CHAPTER TWO 

             “There are three sides to every story. Mine, yours and the truth.” —Joe Massino. 

                     CHERRY. 

I took deep breaths as I walked into the massive building decorated with sparkling lights so bright it almost blinded me, they should have called me to help with this job whoever did this decoration is stupid--

"Cherry? There you are" I heard my father call with a delightful tone. 

"Hi Mrs Morgan, you look lovely," I said to the host, my father had his dry arm encircled around hers. I internally grimaced at the image. 

"Miss Markwells it's so good to see you, your father told me a lot about you" 

Yep, he's screwing her. Or she's trying to screw him hence the act of trying to get into my good books. 

"Good things I hope, lovely design" I complimented trying not to cringe when I saw a drone, what is this a war zone? 

"Well I'm sure you could do more than this, I will be sure to contact you next time" She gave me an apologetic smile. 

Of course, you will. 

"Cherry, there are some people I want to introduce you to" He excused himself and took my hand instead, playing the part, acting like a doll. It's just another night pretending we are a happy father and daughter, complimenting nonsense outfits and giving fake advice with stupid recipes I never use. 

Having a lot of nonversation and fake smiles, a lot of fake smiles until my cheeks hurt. 

"Rosemary meet my daughter" My father introduced and she kissed my cheeks smiling at me, I didn't know her but damn is she fine. 

Coming from me, she looked like a model and way younger might be my age or something, but the way she gave my father heart eyes I decided to hate her. 

It's no secret my father can't keep it in his pants, when mom was alive she overlooked those pretending not to notice but it disgusts me. 

It upsets me to see him smiling with someone his daughter's age, I guess I should have laughed at Aunt Juliette with all this new info. 

What a jerk. 

"Ah, I wasn't expecting to see you so early." I heard my father saying to someone behind us while Rosemary was saying some unenlightening stuff I wasn't interested in. 

My father turned causing me to turn because of our linked arms, I almost choked on my champagne when I saw Mr. Dark and mysterious from the taxi staring at me. 

And God I wanna melt under his scrutinizing gaze, he looked at me from my head to my toes checking me out in the presence of my father. 

"Mhmm. Did I scare you?" He asked looking bored, thank God he is acting as if we never met before. It's for the best. 

Thank goodness he's mature. 

"This is my daughter, Cherry, she runs a designing agency" My father introduced proudly, he looked around and I almost squeaked a 'No'. 

He nods thinking I did this design, gosh I should have stayed at home. 

"Cherry, this is Arthur Russo, popularly known as Ace Russo" Father introduced and my heart stopped beating for a second there, I looked at my father with wide eyes before glancing at him. 

His dark piercing ash color eyes are glued to my face studying my reaction, I instantly looked at my shoes like I was just seeing the pairs for the first time. 

No shit. I'm dead.

"We've met," He said calmly and I shut my eyes, cursing under my breath, so much for being mature. 

"Really? How?" My father gave me a look I understood, sorry Daddy dearest I screwed up. 

He knows I can be a rude brat sometimes and I wished I didn't act like one in the taxi, the Russos are heartless billionaires. 

They literally own this city, they own the city not because they have one of the largest conglomerates, but because they are deadly cold-hearted Italian mafias. 

Mafia. That's why he has that dark aura. 

Jeez, my father is sweating like a child opening Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. 

"Earlier we shared a cab" He replied while taking a glass of champagne, I notice the slight Italian accent now. 

My father glared at me before looking back at him in disbelief,  he's probably wondering why he would take a cab instead of his car. 

Which was supposed to be what I was also expected to do, "Then she insulted me" He interjected before taking a sip from the glass, damn those lips. 

Focus Cherry. 

My father flinched and I quickly stylishly removed my arm from his grip. I knew he was going to squeeze my elbows until my bone popped out. 

No, kidding he looked like he was on the verge of fainting, "And you know I don't do too well with people insulting me, it upsets me and it's a shame to my family name" 

Oh please give me a break, I didn't even say much. I was about to give him a piece of my mind when my father sighed deeply. 

"Please forgive her, she's a bit difficult after her mother's passing" He apologized as if I wasn't here. 

Did he just say her mother's not my wife? 

"You should caution her to be more respectful," The asshole said, staring blankly at me while I glared at him. 

"She's--"

"Right here. And she can speak, Mr Russo I'm sorry if I bruised your oversized ego but we were both at fault, if it makes you feel better I apologize for acting like a spoiled brat which I am by the way. We are even now right?" I fold my hands under my breast. 

He watched me with a strange glint in his eyes, and his jaw clenched as he set the glass of champagne on the table, "Hardly" He said gruffly and my eyebrows twitched in anger. 

"We had an agreement, Donald," He said in a tone I didn't understand, I looked at my father as he gulped. 

"That's- that was why I invited you here, we could talk about it I've got the money--"

"You should know by now that I don't need the money, you owned my father, he's dead now I need the collateral" He tucked his hands into his pocket, and my face fell when I heard the word 'owned'. 

My father owned the Russos. What? How and when? 

These people are dangerous for crying out loud. How did he even find them? "But your father said if I had the money then we'd be free, I did what you asked and I can give you double." My father pleaded and I took a step back not knowing what to do. 

Maybe I should let the men handle this, my father can explain later I don't want to be in the front of a mafia while he's arguing with my father about a debt. 

Don't ask me why. 

I was still stylishly escaping when he caught me pinning me on the spot with arch brows, "Does she know?" He asked my father and he shook his head. 

Wait, what does this have to do with me? 

"Perfect she knows now, pick up your purse and follow me" He ordered and I glowered at him, my father said nothing to that order and I lost it. 

"What's going on? Why is he saying I should follow him?" I demanded and he sighed. 

"Just go with him Cher, I will sort this out. You will be fine" He replied and I almost yelled but we are in public so I digress. 

"You-- I'm engaged I can't follow him, tell him!" I whispered and a strong grip on my hand made me flinch. 

"I know you are engaged Miss Markwells if your father fails to do as I say then, you won't be wearing that ring on that finger anymore" He threatened hauling me away from my father. 

"Dad!" 

He just stood there looking like a fool, he didn't even say anything or try to calm me down. 

It was at that moment I realized the only family I had died a long time ago. Taking all her love and care with her leaving me with nothing. 

Absolutely nothing.