Val Rossini wished he could marry his company and make it his lifetime partner. It would make life so much easier but the thought was insane.
He soon realized women don't stick around once they figured out he was addicted to his job. Loneliness was the price he took after risking Rossini Capital Management into the big league of the business world.
"Once again, you have saved me, Mrs. Lewitt" Val gave her assistant a grateful smile and leaned back in his chair. A big sigh came out from him as his mac book refuses to connect to the printer and a serious life-threatening document had been delayed for printing. Good thing, Mrs. Lewitt had been of a big help and the signed hard copies is now officially in his hands.
"I'd hardly call printing an offer to save your life," Mrs. Lewitt glanced at him then to her watch in an intentional manner to point out the time. "It's already past five and it's Friday. You should at least take a rest. It's been a whole week of stress for you and you should go out there and have some fun. Take Lexie out. I heard there's this new bistro in Central park and let me handle the proposal. It'll be good for you."
Val frowned as a hint of regret grew and faded.
"I can't," as he began checking the hard copies in his hands.
Mrs. Lewitt shrugged and placed her hands on her hips, emancipated an act of motherhood, Val glanced up and saw her gesture. "Lexie and I didn't work, we split up. She's already seeing someone else."
He thought about Lexie for a moment, and how things got complicated between them. Hopefully, the new relationship she got into now would make her happy and content. She deserved someone who could give her his full attention and affection. Though, Val regretted not being that someone for Lexie, but it would be unfair to let Lexie keep hoping and waiting he'd be that man who is capable of committing into a serious relationship. As a result, he ended up alone and lonely, once again.
Mrs. Lewitt sighed and crossed her arms, "I knew she would've ended it, she couldn't handle a one-sided relationship, Val." She looked down at Val with a tsk, "Now, who are you taking to the art auction next week?"
Val hissed. He'd almost forget about the art auction next week, but it wasn't as if he could skip the auction. The New York University Arts Division has presented his name since he'd donated some of his world class paintings for the auction and the proceeds will eventually be in their chosen charities. "Aren't you free next Saturday?"
Mrs. Lewitt chuckled as if Val was cracking a joke. "Oh dear my child," she began wiping her tear ducts, "I don't want you to look desperate and still ask me to escort you in your events. If Lexie can't be that woman, then find another else that could."
Yeah, right. He had stumbled himself over a fair share of women who could like to go out with him. But then until they realized they wouldn't be satisfied with the little attention he could give. It never took very long time to reach that point.
An empty deep feeling aroused from his gut, one he'd been experiencing lately and it really bothered him a lot as time grows old. "I hate dating." And getting-to-know-each- other-phase, he wouldn't like to spend most of his time and energy on such kind of senseless activities. Rossini Capital Management is his top priority. Always.
"That's because you don't give much time and effort to get yourself out there."
And here they go again, tackling her favorite subject. Mrs. Lewitt never got tired of pointing out and scolding him about the lack of interest on keeping a woman in his life.
"Have you been talking to my Mom lately?"
"She just came for a visit last time when you're out in a meeting. She just wanted to say hi and took me out for lunch." Mrs. Lewitt raised her eyebrows and telling him to be guilty for not giving quality time for his mother. And he surely got it; he should've called her mother and date suitable women.
But the problem was, he not only hated dating, he also hated himself always standing up dates and disappointing his date who clearly deserved better. But he really liked someone as a company, and well he also loves sex—he's a guy, it was a necessity. Why is it so hard to keep a woman who could be perfectly fine even if he is a workaholic?
"I know it's late, Mrs. Lewitt," Val said as he tried to change the topic and stood up as he gestured his assistant to the door. "Why don't you go home and take a rest. Spend more time with your family and I'll take the proposal to Humphrey?"
He would go straight ahead to Humphreys Mobile Enterprise, to personally handle the proposal to Leo Humphrey as a way of expressing his interest in dealing a business with them. Leo Humphrey had invented revolutionary models designed for LG, Samsung, Lenovo and HTC and Val intended to be Humphrey's project capital firm of choice. The partnership will lead a sizeable net market and generous yet long-term profit for both companies. Val will do everything to steal the deal, and he would never rest until his company hit the sweet spot of security. He has been the best and on top and he would never stop being in such position.
Val opened the door for Mrs. Lewitt to lead her out of his office, "Thanks, Mrs. Lewitt. By the way, I was thinking of having a gathering at my house to welcome Leo Humphrey in our company. Is it okay if you would consider planning it for me?"
