CHAPTER 7

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'Cara, wake up,' Rocco cradled Alina in his arms, he tapped her face, none too gently. 'Cara---tesoro per-favore,' Rocco burst into a spiel of Italian, begging her forgiveness, promising not to be angry with her anymore, if she would just answer him.

Alina blinked, her eyelids fluttered open.  Everybody was upside down. Every one of her staff was staring up at her. She wished Rocco would shut up.
My restaurant!

Alina shook her head and sprung up. 'Rocco, they want us out. They've sold the place. We can't operate here anymore. Oh Rocco---.'

'Alina!' Rocco's voice rose to silence her. He opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water and forced her to drink. 'Back to work everybody,' Rocco waved his hand and led Alina back to her office.

'Now, please speak slowly,' Rocco nodded. Tell me from the beginning.'

'The agent, he said the place has been sold. The new owner wants three times the rent we are paying---we can't afford that. He said the buyer has offered him a lot of money, apparently---apparently---'

'Yes?' Rocco waved his hand impatiently.

'They want to turn this place into an ---adult club,' Alina's cheeks brightened profusely.

Rocco swore in perfect English. She never knew he was that proficient. He turned around and faced Alina with a determined look.

'I have---savings. It is not much, but it can see us through for six months at least.'

'Rocco---no,' she shook her head. 'What they're demanding is extortion. We shall not do it. 'Oh no,' she covered her face. 'We have bookings for the next six months. We have spent so much in advertising. If we move, what if we lose our clientele?'

'That's why we must use my savings. I can go to the bank for more---.'

'No, no. We can't borrow more. I have already taken out a loan, when we extended the dining area and I still need to pay Caroline back.'

'We must,' Rocco shook her shoulders. Alina stared into his face. The restaurant was her responsibility. When did it become "we?" Perhaps she was too dependent on Rocco. Perhaps she was being unfair loading more on his shoulders than was advisable.

'I will sort this out,' Alina stood up with grim determination. 'Just let me make some calls, you go ahead with today's preparations. She called her bank manager, praying, hoping he would be sympathetic, but he was at pains to point out that she was over extended and as much as he would love to bail her out, the bank had specific criteria and he did not have the authorization to over-rule the system. Alina nodded, not that he could see her nod, but she thanked him for his time and ended the call.

Fear was beginning to grip Alina. Every bank she called, informed her, her risk exposure was too high. Damn, damn, damn it! It was like some evil force was working against her. She was loathe to go to the moneylenders, but now she was running out of options. Fear was beginning to consume her. She could not focus. She could not breathe. Think, think. Finding other premises was not an option. It would be suicidal. She had worked so hard to build her clientele. This was the ideal location. A different location may not be sustainable.

When the phone rang, she prayed one of the bankers had changed their minds.

'Alina Brooke, good afternoon.'

'Cara,' that seductive voice made her forget her woes. Was it therapeutic or hypnotising?
'I am reliably informed you are in need of a financial life line.'

'How did you know?' Alina demanded.

'My industry is rather small, we share information,' she could sense him smiling.

'Whatever I am in need of Mr. Casiraghi, you are the last person on earth I would turn to. Infact I would rather die, than take a cup of water from you,' Alina slammed down the phone. She was huffing and puffing and seething, when the phone rang again.

'I am your only hope cara mia,' he warned. 'We do it my way or your doors close,' this time he had the privilege of cutting the call.

Oh dear Lord, what's happening here? You have to help me,' Alina dropped her head on her arm and screamed her lungs out into a table napkin.

     That evening, she left the restaurant in the hands of her two managers and went home. She invented a headache, shut her door and tried to sleep, hoping in the morning, it would all be a nightmare and when the new day dawned, so would the nightmare be a thing of the past.


When morning came, the burden in her heart was heavier, she knew it was no nightmare. She put on a brave face, not yet ready to inform Caroline of her impending doom. Alina stood outside her restaurant and studied it proudly with an appreciative eye. She had done much to improve the value of the property. The other smaller businesses were benefitting from her clientele. There was so much potential there, one wing of the property could easily be converted to an al fresco coffee shop. She could just picture the tables under the warm sun, lots of people having morning or afternoon tea, coffee and cakes. She had hoped to venture in that angle perhaps in a year or two, for now she just wanted to build the restaurant to an exclusive diner for those discerning palettes that favoured authentic French or Italian dishes.

