The glass walls of the Russo Global Headquarters is reflected upon by the setting evening sun, making the executive floor shine like an hidden city of gold and steel.
Inside the only office in use on the executive floor, I sat at my desk trying to focus on anything but the report in my hand.
A lot of people knew me as Vincent Dane Russo, the youngest CEO to successfully lead an automobile empire or any empire at that which was one of the Giants of the fortune 5oo.
At just 28 I had achieved a mountain of great things and this made people see me as untouchable and unfazed about the happenings around me.
And they weren't wrong, the only exception was the woman whose name was staring right at me.
Paige Russo
My mother.
Her name was boldly written on the report in my hand.
It had been almost two decades since she had been brutally murdered and yet people still thought it was an accident.
But I couldn't blame them, even I would have deemed it an accident if not for the fact that I had been there, I had witnessed the whole thing.
Due to hyperthymesia, I always remember every detail of my life as if I were just witnessing it.
From the day I was born, to the days that followed, everything, I could remember it all and trust me that is no way a good thing, especially when you have memories you'd rather live without.
A knock on the door interrupted my flow of thoughts.
"Enter."
My assistant and only friend, Daniel stepped in.
"Hate to disturb you but Mr Russo is waiting for you in the conference room."
I frowned.
"Do you know what it's about?"
"No, but he came with someone, a woman."
My frown deepened. My father barely came to the company anymore unless it was very important.
"Let's go." I adjusted my tie and followed Daniel to the conference room, but he doesn't step in with me.
When I entered I saw that there were two people seated.
My father and a rather familiar looking woman.
Gigi Belmont
Widow of the late Alexander Belmont and current head of the Belmont fashion empire.
About 8 years earlier when Alexander Belmont had passed, many thought Belmont would go down the drain.
But Gigi instead took over and made it sore higher than it had under late Mr Belmont's control.
"This seems rather important."
My father glared at me. "Where are your manners?"
"I believe we are here to talk business Mr Russo."
"No actually." Mrs Belmont's voice came out a little lighter than expected.
"To what do I owe this visit from the mighty Head of the Belmont empire."
My father answered.
"Before your mother died, she made an arrangement with Mrs Belmont over here."
"Explain."
"Your mother and my husband were close friends, closer than most people knew."
"Get to the point." I was slowly losing my patience.
"They made a promise to each other that one day their families would unite."
I could already understand where this was going.
"And you expect me to just believe your mere words."
"No. I came with solid proof." As she said this she passed me a small black jewelry box.
"What's this supposed to prove."
"Open it."
I did just that and I saw a necklace with a ring as it's pendant.
Recognition rang through my nerves.
"You recognize it, don't you? Where's yours?" Her questions dragged me out of my shock.
I hurriedly adjusted myself before taking off a similar necklace from my neck.
It was the same thing. Just that mine had the ring for the female while the other one had the one for the male, for me.
I could still remember vividly the day my mom gave me the necklace, it was on my tenth birthday, a month before she died.
"Vincé darling, this is for you." My mom said, already putting the necklace around my neck.
"What is this for mommy?"
"You'll find out when you're much older. This necklace will lead you to your light someday."
"But you are my light mommy."
My dad's voice echoes.
"No she's not, she's my light."
"Mommy is what daddy said true?"
"Yes Vincé, I'm daddy's light, you'll find yours soon enough."
The light she said the necklace would lead me to was the Belmont heiress.
I slowly leaned into my seat as I wore the necklace back, waiting for my father to drop the bomb.
"You will get married to the young miss Belmont."
"So I don't have a say in my own marriage."
"It was your mother's wish Vincé."
First of all, why was the fucker calling me that, only my mom was allowed to call me that.
Second of all, why did he have to mention my mom's involvement in this.
He knew what he was doing, he knew my mom was all to that mattered to me.
He knew she was the only person I couldn't refuse.
Gigi slid a photograph across the table to him.
"Who's this?"
"My daughter, Mayelle North Belmont."
I picked up the photo and staring right back at me was a pair of calm,sharp eyes that belonged to a woman with a quiet elegance of someone born into power.
"North."
As in the four ends of a compass north? What a name.
"She behaves nothing like what she looks like, trust me." Gigi smiled.
"When am I to meet my future wife?"
Gigi's smile widened.
"Tonight."
"Where?"
"Belmont hotel."
My father's gaze followed me as I stood up.
"You agree?" Almost like he couldn't believe I would give in so easily.
I adjusted my cuffs.
"Mom's wish is my command." I could hear my father sigh, probably in relief. "If this was what my mother wanted, I'll honour it."
I turned and walked towards the door. My mind drifted back to the file sitting on my desk in my office.
My unanswered questions about her death.
Why she arranged this marriage.
And lots more.
I opened the door. "I'll meet her tonight."
Saying this I walked out of the room only to meet Dan's questioning eyes.
What I knew was that there'd be dinner...
But that it would not be with the young miss Belmont, I had no idea of.