Prologue
It was the happiest moment of his life. He had never felt this feeling before. Years ago from the moment he had started to manage the family business it was as if he was being plunged into darkness, into chaos. But right now, in this very moment, standing on his knees, it all felt right. The love of his life, the only woman he had ever adored so much was standing facing him in utter disbelief. Donned in an emerald green ball dress, her olive skin shone like burnished gold. And with her long wavy brunette hair let loose, she almost looked like a goddess to him. But her beautiful amber eyes was fixated on the object he was holding infront of him.
Charles Rashford. The legendary businessman from New York who inherited a handsome sum of money from his very well known elite family. The name Rashford was well respected and admired mostly because of their booming success in the business world.
It was quite natural for such a successful man to have enemies but in the moment, as he opened his heart to the woman he loved, Marina Canossa, sorrounded by hundreds of guests, they all equally wished them the best. Even though they thought the traditional and conservative Rashfords were an odd match to her.
Afterall, he possessed none of the qualities of his family. The Rashfords were known for their firm faith, their pride and glamourous, yet conservative life. But also what made them a rare breed was their generosity. But Charles wanted a simple life, one in which he actually felt happy. He was a down-to-earth and kind man. The only reason Marina fell for him.
Marina Canossa, the famous italian multi-billionairess had made her empire of wealth from scraps through hardwork and sheer boldness. She was free thinking and wild, questioning inequities. She was a woman of power and her fierceness always dominated the room. But the great Marina Canossa never had a chance when it came to Charles Rashford.
The first few months of their romance was like a teenage lovestory. With a lot of electricity and blushing, she never realised how much close they became in a brief amount of time.
It was only when she saw him now, in his well tailored and pressed tuxedo more handsome than ever, she realised how much time had passed.
She remembered how they met for the first time at a charity gala hosted by a friend few months ago. She rarely attended such flashy events and even more rarely payed attention to men during it. That's when she noticed him, a misfit in the crowd. He had a well combed, curly blond hair which complimented his charming green eyes, a perfectly clean-cut face, chin speckled with stubble and with hight over 6 ft she wondered if he was a model. But something was missing in him. That's when he caught her eye and came towards her. And that's the moment when one of the exciting journeys of their lives began.
But right now standing infront of Charles, who was pouring his heart onto her, inside the ceilings of some posh hall, Marina Canossa was suffocating.
