The Don and His Mafia Princess: Book Two of The Costanzo Series - Standalone

CHAPTER 33

  A few days have passed since my lunch with Ivan. I've debated telling Stefano about it, but given his tendency to act rashly when it comes to Ivan, I decided to hold off until I was certain about how to approach the situation.

Those thoughts fade to the background as the car comes to a halt. Tonight is my inauguration Gala as the new COO of Lopez Constructions. I still can't quite believe it. Dad had no choice but to accept me as Santiago's choice, given that I hadn't made a single misstep with any of the projects under my care. But his threat to remove me at the first sign of failure still echoes in my mind. I'm determined not to give him that chance. If anything, I'll make him see that Santiago's decision was the best one possible.

I step out of the car, smoothing down my gold tulle dress. The intricate embroidery and beads stream vertically down the fabric, catching the light with every movement. Fringy éclats adorn the waistline and sleeves, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. I feel like a golden goddess, ready to take on the world.

As I walk into the Costanzo hotel, a wave of memories washes over me. Being here makes me think of Stefano, and a pang of longing hits me. I miss him terribly. I make a mental note to visit Sicily next week once I've settled into my new position.

I navigate through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces while scanning for Santiago. I can't imagine he'd miss my inauguration, but as time slips away like sand through an hourglass and my search proves fruitless, doubt begins to gnaw at me. The possibility that he might not show up, once unthinkable, now looms larger with each passing moment. I also notice my secretary is nowhere to be seen. It's a far-fetched thought, but I can't help wondering if they're together.

Just as I'm about to call Emily and inquire about her tardiness to her own boss's inauguration, I hear Dad's voice over the speaker. My heart leaps - it's time. I quickly put my phone away and focus all my attention on him, staring as if he's the most important person in the world right now. In a way, he is. He's my father, and hearing him call me the new COO of our company is everything I've hoped for since the day I first disappointed him.

But as his words register, my world shatters. It's not my name that comes out of his mouth. No, it's someone else's. My heart clenches in my chest, a physical pain that takes my breath away. Our eyes lock as he pats this stranger on the back, this person he's given my position to - the one I worked so hard to prove I deserved.

His eyes are blank, devoid of any remorse for the way he's just broken my heart. Tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision. I see my mother approaching, her face etched with pity, and those tears finally escape. I spin around, heading for the exit, unable to bear the weight of everyone's stares and the inevitable questions.

As I move towards the exit, hot tears stream down my cheeks, blurring my vision. The emotional weight of the moment presses heavily on my chest, making each step feel like a monumental effort. Suddenly, my gaze falls upon Emily and Santiago, their figures standing out amidst the blur of my tears. The intensity radiating from their postures immediately catches my attention, and I find myself rooted to the spot, my curiosity overriding my initial desire to leave.

My brows furrow deeply as I strain to hear their conversation, the background noise of the room fading away as I focus on their words. The air around them seems charged with tension, their voices carrying a mix of hurt, anger, and unresolved feelings.

"Why didn't you tell me about your dad?" Santiago asks, his voice laced with concern.

"It was none of your business. We had broken up by the time he died," Emily fires back, her eyes flashing with a mixture of pain and anger.

"Even so, you know very well that I would have loved to be there for you. Your dad was your best friend. You guys were really close," Santiago says, his voice softening.