An encounter with the past.
The sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of a glamorous boutique nestled in the heart of the city. The sign above the door gleamed in gold: "Verdi Couture."
Antonio glanced at Luca, who wore a confident smile, excitement dancing in his eyes.
"This is it, Antonio," Luca said, practically bouncing in his seat. "This is where we're going to get you fitted for the best suit of your life. You're going to walk into that dinner looking like a king."
Antonio chuckled. "It's just a suit, Luca. I'm sure any good tailor can do the job."
"Oh, trust me. This isn't just any tailor. The designer, Marco Verdi, has dressed some of the most powerful people in the world. You'll want the best for your debut," Luca insisted, stepping out of the car.
They walked into the boutique, greeted by a soft chorus of chimes from the doorbell and the smell of high-end cologne. The walls were lined with elegant suits and exquisite fabrics.
A lanky man approached them with a bright smile.
"Welcome to Verdi Couture! I'm Marco," the designer said, extending his hand to Antonio. "You must be—
"He's the new Matteo heir."Luca chipped in.
"Antonio Matteo," he added.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Matteo." The man said shaking Marco's hand firmly.
Antonio smiled as he returned the handshake.
Luca chimed in, a grin plastered on his face. "We want the best of the best for the new Matteo, Marco. He's making his debut tomorrow night."
"Then you came to the right place!" The man Luca tagged as Marco said.
"Let's get started with your measurements, shall we?" Without hesitation he led Antonio to a fitting area, where he began taking measurements while Luca stood by, observing them closely.
"I can already envision it," Marco said, focusing on Antonio's shoulders. "A classic cut with a modern twist. Something that speaks power and elegance."
"That sounds great," Antonio replied, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. He'd never really cared about fashion or suits before.
"You're not just wearing a suit," Luca said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "You're wearing your legacy. This is your chance to show everyone who you are."
Once Marco finished with the measurements, he gave them a knowing smile. "I'll have the suit ready for you by tomorrow. Trust me, when I tell I'm going to give you perfection."
"Thank you, Marco," Luca said, shaking the designer's hand. "I appreciate your hard work."
As they left the boutique, Antonio couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.
***
The next day arrived, and Antonio paced in front of the mirror in his room, dressed only in a pair of black trousers, waiting for the suit to arrive.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. A maid entered, wheeling in a garment bag. "Your suit has arrived, Mr. Matteo," she said, smiling.
Antonio took the bag, his heart racing as he unzipped it. Inside was a beautifully tailored suit, a deep navy blue with subtle pinstripes that shimmered in the light. It was everything he could have hoped for and more.
Luca walked in, clapping his hands together. "It looks incredible! You're going to look amazing."
With the help of the maids, Antonio got dressed in the suit, and as he slipped it on, he felt a surge of confidence.
When he stepped out of the dressing room, Luca's eyes lit up. "Wow, Antonio! You look like you just walked out of a fashion magazine!"
"Agreed," Mr. Winfield said as he entered the room, nodding his approval. "You're ready to take on the world."
"Thanks, guys," Antonio said, trying to hide his nervousness beneath a smile. "I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations tonight."
"You will," Luca assured him, patting him on the back. "Just remember, you're not just a man in a suit. You're the heir of the Matteo empire. Own it."
They set out from the estate, but this time it wasn't Luca behind the wheel. A driver took them to the venue, a luxurious ballroom adorned with chandeliers and elaborate decorations.
As they walked inside, Mr. Winfield stepped forward, preparing to introduce Antonio to the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced once they arrived at there which was filled with a few of the guest. "I present to you the heir of the Matteo family, Antonio Matteo, the lost son who has returned to reclaim his rightful place."
Antonio took a deep breath, as he took his seat. A wave of chatter and applause swept through the table. He shook hands, and exchanged pleasantries, mingling with his father's old associate.
"Excuse me!" Antonio said pulling away from the table.
As he made his way to the corner of the table. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Antonio!"
He turned to see Lisa standing at the edge of the crowd. She flashed her a glare.
"Lisa," he said, his heart racing slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Her tone came out edgy as she stared at him.