connection with CEO

I am. The kind who fucks and leaves the next moment, the one who doesn't want commitment." It had been a long time since I had seen this man, maybe that was my mistake, having failed to see who he really is. - Wait for my lawyer to contact me, Marina, he will take you from Milan and we will resolve this issue, but don't worry, you will be well compensated and in the end you will see that it was the best thing - he says with his back turned. 01 Matteo Ferrara A few months before the news of the pregnancy.

It is a Saturday night and I am in Ibiza, I usually go out to clubs, making the most of my days, I have nothing left, besides, I studied accounting, Emiliano demanded, since he always needs my help to manage the hospitals.

Laura, my older sister, will take over as president when the time comes. And to be honest, I am not worried about that, as long as I can live my life in peace, like now when I look at one of the girls who is dancing casually in the middle of the dance floor. The phone vibrates in my pocket, and I walk away to a quieter place to answer Enrico, my brother-in-law. - Matteo! Matteo! - He repeats my name, and his desperate voice makes my blood run cold. - What happened? - Laura, she mo... I drop the phone on the floor before he can finish speaking, and I feel a huge hole opening up beneath my feet. - Sir, is everything okay? - One of the security guards approaches. - Arrange my flight to Milan, now. I cry over my sister's cold body, lying in a coffin, covered in her favorite flowers, and her hands are under those of Enrico, the only man she has ever loved. He is devastated, just like the rest of us. My father is in shock, he doesn't say a single word, he just cries with his eyes fixed on Laura, but he allows himself to scream when the workers start to close the coffin. - From today on, you are the sole heir of Ferrara, so please, Matteo, act like it. The only link that tied me to Emiliano has just been broken, so there is nothing stopping you from sending us away from home. -

My mother whispers in my ear, as my father leaves the wake in an ambulance. I return to the car and close my eyes, reflecting on how ironic things are. "Sole heir," I laugh at the words as a tear runs down my face. I remember one of the Christmases I came from New York, where I attended college. It was the worst night of my life, the night that shaped who I am today. "It was Christmas Eve, and I was on my way to Milan, to spend the holidays with my mother and sister. It had been three years since I had moved to New York to study, a time that seemed too long, but my father was insistent on keeping me away, despite all my efforts to please him. Calling Emiliano "my father" should be something common, after all, he raised me since birth. However, he makes a point of reminding me that I am a bastard, the son of a modest employee with whom my mother had a relationship during one of their many fights. - Matteo, leave your bags there and go straight to the office, your father has things to talk to you about - my mother said, without showing much affection after months without seeing me. - I missed you too, mother. - I wanted to say the same, if you didn't cause me so much trouble. Now go, your father is waiting. I walked with hesitant steps and knocked on the office door.

- Come in! - The firm and authoritative voice made me apprehensive, although my father usually pretended to be paternal and give a few caresses when it suited him. - Yes, sir, you want to talk to me. Before I even approached the table, he threw several angry photos at it. - Do you remember what we agreed, Matteo? - he shouted, and I trembled inside as I approached. What were Camila's photos doing on that table? "Waitress? Is that right? You have your father's blood, poor as he is." My empty hands closed in my pants pockets. "It's nothing serious," I lied. "Of course not, I imagine it's not. Do you know how hard it is to find a good marriage for an illegitimate child?" "How could I not know, if you remind me every second." "Do you want a woman, Matteo? Find some prostitutes, pay them and everything will be fine." "She's not that kind of woman," I muttered through my teeth. "No, she's the kind of woman who gets pregnant and asks for half of your assets." "That's not going to happen." "Of course not, I've already taken care of that matter. Starting today, you'll finish college here and work at the headquarters, without returning to New York, not even for a trip." "What do you mean, 'I took care of that matter'?" "Oh, you don't know that the coffee seller was pregnant?"

