Book Title: This Heart of Mine

Book Genre: Romance / Chicklit

Author: GryffindorsLoneWolf

Character Name: Ian Mariani

Nominated by: imdigosa

About the Story:

Naina Reddy just wants to be comfortable with her life. While being an event planner is stressful, she enjoys it fully, even when her clients are downright cruel. However, with an annoying roommate, and a loveless life, what's a woman in her upper twenties to do?

Especially when her endgame is marriage and kids.

But with the entrance of two brothers to the town, her world is about to turn right side up for the first time. Throw a corgi into the mix and you've got yourself an adogable love story.

Hello Ian. Is it okay to a call you Ian?

Ian's alright. I don't have any nicknames...that I'm aware of.

Excellent. Welcome and thanks for agreeing to talk to us today.

Of course. I will say that I'm very surprised. I didn't even know someone was writing about me.

Well, we are glad they are. Before we start, can I get you something to drink? Water? Soda? Coffee? Wine? Whiskey?

Hmm...water's fine. I've never been much of a drinker. Coffee's too bitter for me.

So, tell me a little about yourself?

My name's Damian Mariani, and I go by Ian. I'm the director of PR but am working with the company to expand their charity and community involvement. I'm 30 years old. And the tattoos were for fun.

Bravo on the charity involvement. Where do you live?

I used to live in a condo in the city. Now I live in a condo in a small town.

Do you have any jobs or hobbies?

Aside from the PR thing, I'm now the head of our charity division, which means I'm supervising all of the pet clinics that we're investing in. For hobbies, I like to rescue animals. So, I guess it all worked out.

Rescuing animals - a very noble endeavour. What are some of your likes and dislikes?

I hate fake people. I like to think I'm very straightforward, and those kinds of people gave my mom and I a lot of trouble when she was alive. I love my dogs, my friends and close family. I do have a stepmother that I'd like to get along better with, but because I'm the evidence of her husband's cheating, we're not too fond of each other.

And I really like my girlfriend.

What is your greatest fear?

Not being there for the people I love. My mom died when I was thirteen and in school. We were homeless, you see, and some @#$@$*& thought it'd be fun to hit her. If I'd just been there...

I'll never know if I would've saved her. But I would've been able to see her while she was alive just one more time.

Oh my, that's heartbreaking. I think I know the answer, but if you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

My mom's death. We were homeless, but I was happy with her. I loved her so much; she was the kind of person that could make you smile just with her being next to you. She worked hard, and things were just getting better around that time. We were so close to getting an apartment for ourselves. Being a teen and not having her around to support me, and suddenly getting adopted by the dad that'd never cared about me up until she died, along with a stepmother who really didn't want me around really sucked. I feel like maybe I wouldn't have the position I'm in today, but I would've had a more happy teen life.

But then I probably wouldn't have met Naina so...

This is true. Are you happy we know your story?

I'd say I feel neutral, but a little honored. I'll be having words with the author about how they know so much about me and my girlfriend.

Tell us about someone important to you?

Naina. She doesn't think she's important, which is annoying, cause she really is. She's like the opposite of me. She'll make you smile just by being in the same room as her and she's a sweet person. I know people tend to think I have a grouchy looking face, but she never treated me differently from anyone else. She's worked hard her whole life to prove that she's a capable person, and I seriously fell hard for her the moment she walked onto the ranch grounds.

I can tell by your smile she is special. Since you rescue animals, do you have a pet?

Oh yeah. A corgi I stole---rescued from her previous abusive owners. Her name's Burrito and she's my third favorite thing after my mom and Naina. She's given birth to a bunch of puppies and I'm adopting one of them; his name's Nacho.

Do you have a secret?

I stole Burrito from her previous owners. We managed to lure the dog every day, until she trusted us enough. After some clever work with the fence in the middle of the night, we sent her immediately to a vet to get her treated. The @#!$%$&* that had her previously tried to pick a fight with the friend that helped me and I, but once we threatened them with police action, they shut up pretty quickly.

Good for you for taking action to help Burrito. Do you have an events or people in your past who affect you today?

The chairwoman, Darleen, of the company I work at is actually an old friend of my dad's. She kept an eye on me once he adopted me and helped me work through those crazy, sad times of my life. If it weren't for her, I don't think I'd be in the position I am today. She didn't take crap, which I gave a lot of and encouraged me to study and go to college. And once I graduated, she helped me land a lower-level job and I worked my way up.

On Monday morning, are you excited to go to work, or are you sad?

Very excited. My girlfriend works under me as the manager of the clinic, so my job comes with special perks.

Not that kind, okay. Don't give me that look. It's just fun being able to see her every day.

Hey, I don't judge. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

I have fans? Well, I'm very flattered and honored, but are they sure that I'm someone to be a fan of?

I'd advise them to keep the people they love close. You never know when you'll lose them.

Very good advice. Can we look forward to reading more of your story?

I think so? Again, I'll have to talk to the author about that.

I think we would all like more. That's it. Thank you for speaking with us today.

Thank you for letting me talk about myself.

You're most welcome.

To read Ian's story (and Burrito's too), click on the link in the comment here ---->

Now it's your turn to ask Ian.

Add your questions as an inline comment here. Don't forget to tag GryffindorsLoneWolf so they can get the questions to him. --->