     'I have great plans for this place when you leave in two months,' an authorative voice announced from behind her. Alina's head swung around.

'You! You bought this place? The agent told me it's becoming a brothel house!'

'Is that what he told you,' Tomas laughed cruelly. 'I told him, he could tell the tenants anything he liked.' 'Tomas' eyes became grave, 'as long as all three tenants are out in sixty days.'

'Why?' Alina looked away. Her eyes became glassy. She dare not break into tears now. Not in front of this savage beast. ''What possible interest could you have in this property?'

'I thought you'd never ask,' his eyes held a glint of triumph. 'Perhaps we may talk inside,' he pointed towards her office. 'I would not prefer holding a business discussion on the street.'

'We have no business to discuss,' Alina hissed.

'And she can become fiesty,' Tomas cupped her face. 'Of course you can,' his voice was a whisper. 'I felt it the night we made love,' erotically his thumb caressed over her lip.
Alina shut her eyes. She prayed her body would not betray her.

Don't respond to him...do not respond!

'Can just anybody bring out the flames in you cara, or is it just me?' Her eyes flew open. The emerald flecks of her eyes, a tell tale betrayal. Their eyes meshed. Like two chemical substances combusting, instantaneously, volatile desire flared between them. He had moved closer, but when? His hot breath was upon her cheeks, caressing, as if it were his lips burning her up. Her head angled...wanting more, drawing closer to him. Alina groaned softly, even though she had not spoken a word, every fibre of her body was begging for more of him. Her hands lifted, hesitatingly, fingers bunched on his chest. Rippling muscles flexed in response to her touch. His lips moved purposefully towards hers, as his head lowered.

'Stay away!' Alina's fingers pushed at his chest. She left him standing there and ran inside. It took Tomas a moment longer to recover then he was hot on her heels.

'Alina wait!' Tomas commanded, but she ran on.

'Just leave me alone,' she raised her voice over her shoulder.

Rocco hearing Alina's angry voice rushed towards her like a knight in shining armour. He saw a male figure behind Alina, but could not see the face.

'I'll get rid of him,' Rocco announced in Italian.

'He is---.'

'You and which army?' Tomas questioned in the same native language, his eyes blazed furiously at the young man who dared to challenge him.

'Italian.' Alina spoke at the same time as Tomas, letting Rocco know his native language was in vain.

Signore, chiedo scusa. Non sapevo che eri tu...Sir, I beg your pardon---I did not know it was you.

Alina's eyes widened as she witnessed the way Rocco addressed Tomas with such reverence. Curiously her eyes flew to Tomas. He was glaring at Rocco. Looking him up and down, sizing him out. Alina could not but observe the stark contrast. Tomas towered over Rocco who was the same age as her, a young twenty four year old, slight in built. It was difficult to ignore Tomas' broad shoulders, well developed muscular physique and his male model good looks.

Does everyone bow down to the high and mighty Tomas Casiraghi?

Something like a squeal of denial burst out of Alina's lips. Both men's eyes flew to Alina. Not you too Rocco! Her eyes seem to accuse Rocco.

'Cara---,' Rocco murmured defensively.'

Alina shook her head disbelievingly. She reached behind her back, opened her office, went in and slammed the door, leaving both men outside.

Bloody hell, Rocco stands on ceremony as if that brute was the bloody King.

Alina paced around her office furiously. She still could not believe all that was unfolding in the last twenty four hours. For the hundredth time she wished she'd never laid eyes on Tomas Casiraghi. Wished her body did not betray her each time he touched her and wished she knew how to turn off the attraction she felt towards him. There was no denying it was there. She knew it and he knew it only too well.

Her door opened a few minutes later and even with her back to the door, she already knew who was at the door. She spun around to glare at the intruder.

'Hardly a hiding place, don't you think?'

'I was not hiding,' she replied. 'I was hoping you had left.'

'I'm not leaving until you hear my proposal.'

''Proposal?"'

The way he dragged that word out, she knew whatever it was he was going to propose she was not going to like it.