"Basically, it's not my job to be also your wife, Val." Mrs. Lewitt straightened her mouth, for the whole eight years she'd been watching over Val running the business and has been technically involved in his personal life to keep him sane and with that she'd seen a lot.
With a hesitant laugh, Val said, "Well, obviously not. That's not part of your job description and is also beyond your scope of work." Except that, Val couldn't admit the truth that Mrs. Lewitt, had been always there for him. When his hair grew too long, she would schedule a haircut for him. On his mother's birthday, Mrs. Lewitt went on shopping to buy a gift for him. She had been most likely a second mother to Val and with that he was totally grateful. But the gathering for Leo Humphrey was basically not part of Mrs. Lewitt's function and she already had done so much for him.
"Well, it should be someone else's job description." Mrs. Lewitt pointed out.
"What? Should I hire a party planner?" Val suggested, that gave Mrs. Lewitt an apologetic look.
"Like a girlfriend. Or better yet a wife, if you can't find them. Hire them or you can just buy them so she can be yours as long as you want." She said with a nod. "You need someone to take care of you, Val. Not just in the office but also outside of it. She can chat with Leo to make him feel comfortable and make sure your life is running smoothly. Keep you warm at night."
Mrs. Lewitt gave out a teasing grin, but Val barely noticed. His mind was in deep thoughts.
Buy a wife.
Could that be possible? He couldn't help but thought. It seemed to be a perfect solution to all of his problem and very convenient. Val would have a permanent companion, one with no hidden agenda involving his assets and connections. One who would agree to his rules and won't ask anything in return. There'd be no guilt and hard feelings when she realized he was a total work freak, and could not give attention to her as a wife.
Commitment was Val's kryptonite.
He would never be like his Dad; commitment has been such a powerful thing in their family, once you're in you can never get out. Never. And that's what a marriage out of love can do. He was once been in that such situation long time ago, his first marriage, Carmela, who taught him what love is all about and how easily one could be obsessed with it. He tried to balance his work and his marriage but later on he ended up with a very serious decision.
Love or Success.
His personality couldn't match to being the best husband to his wife, though his personality has been matched to be a successful entrepreneur. If he only had an understanding wife, work and his personal life would remain completely separate and intact.
After his visit to Humphrey's it would only take days before Val could land the deal with Leo, and the gathering would be the best opportunity to solidify his chances. And as soon as possible, he should have a wife. A wife could handle everything, all the chitchats, the food and the smooth flow of the event.
Val went home and headed to his dimmed study, he sat with his laptop on his desk. With the insanely idea Mrs. Lewitt had gotten him into, he started to Google for a miracle. He typed, "Matchmaking Services". A logo of a matchmaking site appeared at the results, E-Marriage International. The website is sophisticated and professional with an elegant theme and a classy font. Most especially, the matchmaker catered to elite and exclusive clients with a promising discretion and a money-back guarantee, and these are what Val exactly needed.
The tag line was—the perfect marriage just a click away.
Apparently, "the perfect marriage" is what Val would want to have, and to have that kind of marriage he could pick the woman who would fit all of his qualifications. E-Marriage International would basically do all the sorting, the interviews, and the background checks and would help find the connection they've been meaning to have.
It was brilliant, practically speaking. The matchmaker would do everything to find Val a wife. One who wouldn't pressure him for something he couldn't give and all he had to do was click to sign in, then get back to work.
Three weeks ago
A letter just got stuck from their mailbox, and Cindy had been trying her best to pull it off without tearing it apart.
"Bloody Hell!" Cindy carefully pulled the silver enveloped letter with a used of a bread knife and finally it slipped out of the mailbox, "gotcha!" She went back inside their little house in Canterbury, England.
Cindy held out the crumpled silver enveloped on the dining table and took a moment to stare at it, though she was very eager to open it.
"Why can't you just open it?"
Darcy came into the kitchen and placed the groceries on the dining table. Cindy was surprised to see her big sister back home early than expected, "Oh, you're back."
"Yes, some bloody rain is coming."
Cindy took the silver envelope and tried to hide it inside her sweatshirt front pocket but Darcy had already noticed it. "Don't hide it, just open it okay?" as Darcy began filling the fridge with her groceries. "Uhmm...I..." Cindy stuttered that got Darcy's suspicion. "What is that?" Darcy asked, but Cindy pulled it back before Darcy was able to grab it.
"Just let me see..." Darcy narrowed her eyes, and went to reached it and finally grabbed it from Cindy. "What on bloody earth is this?"
