Prologue

“We're all a little weird. And life is a little strange. And when we find someone whose weirdness matches ours, we join that person and fall into this mutually satisfying weirdness we call true love.” — Robert Fulghum.

Eduardo Villa-Lobos began to lose patience, his lips were pressed together with irritation. He continued to stare at the top of Cavalcanti Mansion's grand carpeted staircase, then back at his Rolex.

Where the hell was she? It had been fifteen minutes since they got there and still no sign of her. Damn, she was wasting her time. He gritted his teeth and ran a frustrated hand through his unruly black hair.

He stood up and stuffed his hands in his pockets, emphasizing her height and lean, yet muscular body. The rich contour of her shoulders strained against the fabric of his gray Armani suit, exuding power and confidence.

He moved closer to the life-size portrait that hung in the center of the living room. His bright blue eyes studied the portrait sharply. It was a picture of a beautiful woman in a one-shoulder peach dress. He was almost the same color as her skin. Her captivating brown eyes, framed by long dark lashes, gazed at him intensely, attractively and magnetically. A sudden wave of desire washed over him.

Damn it! What is wrong with me?

He denied the image's effect on his senses, then blinked his eyes hard and looked at the portrait again. Her hair was as dark as night, long and wavy that fell in graceful curves to her waist. She was wearing a set of diamond earrings and a crucifix necklace that settled between her firm breasts. She looked like an innocent princess from a fairy tale movie. Her mouth twisted unpleasantly.

This image was a hoax. Everyone knew she wasn't innocent. Camila Cavalcanti was reckless, a spoiled brat, a socialite. She was lucky to be the sole heir of billionaire Fernando Cavalcanti, who was the biggest agribusiness exporter in Brazil.

Eduardo was hating being there. A meeting with Camila Cavalcanti, his future wife, was not the most important event in his life as he was not ready to get married as he was still in the prime of life. He couldn't just give up dating different women each week and having lovers all over the globe. However, he had no choice. He had to obey his father's wishes and marry the girl.

Eduardo's father, Gregório Villa-Lobos, became unyielding in fulfilling his promise to his childhood friend Fernando Cavalcanti, to unite the wealth of their families through the marriage of their children. His father claimed that the Villa-Lobos were men of honor and kept their promises.

Against his wishes, Edward agreed, but promised that he would not be faithful to this marriage. He would have the freedom to follow the lifestyle he liked and continue to keep his mistresses.

Go to hell, Camila Cavalcanti!

He remembered the first time his father had opened up the marriage question, seven years ago. He was still twenty years old, and studying Business Administration at Harvard University. Her father showed her a picture of fifteen-year-old Camila Cavalcanti, who looked very young and pretty in her blue school uniform. Her long black hair was braided and she was smiling at the camera, showing all her teeth. Eduardo thought she was very beautiful, but she was still a child.

Gregório explained to Eduardo his friendship with Camila's father. How they fought to defend each other when they were young. He himself owed his life to Fernando for saving him from a fire. Each became a protector, confidant, and best friend to the other. They were like brothers. Now that they were old, the desire to protect their wealth became their main objective. They agreed that their children's marriage was the only answer to achieving such a thing.

- Speaks seriously! You are crazy, father. Arranged marriages no longer exist.

— Son, I gave my word to Fernando. His wife Marcia is no longer able to have children because of the troubling condition of her heart. There's no chance they'll have a child to inherit the fortune. Your daughter is a spoiled, reckless and irresponsible child. She prefers hanging out with her friends rather than studying. Gregory shook his head in disapproval. 'They have to choose a good husband for her who is reliable and capable of running the family business in the future.

Eduardo put his hands in the pockets of his jeans and rested his shoulder against the wall.

“I'm not a child anymore. You can't make me marry someone. Marriage is not on my mind yet. I love my life and I enjoy dating different girls every week. He groaned and continued. “I don't want to be tied down, especially to that kind of girl. She is just a child!I can't stand spoiled children like Camila Cavalcanti. I bet she's a pain in the ass.

“She's still young. And it will certainly change when she gets older.

