Capítulo 4: CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER 4
Lorenzo's POV
The sun filtered through the heavy luxury curtains, casting a soft golden hue across my bedroom. I slipped out of bed, weak because I hadn't had a good sleep in days, and last night was no exception.
Dressed in a casual two-piece made of light, breathable material. I felt the comfort and elegance of the fabric against my skin as I headed to the dining room.
My footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and the housekeepers all stood to greet me as I walked past them. I didn't notice their presence because I was lost in thoughts. My mind was somewhere else. I took my seat at the head of the well-polished table, my eyes slowly scanning the room, which was a habit I had developed.
Soon I heard footsteps approaching me; it was Damian. He approached me with a cautious look in his eyes.
"What is it, Damian?" I asked in a low yet authoritative tone.
"Boss," He bagan, his voice low and respectful, "I think we have found a bride for you."
I paused; my cold gaze fell on him. "You think?"
"Sorry, Boss, we have found a bride for you." Hehurriedly said
I gently gulped the hot cup of coffee placed right in front of me.
"Who's the bride?" I asked gently, taking another gulp.
"Marco has offered to give his daughter as your bride," he said.
"Marco? Same one that couldn't deliver a simple task?" I asked
Being in this game for a long time, I know Marco is not one to be trusted. He doesn't care about loyalty to people; he only cares about himself.
"I don't trust Marco," I said as I looked at Damian, who just stood there.
"Damian, please sit," I said.
"Thank you, Boss," he replied, gently dragging the seat backward.
"I don't trust Marco, Damian," I said.
"Same here, boss, but we are out of options," he replied.
I leaned back in my chair, my mind narrowing as I thought of what Damian said.
Which father will sell off his daughter like she meant nothing for power? Such a man can never be trusted. Yet I was desperate; I had 3 days left to get married.
"What does he want in return?" I asked calmly, taking another gulp of my coffee. My voice steady but laced with suspicion
"$5 million and a place in The Four," he replied.
"The Four?" I said out loudly, and laughter filled my mouth.
"He can't possibly ask me to make him a member of The Four; I don't make the decisions alone." I said, still laughing out loudly.
I'm a Don in The Four, but I don't make decisions alone there; even though I could, I wasn't ready to add someone I couldn't trust. The group is already filled with power-hungry men. I can't risk adding more.
"I need a meeting with him this afternoon," I finally said.
"Yes Boss." Damian nodded and immediately stood up and left.
Soon I was left alone in the room with my thoughts. The coffee had grown cold, but I barely noticed. Trust was a rare commodity in my world, and I can't risk bringing more power-hungry people close.
The morning continued to cast its soft glow as I rose from the dining table, leaving the coffee and untouched pastries behind. My mind was preoccupied with the unsettling proposition.
As I made my way to my study, I walked through the adorned hallway. The walls were decorated with luxurious paintings. At the corner was a portrait of my mom. One I consider to be the most valuable amongst the million-dollar paintings.
I reached the heavy doors of my study and pushed them open, the hinges creaking slightly. The room was a sanctuary of power and strategy, lined with bookshelves filled with volumes on law, history, and the art of war. A large mahogany desk dominated the center, its surface meticulously organized with documents and a single, ornate lamp casting a soft light.
I moved to the desk, my fingers brushing over the smooth wood as I took my seat in the high-backed leather chair. The weight of the decision ahead settled heavily on my shoulders. Trust was a rare commodity, and I was about to make a deal with a man who had none. The study, with its quiet and solitude, was the perfect place to contemplate my next move.
The silence of the study was soon interrupted by a firm knock on the door. I looked up from the paper scattered across the desk.
"Come in," I said, my voice firm.
The door opened, and Damian walked in. His expression was serious, a clear indication that he has something important to say.
"Boss," Damian began, his voice low and respectful. "Marco is here," he added.
Just then did I take a glance at the clock; I have actually spent hours here, lost in contemplation. Time had really slipped away.
"Okay, I will be downstairs soon," I said.
Damian nodded as he left the room, slightly leaving the door open. I was about to test the limit of a man who had no loyalty.
As I left the study, the quiet solitude gave way to the whispers coming from the kitchen staff as they prepared lunch. My footsteps deliberately echoed through the hallway as I made my way downstairs.
I already had a plan, and adding Marco to The Four was not an option. My mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and desperation, but my face remained an unreadable mask.
At the end of the stairs, Damian stood waiting, his expression serious. Beside him was Marco, the man of the hour. He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, a nervous energy radiating from him.
"Mr Lorenzo," he greeted, his voice trembling a bit.
I nodded, my gaze piercing his eyes.
"You have something to discuss with me," I said, leaving no room for pleasantries.
I could see him swallowing his breath, his hands fidgeting.
"Yes, sir, I… I want to offer my daughter in marriage to you," he said.
I studied the room and his expression for a moment.
"A man who is ready to give his daughter to me despite hearing the rumors must not really care about her." I said, casting a cold gaze at him.
"What do you want in return?" I asked.
"I want to be a member of The Four, and $5 million dollars deposited into my account. He said it blatantly.
"And what will happen if your daughter dies?" I asked
"Mr. Lorenzo, I'm selling her off to you; I don't care what happens to her afterwards," he said coldly.
This pierced my heart. A father who could go this length for power shouldn't be close to me.
"Instead of wanting to be a part of The Four, you should be grateful I haven't told the group about your unauthorized shipment." I threatened
"You know what will happen if they find out, right?" I asked. Looking directly into his scared eyes.
"Yes, I know what will happen. Please, I'm very sorry. I promise to stop immediately. He said as he kneeled down to plead.
He knows that The Four wasn't a group to mess with. He might end up dead if they found out about it.
"I'm not planning to tell them, unless you go against my will." I said as I headed to the bar to get myself a drink.
"Damian will deposit $10 million dollars to your account, double of what you asked for. And that's the deal." I said.
"Okay, sir," he nodded, relieved, but I could see his insatiable appetite for power in his eyes.
"Very well then, we have a deal." I said, my face unreadable.
"Damian, please see Mr. Marco out and explain to him what happens to people that go against my will." I said turning to Damain.
I trusted him to do the job very well. Damian was very strict with business but acts cold around me. So I know he understands the gravity of the situation and he will act accordingly.
With that, I turned and walked away, my mind already shifting to the next move. Trust was a rare commodity, and I had just agreed to a deal with a man who had none. But in this world, sometimes desperation was the only currency that mattered.
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