Aliya's POV
Last night had been the craziest night of my entire life. I get cheated on, dumped, almost run over, but saved by the hottest guy ever and now, I'm supposed to marry a stranger? Like I said, it wasn't the easiest thing to be a Van Alen heiress.
I wonder if I'll ever get to meet the guy from last night; I didn't even get his name or number and now I can't stop thinking about our encounter.
I laid on my queen-sized bed staring at the modern ceiling crafted originally by a French artist, Solomon Dubois, as the morning light crept its way through my window. A beautiful sight that isn't seen just anywhere and by just anyone. I couldn't cry for that loser anymore. I was going to get my revenge on him slowly and it'll be messy.
Well, if dad thought I was a fool and didn't know what was written on that will then he was solely mistaken. Grandpa had said to fall in love and marry anyone I wanted in order to get my inheritance.
I wanted nothing to do with love anymore but if I have to get married, then that's what I'm going to do. I'll get me a man, anyone else but not a De Luca. It shouldn't be that hard, right? First, meet a guy I can pay off and convince everyone we're in love, then get married. Easy pizzy.
I'll pay the family debt off and stay away from them. Besides, strangers in a café might have a closer relationship than what I had with my forced family. Two weeks after mum's death, dad had brought in his new family. Sometimes I wonder if he ever really loved my mum at all. I had tried so much to get along with his new wife and daughter but they hated me and guess what, the feeling was mutual.
I stood up, opened the vast windows, and inhaled the morning breeze as I flung my arms up and stretched like I hadn't slept in days. It's a good day to go man-hunting. I chuckled lightly at my own thoughts.
It's time to live my old life and dream of becoming a wife to Philip and start becoming a real Van Alen, like my grandpa Alonzo taught me. I quickly took a bath with the most scented soaps ever and dressed like I always did before meeting Philip.
I gazed into the mirror, adjusting my tailored ivory blouse and dark grey pencil skirt. My black Louboutins added a touch of elegance, while a simple silver necklace completed the outfit. I slipped on my black cashmere blazer, feeling poised and confident than ever as I walked out of my bedroom and into the living room.
"Where do you think you're going to? Trying to escape your wedding?" Dad looked at me as he put his phone away, acknowledging my presence.
"To work, Dad, where else should I be heading to this early?" I raised my brows.
"So you think you can disappear from the company and come back anytime you like? Your grandfather may have made you the CEO of Deluxe Corporation, but I took care of it when you decided to fall in love." He said as he lit up a cigar in his hands.
"Exactly, Dad, I'm the CEO. Why does that make you and your clingy wife so mad all the time, ever since the lawyer read that in Grandpa's will?" I said, my voice laced with anger. "You know what? Don't answer that. If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave now."
"Bye, Dad." I yelled as I moved outside. My car had been waiting for me already. A white convertible Tesla. "I missed you, baby." I murmured, taking in the beauty that stood before me.
"Miss Aliya, are you sure you don't need me to drive you around? I'll gladly do that." William poked his head through the passenger window.
"Bye, William. I'll call you whenever I need you." I smiled and sped off without letting him say another word.
"No breakfast? You're becoming lean, dear." He yelled at the top of his voice, but I ignored his bickering.
I got to the back of the office building in minutes. I always used the back entrance because of the press and how nosy they can get. It had always been best that way. "You've got this, Aliya Van Alen." I reassured myself and stepped out of the car.
"Welcome back, Miss Van Alen." My assistant Brooke offered me a warm smile. Looked like William had sent word ahead. That explained the bodyguards who stood before me now and my assistant's sudden appearance.
"Thank you, Brooke, shall we?" I smiled, and she nodded as she led the way into the hallway and towards the elevator.
"We have everything ready for your arrival, ma'am. The office has been set up just the way you like it, and there are a lot of documents that need your signature." Brooke explained as the elevator opened back up, revealing a flood of workers going about their daily activities.
We got into the office, and I inhaled deeply while sinking into the soft office seat and swirled around for a while, forgetting I was in the room with someone.
I turned to Brooke, who was now opening up a document in front of me, but I wasn't ready for that, not yet. "Do you know where I can get a boyfriend?" My question startled Brooke as she looked at me with worry etched on her face.
"Excuse me, Ma'am?"
"Okay, maybe I didn't ask this correctly. Do you know how we can find the hot guy I met yesterday?" I changed the question. In the midst of all this chaos, I couldn't let go of how a stranger would capture my attention in minutes.
"Ma'am, with situations like this, it's best to check out a dating site, but for a woman of your status, then you don't need that. Men will die to date you." She grinned.
"I already know that, Brooke, but most of them are frauds, believe me. They just want to leech off my money." I shrugged. "Besides, I don't want any guy. I want the one who helped me a few hours back because I'm sure he'll fit the role I need him to play perfectly."
Brooke was the closest thing I had to a friend right now. She had been working for me for a year, and if anyone should have a share of my thoughts, it should be her.
"And I've told you, when we're together, call me Aliya." I smiled, and she nodded.
"Did you get a name?" She asked.
Of course, I didn't get a name. I was busy crying over my ex-boyfriend and his new dog to pull around like he did to me.
She face-palmed herself after noticing my reaction. "So what do you have in mind, Aliya? Because I can't help you find your hot mystery guy without at least a name," Brooke asked.
"I don't know, but first let's go have breakfast. I'm starving. Maybe I'll bump into him. Fate can be a sneaky bastard." I chuckled, and she burst out into laughter.
"If I may ask, why do you need a guy so bad? You literally have everything. I don't think you need a man to complete you." Brooke asked as she packed up the documents and put them away while we made our way to my car.
"My dad's making me get married to a De Luca if I don't find a man to marry in two days." I explained.
A crease formed around her forehead as she listened keenly to me. "So what if you marry none of them?"
"Then I lose my inheritance and the company I have worked hard to maintain." I sighed.
"Okay, I must say, it is tough to be you, Aliya." She raised her hands in surrender.
"Yes, it is Brooke, yes it is." I said as we drove to my favorite restaurant, Sancho Magnifico.
The place pulsed with elegance as always and smelled heavenly. I could see the awe on Brooke's face. "This place is amazing." She said as we were escorted to the VIP section.
"I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom." I said and walked away. Seconds later, I found the room and twisted the doorknob open.
I stopped in my tracks and screamed when I saw the half-naked 6'4, muscular, tall figure that stood before me with nothing on but some socks and pants.
"You're the one." I gasped.
His eyes widened, and he rushed towards me, trying to close my mouth with his hands.
"Don't scream. I won't hurt you." He whispered.