My blood ran cold, and I stared at him in surprise. "She was?" - Yes, I've already resolved it, but don't worry, she was very well compensated. - How did you resolve it? - Don't be naive, I resolved it the way I should have resolved it when your mother showed up pregnant with you. Tears welled up in my eyes, stinging. I turned my back to quickly wipe away a single tear that insisted on running down my face and resumed my position, facing him. - Since everything is resolved, I'm going to unpack, Emiliano. - Dad, I am your father for all intents and purposes. - Of course, I appreciate you granting me this honor. I turned my back and left the office, closing the door behind me. My mother had heard everything from outside, but there was no compassion in her gaze, only disdain. It seemed like I had committed a crime by falling in love with a woman of lower social class. I walked straight past her and went up to my room, desperately picking up the phone. Camila needed me. - Hello? - I heard his firm voice on the other end of the line. - Mila, how are you? I'm coming back, okay? - Matteo, your father has already sorted everything out, you don't have to go back. I looked for traces of sadness in his voice, but I couldn't find any.

- Mila, I had nothing to do with this. I'll go back and we'll face this together. - Matteo, are you naive? Your father didn't force me to do anything. I got pregnant because I wanted to, but he showed me that without the child I would earn more, and I accepted. Now excuse me, I'm moving. Your father transferred a mansion to my name. I ended the call, unable to listen for another second. Could he have been right all along? I got up from the bed where I was lying and wiped away the tears that I had allowed to fall for the last time. Emiliano had always dreamed of having a son, and that day I decided that I would stop being treated like a bastard. He was right, he always was. I am a Ferrara, and from that moment on, I started to act like one. It hasn't been easy to make him see me as a son, but today it seems to me that he has run out of options and that definitely doesn't make me happy, because I would much rather have Laura here with me. Matteo Ferrara A few days after the wake The atmosphere in the house is mournful, my father looks at me reluctantly, my mother couldn't possibly give him another son,

so all he has left is the bastard he created, aware of his position in the family. - Matteo, start working at the company - he says, as he brings the glass of juice to his mouth. - I'll do it - I nod, seeing my mother's satisfied look. - Any news about Enrico? - she asks directly to me. - He's locked up at home while I'm helping out at the company. - I need you to take over as president of ours too, I feel unable to do the activities for a while. I look up at him in surprise. He has to be joking with me. - Are you serious? - I ask incredulously.

- Do I look like I'm joking, Matteo? - he asks with both hands on his chest and an expression of someone who is in pain.

- I will do my best, father. - I hope so. I will go up now. - Yes, my love, rest - my mother says with a sweet and calm voice. We watch him until he

York, where I attended college. It was the worst night of my life, the night that shaped who I am today. "It was Christmas Eve, and I was on my way to Milan, to spend the holidays with my mother and sister. It had been three years since I had moved to New York to study, a time that seemed too long, but my father was insistent on keeping me away, despite all my efforts to please him. Calling Emiliano "my father" should be something common, after all, he raised me since birth. However, he makes a point of reminding me that I am a bastard, the son of a modest employee with whom my mother had a relationship during one of their many fights. - Matteo, leave your bags there and go straight to the office, your father has things to talk to you about - my mother said, without showing much affection after months without seeing me. - I missed you too, mother. - I wanted to say the same, if you didn't cause me so much trouble. Now go, your father is waiting. I walked with hesitant steps and knocked on the office door. - Come in! - The firm and authoritative voice made me apprehensive, although my father usually pretended to be paternal and give a few caresses when it suited him. - Yes, sir, you want to talk to me. Before I even approached the table, he threw several angry photos at it. - Do you remember what we agreed, Matteo?

