Elena's POV
I gave the idiot a smirk and stretched out my arm. "Good evening, Mr. Ryan, my name is Elena Thorn."
He quickly schooled his features and enveloped my small palms in his larger ones.
"Good evening, Miss Elena." He gave me a pointed gaze and refused to look elsewhere.
I returned that with a challenging look. He might have gotten away with bullying me at his office but not here too.
"Do you both by chance know each other?" My father boomed from behind us breaking whatever was going on.
"No," I replied abruptly.
"Yes," the idiot had to say it out loud.
My Dad looked at both of us for a while, then bellowed in laughter. "That works for me actually, we have so much to discuss." He placed his arm on Ryan's back leading him towards the quiet table he was occupying earlier at the edge of the room.
"What about, Sir?" He asked my father.
I took a step away from them and slowly took another one to escape in the midst of the crowd.
"Elena, I can see you. This discussion involves you too."
I slumped my shoulders in defeat. I didn't want to be anywhere near that man. "Okay, Dad."
Soon, the three of us went to the table and each had our seats. A waiter came and poured the glass of wine into each wine glass before us.
"Hope you're enjoying your night, Ryan? It would be a shame if not because we the godfathers of the city put in a lot of work to make this happen."
"It isn't bad, Sir. Why did you call me here?"
My father laughed at this, while I rolled my eyes at Mr. Grumpy pants. I'm impressed by him though, most people kiss my father's feet to remain in his good books.
"You were always straight to the point. It works for me though. So the thing is I have something for you. It will be of benefit for the both of us." My father's face turned calculating.
Sometimes I forget how powerful he is, he couldn't have reached such heights in business without being calculating.
"What is that?"
"I'm not getting younger and I need to set my empire aright. You seem to want the deal for building the largest estate in the city, which would be a game changer and worth billions of dollar."
"Yes, I do want it. But what is the catch?"
"Always so smart, at least that is why I trust you for what I'd like you to do."
"Go ahead."
"I will make it happen and get you the deal if you'd do something for me."
"What is that?"
"I'd like you to marry my daughter."
My heart sunk at this. "What? Dad! What the hell do you mean by that." I shouted, not caring if the whole hall heard us.
"You will shut the hell up you insolent child. I've had enough of your childish antics."
"I have done everything you have ever wanted, what else do you want, my life?"
"I said shut up!"
Tears rolled down my cheeks and I turned round the room, everyone was staring at us.
"What the hell are you all looking at?" My father barked, everyone went back to what they were doing.
"With all due respect, Sir. I cannot do what you ask of me." Ryan, finally said something.
I wanted to get up and run but my legs were too weak for that. My father's actions broke my fragile heart to pieces.
"Why is that?"
"I will not marry anyone without their consent. She is obviously upset about the arrangement."
My father didn't spare me a glance. "She will be fine. But, who said it was a request?"
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused, young man. You will do as I say or else I will pull all my investments and make sure you have no more investors in your company."
"You will do no such thing!" Ryan's veins had popped out of his skin and I turned to look at the two in fear.
"I didn't become a godfather by playing games. Now do you accept or not?"
He was silent for a long while then took a large gulp of wine. "How much time do I have?"
"None, I want your answer now. The papers are right on the table. You'll sign the contract and have everything, even some shares in my company."
"That's not what I want and you know it."
"I will tear everything you've worked so hard for to the ground. So take your pick."
He looked at me, I was sobbing silently and thinking of the best route out of this even if it means to run away.
Ryan reluctantly took the document and read it over for some time, then signed it. People were busy stealing glance at us.
"Perfect, you too will sign it Elena. I know you will attempt to do something stupjd. But if you sign it legal actions will be taken against you if you do."
My father took the papers and handed it to me.
"Why are you doing this, Dad?"
He ignored me and nudged me with the papers. I took them with shaky hands and wanted to tear it in pieces.
"If you dare, you might not like what I'd do to your Nonna."
I shook my head vigorously, signing the papers as tears dropped into them.
"Perfect, now you two can get to know each other and enjoy the party."
He took the papers with him and stood up, walking away with his body guard.
My gaze was fixed on my father when a soft cloth was placed in my hands.
I quickly followed the act and realized that Ryan handed it over to me.
"You should wipe your tears, I'm not that bad."
I stayed silent wiping the tears off carelessly smearing my makeup all over my face.
He rolled his eyes at me. "You're too damn clumsy for your own good."
"Shut up and mind your business." I replied with so much hate.
"Too bad you're stuck with me. One more thing next time don't be stupid enough to sign anything without reading it first."
Just when I was about to answer him rudely, an extremely beautiful blonde, locked her hands with his.
"What is going on here, babe?" She asked giving me an icy glare.