Brian: Damn it, Dad, I'm not getting married now, everything is going so well, my businesses are flowing, the attacks on my nightclubs have stopped, the company is at its best, why should I get married at this point in the championship?

Diogo: You know this was going to happen, sooner or later… the advisers are already on top, they said that if you don't get married in 3 months, your cousin will take your place, is that what you want? Tell me, is that it?

Brian: Of course not, that imbecile never did anything to grow in life, now he wants to live at my expense… he doesn't deserve to be a dom. (I say leaning back in my chair)

Diogo: So stop whining, and get ready, because you're getting married in 7 days…

Brian: WHAT? (I say getting up from the chair)

Diogo: That's right, or do you want me to draw it for you?

Brian: Marry who? The wind? I haven't even found a bride yet… (I say sitting down again)

Diogo: You already have a bride, and you know it…

Brian: That round girl from the Rossi family? No, I refuse…

Diogo: You don't even know the girl…

Brian: The whole town knows her, there's no one more promiscuous. (I say refusing to accept this). Can you change the deal, and put her sister in her place?

Diogo: I doubt her father would accept, that youngest one doesn't even leave the house, she's never present at mafia events, it seems like she's locked in a tower…

Brian: Find a way, Dad, you can do anything….

Diogo: Okay, I'll try, but I promise nothing. (He gets up and leaves the office)

I pick up my cell phone and make a call.

Call on

Brian: Bruno, investigate the youngest daughter of the Rossi family, I want a full report.

Bruno: Yes sir, you'll have that report by tomorrow.

Brian: I hope so.

Call off

I try to get this problem out of my head, whoever heard of Brian Salvatore getting married… This life is not for me, I like my parties, I have women whenever I want, why tie myself to one? I must be crazy…

I put that thought aside, and go back to work.

Meanwhile at the Rossi Mansion

Call on

Sergio: Okay Diogo, the deal is on, a mobster doesn't break a promise.

Diogo: Great Sergio, the wedding will be on Saturday.

Sergio: Okay.

Call off

I leave the office and go straight to the dinner table, where my two daughters and my wife were.

Paola: So dear? What was so important that Diogo wanted?

Sergio: To talk about the marriage agreement between his son and Karine.

Paola: What? My daughter will not marry that monster… You hear the stories, he's ruthless, he kills anyone he wants… I won't leave my daughter with him. (She says throwing her napkin on the table)

Karine: It's true, Dad, I won't. I have my studies, my things, besides, everyone says he's very ugly. I deserve better.

Sergio: You know very well that a promise is a promise, and a mobster doesn't break a promise. (He says seriously)

Paola: Honey, you don't have to break the promise, just Ana go instead of her sister, isn't that right, honey?

Ana: Me? What do you mean? You don't want Karine to go through the worst… but I can go through it? (I say indignantly)

Paola: Don't compare yourself to Karine, you do nothing. You're not even good for studying, she's already in college, she can't stop her life because of a stupid deal.

Ana: Of course, you never let me study. I could never do anything, just be your maid. Since my mother passed away and my father met you, my life has become what it is today. I'm the excluded one from everything, which is wrong, since I'm the legitimate daughter, and Karine…

Sergio: Shut your mouth, you insolent girl. (I feel a slap on my face). Go to your room, and only come out when I say so, and you will marry in your sister's place.

I put my hand on my face, and look at Paola and Karine, who at the moment is with a sideways smile, I feel a rage rise up in me, but I know I can't do anything. I run towards my room, lock the door and there I break down in tears.

Ana: What will become of me, Mom? Why did you leave? Why did you leave me here? Take me with you, please, I can't take it anymore… (she says crying, huddled up)

I stay in the same position until I fall asleep.

The next day, as soon as I arrived at the company, the girl’s complete report was already on my desk, that’s an efficient employee…

I sit in my chair, and I open the report, let’s see…

Name: Ana Avila

Age: 21 years old.

She loves to dance, sing, and watch movies.

Neighbors report that the youngest daughter is treated totally differently from the oldest daughter.

Reading the report, a question came to me, if Ana is the daughter from the first marriage, how is she the youngest?

I continue reading the report and the answer comes to me.

Sergio cheated on his wife, and to my surprise, the mistress is his current wife, she got pregnant when she was still his mistress, that's why her daughter is the oldest.

-Hmmmm, interesting.

Neighbors report that Ana hardly ever goes out on the street, the girl lives as a slave, cleaning the house day and night. They treat her like she’s not even part of the family. And what’s more, she is frequently beaten.

- I think I’m going to get you out of hell, huh girl. (I think out loud)

I’m reading the report until at the end Bruno put a note.

Note: “I stayed up all night watching the house to see if anything different was happening at the house, or anything suspicious, and I saw her father slap her face, and she spent the whole night crying herself to sleep”

I finish reading the report.

Brian: So he likes to hit…. This will be over soon.

I close the report, and I call my secretary.

Susana: Yes, sir? You called me?

Brian: Clear my schedule for Saturday, I will be otherwise engaged.

Susana: Okay, sir, but it’s the meeting with the Italians, very important for the company.

