After stepping off the jet, Jay looked around and couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Lined up to greet him were five luxury cars—one Porsche 911 Spyder, two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, and two G-Wagons, each polished to perfection. A team of ten bodyguards stood ready, their eyes sharp and focused, but what really caught Jay's attention was the familiar face among them.
"Yo, bro!" Antonio shouted with a wide grin, striding forward. Jay's face lit up, and they pulled each other into a strong hug. It had been seven years since they last saw each other, and the reunion felt long overdue.
"Man, I've missed you so much," Jay said, patting Antonio on the back. "Feels like forever."
Amelia and Celia, standing nearby, watched with wide eyes, taking in the luxury and the warmth of the moment. The line of cars, the professional guards, and now Jay's close friend welcoming him like a long-lost brother—it was a whole new side of him they hadn't seen.
As they broke the hug, Antonio glanced over at the two women and raised an eyebrow, grinning. "And who are these beautiful ladies?" he asked, playfully.
Jay turned, gesturing toward them. "This is Amelia," he said, nodding toward her, "a friend whose company I helped out recently. And this," he pointed to Celia, "is the daughter of a big man in city who's been a big help to me lately."
Antonio gave them a polite nod, then leaned over to Jay and whispered with a mischievous smile, "Madam's gonna be thrilled you brought home two potential daughters-in-law."
Jay's face flushed slightly. "No, no, they're just friends," he insisted, shaking his head.
Antonio smirked, giving him a knowing look. "Good luck explaining that to Madam," he chuckled.
Trying to brush it off, Jay guided everyone toward the cars. He climbed into the Porsche with Antonio, while he directed Amelia, Celia, and the rest of the entourage to join him in the other cars for the drive to the mansion. Settling into the luxurious leather seats of the Porsche, Jay looked over at Antonio, who was already beaming.
As they started the journey, Jay leaned back and sighed. "So, what's been happening with the family? Seven years is a long time."
Antonio grinned proudly. "Well, where do I start? Your dad has become the richest man in Italy. He's now setting his sights on international business, hoping to be the richest in the world soon. He's built an empire, Jay."
Jay's eyes widened. "The richest man in Italy? Seriously?"
Antonio nodded. "Yep, and he's got big plans. Our family's net worth shot up from $1.4 billion to $9.6 billion over the last five years. He's ambitious as ever."
Jay leaned back, letting it all sink in. He knew his family was wealthy, but hearing the actual numbers floored him. He looked out the window at the Italian countryside passing by, feeling a mix of pride and awe. "Wow," he muttered, almost to himself. "I knew he was successful, but I never realized it was on this scale."
Antonio glanced over, sensing Jay's amazement. "Yeah, he's been unstoppable. Grandpa's retired now and spends most of his time relaxing, but he still has a hand in the family decisions, mostly through my dad. And Uncle? Still the president of Italy, managing things with the same iron fist."
Jay shook his head, half in disbelief. "It sounds like everything's changed...and yet, nothing's changed at all."
"Pretty much," Antonio agreed, smiling. "Though there's one thing you should know about."
Jay turned to him, his expression softening. "How's my mom been?"
Antonio's smile faded slightly. "She wasn't thrilled when you left. At first, she and your dad would argue about it—she thought he was too harsh, sending you off like that. But eventually, she came around, realizing it was probably for your own good. She's kept herself busy, shopping and redecorating the house every few months."
Jay's heart sank. He hated to think of his mom upset, and the image of her shopping alone just to distract herself tugged at him. He let out a deep sigh, feeling a pang of guilt. "I shouldn't have stayed away so long," he muttered, more to himself than to Antonio.
Antonio put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hey, don't beat yourself up. She's going to be thrilled to see you. She's probably got a whole welcome party planned without you even knowing."
Jay managed a small smile, grateful for the support. "I just…can't wait to see her."
They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence, with Jay lost in his thoughts, the excitement of reuniting with his family and friends mingling with the nervousness of what awaited him. He knew his family was powerful, but the reality of it all—the wealth, the connections, the influence—was even bigger than he'd imagined.
Finally, they reached the mansion, a sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens and guarded by towering gates. The cars came to a stop, and as Jay stepped out, he took a deep breath, looking up at the familiar building with a renewed appreciation. This was home, the place he'd left behind to make his own way in the world. And now, he was back, with friends by his side and a new chapter ahead of him.
With Antonio at his side and Amelia and Celia following behind, Jay made his way up the steps, a sense of warmth filling him.