Eduardo rolled his eyes and laughed sarcastically. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and faced his father squarely. The resemblance was extremely evident in his chiseled facial features and olive skin, though Eduardo had grown at least four inches taller than his father.

— Dad, I still have to fulfill my dreams, finish my studies, and help you in the business, making you grow more. Tell the old man I will never marry his daughter.

Gregory began pacing the living room of his two-story mansion in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“I understand you son, but you don't have to think about it yet. He paused and shrugged. - You're right. Both are young. You have to finish your studies first and enjoy life.

- Clear. Eduardo breathed a sigh of relief.

“But son, we're not done with this discussion yet. We'll talk about that again at another time. “Your father said before he left that day.

Eduardo was surrounded by attractive and sophisticated women. Most of them were models, actresses and celebrities. Their relationships lasted only days or weeks, and with some lucky women, a month. He got rid of his women as often as he discarded used condoms. He treated them like toys or creatures he shouldn't take seriously. Probably like a doll, which, once broken, could be thrown away and easily replaced by another.

He didn't believe in love because he had never experienced it. He thought love didn't really exist in his world. His definition of love was just an occasional lust word or a game people played.

He hadn't found the woman he would love and spend the rest of his life with. None of the women he'd dated had ever touched his heart.

She hadn't been born yet. Maybe she belonged to another dimension. He usually thought about it with a smile on his face.

For him, marriage was a trap – a prison sentence. The man would be stuck while his wife would act as his boss. His life would no longer belong to him, he would no longer have the freedom to make his own choices and he would live without owning his own life. He would also be deprived of all the pleasures of a man, especially when having sex with different women. Marriage was what middle-aged men did to have an heir.

He knew that one day, he would have to marry someone, have a child to inherit the Villa-Lobos' massive fortune. He had no choice. Of course, that would happen in the future, when he was older and tired of the taker life. When that time came, he wanted to choose his own wife, a woman he could be proud of.

She would have to be extremely beautiful, exuberant and sophisticated. So much so, that all men would be jealous of him. Of course, she wouldn't have to be smart, but educated and, most importantly, submissive and a virgin!

After Eduardo earned his Business Administration degree from Harvard University, he began helping his father run the multi-million dollar business of the global chain of hotels, casinos and beach resorts. He was very successful in his overseas business and traveled to different continents almost every week.

He was very independent, confident in his strengths and not afraid of anything. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He was unstoppable, a brilliant negotiator, and he loved taking risks. He showed no fear in dealing in business with other qualified executives, tycoons, or even princes and kings.

Now, at the age of twenty-seven, he has been accepted as the CEO of Villa-Lobos International Holdings Inc. He managed to acquire his 100 profitable company and was earning millions and millions of dollars annually. He took full control of the company, making it the most competitive in the global market.

The question of marriage was brought up again by her father. A photo in which Camila Cavalcanti was older was shown to him. He couldn't believe what he saw. She looked very different now. The shy, innocent fifteen-year-old girl had disappeared and been replaced by a twenty-two-year-old woman.

Remarkably attractive, stunning and beautiful.

Camila Cavalcanti was wearing a red dress in the picture, which emphasized her curvy, sexy body, and a pair of gold high-heeled shoes, accentuating her long, “nice” legs. Her long, shiny black hair cascading down to her waist, giving her a demure and mysterious look. She was much prettier now, without her braces.

Damn lips! And damn murderous smile that could melt any man's heart!

Even her almond-shaped eyes enchanted him, like poles of magnets hypnotizing him and giving him a "come and look at me." At that moment, Eduardo realized that he was in trouble. Hell! He couldn't be attracted to a woman he'd only seen in pictures.

No way! he told himself. Forcibly, he denied the attraction he felt for Camila. Edward still didn't like the idea of ​​marrying her. It didn't matter how beautiful she was. She didn't live up to the high standard he set for his wife.

She's a spoiled brat, a wild partygoer and probably has a wild sex life too! He couldn't stand promiscuous women.

