KATELYNN'S POV
Houses and people spread like grains of rice on the ground as I gazed down from the window of the Jet taking my father and I to Italy.
"Quite fascinating right?" My father asked rhetorically, his voice pulling my attention to him. Our eyes met and I smiled, nodding my head. "Are you still angry?"
"Of course, this is my final year in college, I can't afford to miss any class and you know that, yet you insisted on taking me to Italy with you. I'm tired of all the travels Dad." I complained, my voice low with a mix of frustration and sadness.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, this meeting is important and I want you to be there, to watch and observe. One day, when I retire, all these will be passed down to you and I wouldn't want you to be ignorant of how to run this business."He cooed, nudging my shoulder playfully.
Sighing deeply in defeat, I turned my head back to the window as though the beautiful view would free me of all my responsibilities. I heard him sigh and his hand crept unto mine, stroking my hand in a comforting manner. "It will be fun. Venice is a beautiful city with beautiful dishes, people, and beautiful places for you to see."
"Mhmm" I hummed, still staring out into the vast blue sky.
Feeling a series of soft rhythmic taps on my wrist, my eyes blinked open slowly, "Hmm? What is it?" I murmured slowly, turning my head in the direction of the individual beside me.
"We are here, C'mon, stand up, you will get some more rest when we get to the hotel," he urged.
"Alright, alright, I am awake," I murmured, informing him.
I stretched lazily on the soft leather couch beneath me, hearing the familiar cracking sound of my joints as I stood up. The cabin of the jet felt too big and too small at the same time. My father was already gathering his things, his face held excitement as he hummed some melody joyfully.
This trip was more than just another business trip for him; it was a step to secure the future of our company and by extension the family's future as well.
As we climbed down from the Jet, the Venetian cool air greeted us carrying with it the scent of the sea and something exotic. My mood changed slightly despite my earlier complaint about the Jet, a smile appeared on my face as I stared at the beautiful city in front of me, it was undeniably the most beautiful city I had ever been to, its aura and the stories we heard stood evident in the canals.
A beautiful black sleek car awaited us at the runway, and soon we were driving through the city, the architecture was a beautiful blend of the ancient and the modern. The driver drove us through the narrow streets, and I found myself mesmerized by the waters and how the sun's rays danced on the surface reflecting the sky.
After a few minutes of navigating his way through the streets, we arrived at the hotel, a magnificent building that seemed to be rising from the canals itself. Inside, the lobby had designs of marble and glass, the luxury almost overwhelming me. My father checked us in, and I barely heard his conversation with the staff, as I glanced at my surroundings, the place was beautiful.
Our suite was no less breathtaking than the lobby, offering a beautiful view of the canal, and a gondola gliding gently in the water. I dropped my bag and sank into the soft sofa. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
"Go get some rest," my father advised, planting a kiss on my forehead, "we have a big day tomorrow."
I nodded my head and made my way to the bedroom. The bed was softer than the sofa, the sheets cool beneath my skin. I closed my eyes ready to rest, but was finding it hard to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of the responsibilities that awaited me, both here and at home.
My parents had just my sister and me, with no son as an heir to take over his business, my father had no other choice but to pass down the teachings of how he runs the business to me. It hasn't been easy, moving from place to place, changing schools and states. It got to the point where my father decided to have us homeschooled, he felt it was better that way.
Luisa disliked the idea, she is a social butterfly with different cliques of friends but I loved the idea, it didn't affect me because I wasn't as social as her. We were homeschooled till I got to college. I chose New York University because it was close to home but I regret it now, father seized that as an opportunity to drag me along to all his business meetings. No time for myself or my education, I barely read my books anymore.
As I lay there, swirling in the whirlwind of thoughts closing in on me, the sounds of the city, and the dance of the water in the canal, lure me into a state of semi-consciousness.
My thoughts slowly drifted away, as my mind crossed the borders of wakefulness to a land of dreams, and I embraced the peaceful silent darkness.
When I woke up, the sun was sinking below the horizon, ready for his voyage to the West. The soft glow from the colors of the dusk coated the room. I felt rested and energetic as I walked out of the room.
I found my father in the living room, going over some set of documents piled in his hands. He looked up as I entered, with a smile plastered on his face, "Feeling better?" he asked
"Better than before," I replied, returning his smile.
