C1 Chapter 1
The Meeting
Another of those nights where I must pretend to be the perfect daughter. The woman of high class that dresses elegantly, wearing the essential fashion brands for one of the many parties that my father hosts.
I finish putting on the long black Gucci dress, my matching high-heeled sandals, and I check, once again, that both my makeup and hairstyle are perfect. I was about to leave my room when someone knocked on the door.
I open it and meet Rosa. "Miss Sienna, the guests are arriving. Mr. Mauricio has asked me to come and get you". I give a sincere smile to my nanny. "I'll be right there."
"Perfect, I'll tell your father,” She says, and I go-ahead to go down the monumental marble staircase.
I walk through the vast room and finally out into the garden where the party is taking place. "You're finally ready, daughter!" My father says when he sees me, and I give him a shy smile.
"You should find yourself a girlfriend, so I would stop fulfilling the role of my late mother," I tell him once more, like so many other times.
I am tired of repeating to my father that he must stop mourning for my mother, she has been dead for six years, and I will not be by his side forever.
"You are part of the shipping company, my daughter. My businesses are already yours and today is a significant night”. He says.
"Because you said so?"I ask, while gently we welcome the guests that are arriving at the party.
He remains in silence for just a moment, "because of him," He says. With his gaze, he points out a very tall man with black hair, blue eyes, pale complexion, and a bearing that catches all my attention.
He is wearing a tuxedo that lets me know that he is not a simple shipping employee of the company, much less one of the minority shareholders. "Lucas!" my father says enthusiastically and shakes his hand firmly when he reaches us.
His name is Lucas, I think, and try not to smile like an idiot. I observe him, and I believe that one of the rich men from my father's parties catches my eye for the first time in a while. He looks so different.
"Mr. Di Marco, good evening," he says, and I notice his Italian accent just by saying those words, "Is she your wife?" He asks, referring to me when our eyes meet.
"No," my father replies, laughing. He then clarifies, saying, "is my daughter, Sienna. Daughter, this is Lucas Sandonin, a possible future investor of the Di Marco shipping company." My father informed me, and now I understand why he told me it was an important night.
"It would be a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Di Marco,” he says to my father. Then he looks at me, "Miss Di Marco, a pleasure to meet you," he tells me with a smile that is capable of making anyone delirious; yes, me too.
"It's a pleasure," I answer kindly.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll go get a glass of champagne; I'll be back." He lets us know and walks away from us.
"Italian?" I ask my father.
"Yes, he recently moved to Miami. He is the son of one of the most important businessmen in the industry in Italy. If all goes well, in our negotiations, we will begin to build luxury cruise ships".
"Interesting," I answer.
"I want you to treat him very well.” My father asks, and I look at him confused.
"Excuse me?"
"Make him feel at home, just that. I don't want you to get too involved with him, okay?" He warns me seriously.
"Don't worry; he's not my type," I lie to him.
"Good. You know my rules, you should never mix business and love, especially when millions of dollars are involved", he says again like so many other times.
"I've already learned my lesson, okay? I will never again get involved with one of your potential partners”. I repeat once more.
My father never misses the opportunity to remind me about Ramiro whenever he can. I know we have lost a lot of money, but I wasn't going to marry someone who cheated on me with my best friend a week before the wedding, was I?
"Now go." My father asks me, and he goes off to greet other guests.
Well, Sienna, let the action begin. I tell myself as I walk towards Lucas with my best smile.
