Andrea paced around in his large living room, obviously disturbed. Tumbler in hand, he gulped down the remains of his vodka, trying to calm down but jealousy raged his body. How could that scoundrel overthrone him just like that?! He'd been there. He was always the heir and he'd ensure it stayed that way. But the reality of his father's decision infuriated him all over again. The tumbler went flying across the room.“Mio figlio (my son)”.His mother's voice came, stealthily but bold from behind. She walked up to him and caressed his bold jawline. “Mio figlio, vere erede” (my son, true heir).“You shouldn't waste your anger on that… good for nothing boy”.“That good for nothing boy dares to inherit the whole Rodriguez fortune. Now that father has made him head over our home company, who knows what next!? Heir and inheritor?...”“Shhh…son. Hush there now. I had plans for you even before your birth. I have set your path and it, my dear child,it must align”, she paused momentarily, grinni

“Sofia?”Sofia raised her head from her computer.“The boss wants to see you.”Sofia Brown, a straight blonde, hurriedly put on her pumps. “Mr. Emilio must want the files”She took them in hand, walking briskly to the office.Riccardo opened the door.“Oh, Signore (Mister) Riccardo. It's a delight to see you!”“Piacere mio, bella”(my pleasure,beautiful)Riccardo said, letting her in.Sofia blushed. “Grazie (thank you) Signore Riccardo”“And where did you learn to speak Italian, Sofia?”“Good morning sir”, Sofia said hastily bowing. She hadn't noticed when Asher had come from the adjacent office.“Ahh, Miss Brown speaks excellent Italian young master, her mother's a native of my place”.“Interesting… how come I missed out on this information?”.“You didn't… I didn't think it was a requirement sir.” Sofia tugged her hair shyly behind her ears.“That's no problem. Have your seat”. Sofia was sure she didn't hear right.“Ssss… sit? I have the files here.. sir. I sorted them out yesterday a

“Mariaaa!. Mariaaa!”, Vincenzo called out as soon as he got home.Maria came out in her long silver dress adorned in pearls. Her silver earrings with diamond studs dangled as she walked towards Vincenzo.He enveloped her in a big hug.“La mia adorabile moglie(My lovely wife), how was your day?” Maria patted her hair. She had just returned from the salon not too long ago.“Well, I stepped out to the salon today. Had some of that french parfait”“Ahh me too!” He said, walking her to the couch.“And where have you been?”“At the Salvatores' . We had a little umm … business meeting”Maria rolled her eyes. Mr Salvatore's wife disgusted her.“How's business?”“Splendid! I wonder how Emilio does it. He runs the company here so well. We had sealed three contracts just last week alone! The boy knows everything about business..”, Vincenzo chatted away excitedly but all Maria was filled with was more hate and resentment for him.“It’s simply incredibile, don't you think so, Maria?”, Vincenzo sa

Sofia sat in the waiting room, waiting for the nurse to signal her when she could go in. She was overly anxious, her hands fidgeted and her feet tapped the floor uncontrollably. She'd been denied for two days now, the doctors saying that she wasn't strong enough for visitors. Dr. Grayford had taken time to explain her mother's state and the image kept reappearing in her head. There was no way she was going to be stable after this and work had made her far behind her therapy sessions.“Oh Sofie!” Varietta rushed to her cousin to give her a hug.“Varietta. What are you…?!”.“ I had to come as soon as I heard Zia (aunty) was sick. How is she?”.“You didn't have to fly all the way from… Texas?”“Brazil, darling", her cousin said, beaming with pride."Brazil? You guys have moved again"."Well, it's only been a few months".Sofia scratched the rash near the end of her upper arm."Well, I had no idea those few months!" Sofia hit her cousin playfully. Varietta laughed."Well, you are always b

"Please, sit".Varietta and Sofia sat down on the office chairs and the doctor, across them."Anything new doctor?"."Not yet. Your mother is... very strong. We need a little more time to confirm our tests".Varietta squeezed Sofia's shoulder a little. The doctor continued."For the meantime, we would require one or each of you, take turns if you may, to come visit everyday. As you already noticed, she's alive but ... just asleep in a way. She can sense presence and does pretty well to acknowledge it by little hand gestures and facial gestures. "Sofia held the chair tightly. Her anxiety was getting to her and she needed to calm down.She let out a sigh, trying to practise her breathing lessons underneath. How was she going to manage work and visiting her mum. She knew for sure, she had a lot of files piled on her desk."No problem, we'll visit.", She looked at Sofia. "I've cancelled my flight so I can stay for a while, perhaps till next weekend ""Oh Vari..."."Anything for Zia".