- he shouted, and I trembled inside as I approached. What were Camila's photos doing on that table? "Waitress? Is that right? You have your father's blood, poor as he is." My empty hands closed in my pants pockets. "It's nothing serious," I lied. "Of course not, I imagine it's not. Do you know how hard it is to find a good marriage for an illegitimate child?" "How could I not know, if you remind me every second." "Do you want a woman, Matteo? Find some prostitutes, pay them and everything will be fine." "She's not that kind of woman," I muttered through my teeth. "No, she's the kind of woman who gets pregnant and asks for half of your assets." "That's not going to happen." "

Of course not, I've already taken care of that matter. Starting today, you'll finish college here and work at the headquarters, without returning to New York, not even for a trip." "What do you mean, 'I took care of that matter'?" "Oh, you don't know that the coffee seller was pregnant?" My blood ran cold, and I stared at him in surprise. "She was?" - Yes, I've already resolved it, but don't worry, she was very well compensated. - How did you resolve it? - Don't be naive, I resolved it the way I should have resolved it when your mother showed up pregnant with you. Tears welled up in my eyes, stinging. I turned my back to quickly wipe away a single tear that insisted on running down my face and resumed my position, facing him. - Since everything is resolved, I'm going to unpack, Emiliano. - Dad, I am your father for all intents and purposes. - Of course, I appreciate you granting me this honor. I turned my back and left the office, closing the door behind me. My mother had heard everything from outside, but there was no compassion in her gaze, only disdain. It seemed like I had committed a crime by falling in love with a woman of lower social class. I walked straight past her and went up to my room, desperately picking up the phone. Camila needed me. - Hello? - I heard his firm voice on the other end of the line. - Mila, how are you? I'm coming back, okay?

- Matteo, your father has already sorted everything out, you don't have to go back. I looked for traces of sadness in his voice, but I couldn't find any. - Mila, I had nothing to do with this. I'll go back and we'll face this together. - Matteo, are you naive? Your father didn't force me to do anything. I got pregnant because I wanted to, but he showed me that without the child I would earn more, and I accepted. Now excuse me, I'm moving. Your father transferred a mansion to my name. I ended the call, unable to listen for another second. Could he have been right all along? I got up from the bed where I was lying and wiped away the tears that I had allowed to fall for the last time. Emiliano had always dreamed of having a son, and that day I decided

clinic, trying to find clues about the woman who will give birth to my nephews. - I wouldn't have come here if it weren't for you - he says with one foot resting against the wall. - I know that well, it hasn't been easy for anyone, Enrico, I know that we have overcome the pain, even if we miss you. - Emiliano, how are you? I saw that he called you this morning. - He wants me to come back, you know that I am in charge of the company now. - Maybe it will take time, we don't know when we will find this woman, so you should come back. - Relax, who would he put in my place? -

I shrug mockingly. Enrico is devastated, Laura came with the news that he would be a father, and leaves him alone with only clues as to where we will find the child, and when we arrive at the place we come across a low-class dump. They even did the favor of inseminating the wrong woman, and they don't even know who she is. So, here we are in the middle of chaos, waiting for luck, and of course for good detectives who are already working to find out who she is. Two young women come in and stop in front of us, the blonde is extremely beautiful, not that the other one isn't, but I soon see Camila with her long golden hair, yes, I still remember her with anger and resentment. - The blonde is beautiful - I say to Enrico who rolls his eyes. - You should be careful not to come with a gift - he mocks. We listen to them, tell their misfortunes, unwanted pregnancies, that's her problem. My eyes rest on my friend's green eyes, she has a cheeky, free air and I like that. The doctor we were waiting for appears in the hallway, they take the lead, entering the office with him, and their raised voices can be heard from the hallway. I stare at my brother-in-law in astonishment. We are standing before the woman who is carrying Laura's child. Once again I remember Camila, her manipulation and her secret plans to get pregnant with me, deep down, they only want money and I expect no less from the blonde girl who came into this office looking like a poor thing. - Yes, Enrico, it seems that destiny is on our side - I say when I see them leave the room, and once again I feel drawn to look at the green eyes and strong expression of the girl next to the blonde who I now know is carrying my nephew.