'I believe you are unable to meet the new rental requirements,' he stated.

'It borders on extortion,' Alina spat out.

'I own the property,' he stated, matter of fact. 'You want to rent my property then you pay the price I want.'

Alina was incensed by his casual tone of voice as if they were discussing what ingredients to throw in a lamb stew. 'I cannot afford your ridiculous rent,' Alina's voice was almost a sob. 'Clearly, I have to find alternate premises.'

Tomas looked away. He could see from her moist eyes she was battling to hold it together. Still he admired the spirited way she stood her ground. He felt guilty at what he was about to do next, only a little guilty as the benefits far outweighed his guilt, promising a thrilling return on investment.

'You don't need to move,' his voice was so soft, she almost had not heard him.

'You'll extend my lease agreement at the existing rate?' Alina was hopeful.

''You agree to become my wife and I will extent the existing contract as is.'

Alina threw her head back and laughed hysterically. 'For a moment there I thought you asked me to be your wife,' she continued laughing. When her eyes met Tomas' she realized he was not smiling or amused. She stopped laughing.

I'm not leaving until you hear my proposal.

Alina had not given much thought to how she imagined, she would be proposed to, but this was ridiculous. This was cold, clinical and repulsive. He'd said outside, he did not wish to hold a business discussion on the street. So this ---marriage would be a business arrangement.

Tomas watched the play of emotions flight across her face. Will she agree? Would she call his bluff? What is she thinking? Could she tell what he was thinking?

Alina stared at Tomas. Why is he proposing to Plain Jane me? He could have any beautiful woman in the world. What could he possibly achieve from me being his wife? I will be of no benefit to him whatsoever. I am unattractive. I don't have a fancy designer wardrobe. I am not in his league.

'Excuse me, are you not engaged to Ms. Kelly Roberts?'

'Scusi?' He looked confused. 'Did Kelly not introduce her fiancé to you when she came to view the restaurant?'

'No---she came alone,' Alina's heart raced excitedly, like that blip on a patient's heart monitor signalling they'd just come alive again.

It was Tomas' turn to throw his head back and laugh. 'No cara, I am not the one she is engaged to, however I do feel a --- you could say filial responsibility towards Kelly.' Alina saw something in his eyes she never saw previously...compassion?

'Her father was an employee in my Head Quarters in Rome,' Tomas stared at a vacant spot on the wall behind her. 'When I visited him once in the hospital, he asked of me, if anything happens to him, I must take care of his only child, two days later, he died of a heart attack. Kelly's mother is late.'

'I am sorry,' Alina murmured, what for she was not sure.

Tomas' head swung back to her. 'Kelly is engaged to my cousin brother, Fernando De Vita. They both work in the London branch of my company. I believe Fernando is besotted with Kelly, though I do not know if the feeling is mutual,'
Tomas' eyes held amusement. 'One never knows the workings of the female mind, but rest assured, I have no designs on the young lady, contrary to what you suspect.'

She could do nothing about her crimson cheeks. 'I see,' Alina felt obliged to respond, even though everything was as clear as mud.

'Now back to the matter at hand,' Tomas reintroduced his preposterous proposal.

'I work fourteen to sixteen hours a day. We will hardly see each other. What possible reason would you have, to marry me?'

'My reasons are unimportant,' his eyes shifted away. 'However, your working hours will have to change.'

Alina gasped. She could not believe what she was hearing. She had no desire to marry him. He was bullying her into it and he has the gall to dictate her working hours.

'Running a restaurant is not a nine to five job,' Alina informed him.

'You have two capable managers. Get another to relieve you if you have to.'

'I don't have an unlimited supply of funds,' Alina raised her voice.

'I'm prepared to invest in your thriving business,' he offered, as if it was the most natural solution to her problems.

Alina blinked and shook her head as if that would dispel the ridiculous proposition she had just heard. 'You want me to become your wife?' she questioned, when I have no desire to marry you!

What was wrong with her? Women never stop propositioning me? She would be set for life when she becomes my wife.

Reluctantly, Tomas nodded.

'Then you dictate the hours I am to work and propose somebody else take over what I love doing! What is the purpose of me having the restaurant, if I'm not to be actively involved in it as I wish to?'

