If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.

-Frank Lane

Coco Spencer's POV

The next morning, I have one mission in my mind as I walked into the lobby of the hotel where my chosen groom was staying. I swore this was the first time I encounter a difficult man. He was hard to seduce, unlike the other men I met before.

But I would not back down without a fight. What Coco wants, Coco gets. And I want this man whatever the cost. He would be my husband after few persuasions on my part, pulling my luggage behind me with a determined stride. I rode the elevator to meet Rafaelle Moretti again after a few moments I knocked at his doorstep.

"Hello, again." I greeted brightly, not bothering to remove my oversized sunglasses. The handsome Sicilian man opens his hotel door to see his visitor. I couldn't miss the way his eyes narrowed disapprovingly when he caught the sight of me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked a little rudely for my opinion. "I thought we already established that we will not see each other again?"

I pouted at him. He could be such a cold man when he wants to. "We don't have such agreement, honey. Besides, the reason I went here early this morning without having as much breakfast is that since you refuse to marry me you have to take good care of me from now on. Because I'm as good as homeless as we speak."

"What are you talking about?" The exasperation visibly showed in his dark eyes. I don't have time to swoon in his look this early morning I need to be firm in dealing with this stubborn man in front of me. I want a husband and he is my choice end of the story.

I smiled brightly at him, ignoring his lack of enthusiasm at the sight of me. "Aren't you going to invite me in so we can talk in the living room? I don't wish to chat with you in the hallways of this hotel. Besides, I haven't yet had my breakfast. I'm a hungry homeless."

He eyed me with such irritation. God, why I'm so attracted to this straight-laced man. I must be crazy, I mused silently. "Remind me again why are you claiming that you are now homeless? I thought you kept bragging that you are now a rich heiress?"

I rolled my eyes. "Correction, I may be a rich heiress now that granddad-God bless his soul-left everything to me but there's a catch. I cannot touch my inheritance unless I marry. Since you keep refusing to marry me I am as good as homeless now."

"Look for someone else to marry, Signorina. I don't wish to be part of your scheme I have some much problem of my own to worry about."

"Wait...!" He was about to close the door in my face. I tried to keep the door from shutting with my palms. "At least let me in and hear my proposition before send me away in the cold streets of London, honey."

He stared at me with such impatience. "No. Good day, Miss Spencer."

This man was dead set from closing the door in my face. Desperately trying to think of a solution so I can talk to this Sicilian man a slow devious smile fitted my lips when I happened to glance at the hallway. "Why are you doing this to me, honey?" I said theatrically. "I told you I'm not having an affair. Please don't do this to me, honey!"

The couple passed by threw a malicious look in our direction. With probably a curse in his language, the handsome Sicilian man pulled me inside his hotel room and closed the door firmly behind us. "What are you doing?" He asked angrily.

I shrugged casually sitting on the settee comfortably. "I told you I need a few minutes with you so I can discuss my proposition of marriage and you are not listening. So I opt for a drastic measure."

"Haven't I told you yesterday that I don't wish another scandal attached to my name?" I frowned at his furious face. I would not be surprised if he breathes fire right this moment. "Are you even listening to what I say, woman?"

I held up my hands for a silent surrender. "Yes, yes, yes. I'm listening, all right? But I'm very stubborn when I want to."

"All right, fine." He said after taking a deep breath. "Let's hear your crazy proposition so you can get going."

I felt a sting of pain at his words. He really couldn't wait to send me away. Too bad I have a say on that matter and before he knew it we're as good as married. "Before my marriage proposal please feed me with some good food first. I fear that I might pass out during my presentation."

"You're such a crazy woman." He muttered softly. But he walked where the telephone and dialed the receptionist to order my request for breakfast.

"Thank you for always feeding me, honey." I smiled brightly in his direction as I remove my coat. "Where should I put my clothes in the guest room or in your room which one do you prefer?"

His eyebrows knitted together. "Hey, I don't remember that I agree to let you stay here with me, Signorina. I will just listen to your proposal and then you can go home."

I rolled my eyes. "You are the only man I know that will refuse at the chance living with a beautiful woman like me." I pouted at him like a child. "Why are you so cold to me? Don't you like me?"

"Because you are too bold for your good, Signorina." He answered with annoyance in his voice. "Why don't let men chase you instead of chasing them?"