A silver envelope with embossed gold classy initials of E&M over it; it was elegant yet already crumpled when she grabbed it from her sister. She took a knife and slit the side to open it; Cindy couldn't help but bit her lower lip out of excitement. Her older sister took the ivory scented paper out and read the letter. Darcy's eyes widened out and stared directly to her sister, "You put me in a matchmaking website?!"
Darcy Shannon had always dreamed of her wedding since the first time she'd started her part time job in an events production when she was just sixteen. Someday she'd wear a beautiful wedding dress of tantalizing lace and beads all over its bodice. Everything would be perfect and magically fairy tale liked. The guest would enjoy the swans by the lake and the whimsical theme of the venue. And there would be a three-tiered French vanilla cake with fondant flowers and edible pearls.
Best of all, a handsome groom waiting for her at the end of the altar with a genuine and excited smile pinned on his face. She would walk gracefully down the aisle of red carpet and rose petals scattered on the trail, along with the most romantic melody that could be the theme song for their entire happily married life.
But her real wedding day was way too different from what she have ever envisioned which involves a groom she'd never even met in person. She was standing by her body-length mirror and staring down at herself wearing a crème colored wedding dress, not that big ball gown like but just an ankle length dress, satin arm length gloves, a couple of pearl accessories, her short length veil and an a petite flower bouquet with beads and gems decorated on it.
She sighed, in just a few minutes, she'd be marrying Val Rossini in the small reception room of the matchmaker's house turned office in Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London, with only a handful selected guests to witness her wedding.
"Oh bloody hell, you looked marvelous, Darcy!"
She heard Cindy exclaimed by the doorway and was fascinated at her, Darcy beamed at her sister. Obviously Darcy could pull off any sort of dresses, but this simple crème one would be her wedding dress and she wanted to love it. Though she tried to love it, she just couldn't. It was not the kind she had dreamed about.
E-Marriage Matchmaking International had matched her with an Italian Entrepreneur Val Rossini and he expected a wife with a certain modification—one who dressed the part, acted the part and lived the part. Darcy's first approach for the matchmaking program when she received the silver enveloped invitation was a total insane. But she had no choice, she needed it, they needed it.
Cindy went towards her sister by the mirror and embraced her against her back. "You're so beautiful, Darcy" she said as she pressed back he eyeglasses when it slid down her nose. "I told you, you looked so perfect and fit to be a proper wife. Just like Cinderella." Cindy smiled that made Darcy blushed.
Yeah, it was really hard to put myself into this program.
Darcy bit back the comment. She wasn't a smart one or a pretty one on their batch. No one even got her jokes anyway.
Suddenly, the French doors from the other side of the room went wide open as her matchmaker came in which shoved Darcy's heart into her throat. Margaux Walsh, Darcy's matchmaker, popped into her room, her sophisticated and sleek jet black pixie cut welcomed with grace in every room. "Oh Darcy, Darling. You look lovely."
Darcy smiled demurely, a slight upward crease with no teeth visible—as practiced, one of the things Margaux taught her at being demure.
"Thanks to you, Margaux."
"Oh, I know you needed the best." Margaux nodded and began her critical eye swept over Darcy's look and flicked her manicured hand, "You look flawless, Darling. Val would be thrilled to call you his wife."
And there went that gut flipping again.
She went back to the mirror to have a final check before gliding down the aisle. She studied herself, almost a stranger, with her chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. Would Val be happy with her look? The perfect sleek chignon? The erect posture? What if he doesn't like brunettes? Or what if he doesn't like her?
She was starting to act silly. They'd spoken through Skype twice, and their conversation was plain and direct to the point. He clarified things that he wanted, and conditions that they have agreed to do so which was all plain business, though he was open to have children but not too soon. This marriage was out of convenience, just for a year or until Val could decide to keep her, permanently. And permanent means to an end.
"Soon you'll be Mrs. Val Rossini and all your dreams will come true, sis. For the rest of your life, you'll have someone to be there for you, you'll be secured financially and happily married." Cindy said as they held hands. Darcy would do everything for her sister; her sister was born with a heart defect and was very weak. Soon, she would be able to pay for her sister's heart surgery and she could live longer, since Cindy was the only family left after their parents died from a car accident.
Darcy needed Val to help her save her sister.
With a tight abrupt grip from her sister's hand, Margaux opened the door wider. "Val's waiting for you my dear."
The gripped from Darcy's bouquet almost made her knuckles white as she tried not to let those tears fell down her eyes. "This is wonderful. Everything is perfect. This is what I've been dreaming of." She whispered to herself, trying to help her eased the anxiety that is starting to grow inside her.
