[Chapter 3]
The air in the study was thick with tension. Alessandro stood by the fireplace, his jaw clenched as he stared at his father, who sat behind his desk with a glass of bourbon in hand.
The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the wooden floor, amplifying the weight of their conversation.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*coldly* You blindsided me today.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*calmly swirling his drink* And you acted like a child, storming out like that.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*snapping* You suggested I marry someone who was my brother's fiance. You had no right to involve me in this.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
I had every right. Do you think the Salvatore name carries itself?
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*hand tightened around the edge of the mantle*
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
When your brother humiliated that girl and her family, he dragged all of us down with him.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*getting frustrated*
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
It’s my job to protect our reputation, and that includes taking decisive action.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*gritted teeth* So your solution is to throw me into a marriage I never agreed to?
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
You’re the head of the company, Alessandro. The responsible one.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
Unlike Alex, you understand the importance of family, legacy, and appearances.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*bitterly* This has nothing to do with family. This is about control.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*smirking* Call it what you want, but you know I’m right.
The two men stared each other down, the tension palpable. Alessandro finally turned away, pacing the length of the room as he ran a hand through his hair.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*muttering* I’m not doing it.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*raising an eyebrow* No? Then explain to me how we’ll fix this mess.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
Because right now, the Collins family is a breath away from dragging us through the mud, and if that happens, it won’t just be Alex’s reputation that suffers.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*turning back, glaring* You think marrying Valentina is the answer? She’s not some pawn you can use to fix this.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
Maybe not. But she’s willing, and you’re the only one who can make this right.
The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Alessandro clenched his fists, his mind racing.
The memory of Valentina’s desperate plea earlier flashed in his head—Marry me. For the sake of my family’s reputation.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*quietly, almost to himself* She actually asked me to marry her.
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
Then what’s the problem? She knows what’s at stake.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
The problem is I don’t want to marry her!
Mr. Salvatore (ML Dad)
*firmly* You don’t have to want it. You just have to do it.
At Night | Alessandro’s Penthouse
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*slammed the door shut behind him*
The city lights shimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but he barely noticed. His mind was a storm of anger, confusion, and frustration.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*poured himself a drink, downing it in one gulp before slamming the glass onto the counter*
The audacity of his father’s suggestion replayed in his head, mixing with the memory of Valentina’s expression—hurt, desperate, but somehow still composed.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
How could she ask me that?
He shook his head, running a hand down his face. His father’s words echoed again, taunting him. “You’re the responsible one.”
He gritted his teeth, his mind spinning out of control until his phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen—his girlfriend name.
(ML Girlfriend)
💬 Hey, you left so fast earlier. Are you okay?
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
💬 Not really. And I already told you my father wants me to marry someone. To fix Alex’s mess.
(ML Girlfriend)
💬 Seriously? That’s ridiculous.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
💬 It's not a joke.
(ML Girlfriend)
💬 So what? Just do it if it’ll make him happy. It’s not like marriage means anything anyway.
Alessandro froze, rereading her words. His jaw tightened, and his grip on the phone turned white-knuckled.
He stared at the screen, her casual dismissal of the situation igniting a fire in his chest.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
💬 I can’t believe you just said that.
(ML Girlfriend)
💬 Why not? It’s just a business deal, right? That’s how these things work for people like you.
Alessandro Salvatore (ML)
*didn’t respond*
He needed to think. To process. And most importantly, to figure out how to take back control of a situation that seemed hellbent on spinning out of his hands.
One thing was clear, though—he wasn’t going to let anyone, not his father, not Valentina, and definitely not Alex, decide his future for him.
His silence is louder than any words he could say. If hatred had a voice, it would sound like the way he looks at me.
– Valentina Collins
Stay tuned for the next chapter! 📜✨
Comments
Pookie writes 🎀
bourbon biscuit? 😭😭..well I know it must be some drink..but non-alcoholic broke idiot like me can only think of biscuit
2025-04-16
0
Pookie writes 🎀
again..u gotta drag your younger son...not ML
2025-04-16
0
Pookie writes 🎀
what u wanted him to do? fight with you and FL's family?
2025-04-16
0