Vittori ✔️

EIGHT

LUCIEN VITTORI

Once I got home, I stormed in and quickly went to my room. I completely took off all my clothes, angry that all this effort went to waste.

I completely wasted my time tonight. I'm sure my father knew that Danny would turn down sleeping with me.

And it was clear Danny just saw me as a walking wallet. I wouldn't have been insulted if he at least put out.

I knew my worth. A person who wouldn't even glance at me with respect didn't deserve not even my words.

Danny is an idiot for not wanting to come home with me. He would've enjoyed it, I'm sure. But the guy was stubborn, which I actually quite liked. Would he have obeyed if I had threatened him?

I let him go and decided he wasn't worth the risk.

Father was calling me, no doubt wanting to ask about the date.

"How was your date, Lucy?" Dad asked. Couldn't he see that I was angry?

"It didn't go well." I said.

Dad sighed. "Lucy, what did you do?" He asked.

"Me? What did I do? What about Danny, huh? You blame me and not him? Why is it always my fault?" I asked.

"Calm down, Lucy. First of all, I know it's you because it's always you. I know who you are. Second, my assistant told me about how you yelled at Danny." Dad said. I backed down and just tried to ignore my dad.

"I don't even know why you want me to find a partner. I'm fine as I am." I groaned out.

"Lucy. Lucy Lucy Lucy. Once you take over, trust me, your responsibilities will get worse. You know the saying. 'Behind every successful man is a strong woman'. Or, in this case 'Behind every successful person is a strong partner'." Dad said.

"I can handle things just fine." I replied. Dad laughed, mocking me.

"I said that too. But trust me, even I wasn't enough." He said. I was shocked that dad was so open about how much he struggled.

"Did mom help you?" I asked.

"She did. I remember when I met your mother. God, she was a spicy woman from Monaco. I couldn't take my eyes off her. If it wasn't for your mother, this company wouldn't be as successful as it is today."

I began thinking.

"Oh wow. Did my words get your brain moving" Dad said in shock.

"Do I have to settle for Danny?" I asked.

"No, you don't. Take however long you need to find the right person. I just want to see you make an effort to find someone." Dad said.

"Good. But just know that I don't think Danny will be a good choice for me." I said and scoffed.

"He was difficult because you wanted to have sex with him on the first date. First, get to know Danny and then he'll open up. Sex is much better when you do it with someone you like."

"You really think Danny could give me a chance after how I treated him?" I asked.

"You have potential. Your mother absolutely loves him. She's already been planning your wedding with him. Her Pinterest board is full of wedding ideas. Just be careful around him. You're a bit... difficult and Danny isn't used to it. Treat him like a person, kay?" Dad said.

I nodded.

"But I doubt Danny would go on a second date with me. I blew it with him." I said.

"Nonsense. I'll talk to him." He smirked at me.

"And if that doesn't work?" I said.

"Your cousin is in Phoenix on some business. I'll have him go to Danny's aunt and uncle's house and do a little threatening..." Dad said slyly. "You just gotta promise me that you'll actually try with Danny." He added.

"I promise, father. I won't lay a finger on Danny." I said, though not sure how long that would last.

"I didn't say you couldn't lay a finger on him. Give him a nice pat on the back or small touches. Just, you know, don't get him naked on your bed..." Dad said.

"I have to leave. I'll talk to Danny about giving you another chance, though don't count on it.." He laughed at his joke and hung up.

After a while, father called back and let me know that things with Danny weren't exactly over. Danny agreed that I should... apologize... to him.

It took a while to even swallow that. I don't apologize. I may have behaved crude, but Danny was there for money and I was there for both sex. It was already a disrespecful atmosphere.

But if it meant anything to him, I'd suck it up and go along with it. It's not even certain that Danny would go on another date me. The little bastard was clever enough to not outwardly reject or accept another date.

I relaxed into my bed and decided to just go to sleep. It was already a long day.

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<3 ciao!