Secret Love

Chapter 12 - Crashing dreams

Alessandro's POV

I called the editor and threatened him that I would make him pay for it because how he dared to publish this news without my confirmation. He apologized and told me he would delete the article from their site, but it didn't matter because it was already on different gossip sites.

I frowned, annoyed as I hung up my phone. I was frustrated. Suddenly, my phone rang. I looked at it. It was my mother. I sighed and picked up the phone.

"I am coming, Mom." I mumbled, trying to control my anger.

"Hurry up, Alessandro! Mr. Martinez is here. We are waiting for you." She said.

"Okay. I am on the way." I lied and left the office as I grabbed my suit.

As soon as I walked into the living room, my mother grabbed my arm and dragged me towards Mr. Martinez with her. She looked so excited. After Mr. Martinez had greeted me, he started showing me different engagement rings. I was listening to my mother and Mr. Martinez's conversation, bored.

Flashback

I stood up and started pacing back and forth in the hospital room as my father told me about his plan.

"Dad, I can't." I said, desperate and ran my hand though my hair. "Your request is....I can't do it." I added, shaking my head and breathed deeply.

"There isn't any other choice, Alessandro. You know me if it wasn't serious, I would never involve you in it. And it isn't just about me. You have a signature on those documents as well. You are in trouble as well." My father stated firmly.

"Dad, but..." I sighed, gripping my hair.

"It is temporary. As soon as we get the proofs which we need, we will end it." My father stated, giving me a reassuring look.

"Dad....You don't know...I..." I sighed, depressed.

"Do you have anyone in your life?" My father asked, giving me a questioning look.

"...Ye...No..." I mumbled, closing my eyes and ran my hand through my hair.

I couldn't tell him about Isabella now. It wasn't the right time. My father didn't recover completely.

"Then don't worry. It will not take long. I need your help, Alessandro." My father stated, giving me a sad look. "You will date his daughter, Gaia for a while and earn Lorenzo's trust. When you get engaged, he will involve you in his work. Gaia is his only daughter. So he needs a smart, hardworking son-in-law who will take his place in his company. As he starts trusting you, you will get an opportunity to learn what he planned and take back those documents. It is the only way. Otherwise....we would end up in the jail and more...You know it." My father said, giving me a sad look.

"Alright, Dad." I murmured and took a deep breath. "But it should be a private event. I don't want anyone to know about it, expecting our families." I declared firmly.

"Why?" My father asked, puzzled.

"I don't want it. It is just a lie. A game. So I don't want this news to spread. No one will know about it. Even Isabella and her family." I stated, determined.

"OK. We will keep it private." My father accepted.

"Good." I mumbled and put my hand into my pocket.

"Why do you want this secrecy? Do you have a girlfriend?" My father asked, giving me a questioning look.

"No." I mumbled without looking into his eyes.

I have a wife. I added with my inner voice.

"But I like someone." I admitted as I looked into his eyes. His eyes widened in surprise. "She is so special to me. So I don't want to worry her nor break her heart." I confessed honestly.

"Don't worry. I will talk to Lorenzo and ask him to keep it a secret for a while. I don't think we will need so much time. As soon as we find the proof that it was planned by him, we will end it." My father reassured. "And who is she?" He asked, giving me a mischievous smile.

"I will introduce her to you and my mother soon." I said, smiling. He nodded.

****

Suddenly, the doorbell hummed, interrupting my thoughts. The housekeeper went to open the door. My eyes widened in shock as I saw Isabella.

Fuck! What is she doing here? She didn't tell me she was coming.

"Oh my...Welcome, honey. I missed you so much." My mother said cheerfully as she approached Isabella.

I was staring at Isabella, frozen. My heart was beating like crazy. My mind got blank.

"Hi. I missed you too." She gave my mother a warm smile as my mother hugged her. Isabella hugged her back, smiling.

"You came in time." My mother commented, giving her a mysterious smile. Isabella looked at her, puzzled. My mother grabbed her hand and headed her towards Mr. Martinez and me.

I was looking down, praying that my mother didn't blurt it out, but I didn't have any hope. I felt tense and desperate. I didn't know how I would explain it to her. She would get mad. I had needed to talk to her before my mother told her.

"I need your help, Bella. Alessandro is getting married." My mother informed happily.

Her eyes widened in shock. She looked at me nervously. I averted my gaze, running my hand through my hair.

"I..." She mumbled nervously.

I wasn't still looking at her. As much as I knew it was a fake engagement and I didn't feel anything towards that spoiled girl, I still felt guilty. I was rubbing my nape uncomfortably while thinking. I needed to talk to Isabella first, but my mind was blank.

My mother grabbed one of the diamond rings and slid it on Isabella's finger. I instantly looked at them and tried to protest, but I was late.

Damn it! Damn it!

I breathed deeply, closing my eyes and cursed between my gritted teeth.

Mom, what you have done!

"Look, it is so beautiful. Do you like it, Bella?" My mother asked, looking at the ring.

"Yes. It is beautiful." Isabella commented, looking at the diamond ring.

"Yes. It will suit Gaia." My mother commented in excitement. Isabella looked at her, confused.

I closed my eyes, cursing under my breath.

"You should see Alessandro's fiancee; she is such a beautiful girl. But my Isabella is more beautiful than her." My mother said, giving her a warm smile. Isabella's eyes widened in shock.

You are in deep shit, Alessandro!

She looked at me, dumbfounded. I gave her an apologetic look as sadness clouded my features. I averted my gaze. My jaw tightened. I felt trapped. How would I clean up this mess?

When I looked at Isabella, she looked bad. Her face was white as a sheet. Suddenly, she fainted.