Teresa, Fabio's mother, stepped out onto the second-floor balcony of their luxurious mansion, the stars twinkling above like diamonds. She found her son, Fabio, gazing up at the night sky, his eyes lost in thought.
Fabio, still wearing his glasses and looking every bit the bookworm, didn't notice his mother's approach. Teresa's eyes scanned his profile, concern etched on her face. She had always known her son was different from the other men in their family, but she worried about his ability to lead the family business after his father's passing.
"Fabio, dear, you're not thinking of giving up on your father's legacy already, are you?" Teresa asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Fabio's head jerked up, and he blinked at his mother. "What do you mean? I'm committed to carrying on Dad's work."
Teresa's expression turned skeptical. "Committed? You're barely 27 years old. You're still wet behind the ears. The family business is a serious undertaking, not some hobby to be taken lightly."
Fabio's eyes flashed with determination. "I've worked alongside Dad for years. I know what needs to be done."
Teresa sighed. "Yes, but it's not just about knowing what needs to be done. It's about having the stomach for it. The ability to make tough decisions and take calculated risks."
Fabio's gaze drifted back to the stars. "I think I can handle it, Mom."
Teresa's concern deepened. "Fabio, listen to me. You need to focus on finding a girl and settling down. Marriage and children will give you stability and a sense of purpose."
Fabio's face twisted in disgust. "You want me to sacrifice my dreams for some silly romance? No way."
Teresa's eyes narrowed. "Your father and I didn't build this empire by following our hearts. We did it by making smart business decisions and working together as a family."
Fabio snorted. "That's exactly what I'm trying to do! I want to open a coffee shop – a hipster coffee shop, actually – and make a name for myself outside of this family business."
Teresa's expression turned incredulous. "A coffee shop? Fabio, you're the future boss of this family! You can't waste your time with such frivolous pursuits."
Fabio stood up, his eyes blazing with defiance. "You don't understand me, Mom! I want to create something that brings people together, not just line my pockets with cash."
The tension between them was palpable as they stood there under the starry sky.
"I'll tell you one thing," Teresa said finally. "If you don't focus on your duties as boss and start making some real progress in this family business, I'll make sure everyone knows that you're not worthy of leading this family."
Fabio's jaw clenched before he spoke through gritted teeth. "I'll show you all what I'm capable of, Mom. Mark my words."
With that, he stormed back into the mansion, leaving Teresa watching him go with a mix of concern and frustration.
As she turned back to gaze out at the stars, Teresa couldn't shake the feeling that her son was heading down a path that would lead him – and their family – straight into disaster.
To be continued...