Chapter 3 - Emma

A year passed and in the Belinni family many things had changed. The president of the insurance company Felicità was sick. Many doctors were already in disbelief that she would live for another week. Everyone in the family was sad except for Raoul and Enrico. Enrico was in Rome, enjoying himself, and the last thing he wanted was to return to Tuscany. Raoul displayed his usual coldness. He visited his grandmother quickly and soon returned to the company. In less than two months, he would travel to Brazil for the inauguration of the first Felicità insurance company in the country. His priority was to get everything in order.

***Giovanna felt the blood drain from her face when she turned on the television and saw that Mrs. Helena Belinni was declared dead. She dropped down on the sofa and stood there, speechless at all the news. His only reaction was to pray to heaven that her grandson had already married.

***

Gregory Academy was one of the best schools in Italy. His strict education was an example throughout the capital. Emma had been transferred to him for a year and on the first day she bumped into a boy, the same one who populated her dreams.

“It's dirty in here,” Caroline said as she leaned her head on her hand as she looked into Emma's face. He pointed to the corner of her lips and smiled. They were sitting in the classroom at break time as they used to do every day.

-What are you dirty with? Emma asked as she ran her hand over her lips.

“Baba.” He looked at the boy Emma couldn't take his eyes off of and shook his head. To her, the redhead was just another common boy from that high school. “I still don't understand how you can like him.

"He's so amazing," she said thoughtfully, remembering the first time they'd seen each other.

flashback online

Emma sighed in frustration as she walked through the crowded hallways. She still couldn't understand why her parents had changed her schools right at the beginning of the school year. He walked around holding some books against his chest and before he knew it he felt he bumped into someone. With the impact the books fell to the floor and she will be red in the face.

-I'm sorry - I said hurriedly - I'm new here and I don't know anything... forgive me again.

The boy she bumped into smiled as he saw her pick up the books and awkwardly apologize to him. He bent down and helped her.

-On the first day it's like that - he said sympathetically.

For the first time Emma looked up and saw the kindest boy she had ever known. He had reddish hair and blue eyes.

-Thank you .. - she murmured impressed by his beauty.

He just nodded as he handed her the books, got up and left leaving her speechless with her heart racing.

flashback off

-You still don't understand - Caroline said shrugging - by the way, did you study for the algebra test?

-Yes, I believe it will be easy - his voice sounded confident which made Caroline laugh - what was it?

-Nothing, I just realized that you must be the hardest working in this class.

Emma just nodded, as that was the least she could do for her parents who sacrificed themselves for her.

***

The entire Belinni family was gathered in the meeting room of the company Felicità. Enrico, Giovanni and Raoul were the most apprehensive, as this would be the moment of truth.

-As everyone in the family is present, I think it's a good time to start reading the will - the lawyer said seriously. He opened the sealed envelope, took out a pad of paper, and began to read aloud. – I, Helena Maria Belinni, finding myself in my right mind and understanding, free from any coercion, decided to make this will without embarrassment or any regrets. Having as a witness, the lawyer Mr. Lemos and his secretary. Through these years I have always thought about who would be the best fit to succeed me in the company, after thinking a lot and observing for a considerable time I found three possible candidates. Enrico, Giovanni and Raoul. The succession of my company I will leave for the end as you may be imagining. For my daughters I will be leaving the house in Rome, and shares totaling 30%, which must be divided equally between them. I'm leaving 10% of my shares to Franco.

And so he continued reading the will until he reached the part that everyone was longing for.

– This company, I built it from nothing and I hope that my successor knows how to leave it uplifted and victorious as I always did. Over the past five years I've watched each of them, Enrico, Raoul and Giovanni and realized that all three would be ideal to command, but that would be impossible as all three are Italian and possessive. Since I decided on Raoul Belinni, my grandson. He will be the next successor of Seguradora Felicità.

The faces were scared. Everyone knew that if Raoul took over the company, luxury would be over for those who did nothing. Raoul smiled slightly as if he was already waiting for the result and when he was about to get up and leave he heard the lawyer's voice.

-I'm not finished yet, Mr. Belinni - he said seriously - moving on. How I know my grandson's temperament and I believe he is still single and alone. I hereby only allow his inauguration as president when he marries.

Everyone turned their attention to Raoul, who remained impassive.

-This is getting interesting - Enzo commented to the man sitting next to him, who just nodded.

-Wedding? Did she set a date? – Raoul asked calmly.

-Still missing sir - the lawyer said as if he was enjoying the current situation. He read it again calmly – Your bride has already been chosen by me, almost personally. He must marry her in less than a year and only then will he take possession of the company. If the marriage does not take place the presidency and all shares will be given to Giovanni and 50% of the shares will be placed at the disposal of his bride chosen by me. As long as I can't take over the company, it will be managed by my right-hand man, as has been done.

Raoul clenched his fist as he looked at the smile on Giovanni's face.

-That business is already mine - Giovanni told Enrico - I don't know a single woman who would marry a man like him.

-Very well - Raoul said seriously - who is this woman I should marry?

– Her name is Emma Sartorelli.

-Very well... I will marry her in two months - he said before leaving leaving everyone in the room astonished and the lawyer with a mysterious smile on his lips.

***

Ben Lemos had been Helena's attorney for twenty years and was surprised to discover her intentions behind the will. Not even he would have thought of something so cruel and comical for his own grandson.

After reading the will, Raoul took Ben to an empty room and waited for some information. Ben tried not to laugh at the situation he was in, but he kept a straight face and handed Raoul an envelope.

–In there is all the information you need to know about Emma Sartorelli.

Raoul sat in the chair and removed all the documents from the envelope, without reaction when he saw a photo.

– Is this some joke? – he asked seriously as he showed the picture of a teenager. – Where is the picture of this Emma person?

-In your hand - he smiled discreetly - she is your bride.

-My fiance? – he looked at the picture again in disbelief – HOW CAN A CHILD BE MY BRIDE? – he yelled, hitting his hand on the table – That's not possible. TELL ME SOON WHAT'S HAPPENING.

-Nothing, Mr Belinni. Your grandmother has made it very clear that this young woman must be your future wife within a year.

-How old must this brat be? 14? This is sick - he said tossing the photo on the table.

"Actually, she's already 16," he clarified as if the information would help.

Raoul took a deep breath trying to control himself. He'd waited patiently for years for him to become the company's owner, the company's president, and he wouldn't let anything get in his way. “ Much less such a ridiculous situation will prevent me from getting what I want”, he thought.

-She wanted me to get married right? – he muttered, taking a paper with Emma's data – she'll have what she wants so much.