Johnny's POV
Today I'm in New York City; I'm dressed in a black Armani suit headed to a business meeting. I usually don't care about designer clothes and what brand my suit is but this meeting was very important and I wanted to look as sharp as possible. I'm meeting with two business associate from Florida today and I plan to show no weakness.
I'm glad I don't have to worry about Kristina today because she's with Viviana today so Sonny's guards will be watching her closely.
I walk into the room where the Almendarez brothers are waiting. Beside them is a beautiful young woman dressed in red. She has dark brown hair with light brown highlights, mostly visible on the ends of her hair framing her heart shaped face. The v of the red dress dips so lost her belly button is almost visible and she's accentuated her large breasts with a simple diamond necklace.
"Allow me to introduce you to my younger sister, Carmina" Alejandro Almendarez says.
"I'm sure you've already seen me on TV or in the magazines," she says putting out her hand for me to shake.
"Carmina is an actress of course she goes by a different last name for her career," Raul Almendarez tells me.
I'm standing here trying to figure out why this is all supposed to be important to me. I could care less about what his baby sister does for a living. And why is he even introducing me to her….
She's smirking and Alejandro has a big grin on his face as well.
"You want our territory in New York; it's yours as long as you marry our little sister," Alejandro declares.
"M...M...Marry, your sister?" I stutter.
"Is there anything wrong John?" she asks staring me down.
I try to come up with what to say. I don't want to offend the Almendarez family.
"Carmina, you're a very desirable woman. You deserve a man who loves you. I'm not sure I'm even ready for marriage," I tell her.
"Are you denying this gift we are giving you?" Raul asks. "I offer you my sweet, virginal baby sister and my territory and you don't accept."
I'm conflicted because my power cravings and my conscience are both trying to direct me. I think of Kristina and how I just moved her into my place and don't want to hurt her.
"I need more time to think about it is all. This is a very important decision and the last thing I would want to do if offend you or hurt your sister," I say knowing these men could and would cause a lot of trouble for me and Kristina.
"You and I could get to know each other better," she suggests walking close to me.
"Um, is that a good idea?" I ask.
So much for my plan to come here confident and showing no weakness.
"It sounds like a good one to me," Raul says and Alejandro nods in agreement.
"Bien, I saw a little restaurant a block away from here and I want to try their chorizo," she tells me grabbing my arm excitedly.
I'm not enthusiastic but I deal with being tugged by her out of the room.
The way she's dressed I expect her to be dragging me out to some fancy little restaurant. Instead I'm surprised to see this mom and pop looking place that has more booths than tables.
"I really love food and New York has such a wide variety of amazing food," she tells me. "Do you like to eat?"She asks.
"I'm Italian so I like Italian food," I tell her.
"I love pasta," she says as we slide into a booth together.
Then she starts telling me about her favorite foods while she explains to me the items on the menu.
I feel bad because she's so excited and expressive as she's explaining things to me. She genuinely seems happy I'm around. I'm trying to look interested as she starts telling me about Florida and how beautiful the beaches are and how she loves their house.
"So why did you decide to become an actress?" I ask her.
"Acting is all about being someone else. I like pretending that I don't live the life I do," she admits as she offers me a sip of her coconut soda.
"Are your parents still alive?" I ask.
"My father died earlier this year, which is why my brothers took over the organization and my mother died years ago," she tells me and I can see the sadness in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," I say as I watch her pick at her rice.
A waiter sets two large glasses down on the table. I pick one up and take a big gulp. I can taste a little bit of alcohol but it doesn't faze me.
She shakes her head. "It's fine really. I mean I'm becoming a successful actress so at least I'm accomplishing things on my own," she says.
"You don't have to abide by your brother's rules. Like you said you're becoming a success. You could leave if you wanted to," I tell her taking her hand in mine.
"I can't I wouldn't even know where to start," she says. "Would it be such a bad thing? You know us getting married?" she asks.
"I'm not ready to be married especially not to someone I don't know," I tell her.
"We could get to know each other," she tells me. "And you'd get the territory; you'd one up Sonny Corinthos, and from what I hear that would really get you hot."
"Are you really a virgin or was you're brother just lying to make you sound more appealing?" I ask.
"Never been touched by a man before," she purrs.
"Another reason why your brothers pimping you out as a business deal is a horrible idea. My sister agreed with a plan like this before to save her ass because of what she had done. It badly backfired on her," I explain. "You deserve someone you love and can trust."