The empire
The next morning, Antonio woke up with a pounding headache. He was sure it was definitely due to the drinks he took yesterday.
As he stumbled out of bed, he found Luca already up and dressed, looking as sharp as ever.
Luca glanced at him, smirking. "Rough night, cousin?"
Antonio ran a hand through his disheveled hair, nodding. "Yeah, you could say that."
Luca chuckled and called out to the maid, "Get Antonio some green tea. That should help clear his head."
The maid appeared swiftly and nodded before disappearing into the kitchen.
Antonio plopped down into a chair at the breakfast table, trying to shake off the grogginess.
As they sat at the table, sipping tea, Mr. Winfield walked in.
"Antonio, today we'll be heading to the company," he announced. "It's time for you to familiarize yourself with the place, meet the people who've been running things in your absence."
Antonio nodded, setting his tea down.
When breakfast was over, they set out for the company. The building was an impressive structure, sleek and modern, with the Matteo family crest proudly displayed above the entrance.
Antonio stared up at it as they walked inside.
Inside, they were greeted by his father's personal assistant, a man named Ethan.
"Mr. Matteo, it's an honor to finally meet you," Ethan said, shaking Antonio's hand. "I'm Ethan."
"Thank you, Ethan," Antonio replied.
Ethan gave him a quick tour of the company, showing him the various departments, and then after that he went to see the board of directors.
As Antonio stepped into the office, he was immediately struck by the imposing presence of the board of directors seated around a large table.
Mr. Winfield cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please. I'd like to introduce you to the new head of the Matteo family, Antonio Matteo."
Antonio straightened his posture. The members of the board looked his way not saying anything then bald man with silver hair and glasses leaned forward, studying Antonio closely.
"You look just like your father," he said. "It's uncanny."
"Thank you," Antonio replied, trying to muster a smile. "I've heard that a lot since I returned."
Another board member, a blonde woman with thick frames spoke up, "It's one thing to look like him, but do you have what it takes to lead this empire? Your father was a remarkable man."
Antonio nodded. "I know I have big shoes to fill, but I'm committed to upholding my father's legacy while also bringing my own vision to the table."
The silver-haired man raised an eyebrow. "Vision is essential, but can you navigate the complexities of this industry? The stakes are higher than you may realize."
"I understand the risks," Antonio replied, feeling more confident with each word. "I'm ready to make informed decisions that will benefit us all."
Mr. Winfield interjected, "Antonio maybe new to this but I'm sure he would surprise you in the best way."
They didn't respond to Mr.Winfield's words then aboard member who had quiet spoke up.
A murmur of interest rippled through the room, and another board member chimed in, "we hope so!"
Luca, who had been quietly observing from the back of the room, finally spoke up. "You're all underestimating Antonio. He may be new to this role, but he's not a stranger to the business world. I'm sure he would drive the company to the top."
The board members seemed to weigh Luca's words, and the silver-haired man nodded slowly. "Very well, if you say so."
With that, Mr. Winfield glanced at Ethan . "Why don't you show Antonio to his father's office? I'm sure he'd like to discuss some matters with you."
"Sure thing," Ethan replied, giving Antonio a supportive nod as he stepped out of the room with Antonio by his side.
When they arrived, Ethan's attention was needed at the lobby.
"I will be right back." He said before walking away, leaving Antonio alone in the office.
Antonio walked around the office, taking it all in. His eyes fell on a photograph sitting on the desk—a picture of his father, Gustavo Matteo, standing proudly in front of the company's logo. Antonio picked it up, his fingers brushing over the glass.
"I'll make you proud, Dad," he whispered to the photo.
As he stood there, lost in thought, Mr. Winfield and Luca entered the office.
Mr. Winfield smiled approvingly. "This was your father's domain. Now, it's yours."
Antonio set the photo down and turned to face them. "I'll do my best."
Winfield nodded, his expression serious. "Tomorrow, you'll make your first public debut as the new head of the Matteo empire. There's a dinner being held for the top business leaders in the city. It's important that you make a strong impression."
Antonio was about to respond when Luca chimed in, grinning. "And to do that, we need to make sure you look the part. We're heading to a designer after this."
Antonio frowned slightly. "I'm sure a regular suit will be fine, Luca. I don't need anything fancy."
Luca raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "Antonio, you're the heir to a billion-dollar empire. You can't just show up in a regular suit. Trust me, appearances matter in this world. And besides, it's not just about looking good—it's about showing them who's in charge."
Antonio opened his mouth to argue, but Luca grabbed him by the arm, dragging him out of the office before he could protest further.
"Come on," Luca said, grinning. "Let's make sure you're the best-dressed man at that dinner tomorrow."