Episode 4

FIORELLA FERRAZ

The engagement party is in a gigantic hall. The place is perfect, full of white roses, and there are waiters everywhere. And to my dismay, several armed security guards all around. This place is packed with shady people. If the police showed up, they would have a field day arresting the most dangerous mafia bosses.

We arrive in a car without the Romanovs, they came ahead to greet the guests. Most people look at me, it seems like they already know that I'm Jared's bride. Everyone is well-dressed, men in suits and women in elegant dresses.

I don't know what to do here alone, damn it. I don't know anyone, no friends, nothing to make time fly. A waiter passes by me, I reach out and grab a glass of champagne.

"What do you think you're doing, Fiorella?"

"I'm of legal age now, dad. Do you want to forbid me from drinking too?"

"You've never drank before, Fiorella."

"There's always a first time." I take my arms off him and walk among the crowd. I go aimlessly, I just wanted to get away from my father.

I look back when I feel a hand grab my shoulder.

"Dance with me?"

Jared looks handsome dressed in a suit. Hair swept to the side, his slightly greenish eyes shine in the light of the hall.

"Dance, now? I just arrived." I hesitate.

He holds my waist and spins my body. I widen my eyes in surprise when I feel a man's hand on me. I don't know how to react, my heart races.

"Do you know how to dance this type of music?"

"I've never danced, Jared."

"You're doing great. Embrace my neck." I hesitate, but I do as he asks. Holding the glass, I hug Jared's neck. This boy seems affectionate. "Fiorella" he whispers in my ear. "You have a beautiful name."

"Hm, thank you."

"I understand that you are against our marriage, I don't agree either."

"Really?" I look at him, andwow! We are very close. Jared's eyes meet mine.

"You're perfect, Fiorella. A very hot girl."

"What?" I pull away abruptly. "Hot?"

"Sorry. It's force of habit."

"Do you call everyone hot?" He scratches his head not knowing what to say. "I get it, 'my fiancé'."

I walk away and leave him behind. On stage, I hear Loretha announce her son's engagement.

"Good evening! Guests. Thank you all for coming to this important party for us. Our only son and heir, Jared Romanov, will be engaged." She gets emotional and everyone applauds. "I would like to call here, Mr. Adalberto Ferraz, the German father of our future daughter-in-law."

Oh, thank goodness I wasn't called. I run away from there, I don't want to go up on that stage and be presented like a trophy. I enter a corridor with several doors. The first one I enter is the kitchen, it's full of waiters and cooks. I go back and enter the next door, it's pitch black in here. I close the door behind me and breathe a sigh of relief.

"Great, I'm hidden from everyone here, no one will find me. Boring party, boring people with enormous egos." I vent as I lean against the door with my eyes closed.

I hear the sound of a lighter igniting and open my eyes, startled. In front of me, I see a lit flame, but it quickly goes out.

"Who are you?" The person doesn't answer. I look for the light switch and turn on the lights, causing my eyes to close for a moment because of the brightness. My heart stops when I see Argo Romanov sitting at a table, smoking a cigar and looking at me.

"Do you think we're boring with enormous egos?" a deep voice fills the room.

Damn it! He heard my rant.

"N-no, that's not " My voice trails off. I don't know what came over me. He's right there, staring at me, and his face isn't that of a fierce pitbull, he just looks at me attentively.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"I-I'm sorry." I open the door to escape.

"Wait!" I stop as he growls and look back.

Argo stands up from the chair, straightening his tie. His clothes cling to his body, emphasizing his arms and chest. He's a monster, so big and broad. I try to take a step back when I realize he's approaching me, but the wall behind me prevents me from retreating.

"Why are you running away?" He closes the door on my side and stops in front of me, maintaining a considerable distance between us.

"For nothing, Mr. Argo."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"Afraid? Why would I be afraid?"

"You look like a frightened child."

"Frightened child? I am not a child, I am already 18 years old, I am a woman." He looks at me and doesn't show any anger, I wait for him to furrow his brow as he always did. I see a slight smile at the corner of his lips. "What's funny?" I ask.

"You saying you're a woman." He moves closer.

My heart races, which only scares me more, feeling my stomach burn. A shock in the middle of my legs and a shiver on my skin. I have never felt this for anyone. I didn't know a body could react just from feeling the other person so close. What an incredible sensation, my mouth dries seeing him look at my lips. This man who seems more like a rabid animal awakens sensations in me, sensations I have never felt.

"Iam a woman, Mr. Romanov." I speak and press my back against the wall, pushing away. I want to merge into this wall and run away from here. I have desire for him, but I also feel fear.

"Do you know when you will be a woman?"

"W-when will I be a woman? When I marry your son?"

"When you're fucked by a real man."

My panties become wet. I open my mouth, shocked by what he said. I didn't expect Argo Romanov to say that to me. He steps back, giving me space to breathe. Despite being scared, I notice his guard is down and I am enticed.

"Who would this real man be? Your son?" I try to speak without my voice faltering, but it's difficult with him so close.

"Jared will never be a man," he says with a dismissive smile.

I realize they don't get along well. The father cursing his own son. Argo turns his back on me, his body like a wall from behind. Again, he sits on the chair and spreads his legs wide open. I peel my back off the wall and cautiously approach the table.

"Mr. Argo, I have nothing against you specifically. I just didn't want it to happen so soon, and with someone I don't like, you understand?"

"You know how to speak without stuttering, that's excellent."

Lord, give me patience with this man. I ignore his provocation and continue.

"Do you understand me? Please, forget about this marriage."

He crosses his legs and lights his cigar again.

"I understand, you want me to cancel the agreement with your father, is that it?" And takes a puff, blowing the smoke in my direction. I cough a little and wave my hand in front of my face. What shitty cigar is this? It has a sweet smell, like citrus fruit.

"If you can cancel this agreement, I would be happy."

"Okay!"

"Huh! He said 'okay'?"

"What did you say, sir?"

"I said, okay." He reaffirmed.

I feel my chest so light, since I arrived here, this is the first smile I could give. His brown eyes meet mine as I smile at him. After all, Argo doesn't seem SO bad. I jumped to conclusions about him.

"Just don't say anything about me. My father won't forgive me if he finds out I talked to you."

"To you, it's sir."

"Sir?" Confused, I asked.

"I want you to call me Mr. Argo."

"Alright, Mr. Argo."

"That's better." He puts the cigar in the ashtray and stands up. When he opens the door, I quickly follow behind him.

I can't believe I'm free from this marriage. I feel so light, like I can fly.

Argo steps onto the stage, and I observe that big man among the guests. He starts saying good evening and apologizes for his absence, lying that he was dealing with some matters when, in reality, he was in the dark of a room doing who knows what.

"At the request of Fiorella Ferraz." He points at me, making everyone look at me. He was already doing everything wrong, I told this damn man not to talk about me. "The poor thing is very anxious for the wedding and can't wait."

"Oh no!" I groaned and held my chest when I heard him speak.

"I want to move this wedding up to 1 month from now."

"No, no, no, he didn't do that, it can't be."

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