My sister lapped it up, getting a designer dress, handbag, and shoes to match, as well as new jewellery and makeup, and having her hair and nails done. Personally, I chose a modest, smart suit that I can wear to interviews once I finish university.
The door opens, startling me from my thoughts. I step out of the vehicle in front of a high-rise building. My gaze follows the lines of the building higher and higher until I reach the top and the name in silver letters along the facia “De Luca Enterprises.”
I blow out a breath and step towards the building, climbing the steps until I reach the large glass door. It swings open for me as I raise my hand to push inside. I stumble a little and glare at the doorman for making me look like a twat. I step to the reception desk.
“I have an appointment with Enzo De Luca.”
The woman never looks up, fingers tapping away on the keys of her computer.
“Name?” she snaps, like I’m inconveniencing her by making her do her job.
“Leo Christian.”
“Sorry, I have nothing.”
“Try Leonardo De Luca.” I shake my head. He’s not wanted anything to do with us, refused to sign the birth certificates, never claimed us as his until that stupid wedding.
“Take a seat, Mr De Luca. Your father will send someone down shortly.”
Narcissistic wanker.Doesn’t claim us for the last twenty years, now changes my name with no acknowledgement. We never had his name. We have our mother’s surname. She was never good enough to be a De Luca, either.
I wait a further thirty minutes before I’m summoned to his office. I follow behind his assistant, eyes flicking as I take in every plaque on the wall, every glass-fronted office, until we reach a door at the end of the corridor. The assistant knocks and pushes inside, gesturing for me to take a seat. My father is standing with his back to me, gazing out of the window, smoking a cigar with a glass of what looks like whiskey in his hand, swilling it by his side.
I wait for what seems like an eternity before he turns and nods to me in a way of greeting, and then places his glass down on the desk, puts his cigar between his teeth, and takes the file from his assistant’s hand, nodding and dismissing them. He flicks through the pages, reading whatever’s inside before nodding and closing the file, placing it gently on the desk. He removes the cigar from his mouth and lays it on the ashtray. I watch the smoke as it creeps out from the cigar, mesmerising in the silence of the room.
“There’s been an offer of marriage.”
I nod. “Yeah, my sister’s gonna marry that rich guy.” I screw my face up at the thought. “I don’t get what that’s got to do with me.”
“Change of plan. He doesn’t want to marry your sister.”
I stare at him. I know that. He told me so, but I still don’t get what this has got to do with me. I don’t say anything. I just stare at him. Taking in the features of his face. Do I look like him? Do I have any of his personality traits? Why did he never want us? Why does he want us now?
“You seem okay with that?” I glance up to meet his gaze.
“What?” What did he say? “Okay with what?”
“The proposal. I expected some pushback, but this will happen.”
I just stare at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Bellino Ricci has agreed to the joining of our families; he has a list of… conditions. The main one being that he will be marrying you and not your sister.”
“Wait, what?”
“The date will rem…”
“Are you serious? I’m not fucking gay.”
He waves his hand as if it’s not important and carries on talking.
“No!” I stand, shaking my head. “No! I will not marry him. I’m not into men. I won’t.”
“I’m not asking you, Leonardo. You are a De Luca. You will take one for the team and secure this union. You will not tell him no… ever. If he wants you to wear a fucking tutu while he fucks you, you will fucking do it. You will bend over and take whatever that man deems fit to give you.”
“Funny, I haven’t been a De Luca my whole fucking life. I ain’t starting now.” I stand from my seat. “It’s a no from me. I will not be bending over for anyone.”
“Sit back down,” he yells at me. His fists crash into the table. “I am your father. You will fucking do what I say. You will fucking marry him, and you will make him the happiest fucking man in the country. Do. You. Fucking. Hear. Me?”
