Chapter 4 - Play

Giovanna Sartorelli looked at her daughter who was smiling in front of a distressed television program. Every phone call, every ringing of the doorbell and every letter that arrived had her nerves on edge. She feared that at any moment someone would come looking for her daughter and take her away.

-I'm being ridiculous - she thought as she shook her head. He turned his attention to the stove as he hummed an old song.

***

Raoul threw the first object he saw against the wall. If your grandmother were alive, he would kill her right then and there. His office room was cluttered with pieces of glass scattered all over the corner. His fury was such that everyone in the office didn't dare come near his office.

Emma's photo lay on the floor among so many other things he'd destroyed. Raoul looked at the glass of whiskey on the table, and drank it down in one gulp.

-That old woman is destroying my plans. All my struggle to get the presidency. - He muttered as he sat down on the floor defeated. His mind was confused. He took Emma's photo and the papers with her details. He read it carefully and after a few minutes knew what to do – I'm not going to let some idiot take all the money. All my money. – He held her photo close to his face – Very well, we will meet soon, my dear bride.

***

Ben Lemos ran a hand through his somewhat disheveled hair as he looked at Raoul, who was sitting seriously in his office. He had called first thing in the morning waking him up.

-Very well, has there been a problem, Mr. Belinni? – Lemos asked, curious to see him dressed simply in jeans and a white blouse with a jacket. “I imagine something very important must have happened to make me come to the office at five-forty in the morning.

Raoul stared at him without saying anything, clasped his hands and smiled slightly in a cold and controlled way.

“I want you to get in touch with this Emma Sartorelli and set up a meeting to discuss marriage.

-I understand, but I think you'd better meet her yourself.

-Why would I do something like this? – he asked coldly – when do I have a lawyer? Please contact her as soon as possible. I want to resolve this this week - he said, getting up.

Lemos didn't know what to say, leaving him with the cruel role of finding Emma's family again.

Raoul left Lemos's office feeling lighter. The only thing he would need would be patience and coolness to deal with the next stage of his life. He got into his black Masserati Gran Turismo, turned on the stereo and drove to his apartment. In a few minutes he was driving confidently through the Italian streets and it didn't take long to see the building where he lived. As he approached, the parking gate opened and he drove to his spot. He got out of the car after parking it, walked towards the elevator and kept his face impassive until he entered his apartment on the top floor.

Raoul's apartment was as sober as his personality. Right at the entrance was a glass corner table where he used to put his keys. In the living room only a large sofa, a flat screen TV on the wall and a state-of-the-art sound equipment could be seen. The kitchen was modern and uncluttered, as was the dining room that had a table with six chairs.

Raoul removed his jacket and placed it on the sofa. He sat down, turned on the stereo and closed his eyes to a jazz ballad.

- Soon all the money will be mine.

***

Emma didn't say anything, but she was finding her mother's behavior strange. She'd been nervous for a few weeks now every time the phone or doorbell rang. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail as she dressed for school. She put on her uniform with a smile on her face as she remembered that she would see Chris Grint, the boy she daydreamed about. She buttoned her short-sleeved white blouse before pulling on her plaid skirt. She slipped on her shoes, grabbed her purse and left the room. As soon as he arrived in the living room he found his mother sitting on the couch crying uncontrollably.

-Mamma, what happened? – Emma asked scared as she went to her. He hugged her not knowing what to do – has something happened to my father?

Giovanna couldn't say anything. The paper in her hand felt heavier than it was. She held the paper close to her body with both hands.

-Daughter... - Giovanna spoke through tears - I'll pick you up at school today - she said sadly. - Go study.

-But...

– No, but, just go.

Emma was bewildered. She picked up her bag from the floor and left the house with a heavy heart. She knew something had happened, she just couldn't imagine what it would be. She walked to where the bus stop and in thirty minutes entered the Gregory Academy with a confused mind and a heavy heart. Before entering her office she looked around, searching among the many faces for a pair of blue eyes and sighed in frustration when she didn't find him as soon as the bell rang. He entered the room and walked to where he used to sit, in the first row by the window. He smiled when he saw Caroline sitting at the next table.

