Page 11 of Something Old

I can just feel it in my heart. The universe is giving me the most beautiful gift. Mas and I are going to get married. It’s destiny. Hemustbe my soulmate. It all started aligning last night when we danced together - the kiss just sealed our fate - and from that moment on there was nothing in the universe that could keep us apart - not even the fact that our fathers are enemies.

CHAPTER FIVE

Masaccio

“Why are we having a meeting with Marco Alesso, anyway?” I ask, following my father into his office. He is planning to retire soon - then this will become my office.

Ever since I was little, before I even understood the concept of business, my father has been training me to take over from him.

I am the oldest son. The first born.

Even my identical twin brother, Tuomo, won’t be consider an heir because he was born a full three minutes after me.

“Mas just leave the questions for later. I have a lot of my mind right now.”

“You want me to join you at the meeting having no idea what it is about?”

“You’ll be fine. You always handle yourself well in business situations.”

“So, it is business related?”

“Of course.” My father nods, but he isn’t looking at me, his attention is on the paperwork on his desk.

It’s for the best that he isn’t looking at me, anyway. He reads me too well. He would notice the relief in my expression. The meeting is business related. That means it has nothing to do with the fact that I kissed Leora Alesso.

The thought of her father finding out and the drama that would cause - I just don’t have the patience or the energy to deal with that kind of nonsense.

I wonder what it is my father wants with him then.

Our family is much stronger than his - and if the rumors are true and Marco is struggling financially perhaps, he wants to grovel a little and ask my father for money.

That would be like throwing fire on my father’s ego. He would love to watch Marco groveling. He would love to be able to make Marco suffer in any way at all.

Fuck.

This meeting is going to be a bunch of old men bullshit and a bunch of politics. I guess that’s what most business is.

Soon I will take over from my father and makes some much-needed changes to this business. It needs some life injected into its veins. Something new, young, fresh.

My father still does things old school. It works. But there is room for improvement that he is not yet interested in hearing about.

“What time is the meeting? I want to grab a coffee?”

“No time. Marco will be here in a minute or two.”

Just as my father replies one of his men comes through to knock on the office door.

“Sir, he’s here.”

“Good, send him to the board room. We’ll be right up.”

My father takes his time finishing what he is busy with. It’s a power play - making Marco wait.

I say nothing.

When my father stands and pulls his jacket on, I ask, “you sure you don’t want to give me a heads up regarding what this is about?”

“No. Come on.”

---