He looked away.

'And why the hell do you, a billionaire, want me as your wife? Why don't you put an advert in the newspaper, if you are that desperate?'

'Oh, you sell yourself short, Cara,' he pulled her into his arms. 'I want you,' his mouth covered hers without warning. She prepared to fight him off, expecting his possession to be brutal and punishing, instead, his lips were tender, his tongue, teasing, tempting, arousing, drawing out her response. Alina wanted to resist him, she wanted to push him away, but when her hands touched him, her fingers reached his face, experimenting, caressing. Her fingers trailed upwards, raked through his hair, the kiss deepened, they pressed against each other, insatiable, urgent, until sanity prevailed. She had to gain some control here. Alina tore her lips away and stepped back.

Tomas smiled triumphantly, 'and make no mistake about it cara mia, I want you in my bed every night. You will produce heirs to benefit my vast wealth and I will never consent to a divorce. Do I make myself clear?'

'Clear as crystal,' Alina smiled sarcastically. 'I will never marry you. Get out!' She opened the door.

Tomas narrowed his eyes at her stupidity. Surely she knew it was futile to cross him. 'You now have less than sixty days to vacate my premises,' he cupped her face aggressively and pressed his lips to hers with a punishing kiss before he strode out.

Instead of being angry at his brutality, her fingers touched her lips, as if touching Tomas' mouth, her eyes shut, remembering the earlier kiss where she'd yielded to his magnetic hold on her. Alina just stared wide-eyed as Tomas stormed out of her office. I cannot believe the gall of the man! Why should she marry him? She did not know him from a bar of soap? Marry? What about a courtship first? But then if he cautioned her there would be no divorce, what was the point of the courtship?

Her door opened. Her eyes shifted to see who was there, but her head stayed in the same position, with her hand at her lips.

'Cara?'

Alina prayed her lips did not look swollen---properly kissed.

'Traitor!' Alina hissed at Rocco.

'Alina,' Rocco groaned. 'Do you know who that is?'

'Your god, it seems, the way you hero worshipped him!'

'Alina, we cannot fight him. The Casiraghi family owns half of Italy,' Rocco declared. 'They employ thousands of people in my country.'

'I don't care. I am not bowing down to King Casiraghi.'

Rocco's groan rose a few decibels. 'He is a good man. He has built schools, hospitals, shelters all over---Naples, Foggia, Sicily, Taranto. He gives the government money to develop houses for the poor---.'

'He does not show such benevolence to me now does he? I am not marrying the bastard!' Alina covered her face and sobbed hysterically.

'Scusi?' Rocco's eyes bore into Alina, like she'd just announced the world was ending.

'You heard me,' Alina paced around, 'I have to marry the arrogant, son of a gun, if I want to stay here.'

'You?---'

'Hysterical, I know right?' Alina sneered. 'That's what beats me, why does he want ugly me?' She asked, tears were running riot over her mascara.

'Alina,' Rocco gripped her shoulders. 'You are beautiful. You have a heart of ---diamonds,' he smiled. 'You have gorgeous fingers,' he lifted her hand and kissed each finger. 'They make the most magnificent gourmet dishes. Your smile is---sexy and when you throw your head back and laugh, I want to rip your clothes off and make love to you,' he caressed her face, wiping away her tears.

'I don't have sexy legs?' She queried, smiling through her tears, 'and ---I can't think of the adjective for my eyes.'

'Should I keep going tesoro?' His head lowered, his lips captured hers in the gentlest kiss. She let him, hoping Rocco's kiss could erase everything about Tomas. She wanted it to work, for Rocco's sake. She tried to respond, channelling all her energy into the kiss, but it was futile. Her heart was not in it. Rocco's kisses were like, flogging a dead horse.

'I'm sorry Rocco,' Alina pulled away.

'It's him, isn't it?' Rocco accused angrily.

'No!' Alina denied vehemently.

'All the women fall over him in Italy! No woman escapes his charm.'

Not this woman.

'I guess you too?' He pointed an accusing finger at Alina.

She did not bother correcting his English. Did she fall under his charm? Could she not resist him? She will the next time he touches her.

       -end chapter seven-


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