-I thought you wouldn't come today - Caroline said smiling - you're always the second to arrive.

Emma only managed a smile, which Caroline didn't miss. It didn't take long for the teacher to enter the room and start teaching about world history. All classes passed quickly and soon students were swarming down the hall to leave. Emma lost Caroline and quickly left the school. She stood in front of the entrance gate without noticing a nearby car with a man inside it watching her.

***

Giovanna squeezed Lorenzzo's hand tightly before they entered Lemos' office. Emma just looked at everything curiously. As soon as she had left school, her mother came to pick her up, taking her to the law firm Lemos, one of the best in Italy. As soon as they arrived, Lemos' secretary directed them to his office, where he was waiting for them.

-Sit down - Lemos said smiling slightly as he discreetly glanced at his watch - I imagine you came because of the letter.

– What is happening anyway? – Giovanna said nervously – how do you want... – She broke off when she saw Emma's gaze on her – Emma, wait outside, okay?

Emma nodded reluctantly. He got up, opened the door and sat in the waiting room. He was leafing through some magazine until he heard footsteps, minutes later. She glanced at the entrance and caught her breath as she saw the charming man with the cold gaze staring intently.

-Good afternoon - Emma greeted him awkwardly in front of his gaze.

Raoul looked the girl in front of him up and down and sighed at the adversity that awaited him. He ignored her words and headed for Lemos' office. He entered unannounced and as he opened the door he heard the voice of Emma's mother.

– Are you crazy? I will not give my daughter to any man. That's not what we agreed on. My daughter should never participate in this. She told me she just needed her name, that's all. – Giovanna said, upset. Lorenzzo just kept silent. He was still too surprised to say anything.

-Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I should have read what you signed. The paper on which your daughter and you signed stated that as soon as Raoul Belinni took the initiative after the death of his grandmother, landlady Emma Sartorelli should marry him, with your permission - he placed the document in front of them. and saw them read perplexed.

-That... That woman deceived us - Giovanna realized with trembling hands. “I won't let my daughter do this. She was not to blame.

-I'm sorry about that, but it's all within the law.

Giovanna was about to debate when the door opened and Raoul entered proudly. He looked at her blankly and gave a slight nod to Lemos.

-Don't worry. You weren't the only one fooled by that old hag,” Raoul said coldly. – From what I can see you found out what was behind her kind smile – he sat down in front of them in one of the armchairs calmly – I'm Raoul Belinni, your daughter's alleged fiancé.

-My daughter will not marry you - Lorenzzo spoke for the first time.

-If she doesn't marry, you will have to pay me a big fine. And I highly doubt I have the amount I'm going to ask for breach of contract and moral damages.

Giovanna faced the cold man in front of her, stood up and pointed her finger at him. Challenging you.

-Do you really think I will give my daughter to a man like you? Don't dream about it. Do you want to sue me? Go ahead.

-You have a bad temper - Raoul murmured when looking at her - do you think I want to have something with your daughter? I despise everything my grandmother did. I only want to receive what is rightfully mine.

-What you mean? – Lorenzzo asked interested.

-I see that money interests you - he adjusted the toothpick over his body and smiled slightly - as soon as I present my marriage certificate I will be able to keep the inheritance that was left to me. I don't want anything to do with your daughter. The only thing I want is your signature. Nothing more and nothing less.

-What.. Will we gain from this? – Lorenzzo asked, eyes shining.

– How can you think about money? Do you think our daughter is some object? – Giovanna shouted, infuriated by his behavior. She turned to Raoul seriously – if she signs, when will she be free of all this?

-One year will be enough.

-She just needs to sign, correct?

-Correct. We don't need to contact you or anything similar. However, I will deposit a considerable sum in your account given the inconvenience you are having.

-I don't trust you - Giovanna said seriously, but when she saw him shrug it off, she stopped herself from saying some curses - very well, I'll agree with that. After this you will never find us again.

Raoul shrugged, as this meant nothing to him. He got up and left the room the same way he had entered. As he passed the reception desk, he saw Emma sitting with a magazine in her lap and couldn't help but look disgusted.

-What was that old woman thinking when she wanted me to marry a child? – he asked himself as he left the building and got into his car.