a handshake. "Please, let's have a sit"
We all take our seats like puppets. I try to shift my chair farther from the table even though he is on the other side of the table. It feels like his presence is suffocating me. Now that I can see him clearly, he is without a doubt extremely handsome. High cheekbones, sharp jawline and lashes so long frames his dark twinkling eyes. The aura this man exudes is undeniable. It's like he controls the whole room just by breathing.
I struggle to breathe properly but a huge lump is stuck in my throat, stopping me from breathing. I really really wish father didn't make me attend this meeting. How is it that I just end up being unlucky in every situation I find myself in? Why does he have to be the same man who caught me almost drowning?
Calm down, Nana... if he knows you are terrified, he will even make it worse for you.
I try to comfort myself. Maybe if I pretend like he isn't here, everything will go on smoothly. But who am I kidding? It feels like this man will suck every speck of air out of every living thing. I spare a glance from beneath my lashes and find him still watching me with a heavy look of curiosity in his sharp, intense eyes.
My throat suddenly feels parched like I have not swallowed saliva in days. He regards me with an unashamed gaze, eyes roaming up and down my sitting form. This man is not a normal type of man. You can just feel the energy oozing out of his pores. His Olive skin glints in the dim light like gold. Leonardo Voss is not just devilishly handsome, he is ethereal. Like a fallen angel. After all, from the stories I heard, fallen angels are evil. Beautiful appearance with looks that fool you but lethal on the inside with a very black heart.
Can anyone notice what is happening? Will I get exposed for trying to drown myself?
I Expect him to tell my father that he just saw me not too long, trying to end my life. And then my father will undoubtedly make me wish I ended my life. The silence is deafening and I wish the ground will just open up and swallow me whole. Father clears his throat awkwardly, making everyone break their gazes away from the intense man.
"Leonardo, I have heard all about your influence and powerful empire and I must say that it is an honor to have you exclusively amongst us, son." Leonardo nods his head slightly, his face unreadable like he is not impressed or disappointed by father's words. Father continues still.
"For the longest time, I have admired the strength and success of the Voss empire over the years and although, I tried to befriend your father, it didn't work out as expected for unknown reasons.... But I am beyond elated that we have moved past that now. I have so much plans in store for us" Everyone cheers and claps except for me and Leonardo Voss himself.
I study my empty plate as I consider why my father suddenly wants to be associated with this fearsome man. The Voss name is quite popular and feared because of the rumors of how untouchable they are even though they are into illegal and shady things. They own the largest clubs, hotels and a couple of other luxurious corporations in all of America and Italy and they are affiliated with popular criminals and questionable organizations. I don't know much about Leonardo Voss but one thing I know is that he is a very powerful man and is less than thirty years old. Even though I don't like him, some part of me cannot help but respect his strength and power. He watches my father speak silently, betraying no emotions on his handsome face. His jaws are so sharp, I bet they can cut though glass clean.
I know father has been trying to set his foot in the crime world, but going this far as to merging with Leonardo Voss and his cartel is certainly a choice that I don't understand.
Does father not see how dangerous this man and his cohorts look?
Does he not realize that he is putting us, his family in danger by associating himself with such a dangerous man?
Is he so hungry for power that he doesn't mind putting his family in danger?
I raise my eyes up, and my heart cuts in my chest when I catch him watching me with a heated gaze in his dark as night eyes. Why does he keep staring at me like I stole something from him? I glare back at him in annoyance. I refuse to cower or be intimidated by this man.
I think what annoys me more is the fact that I cannot read him. There is no way for me to know if he plans on exposing me or threaten me.
My skin burns with disappointment at myself for letting myself get caught in such a situation. I wish I didn't make that stupid decision to enter the swimming pool. I wish he didn't find me and I wish I never spoke to him.
I just need to avoid him as much as I can. I'm certain that whatever he's here to see father for will be over and done with after he leaves, and then I won't have to deal with him ever again.
"Thank you, Augustus. This Union and partnership means a lot to me." He says without any hint of gratitude in his voice. Even his smiles do not reach his eyes. How can I tell? I'm an expert at faking smiles myself.
"As you know, I am Leonardo Voss and this is Victor Voss, my uncle and closest family member apart from my father." The man beside him who is dressed identically to him gives a stiff nod. He has white hair that is styled to perfection. He looks to be at least fifty years old.
Leonardo's eyes land on me again and I internally curse myself for looking at him. When will I ever learn? stop looking at him!
"You have such a lovely family. I've heard the tales of your beautiful wife but I must say that they do not do justice to her beauty and Grace. Nice to meet you, Mrs Falcone." My step mother's eyes twinkle with pride and she compliments him back.
Then Leonardo's eyes suddenly falls on me. A slow smile spreads across his devilishly handsome face.
"And your daughters are a sight to behold." unfamiliar heat pulls in my stomach at the way he's looking at me while saying those words.
I know Isabella is sitting next to me but why do I feel as though I'm the one he's talking to? His dark eyes drop to my mouth, making my throat dry up instantly. Why does this man affect me? It has to be because I'm terrified he will expose me. Nothing else, right?
"I expect a beautiful woman to acknowledge when she's complimented, miss Falcone" A grin slashes his face as he watches me. Me alone.
Oh, God.
"Thank you, Leonardo" Isabella quickly responds in her high pitched voice. She giggles and bats her eyelashes ridiculously at him. Thanks for saving me, sis.
Leonardo slightly turns to glance at her, as if just noticing her for the first time tonight. "You're welcome, miss..."
"Isabella. Popularly known as Queen Bella. You might have heard of me. I'm quite popular online."
"Oh, I'm afraid I have never heard of you. You must forgive me for my lack of social media awareness." I catch the disappointment on Bella's face before she quickly masks it with a bright smile.
"Well, now you know me!" Bella replies cockily. "I'm a fashion Influencer, like my Mom here."
Isabella never fails to brag about her popularity and lavish life style to anyone who is listening.
"That is nice for a hobby" Leonardo replies, looking absolutely unimpressed. I don't need to see my step sister to know that she's disappointed by Leonardo's response.
"And you, miss Falcone? What hobbies do you have?" Leonardo watches me with eyes that sparkle with challenge in them.
I suck in a deep breath. "um...'"
"Let me guess, you love...swimming?"
My lips part in shock. Did...did he just say that? In front of my whole family? Oh, God!
My face flushes crimson and I try to regulate my erratic heart beat. I want to answer him, but I am unable to form any words. My heart is thumping so loud in my chest, I'm afraid it's going to burst right out of my chest. I'm well aware of Luca's suspicious eyes burning a hole into the side of my face. He's probably wondering why Leonardo Voss is even talking to me.
"Nayana does not have any hobbies that I know of, much less Swimming" Father interrupts, breaking our eye contact. I almost shake my head in disappointment that my father does not even know I have previously competed in swimming contests.
He hardly knows anything about me anymore but at least he distracted Leonardo from me.
"Anyway, you will get to know my daughters once you join our family." father continues excitedly. I almost miss what he said before My brain registers the meaning.
"Join our family?" I echo his words, anxiety filling me up.
Father levels me with a glare for speaking out of turn. I bring my face down and clamp my mouth shut.
"Yes. Leonardo Voss Will become a part of Our family" father announces, facing everyone on the table. "Because he will marry my daughter, Isabella falcone."
Everyone on the table cheers and clink their glasses in celebration, but I can't hear them because of the loud ringing in my ears.
It cannot be. There is no way that l am this unfortunate.
Leonardo Voss is about to be my brother-in-law. And by the triumphant look in his eyes, he is happy about this.
He gets to torment me all he wants.
Oh no.
****