BEATRICE'S POV
Just landed. See you in a bit.
I sent the message as soon as the plane touched down. I could already imagine his relieved expression when he received it. He'd been pestering me for days about my arrival, and now that I was finally here, I couldn't help but wonder why he'd been so eager to meet with me. Was there something urgent he needed to discuss? Or perhaps he had a surprise waiting for me?
If it was a matter of life and death, knowing him, he would have flown to Italy himself to get this over and done with. But he didn't. The fact that he waited made me think it wasn't something dire.
Maybe it was something personal?
Either way, I was about to find out soon enough.
Good thing, one of the perks of being on a private plane was that I didn't have to wait in long security lines or deal with crowded terminals. So, I would definitely be able to get to him quickly. As I unbuckled my seatbelt, a figure appeared in front of me, startling me momentarily.
"Did you enjoy the flight, Miss Salvatore?" The ever so dashing pilot, Philipe, asked with a charming smile.
"I'm alive, that's enjoyable enough for me," I replied with a grin.
Philipe chuckled and nodded, running his fingers through his golden hair. "Well, that's always my goal especially with you on board," he smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "If you need any assistance, just let me know."
Couldn't be more subtle than that, huh? I thought, amused by his flirtation.
I knew very well what he was insinuating, but I had more pressing matters to attend to. Besides, the thing with him was a one-time fling. I was just curious about the fuss behind this mile-high club thing, but that curiosity had already been satisfied. Don't get me wrong, Philipe was definitely the kind of guy any girl would drop their pants for. His chiseled features and undeniable charm made him irresistible. Add in the fact that he was a young pilot, barely in his late twenties, only added to his appeal.
And he definitely made the experience quite memorable, but I wasn't the type of girl who lingers on past flings, or even stays longer than necessary. On the other hand, guys like Philipe often have trouble letting go.
They seemed to think that one passionate encounter meant something more, but I couldn't blame them. My Salvatore and Florentin blood ran deep, making me a magnet for desire and intrigue that many couldn't resist.
The combination of my family's legacy and my own allure often left men bewitched, unable to distinguish between a fleeting moment and something deeper.
Well, it was a family trait after all. Charm and appeal were as natural to us as breathing.
"Thank you, Philipe," I said, grabbing my bag. "But I think I've got everything under control for now."
My priorities were clear, and right now, they revolve around finding out why I was summoned so urgently.
Philipe stepped aside and offered me a knowing smile, as if what I had said held any chances of us in the future. "Noted, Miss Salvatore. Safe travels."
I put on my sunnies, giving him one last smile before making my way through the exit.
After stepping off the plane, I was immediately greeted by the cool fall breeze. You could immediately note the difference between Florence's smell of autumn compared to NYC's. Florence had a crisp, earthy aroma mixed with the scent of roasted chestnuts, while New York was dominated by the smell of city life and distant whiffs of hot pretzels.
Nevertheless, both cities are close to my heart. Florence's charm and history were a part of my heritage, while New York's energy and freedom shaped my daily life. As both were running in my veins, each city offered me a special comfort that I cherished deeply.
"Welcome back, Miss Salvatore." The chauffeur warmly welcomed me as he opened the door to the black town car waiting on the tarmac.
Sliding into the plush leather seat, I pulled out my phone to check for any new messages. A simple reply from him made me think that there's really nothing I should worry about.
Great. See you.
Relieved, I tucked my phone away and leaned back, and allowed myself to relax as the car pulled away from the airport.
* * * * * *
I arrived on the top floor of one of the buildings he owns in NYC, where he wanted to have this long-awaited meeting.
As I stepped through the doors of his lavish office space, I was greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of the city's skyline. My eyes immediately searched for the person who had summoned me here. There he was, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his silhouette framed by the dazzling cityscape behind him. He turned around, offering a small nod of acknowledgment and a faint smile as he saw me enter.
He was currently engaged in a phone call but gestured for me to take a seat. I settled into the chair opposite his desk, observing the sophisticated decor and the view as I waited for him to finish.
This place was a far cry from the cozy warmth of Florence, but it was every bit as impressive and a testament to his power and influence. It was like he controlled everything my eyes could see from this vantage point.
The skyline, the bustling streets below, and even the intricate network of businesses that thrived within the city--all seemed to fall under his dominion.
He was truly born for this, effortlessly commanding respect and exuding authority.
The new head of the Salvatore clan.
Our Don.
"How was your flight?" he asked the moment he ended his call. He walked behind his desk and sat down. "I trust everything went smoothly?" he continued, his tone casual and commanding.
"It was wonderful, as always. Traveling on one of our private planes certainly makes a difference," I replied, appreciating the luxury and convenience that came with our family's status.
"Good," he said with a satisfied nod, leaning back in his chair.
"The family sends their congratulations to the new Don of the Salvatore clan," I said in a tone filled with pride and admiration. "So, shall I call you Don from now on? Though it sounds too old, and you're barely in your thirties," I teased.
He shook his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Just call me by my name. Titles are for those who need them to feel significant."
"Theodore Salvatore," I said in a proud tone, "You have brought honor and strength to our family, and we all believe in your vision for the future. Our future."
The late Don Alastair Salvatore only had three children, two sons and one daughter, who all met a tragic end too soon. Which made the second generation of the Don's direct bloodline, Theo, Lukas, and I, the next in line to carry on the legacy.