She still couldn't believe E-Marriage International had selected her to be one of the candidates for the program. Cindy had confessed that she had made some fabrications from Darcy's profile and even she couldn't believe that the management would buy it. She had been hopping from one job to another, Darcy had been exhausted yet still continued to find a living to help Cindy's education and to be able to save for the heart surgery.
It was maybe by fate that she ended up in such program, where they were trained to be a perfect wife for a workaholic business minded bachelors. Darcy had been one of the most successful graduates of the program and was given the opportunity to meet one potential client, Val Rossini.
The client that she would marry stood immaculately at the end of the trail at the altar. She narrowed her eyes to take a closer look at Val Rossini, the prince charming to her fairy tale. But Fairy tales were stories about magical solutions to problems and basically out of love. In real life, woman had to make sacrifices and Darcy was willing to make one.
Without further ado, Darcy straightened her back and marched slowly down the aisle as she went to meet her fate on a prayer that she and Val would at least grow to care for each other, it may sound ridiculous from an arranged marriage but it's the only thing she could hope for.
Val stood erectly, waiting for his bride to meet him. He was curiously tensed, it's not like he haven't been to a wedding before or have not been wed before. He already had two weddings and three attempts, what's more to be excited about?
Finally Darcy Shannon arrived at the altar smoothly; her heart was fluttering as she stood right next to Val Rossini, her husband-to-be.
He looked up and met her gaze.
Darcy couldn't hide the feeling inside her, and the surprise that he looked exactly the same like his profile picture. He was significantly tall, his Dark blonde hair kept short and tidy and an expensive, well-tailored suit over his lean masculine body, obviously kept in shape. Classic, smooth manly and godlike features from a very handsome face that could sell out a luxurious glossy magazine. He looked kind, like he wouldn't hesitate to help his mother do the dishes. Darcy snorted, that thought of Val Rossini doing household choirs wearing an apron made her laugh. She hid underneath her bouquet when Val glanced down at her; she gulped a very hard lump down her throat as his eyes dig into her.
She searched his expression as he did to her. What do you say to a man you were about to marry but whom you were seeing for the first time in person? Hey, finally we meet!
Darcy shook the suggested greeting from her mind, not a favorable start.
"Hi" Darcy cracked, like a small high pitch came out from her mouth.
"Hello" Val replied with a deep voice and a smile. A warm sensation bloomed in her chest.
Up close, Darcy studied his face. It was firm and solid, a remarkable uptight expression. Awkwardness rose so they faced front. Darcy could feel her chest pounding hard as the minister raised the Bible and said, "Let's begin."
The ceremony ran smoothly, fast and straight-forward, Val thought. From his peripheral view, he tried to catch a glimpse of Darcy to see how all this was registering. She was attentive and focused not the restless and full of excitement reaction like her first wife, Carmela. Clearly, Darcy was the type who can deal such platonic relationship, maybe she was the kind of wife he needed all along.
"Do you take Val Rossini as your lawfully wedded husband?" the minister interrupted. Val waited for her to speak, as she cleared her throat. "I do."
With a shaking hand, she slipped a plain platinum ring on Val's finger. She was desperate to hold on to herself that the ring got stuck on his knuckle as Val helped her into pushing it through, she glanced up and met his blue eyes. She felt a warm sensation on her cheeks.
"I do" his voice even and strong and his eyes were still darting on her. He slid the platinum ring on her finger smoothly, like he had mastered doing this before. She stared at her hand were the ring was, fascinated with the sudden weight from her finger. She thought for how long would she be carrying this ring? For how long would she be stuck in this commitment? For how long would she be married?
Divorce wasn't an option, she reminded herself.
Val was her security, not her wallet or free money. And in exchange for that security, she'd be the kind of wife he needed. The marriage was a permanent solution, not a match made in heaven. And it was fine with her, no drama, no assumptions and no pressure. She'd never have to worry about whether he would love her more or less, or even not at all, since it was clear from the start that this was a loveless marriage.
Finally, the minister ended the ceremony with the traditional, "You may kiss the bride."
For once, this was the only thing Darcy wasn't sure about. It was going to be so weird. How would this going to happen, will he kissed her, passionately? Intensely? Romantically? She wasn't prepared, she never saw it coming. She just closed her eyes and felt a quick peck on her cheek.
It was their first kiss.
How...disappointing, she felt like the insides in her body fell down onto gravity. It was like the kiss her mother used to give her before she went to sleep. And that would be the first kiss she would be bringing all through-out her married life, forever.
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