AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tori
Icheck my phone to see five missed calls from my dad and several texts from my mom asking where I am. I quickly reply to my mother, telling her I’m already here. I’ve been here for thirty minutes, in my beautiful, brand-new car, with fear slowly crawling up my veins.
It’s highly likely I’ll end the night engaged to Dante Marino.
It’s not like I haven’t tried to find a boyfriend. Apart from the severe lack of male friends willing to pretend to be in a relationship with me, I also tried to contact some agencies that take care of matters like this, but I decided against it at the last minute. My dad has a PI on speed dial. By the end of the night, he’d know everything about the man, including his occupation, and I’d be screwed. The one thing my parents despise is me lying to them.
For a second, I actually considered how they’d react if I showed up with one of my female friends instead. But the last thing my parents would believe is that I’m gay. I sigh, resting my head on the steering wheel. This is completely and utterly fruitless. I need to just walk in there and face the music.
The party’s already in full swing. I’m two hours late and I’m sure my mom is fuming. I spot the pair of them in the center of the room and beeline away from there, heading to the bar instead. I order three shots of tequila. The bartender gives me an odd look, and I arch an eyebrow in reply. He places the drinks in front of me a few seconds later.
I don’t hesitate before throwing back shot after shot. Once I’m done, I feel a presence at my back.
“Easy, love,” someone chuckles.
I whirl around and come face to face with Dante Marino. Of course. He offers me a small smile as he stands beside me.
“Hi, Dante,” I murmur.
“Hey, beautiful. You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I say, glancing down at the magenta Armani dress.
It was the first thing I saw in my closet. I threw it on and applied some minimal makeup before making my way here. But with the way Dante’s looking at me, one would think I’m as made up as a Victoria’s Secret model. It’s flattering but I’m uncomfortable with his presence.
It only confirms that my dad has every intention of moving forward with a marriage if I fail to turn up with a boyfriend. Which feels like a punch in my gut.
It’s not like Dante’s hideous or anything. He’s pretty good-looking. Tanned skin, green eyes, and if I had to guess his height, I’d say he’s at least 6’3”. In another world, I’d be ecstatic to marry him. But I don’t want to get married for the wrong reasons. And while Dante might act like a gentleman, something about him rubs me the wrong way. I just don’t know what. And apart from that, I’m really not ready to commit to another person, marriage, or relationship-wise.
“How was London?” I ask the dark-haired millionaire.
He flashes a smile as he recounts his two-year trip to Europe. He had been managing some of his family’s subsidiaries but it was also a sort of vacation for him.
“That sounds wonderful,” I say when he tells me about swimming with dolphins and his visit to Scotland. The tequila shots have finally caught up to me and before I can stop myself, I’m asking a question that should have never left my lips. “Just out of curiosity, what deal are you and my father brokering?”
He looks surprised and I know I should keep my mouth shut but the words are pouring out regardless. “I mean, there has to be something. Otherwise he would have never suggested a marriage.”
Dante looks mildly amused, and a blush is starting to crawl up my cheeks. I have zero filter when I’m drunk.
“That’s for me and your father to know, gorgeous. But it’s nice to know you’re seriously considering our future,” he says, a smirk that I don’t like on his face.
“I’m not seriously considering anything,” I state.
He arches a confident eyebrow. “Oh really.”
My gaze is pulled over to my parents, who are watching the two of us with pleased smiles. My heart clenches. “I need to use the restroom.”
I don’t wait for his reply before moving away from the bar. Several people try to stop me to talk, but I ignore them all in favor alleviating of the looming pressure in my chest. I have no idea how to stop this marriage but I can’t myself with that guy.
Things get worse when I notice my mom approaching.
“Astoria,” she calls.
“Oh shit,” I mutter, rushing out of the ballroom.
I’m not watching where I’m going and before I know it, I’m colliding into someone’s rock-hard chest. Whoever it is swears colorfully before reaching for my waist to hold me in place. I swallow as I slowly look up and my eyes meet dark brown ones. Everything slows to a stop as I stare at him. I’m not sure how much time passes—a few seconds, a minute. It seems like no time at all before he withdraws his arms from around me.
I stumble slightly before finding my balance.