Theo, even when he was young, showed remarkable leadership skills and an uncanny ability to strategize. His superior intellect and natural charisma made him stand out among us, earning the respect and trust of both our family and allies.
It was no surprise that he succeeded in taking the role of the Don. His rise to power felt almost predestined, a natural progression that everyone anticipated.
But of course, with great power comes great responsibility. And I fear that for someone like him, ambitious and driven, he would lose himself in the relentless pursuit of power and control.
I was relieved when I learned he had married. His wife, Amelia, would surely keep him grounded and keep his heart warm.
Lia was the light that balanced Theo's intensity. Her kindness and warmth were a perfect complement to his calculated demeanor. She had a way of bringing out a soft side in him, something we didn't know ever existed. Her presence gave me hope that Theo would not only be a great leader but also a compassionate one.
But after that accident--him not remembering her existence in his life--my fear returned and only grew stronger. Without Lia's grounding presence, Theo's ambition might consume him entirely. I worried that the ruthless world we inhabit would harden his heart beyond repair.
That's why I was so hell-bent on finding a way to restore his memories of her. I couldn't bear to see him lose the very essence of what made him human. Lia was the key to ensuring he remained the leader we all respected and not just another power-hungry figure in our tumultuous world.
Every Salvatore man needs someone to anchor them, to remind them of their humanity amidst the chaos and power struggles. For Theo, that anchor was Lia, only her.
If only Theo had a good-natured consigliere, instead of that heartless anti-hero, Andreas, who seemed to only fuel his wickedness. His manipulative tendencies only served to intensify Theo's darker ambitions, steering him away from the compassion Lia once instilled in him.
We talked about my trip and the Don's funeral in Italy, and how he and Grandma are together now, resting side by side in the family crypt. Theo filled me in on what's happening in New York, recounting the latest power moves and alliances within the underworld.
He also mentioned about choosing Lukas as the underboss under his new leadership. It was only fitting, not just because Lukas was family, but he also had a strategic mind and a loyalty that was beyond question.
For sure, the late Don would be so pleased to see Lukas stepping into such an important role. He always reminded us that family was the cornerstone of everything we did, the foundation upon which all our power and influence rested.
This would truly ensure that our legacy would remain strong and united.
Now that I think about it, as we go on with these kinds of conversations, I finally had a hint on what this sudden meeting was about. Theo wasn't just catching me up on family affairs; he was subtly preparing me for a larger role in our operations.
The way he emphasized loyalty and legacy hinted that he saw me as a crucial part of our family's future, someone who could contribute greatly to maintaining our power and influence.
What role could that be?
I was on the edge of my seat, waiting impatiently for him to open finally the can . The suspense was almost unbearable as I tried to read between the lines of his carefully chosen words.
Just when I was about to confront him and tell him to get straight to the point, a knock on his door interrupted us. Theo's attention shifted away from me and I groaned internally.
My dissatisfaction took a full-blown turn when I saw the person who entered. His presence was like a dark cloud, overshadowing the possibility of any positive news.
Andreas was like a bearer of ill omens, whose arrival usually meant trouble was around the corner.
He didn't mind my presence in the room; he just graced inside as if he didn't just interrupt a very important conversation.
I turned to Theo and gave him a look that said, can you believe this guy?, but his expression told me he was indeed expecting his arrival. Theo's calm demeanor only heightened my curiosity and unease. Clearly, this heartless manipulator had a significant role to play in whatever Theo had planned in this meeting.
My eyes followed the jerk as he made his way to Theo's desk. He was tall, clad in a sharply tailored suit that dressed the part of being the consigliere. His dark hair fell just below his eyes, covered by thin-framed glasses that gave him an air of intellectual superiority. He adjusted them and glanced at me briefly, his gaze lacked any form of emotion, before turning his full attention to Theo.
I rolled my eyes, barely concealing my annoyance.
Andreas always had a way of making every situation feel ten times more problematic than it needed to be. I would never ever forgive him for what he did to Lia. The memory of her broken spirit was still fresh in my mind, and seeing his face only rekindled my anger.
As he began to speak to Theo in his usual cold, methodical tone, I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure. If Theo thought I could work alongside this man, he was gravely mistaken.
Theo flipped through the papers the jerk just put on his table, his eyes scanning the contents with a focused intensity. Andreas, meanwhile, stood there, emotionless and expressionless, which only served to irritate me further.
I don't know. Whether he was doing something or not, he always struck a chord of annoyance within me
"This is good enough," Theo closed the folder and handed it back to Andreas. "We'll proceed with this plan," he added in an authoritative tone.
My heart sank as I heard this. I knew whatever plan Theo had agreed to, this manipulative, heartless jackass of an idiot was undoubtedly the mastermind behind it.
Theo then turned to me, his hands clasped together as if he were about to deliver a verdict. "I need you to trust me on this," he said, his voice steady but earnest. "I called you here to discuss your marriage," he continued, dropping the bombshell I never saw coming.
"Your arranged marriage."
-END OF CHAPTER 1-
A/N: Welcome to HEARTLESS, a spinoff story of Lose You To Love Me featuring Beatrice and her Heartless Love Interest.
How will this story turn out? What trope could it be?
Enemies to lovers? She fell first, he fell harder? GrumpyvsSunshine? Forbidden love?
This story is in the same timeline as HYTLM, so you will see some scenes overlaps, but in different POV. ENJOY!
ADVANCE CHAPTERS AVAILABLE ON PATREON: notjustarandomgirl