However, his father became very insistent and strong in his pro-marriage campaign. He said it was time to fulfill his promise to Fernando Cavalcanti.

“Then you should marry her. You've been so lonely since Mom died. —Edward told his father. He was sitting behind a large mahogany desk in his office in New York. His father heaved a sigh.

“Don't involve your mother in this, son. His soul has already rested in peace. This is all about you and Camila.

“I've told you several times, I'm not marrying Camila Cavalcanti or anyone else right now. I love my life! I'm not ready to be tied to an annoying wife and dirty diapers. I like my freedom.

- Enough! The Villa-Lobos are men of honor. We keep our promises. You will marry Camila as soon as possible. We already discussed this subject seven years ago. I've already decided and I'll make sure you obey me this time, Eduardo.

After a week of arguing with his father, Eduardo finally relented. With a heavy heart, he agreed to marry Camila. He had no choice but to obey because his father was so relentless in fulfilling his promise to Fernando Cavalcanti that he didn't know what he would do if he didn't give in.

“Okay, you won. I will marry her. I know you're doing this for our own good. I will go to Brazil with you and ask for your hand in marriage. —Eduardo told his father over the phone.

“I'm glad, son, that you've finally realized the importance of this union. I know you won't let me down. You will not regret your decision. We will go to Brazil as soon as possible. I'll call Fernando and let him know. His father replied happily.

“As you wish, father. — Eduardo replied somberly and hung up the phone. He got up from the table and walked towards the glass window of his office. He stared at the skyscrapers of New York fixedly, thinking of this woman.

His Rolex alarm brought Eduardo's mind to the present. He finished his whiskey in one gulp. He was so agitated that he often shifted in his chair and looked at his watch. He couldn't understand why he felt a little nervous about meeting Camila.

His father, Gregório Villa-Lobos, was sitting drinking champagne with Camila's parents, Fernando and Marcia Cavalcanti, in the living room. They were talking and laughing excitedly about their children's wedding.

— Marcia, Camila hasn't come down yet, what happened? Tell the maid to tell you to hurry up. - Fernando said to his wife, sensing Eduardo's unease.

Fernando and Marcia Cavalcanti were both in their mid-fifties and had been married for twenty-five. They were an example of Brazil's rich and famous socialites. They were very active in the church and civic organization.

Marcia rose from the elegant red and gold Victorian sofa. Her long satin dress shimmered in the light.

— I'll call her, please excuse me gentlemen. She smiled charmingly and walked toward the red-carpeted staircase.

Eduardo went to the mini-bar to get another glass of whiskey. His nerves were tense. His hands were shaking, no matter how hard he tried to control them.

He couldn't understand what he felt. It was so unusual because he was a man full of confidence, courage and command. Nothing scared him. Being president of the student council at the college and leader of several civic organizations made him a resilient and self-confident individual. He was famous for giving long speeches and holding debates in defense of his principles. Running his father's business and meeting different types of people all over the world made him stronger, brighter and very powerful.

But now... meeting Camila Cavalcanti in person made him nervous. He felt like he was about to be nailed to a cross.

What was wrong with him? She was just a woman, and she wasn't even her type. Damn it!

- Fernando! Fernando! Marcia yelled. She was standing at the top of the stairs.

“Slow down, Marcia. What's wrong? - Fernando got up and went towards his wife.

- She left! Camilla is gone. She is not in the room.

- Which! Fernando's eyes widened. He looked so shocked that he quickly climbed the stairs to his daughter's room.

Eduardo frowned, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Camila Cavalcanti gone? He thought she was dying to get married! He was sweating a lot now and couldn't explain her mixed feelings. He felt relieved, but also irritated and… rejected.

His father just looked at him and shrugged. A tense silence enveloped the room. Both waited for the Cavalcanti to descend. A few minutes later, Fernando came down the stairs. His face was grim and his shoulders slumped.

- I'm sorry Gregory. Sorry, Edward. He shook his head, disappointed. “Camila isn't in the room. She ran away. - Fernando said with a voice of suffering.

Eduardo looked at the portrait of Camila Cavalcanti. Bitch!