Marco saw the detective and gave him a hefty sum of money, telling him to keep an eye on Alexander's investigation. The detective apologized for not making progress in the case, but as a former police officer with many of his colleagues implicated, it would be difficult to catch everyone. Still, he promised not to stop until everything was uncovered, as it was his job. After this, he shook Marco's hand and left the place. Marco then informed him that he would be taking a trip, but that the detective could still send information to the same email address.
Marcelo was his friend, but he did not want to involve more people in the case, so he would not rest until he knew everything.
After the detective left, he called Marcelo.
Once he was in front of him, he told him to call the best security company and to take care of Alexa.
"Alex?" Marcelo thought he had misheard.
Marco rolled his eyes and said "I want them to be watching Alexa Ferreti 24 hours a day, did you hear me clearly this time?"
"Yes, Marco I heard you, but what do we have to protect her from? She's a young woman, I don't think she has any enemies."
"She doesn't have any, I just want them to protect her in case anything happens, do you understand? I don't want to hear that something has happened to her in my absence, got it? If anything happens to her, you will be directly responsible, and you won't know what I can do when people don't do what I want."
Marcelo nodded and followed his orders to the letter. An hour later, six of the country's top bodyguards entered. Marco gave them instructions on how to proceed, as neither she nor her family should realize they were being watched.
The men accepted Marco's orders. They knew who he was and wanted to do a good job. So they assumed it was about a girlfriend, but they kept it to themselves and left to start their work.
Marco called Marcelo and said that his plane would leave in an hour. He expected things to go well in his absence. Marcelo nodded and said goodbye.
He smoothed out his suit and took a small suitcase from his rest room. Once ready, he headed to the airport. Upon arrival, he boarded his private plane. The stewardess greeted him; she was a beautiful woman but too flirtatious for his taste. He just nodded and sat down. Once the plane took off, he only thought that his decision would be the best one.
At Alexa's house, she was just waking up. When she saw the clock, she saw it was almost noon. How could she have slept so much? She always woke up early, but apparently thinking about Marco kept her awake. So, she decided to get up and shrug off the sleepiness. After going into the bathroom and taking a shower to fully wake up, she got dressed in a beautiful dress and wore white sneakers. After applying mascara and a gloss to her lips, she went downstairs to the dining room. When she arrived, only her mother was there, as the twins were at daycare and Lucio had gone to work.
"Mom, I'm sorry for sleeping in," Alexa said.
"Don't worry, dear. I still have an hour to accompany you, as I can arrive a little later at work today."
"Well, good, I didn't want to have breakfast alone...or is it brunch?" Both of them laughed at the joke. However, the doorbell interrupted their moment. After a while, Imelda came in, looking a little uncomfortable as she announced the person who was arriving with airs of superiority.
"Well, look who's back. They didn't tell me you were here. If it weren't for little Luke, I wouldn't know you're here."
"Grandmother?"
"Hello, dear. It's been a while."
Mariana, for her part, was very cordial in greeting Carlota, who was Alexander's mother. Carlota had never accepted Mariana. That's why he had forbidden her from being near his family. He knew how evil his mother could be.
"Do you know Luke?"
"Of course, dear, his mother and I are very good friends. I know about you through him. I also know he has a great interest in you, that's why I came."
"I don't understand," Alexa responded, unsure of what she thought would come out of her grandmother's mouth.
"Well, I want to arrange a match between both families. That would help keep our prestige and good name in the rise. So, I've decided that you'll marry Luke."
"What? Is this some kind of joke?"
"I never joke, and I take things seriously. So, this is the best thing and it's already decided."
Alexa turned and looked at Mariana, as if asking her to say something. Meanwhile, Carlota looked at the woman in front of her with disgust. That's when she heard her voice,
"Look, lady, if you want to marry someone, marry yourself. My daughter is not a pawn to be exchanged for anyone. She'll only marry for love, with the man she chooses. You cannot decide for her, as you are only her grandmother. I am her mother, do you understand?"
Indignantly, Carlota snorted at Mariana like a wild animal. She said Mariana was a nobody, that if it wasn't for her, her son would still be alive, but he was wasting his time with an insignificant woman. It was because of her that he would never see him again.
"I won't let you ruin this girl's life like you did with my son. So, accept what will come, because you will be Luke Simonds's wife."
"Grandmother, I won't allow it. I'm of legal age and I decide about my life. Neither you nor anyone else will force me to do anything against my will. I don't know how much crap Luke filled your head with, but I won't marry him. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Understand that now, and if your visit was only to impose yourself and treat us like you always have, the doors are still open."
"Imelda, please show my grandmother to the door."
After the uncomfortable morning, Mariana looked at Alexa and felt proud of her little girl. So, she preferred to let things be. She knew that maybe Alexa was in love with someone, but she also knew that she was very responsible and wouldn't do anything to damage the harmony of their home. So, after spending some time alone, she headed to work, while Alexa left home for university. Two of the bodyguards who were closer to her laughed.
"Wow, no wonder he hired us. His girlfriend is a doll..."
The other one started to laugh, until he felt like she turned around and saw him, causing him to blush on the spot,
"We have to be careful, she's very observant. She might catch on,"
"You're right."
Alexa, 18 years old
Alexa arrived at university and for some strange reason felt like she was being followed. But it seemed like it was just her imagination, as she only saw two male students behind her. Even though the young men had an intimidating look, when she looked at them, they both smiled and walked away.
So, she just thought she was stressed out because of her grandmother's visit.
Upon arrival, she explained her student status and submitted her documents, indicating that she had been studying administration for two years and wanted to continue at this university. The secretary took her documents and gave her a tour of the campus.
As an exemplary student with such good grades, they wouldn't be able to refuse her entry and thus uphold the prestige of the university. The vast majority of students who attended the university were honor roll students, many of whom today are the country's top businessmen. Among them was the illustrious Marco Lombardo.
Marco, 38 years old
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