- Yes, it seems we found her faster than we expected. While Enrico rests at the hotel, I go out into the streets of Florence. Being locked in a room is definitely not in my plans, and any place will do as long as I am not trapped. After walking around for a while, like a tourist observing everything around me, I stop at a café. It's a little more modest than the ones I frequent in Milan, but it seems to be the best I can find here. I sit down and order, while watching the people move through the window. It's monotonous, but at the same time relaxing, and I just enjoy my thoughts. Then, I hear an altered voice coming from a nearby argument. "

Look what you did! My shirt is ruined! Shit, it's hot!" The irritated voice makes me immediately turn to see what's happening, but I quickly lose interest and go back to focusing on my coffee. "You'll survive, won't you? After all, it's just a shirt." I recognize the voice and turn my attention to the girl who was previously hidden among the people. She has both hands on her hips and a defiant look in her eyes. The man insists: "Apologize!" She simply shakes her head and answers firmly: - No, I would apologize to anyone who wasn't so rude. She raises an eyebrow and shrugs, looking completely unfazed. Her bold and independent attitude catches my attention, and my curiosity only increases. I continue to observe her discreetly, I've seen her before at the clinic, accompanying her friend who coincidentally is the woman carrying my nephew in her womb. And now, here she is, facing an angry man in a modest café in Florence. After witnessing the argument and seeing that girl without lowering her head, she came back with that firm look etched in my mind. 03 Marina Bianchi I cling to Isabella's problem, as if it were mine too, this shouldn't be happening to her, pregnant, and without having ever met a man, it's revolting to say the least.

I mumble as I try to forget my chaotic life. - Marina, your mother hasn't arrived yet, aren't you going to make food? - shouts my mother's husband, probably lying on the couch. He just waits for me to walk past him several times so he can touch himself in a not-so-discreet way under the pillows. "I won't do anything, I've already eaten, if you want to eat, just do it too," I shout. There's no way I'll unlock my room when I'm alone with this creep. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that, huh?" he yells from behind the door. "I'm not your maid!" "And I'm yours? Because you eat the money I bring into this house." I clench my jaw tightly and sink into the pillows, placing one of them over my head, muffling the sound of his screams. "When I catch you, brat, you'll see." I hear a bang on the door, probably from a kick. "What's going on here?" my mother's calm voice seems to make him even angrier. "Your daughter didn't make me eat anything," he complains and I flinch at the sound of glass being broken. "I'll do it right now." "Where have you been?" Is she another bitch like her daughter? - she shouts. I close my eyes, holding back the tears that threaten to fall. I won't cry because of him. I'll be strong until the day I leave this house. I return my mind to Isa's problem. Today she took the test, and the next time we go there, I hope they'll tell us who the child's parents are. And that's how I forget about mine and focus on helping her. A few days later... I wake up to Isabela's message. The test results are ready. Before I can even set foot on the floor, I hear my mother's screams informing me that Isabela is home. She sits on my bed in distress.

I can see in her eyes the desire not to have to hand over the child, but it's something inevitable and necessary. - So, I'm going to get ready and go with you to the clinic - I say, jumping out of bed. - I turned off my phone. I'm afraid to find out who the parents are. - Isa, you've already thought about everything you dreamed about, you have a future ahead of you, we'll solve this issue soon and you can go back to your normal life. She looks at me with a pleading look as if she expects me to say the opposite, like, we'll run away, I'll hide you, I know I'm pretty crazy at this point, but for now, I think much more about her, and the future that awaits her. When we finally get to the clinic, the receptionist says we can go in, because the doctor is waiting for us. Isa's steps slow down when we find two men.

- I didn't know you were being seen - she says and I hold back a laugh. What are two men doing in a gynecological clinic? - They're here for the same reason as you - the doctor answers, I just look at the handsome young man with a piercing gaze on me and an absurd heat invades my body. - Are you the baby's parents? - she asks in surprise and laughter flows freely from both my part and his. - No, I'm the uncle, he's the father - he answers still with a smile. After everything was almost resolved, we left the room, but the child's father caught