Three

Lucas Pov.

My workers filed out of the conference room, and I slumped back in my chair, the tension draining from my shoulders. My annual reports were stellar, and I was still the top dog in the digital tech industry in Italy. But despite my accomplishments, there was always that nagging voice in the back of my mind. 

"Don't let it fall," I silently urged myself. I had worked too hard to build my company from the ground up to see it crumble now. Discipline was my best friend, the one constant in my life that had kept me going when my dad had scoffed at my dreams.

My dad had never believed in me, always telling me I'd never amount to anything, that I was a disappointment. But I had proven him wrong. Every grueling hour of work, every sleepless night spent poring over numbers and strategies, had led me here. And I wouldn't let anyone or anything bring me down. 

Henry Denver a powerful billionare tycoon, and also my father had it all out for money and power. He craved for those two things like the breath of life, which explains why he could do anything, tramble on anyone's emotions; family or not, to get what he wants.

Quite sad I didn't take after him, but I still couldn't let his premonitions concerning me come true.

"Keep climbing, keep fighting," I thought to myself, a fire in my belly that fueled my determination to stay at the top. There was still so much I wanted to achieve, so many barriers to break, and I knew I had the grit and tenacity to do it.

"Well, well, if it isn't the workaholic CEO himself," a voice drawled, pulling me from my reverie. 

I glanced up to see Aiden strolling in, his lean, athletic build emphasized by the tailored suit he wore. His dirty blonde hair was swept back, and his blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

Aiden and I went way back, all the way to our college days. We were two distraught souls longing to find our place in the vast world, against parental opposition.

"Greetings to you too Aiden, to what do I owe this wonderful pleasure ?"

Aiden set the newspaper down on my desk with a thud, a smirk playing on his lips. "Read the headline, mate. Looks like you're not the only one making waves in Italy." 

I arched an eyebrow, skimming the bold letters. "Aiden Moretti's Fashion House Takes Milan by Storm." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Well done. Your rivals would no longer see you as a young college graduate.."

He had a little bit of obstacles when entering the fashion industry especially without a firm backup. If course, I supported him in all possible. And here we are today, I'm sure he would make more than he has today. But I would never tell that to his face, his suck on that little praise for forever.

Aiden's smirk grew wider. "Exactly. Which is why you need to loosen up, my man. Take a break from work."

"And why should I do that? I have lots of deals to close and numerous stocks to monitor at the same time, you know I don't trust my workers to that extent."

Not that my workers were unprofessional or didn't deserve their positions, just that my all time rival Marcus was always on the leash to outshine me, but I was never letting that happen. 

"I get it." He said seriously, looking me in the eye. "It's time you have a medium of distraction, work is not everything Lu."

Knowing he was referring to something deeper than how simple it looked. "And by that you mean?"

"It's time to get married or get yourself a girlfriend."

I groaned, leaning further into my seat. "You never relent do you?"

Aiden has been on this topic since he got engaged to Amanda, a hotshot model who once worked for him. He's been all whiny, telling me how being in a relationship is good for distractions and to actually care about something other than work.

"Of course I won't relent. I want to be called uncle Aiden soon." He smiled wistfully.

That's never going to happen. Heck, I didn't even have one stable female in my life as I speak. Happy ever after was just a fantasy that I believed when I was a kid, but growing up to see my parents destructive marriage made me cancel that notion as fast as it came.

My mother left when I was thirteen. Her sole reason was not being able to cope, in a way I understood her. In fact, a tiny little part of me understood that. But a larger part of me blamed her for leaving me in the hands of the tyrant I call a father. I was forced to grow up fast, my education was very fast and that equalled to a boring life.

I wasn't into commitment and I never will. My notion when it comes to ladies is, Fuck and Leave. No attachment whatsoever.

Aiden phone pinged, distracting him from pressing further. Something on his screen made him smirk, and when he hended me the phone to take a look for myself, I couldn't the amused look that took over my expression.

"Marcus Stanfield is getting married to Mirabelle ?" I asked incredulously, handing his phone back. "Thought he was married to her sister, what's her name again ? "

"Amanda ? Beats me too. She is a sweet one, I wonder why he divorced her." Aiden said thoughtfully.

I pondered on that for a moment. Marcus has been my rival since I established my tech company. He was never the one to make hasty and rash decisions but it seems like he just made a stupid one.

I've come across Amanda on several business occasions and from afar I could tell she was principled and was loyal to the fault. 

"What's going on in that stick head of yours?" Aiden called me back to reality.

"I think I might have a plan on getting Marcus out of the league."

Aiden sat up immediately, his eyes lit up with interest. "Don't tell me you want to use his ex wife against him."

"Maybe.."

"It won't work, and that won't be fair on her."

"I know exactly what I am going to do, and if you'll excuse me I have a meeting with my Dad at his penthouse, you know how he hates tardiness."

"Your old man and his troubles, keep me updated on this sick plan of yours. Don't leave me out of it." He grinned playfully before leaving my office.

I was left alone again, my demons that was related to the fear of my father surfaced again. I don't know what our meeting was about but I was sure it won't end well.