Marie's POV
I left the plane at JFK Airport, my heart ran with enthusiasm. I planned this wonderful journey to New York and I couldn't wait to see my father's face when he set his eyes on me in his house without informing him.
It's been a while since I stepped foot in the buzzing streets of New York. Everyone wants to be a millionaire in this state hence the buzzing businesses and keen advertisements.
I shoved the handful of pamphlets that were given to me; Airbnb, outlets, hotel reservations, houses for sale, and lots more. They don't know who my father is, if they did, they wouldn't be messing around with a lady like me, I have better things at heart, and not this.
When I got past the customs, while waiting for my bags, I couldn't help it. I felt nervous. What if my dad was busy, or it wasn't time for me to see him? What if he gets pissed at me for showing up at a time like this?.
This might sound bizarre, but I do not in reality understand what to do at this point. I turned into sinking stone in my mind, looking at the young gentleman helping with my luggage
"Ma'am I have this SUV booked already, you can discuss the price on your way. I noticed you would be needing it" He was a nice man, and I wouldn't mind paying him a tip to save me lots of stress searching or going online to book an Uber drive.
"Thank you" I appreciated his gesture and tipped him with a wad of notes from the bundle in my hand. I couldn't wait for his appreciation because we were already on our way to my Manhattan apartment.
But as soon as I passed through the door in front of the Manhattan apartment, all my worries disappeared. My father's face was burned with a big smile because he saw me, and he swung me in a tight neck. He still looked too young for his age; a round face free from wrinkles. That set of sea-green eyes that Dante has. His broad muscles intact, I guess Dante was keeping him fit after all. Dante is persuasive, so Father can't turn down his offers.
"Marie! Oh, my baby girl! I didn't know you were coming, you should have called or at least sent a text. What's wrong with you Marie?" He said I knew he would be having mixed feelings about scolding me for not telling him. I wanted to pay a surprise visit and I did.
He wrapped his hands around me and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. I felt happy and relieved. "I just wanted to surprise you, Dad," I said, smiling at him.
"That's fine, how's your flight?" He inquired,
My father was so excited to see me, he grabbed my hands, leading me out of the living room. I stopped and handed him the box of gifts that I got from Paris.
He appreciated me for the gifts as Dante dashed out to wrap his hands around his sister. I felt his warm embrace, he was excited to see me. Staring at the apron I knew he was making a meal.
While resting in my room I felt at ease. I watched them arrange my luggage in the wardrobe. They were about to open the bags, but I stopped them with my words;
"That's enough I'll take it from here" I arranged my clothes, by the time I was done. It was late I joked my father for dinner, after which I went upstairs to rest. I dozed off with the thoughts of being with my brother over a dinner table with my father.
My alarm dragged me off the clutches of slumber, I dressed up and went out for my morning run as usual.
I returned exhausted, while gulping down the bottle of water to regain my strength, I noticed my father was uneasy at this point, more like he didn't want me to see who his visitor was.
"Marie just head upstairs" The cold air in his voice left me puzzled, and I realized that this was more of a problem than a visit.
My father stood in the living room, his face was stiff and angry. And then I saw him—a tall, beautiful man with blue eyes and chisel functions. He stood near the window watching the town, and I felt a little enchanted by his aura.
What was he doing here? Why does my father want me out of the living room? I should know his guests, I am a part of this family so it's paramount that I know who my father's friends are.
But as I saw my father, I realized something was wrong. He was angry, his face was red with anger.
"What is it, Dad?" I requested again, feeling a bit scared.
Mancini's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"My name's Mancini, and you must be Marie, Roberto's only daughter…" He paused in his words, cleared his throat, and continued keeping his eyes glued to mine.
"Your father owes me a large amount of money, Marie," he stated, his voice dripping with threat. "Ten million dollars, to be precise. And if he can't pay it, I'm afraid I'll have to take… Alternative measures."
I felt a cold dread creeping up my spine as I found out what Mancini changed into implying.
"Do you mind me talking to my father for a minute?" I asked as he turned his eyes away from our direction.
"Take your time" He chuckles, as he winked.
We went to his study room, closest to the living room, my heart nevertheless racing with anger and worry. Mancini's phrases kept echoing in my mind, and I couldn't agree that my father had gotten himself into this kind of mess.
"Dad, what is happening?" I demanded, slamming the door close behind me. "How did you owe Mancini ten million bucks?"
My father appeared up from the papers on his desk, his eyes worn out and concerned. "Marie, I… I made a few terrible investments," he said, his voice hesitant. "I wanted a lot of profit, I got greedy, I should have pulled out when I had the chance. But I failed, I needed to settle the investors, and that sole aim led me to borrow money from Mancini to cover my losses."
I felt a surge of frustration and disappointment. My father changed into a clever guy, a successful businessman. How ought he have been so reckless and irresponsible?
"Why did you borrow money from Mancini?" I requested, looking to hold my voice calm. "You understand he's a ruthless man. Why did you think you may trust him? You and I know who he is?"
My father sighed, rubbing his temples. "If I was out of options, we would have lost a lot of our properties. I couldn't afford that, I had nothing else to do, Marie. At that time Mancini appeared like a good choice at the time. He offered me a loan with an affordable interest charge, and I concept I could pay it back with time"
I nodded my head and felt a mixture of anger and sadness. My father was always a proud man, but now he is destroyed and defeated.
"What should we do, Dad?" I asked, I felt the feeling of washing the responsibility on me. "We can't let the Mancini blackmail us this way. I can't believe you got yourself into this with that shady man"
My father looked at me, his eyes filled with deep sadness. "I don't know, Marie," he said, he was so calm and subtle. "I don't know what to do."
We sauntered out of his study room, I had to know Mancini's demands.
"What kind of alternative measures?" I asked and tried to keep my voice stable.
Mancini's smile was cold and calculated. "Oh you're bold and I like it. If your father can't pay me, then he can settle his debts by marriage, of course," he said, his eyes filled with anticipation
"You, Marie, will make an ideal settlement by being my wife."