Brian: What I’m going to do is very important too. Tell them I’ll talk to them later today, and explain the situation.

Susana: Okay, sir. (She leaves, closing the door)

At the Rossi Mansion

I wake up, and I’m in the same position, I get up with knocks on the door.

Paola: Come on, brat, wake up, everyone is hungry, and breakfast isn’t on the table yet.

I get up, take a shower, and go downstairs, everyone is already sitting at the table, as always, I go straight to the kitchen to make coffee. As soon as it’s ready, I serve everyone, and I sit down.

Karine: So, sweetie, excited about your wedding? It’s not long now…

Paola: But don't worry about the details, because he probably won't even want a party. (She says ironically)

Sergio: Everyone be quiet! (He says angrily) Drink your coffee quietly.

This was the first time I saw my father talk to them like that, just like me, they were also shocked.

After a few minutes, my father gets up and goes to the company.

Paola: Brat, your days are numbered, maybe you’ll even find your mommy, seeing as your future husband is famous for loving to kill. (She says laughing)

Karine: Especially since he’s old.

I pretend I'm not listening, I take the dishes, wash them, make lunch and go to my room.

The routine was the same every day of the week, until Saturday arrived.

The days of the week flew by, I still had a problem to solve both in the company and in my personal life. And here I am today, at the office, resolving some pending issues before I get married.

I'm looking at some documents when my father enters my office, with my future father-in-law and his family.

As soon as they enter, my eyes go straight to Ana, and I can't explain it, but something caught my attention, despite being beautiful, she had a sad countenance.

Diogo: Son, can you take a break?

Brian: Of course, Dad. (I close the reports)

Karine: B-b-but wasn't he supposed to be a gold digger? (Her mother nudges her)

Brian: What did you say? (I say, shooting her a look)

Sergio: My daughter didn't say anything, sir. (He answers quickly)

Brian: I thought I heard something. (I say ironically). Well then, what brings you here so early?

Sergio: You see, sir, it's just that my daughter is shy, and she didn't want something big like a party, cake, etc... so we prefer just the signing of papers.

I look at Ana and see that she is holding back from crying, and I believe this is one of the reasons, I don't know what came over me, but there is something that makes me want to protect her. Even though I don't love her, I will protect her, as this will be my role as her husband.

I look at my future father-in-law, and answer.

Brian: Mr. Sergio, do you think I'm going to get married without a proper party? I will soon be the lord of Spain, and your daughter the lady of Spain, do you think I will not give a worthy wedding to my bride? (I look at Ana, and see the surprised reaction she makes).

Paola: It's just that you don't have to... (she tries to convince me)

Brian: Madam?

Sergio: Paola…

Brian: Mrs. Paola, this is a matter for me and your husband to resolve… (I say patiently and see her become embarrassed). In fact, I was about to ask my driver to go and get my bride, because she will be getting ready at a spa, which I booked myself, along with my sister.

Karine: And what about us? (She asks indignantly)

Brian: Well, you will get ready at your house. (I say laughing)

I look at Ana and see her with a small smile.

Karine: Tell Dad that he's marrying the wrong daughter, that I'm the bride, not that imposter.

Brian: Are you saying they tried to fool me? That is punishable by death... Think carefully… (I say facing Mr. Sergio)

Sergio: My daughter is mistaken, sir... Let's go home... Excuse us.

The three of them leave my office, leaving only my father and my bride.

Brian: Sit down, Ana, you can make yourself comfortable.

Ana: Thank you, I prefer to stand.

Diogo: Son, I'll go see how things are going... (I nod and he leaves)

Brian: I asked my sister to come and get you, I already told her that you are here in the office. (I speak and realize that she doesn't look up)

Ana: Thank you for saving me from my family. (She says with a choked voice)

I feel awkward with what she says, I'm not used to it.

Brian: You're welcome, after all, you're also going to help me with the councilors. Because I need to get married.

Ana: I understand.

I blinked and my sister was already walking into my office without knocking, as always.

(Pamela, Brian's sister)

Brian: Forgot how to knock on the door before entering? (I say ironically)

Pamela: Never learned. (She replies sharply as always). Let me see my little sister-in-law… (She says, approaching and looking at Ana)… You are beautiful…

Ana: Thank you, you too.

Pamela: I already like you, sister-in-law… (She says hugging Ana). Now let's go to the spa, today is your princess day, we still have to choose between three wedding dress models.

At that moment Ana makes a face of astonishment.

Ana: 3? But my dad said there wouldn't even be a party...

Pamela: How can there not be a party, silly? You're going to be the owner of the whole damn thing, and there's not going to be a party? Not even if my brother didn't want one…. Now let's go spend your fiance's fortune… Kisses, brother, see you later.

Brian: See you later, and don't be late, you know I hate lateness.

She doesn't even let me finish the sentence and she's already slamming the door.

I am left with my thoughts, and I imagine how much this girl has already suffered at the hands of that family. I will have to investigate further, but little by little I will ask her. The moment she becomes my wife, they will not touch a single hair on her head, let them wait.