Nodding his head, the smile on his face widened. "Good, very good. Our guests will be here soon, go get ready," he advised, checking his watch.
I pouted, dragging myself back to the room sluggishly with my luggage in hand. After bathing, I wore my body lotion, perfumes, and a two-piece black suit looking like a businesswoman ready to secure a deal.
I made my way back to the living room. The murmured conversation became audible as I grew closer to the living room door. Seems like the guests are already here. I paused in front of the door, as I felt a series of emotions twist in my guts.
Sighing deeply, I pushed open the door, revealing myself to the people inside the living room. My father turned to look at me, a smile formed on his face as his eyes met me. "Come in Darling" he urged, gesturing to me.
My eyes glanced between a middle-aged man in his late fifties and a young man in his late twenties, they had a striking resemblance, the son looked like his father in his youth. Feigning a smile, I walked up to them and took a seat by my father's side.
"This is my eldest daughter, Katelynn, and also my successor." he explained, pointing at me, "Katelynn, this is Mr. Marcello Ferrari and his son, Bruno Ferrari. My business partners"
"Piacere di conoscerla," I spoke in Italian, stretching out my right hand towards them for a formal handshake, still feigning a smile.
"Parli Italiano?" the middle-aged man's thick voice resonated through the room, his hand stretching forward to meet mine.
My smile switched into a scowl as I stared at the man, barely understanding what he said. The only thing I know in Italy, which I had to learn over and over again, is "Nice to meet you," which I had said to create a familiar atmosphere. But I did not expect him to hit me back with the language I know nothing of.
I glanced between the man and my father for help, rather they all burst out in loud laughter, disrupting the serene atmosphere.
"Don't mind my Father. He was playing with you. We speak your language," he explained, as he shook my hand gently, a wide smile ran across his lips. "I didn't expect the successor he has been on about to be a woman, a beautiful one"
"Yeah? Because women are not meant to be successors of a business?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm as my smile switched to a smirk.
He released my hand slowly, with his gray eyes boring into mine. "I didn't mean it that way. I am just surprised. It is quite rare to see… female successors ."
"I don't think I am the first female successor, nor will I be the last, it is not rare," I snapped angrily, feeling quite attacked by his statement.
He raised his hands gently in a surrendering gesture, with a smirk on his face. I heard my father clearing his throat loudly, "Well, that was a—a rough start. Let's head to business."
"Yeah," The Middle-aged supported him.
My conversation with Marcello triggered my suppressed anger, making my mind wander off from the ongoing meeting. The lack of concentration made me not realize that the meeting had come to an end.
After concluding the meeting with a handshake, the men left our suite back to their destination.
I turned sharply to my father, "Really? That was a rough start?" I complained, mimicking him. "Why didn't you give me any information about them? You allowed me to come in here and embarrass myself and the family,"
"Darling, you did just fine. That little mishap shouldn't weigh you down. You did great." He cooed, trying to comfort me.
"You should have said something," I nagged, my voice a low one.
"Honey, you were barely awake for any lecture," he explained. "But what did you grasp from our conversation?" he asked. My silence made him frown, "You didn't concentrate on the meeting, did you?" he asked.
His eyes met mine, they held a hint of disappointment, and my heart sank. "Is this how you want to handle the business when I retire? When you can't even concentrate on a few minutes of the meeting, how can you address the board, fix a problem, or even listen to ideas from the board members? You are going to become the CEO of this Corporation one day and you can't even control your temper or your tongue. Is this how you plan to secure deals? A successor shouldn't do—"
"I get it already, a successor shouldn't do this or that. A successor should lay down his/her happiness for the company, and shouldn't have a mind of her own. I understand all these, Father, but don't you think I deserve happiness, a little freedom from this cage" I asked.
I watched his face crawl up into a frown, "Cage? Young Lady, I have been the one handling all these myself, watch your tongue. After a few years of following me around, you are already calling it a cage. I have been managing this business for the past 30 years since I was 19 years old. This was the way your grandfather raised me, I'm sorry if you feel suffocated!" He yelled, slamming the desk.
Sighing, I stood up from the sofa, and walked to the door, "Excuse me, I want to take a walk," I informed him walking out of the room, I heard him utter a few words as I walked out of the suite.