Chapter One

< Luca >

Power, wealth and charisma. These three are the perfect formula for success. If anything, I was blessed to have these the moment I was born in the de Milano family. 

Having been blessed with good looks, intellect and a family reputable for greatness, all business tycoons come to me for business deals.

I feel liberated at the present, knowing that I put my mother off from her worries the moment when I took over her position as the CEO of Minalo Inc. Having been a CEO straight out of university graduation, many thought I couldn’t do it.

Yet, I can proudly say that I achieved my goals by putting my family name to the top chart as the number one multibillion-dollar corporation. Even former rival companies agreed for acquisition so it won’t be a problem to retire early.

But I love my work, I love what I do and I love the feeling that everything is in the right place. Perhaps I should thank my family for making me exposed to the family trade secret of success at such a young age. Or perhaps my heritage as an Italian-Spanish breed living in the US makes me multicultural. Who knows?

But when I receive a rare call from my mother, I resort back to my old habits: being the obedient son who was raised to be.

And she rarely calls unless it's an emergency.  She tells me to fly straight to Paris this instant and I am not sure if I can travel all the way from the US to my home country but she assures me that a private jet plane is waiting for me at the airport.

If this is urgent, perhaps my mother wants me to settle down? I’m sure it’s not business related since she gives 100% full support of my decisions. 

Sighing, I tell her that I will be there soon and I am wondering if I can sleep in the plane. I detest flights yet I’m obligated to do so for the nature of my work.

I want to bring my right-hand man for this trip, unfortunately he is occupied with his negotiations with Asian investors. Best to deal with my family by myself. 

When I arrive in Italy, it is already evening. I already felt jetlagged from my earlier trip before this and I haven’t recovered from it till now. The best way is to make this quick and head straight to the US. 

The de Milano Estate is located at the hilltop at the central heart of Venice. It looks the same as I remember when I left home after highschool. But there are more flowers in the garden now.

Has my mother grown a liking towards horticulture? Now that she has more time, she can do whatever she wants as a retiree.

When I enter the main hall, as expected, some maids–old and new, greet me as Jacques, the head butler, steps in to offer to take my coat. 

After a few greetings, I head straight to the dining hall, expecting my mother there. What I didn’t expect to see is my older brother, Crispin, who is supposed to be in France, waving at me with his goofy grin. My mother, Elina de Milano, sits in the middle, ushering me to sit next to her.

And there’s Rodrigo Gomez.

My father. 

When he sees me, he smiles as he gives an awkward wave. 

The bane of my existence. The man who isn’t supposed to be here.

At that instant, my weariness is replaced with the seething anger that has been boiling for years.

“Calm down, Luca,” Crispin says, standing up and giving me a quick hug before I can pounce on our father. “We haven’t been together like this for ages!”

“Yes, since that bastard left the family!” I give him the worst possible death glare, giving him a clear message that he’s not welcome here. “Why the fuck are you here, father?” I seethe, the word “father” which I used to respect is now a word I could laugh vehemently at. 

Rodrigo’s lips curve in a frown. “I was invited by your mother, Luca,” he replies, indifferently yet his eyes show sadness or concern which infuriates me even more. 

Before I make another snarky remark, my mother abruptly stands up, her expression a cold, icy demeanor as she speaks in a soft yet authoritative tone, “If you keep disrespecting your father, I’ll make sure to keep you here in my home until we straighten up your behavior.”

And when she says that, she really means it. If I haven’t been too careful, I would be stuck being “grounded” for years. 

Begrudgingly, I obey and sit next to her. It’s not a great spot since I’m facing Rodrigo. This makes my blood boil.

But I have to control myself. There’s a reason why my mother urgently asks for my presence. And it has definitely something to do with “him”.

Elina sits back and sighs, looking at Jacques who is waiting, expectantly. “Now that we’re all here, Jacques, if you bring our dinner?” And as a cue, Jacques the butler gives a slight curtsy and goes out to the dining hall. It doesn’t take long before he returns pushing a tray with a white satin table cloth.

As he places the three sets of chafing dishes, the family hasn’t spoken a word even once since my earlier outburst.

Once Jacques takes his leave, my mother is the first one to speak, “Boys, I know you are all grown up but remember, I still treat you like my little ones.”

“And I know this seems strange inviting you both so unexpectedly and with your father here as well.” On cue, my eyes continue to glare at Rodrigo.

“So, I have the honor to make this announcement,” she says, giving a warm, motherly smile.

I wonder if after all these years, that asshole finally realizes his mistake and returns back to our family. But it’s too late and he knows that I am not going to welcome him at all.

“Rodrigo and Marina are getting married and we’re invited to their wedding.”

What?