I scoffed at him, removing my stilettos. I liked moving barefoot around the house. "Prim and proper women are outdated, Mister. This is twenty-first-century women can do the first move in a relationship."

"From where I came from prim and proper women are the best wives."  Did I saw some hidden emotion in his eyes-something like pain? I was not sure because he looked away from me.

"Ouch," I said overdramatically, placing my hands over my chest. "You wounded me with your words. Not so subtle way in saying that a bold woman like me is not your first choice of wife. But rest assured I am not easily hurt by such words, honey."

"I'm not implying anything, Miss Spencer." He informed me casually.

I sighed deeply. He's more difficult than I thought. But the more he resists me the more I want him. "I thought we already established that you're going to call each other on a first-name basis? What's the change of heart?"

He shook his dark head resolutely. "I think it's best if we address each other formally, Miss. So there's a boundary that separates us."

My reply was installed by a knock at his doorway. He opened the door and my eyes lit at the sight of the food he ordered. I watched silently as the bellboy place the food on the breakfast table. "Let's eat!" I said cheerfully. I waltz my way to the table happily. My mouth watered at the sight of the bounty of food on the table. I picked up the fork and sample the food. "Have some."

He shook his head again, sitting on the chair across to me. "No, thank you. Just eat, I already have my coffee a while ago."

"It's more fun to eat if you are also eating with me. I cannot possibly eat all of this." I stabbed bacon from the plate and drew it towards his mouth. "Here, say ahhh..."

"No, thank you."

"Come on," I insisted with a smile. "Just this one. Humor me okay?"

"No." He shook his head continue to ignore my request.

"Just this one," I bargain, giving him my full watt smile that men can't resist. "Please, please, please...?"

He eyed me for a moment. I thought he's going to turn down my offer but he surprised me when he leaned down and eat the bacon I offered. Aw, he's really adorable. My future husband. I like it since...no, I should not have swayed by my purpose here.

"Happy now?" He asked dryly.

"You have no idea, honey." I chuckled, as I continue to devour the food. He was my choice of husband and one way or the other we would get married I would see to it that would happen. I couldn't wait for that dog I once called my fiancé to see the man I'm going to marry. If he thought that I'm not going to find a better man than him I would rub it in his spiteful face.

"Finish your breakfast and I will bring you home."

I stared helplessly at this handsome man sitting across from me. "I told you I don't have a house to reside in anymore. If I don't find a husband according to my grandfather's last will the manor will be an auction."

"I'm sure you're grandfather was just bluffing you in selling your ancestral home." He answered matter-of-factly.

I stared at him in horror. He doesn't know my granddad. "You don't my grandfather, Rafaelle. When he said something expects that that's a hundred percent sure. He's true to his words always."

I heard him sigh deeply. "If that's the case just look for another man that's willing to marry you because I'm not that man."

"But I like you," I countered, staring deep into his dark eyes. "If I am a force into a marriage I might as well choose the man I like."

His eyes widened, staring deep into my eyes. My heart gave a weird thud at the intensity of his stare. "You like me?"

I beamed brightly in his direction. "Yes, I do like you a lot. I have liked you the moment I saw you."

"But that's not enough to marry a mere stranger, Signorina." He answered me with a serious tone in his sexy deep voice. "I told you I don't wish to marry out of convenience again."

I frowned at his words. I knew he's saying these things based on his experience. He's once nearly married before I guess. I decided to prod for information about his past. "How did you know that if you haven't tried it yet?"

He looked away from me. I could see emotions in his eyes. "One experience is enough for me."

"I will try to be a better wife to you more than she could promise. I will try my very best, I promise you."

He smiled at me sadly. That's when I realized that's the first-ever smile he'd given me. He surprised me when he touched my cheeks briefly. "I know you will be a good wife. It's just marriage is the last thing in my mind at the moment. Are you done?" He suddenly asked completely changing the subject. "I'll bring you home. I have some errands to run this morning."

If I want him to be my husband I need to change my approach in dealing with him. Exhaling a  resigned sigh, I stood from my chair and pick up my heels on the floor. "Fine, you win today but this doesn't mean that I will give up on you already. I can be persuasive if I want to, you know."

"I know you do." He replied with an amused smile on his handsome face. Picking up my luggage he led me to the door of his hotel room. "But my answer still will be the same, Signorina Spencer."

"We'll see..." I grinned at him as we walk in the hallways.