9. Call It Fate.

Luca

The screeching sound of the curtains being slid open was the first thing that woke me up, but I didn’t want to leave my position, even though it was a bit uncomfortable.

“Good morning, Sir.”

John’s calm, polite voice was the next. I groaned, opening my eyes, and was hit with the bright rays of the sunlight which made me immediately shut my eyes again.

I groaned again, rubbing my temples as a sharp pain shot through my skull. My mouth was dry, and the horrible taste of whiskey still lingered on my tongue.

“Too damn bright,” I muttered, barely lifting my head from the chair.

And as expected, John didn’t respond. Instead, I heard the soft clink of a glass being placed on the table beside me.

“Water, Sir. And some aspirin.”

I cracked one eye open and saw him standing there, completely unfazed by my current state. His crisp uniform was as neat as ever, his posture straight, and his expression was unreadable, as usual.

“Remind me to fire you one day,” I mumbled, forcing myself to sit up, but the action only made my head throb in protest.

“I look forward to it, Sir,” John replied evenly. “But until then, you should take the aspirin.”

I exhaled through my nose, grabbed the glass, and downed the pills. The water was cold and helped a little, but my head was still a mess.

John studied me for a moment before speaking again. “You called her last night.”

I stiffened. “I know.”

“She didn’t pick up.”

“I know that too, John,” I snapped, rubbing my face.

“Would you like me to remove her number from your contacts?” he asked, as if it were a simple business decision.

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Would it make a difference?”

John remained silent.

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. “She looked happy, didn’t she?”

John hesitated before answering. “Judging from how she appeared on TV last night. Yes, Sir. She did.”

I clenched my jaw. The confirmation hit harder than I wanted to admit.

After a moment, John cleared his throat. “Breakfast is ready whenever you are. I suggest something light, given your condition.”

I glanced at him. “Trying to nurse me back to health, John?”

“I’m simply ensuring you don’t pass out in the hallway again, Sir. It was rather inconvenient last time.”

I smirked despite myself. “You enjoy this, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, completely deadpan.

I shook my head and stood up, still feeling the weight of last night pressing down on me. “Fine. I’ll be coming down for breakfast.”

John gave me a small nod. “Of course, Sir.”

As he turned to leave, I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

It was going to be a long day.

I dragged myself out of the chair, stretching myself to release any stiffness. My head still hurt, but the aspirins were slowly starting to work. I took one last look at Diane’s painting before covering it up and headed towards my room. I needed a shower, coffee, and most importantly, to make a call.

By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in a black shirt and black tailored pants, I felt better. I adjusted my cufflinks, picked up my phone and headed downstairs for breakfast.

“You look good, Sir.” John complimented me as he straightened from pouring orange juice into a cup.

“Don’t I always?” I smirked, muttering a ‘thank you’ as I settled into the chair he pulled out for me.

Eggs, bacon, and toast were arranged neatly on the dinner table, alongside a bowl of fruits, nuts, a glass of water and a glass of orange juice.

But something was missing.

“Where’s my coffee, John?” I asked as I dug into my food, not realizing how hungry I was.

John placed the glass carafe back onto the tray before meeting my gaze. “You had quite a bit to drink last night, Sir. I thought coffee might not be the best choice this morning.”

I paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow. “And since when do you make decisions for me?”

John remained unfazed. “Since I started working here, Sir.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Fair enough. But I’ll take my coffee now.”

John gave a small nod before turning toward the kitchen. In less than a minute, he returned with a fresh cup, placing it neatly beside my plate.

I took a sip and let out a satisfied sigh. “See? That’s exactly what I needed.”

John said nothing.

I smirked. “You’re judging me, aren’t you?”

“Not at all, Sir.”

“Liar.”

John didn’t respond. He simply took a step back, hands clasped neatly in front of him.

I continued eating in silence, my mind already shifting to the call I had to make. After a few minutes, I pushed my plate away and leaned back in my chair.

John, ever efficient, stepped forward. “Shall I bring the car around, Sir?”

“Not yet,” I said, picking up my phone. “I have something to take care of first.”

John gave me a small nod before retreating, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I exhaled, scrolling through my contacts until I found the name.

Diego.

Time to fix what I messed up last night.

Without any hesitation, I hit dial, and he picked up after two rings.

“You finally grew a conscience?” Diego said dryly.

I sighed. “Yeah. Look, man… about last night—”

“You were an asshole,” he cut in. “If it were anyone else, they’d be paying for it by now.”

I knew he wasn’t joking. Diego had power, the kind most people didn’t mess with. If anyone else had acted the way I did, they wouldn’t be standing today.

“But,” he continued, his tone lighter, “I’ve known you for years, and I’ve never seen you look at another woman the way you look at her. That’s why I’m letting it go. That and the fact that I don’t like your little fling. What’s her name again?” He paused, as if trying to remember. “Sophia.”

I let out a short laugh. “Yeah… that makes two of us.”

“Then why the hell are you wasting your time?”

I exhaled. “I don’t know, man. Maybe I thought it would help.”

“Has it?”

I didn’t answer.

Diego chuckled. “Exactly.”

“I’m sorry, man. I’ll make it up to you,” I said, meaning it this time.

Diego hummed in approval. “Apology accepted and you owe me a drink. Now, let’s talk about something more important.”

I sat up straighter. “What?”

“I had my men check out Diane and Marko.”

My grip on the phone tightened. “And?”

Diego took his time. “It’s not what you think. Their relationship is platonic.”

I felt like I could breathe again. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” he said. “Marko is the one pushing for more, but Diane keeps rejecting him. I don’t think she loves him.”

A grin spread across my face. “Fuck, Diego. You have no idea what this means to me.”

“Oh, I do,” he said dryly.

I didn’t care how I sounded. A huge weight had lifted off my chest. “Thank you. Really.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You still have to do something about it.”

“I will,” I promised.

***

That day felt different. I wasn’t angry. I wasn’t drowning in frustration. For the first time in years, I felt like I was actually living.

Then, just before I left the office, my assistant walked in.

“Sir, I just received an email regarding the charity gala donation—you’ll be working closely with Miss Diane Allen, the CEO of Hope Horizons, on the project.”

I froze. “What did you say?”

“Since your donation was one of the largest, the board has insisted that you join the executive planning committee which means that You’ll be working together with Miss Allen for the next few months. Would you like to accept the offer, Sir?”

A slow grin spread across my face as a mixture of emotions rushed through me. “Yes, please.”

She gave me a small nod, and left the office.

I picked up my phone, called Diego, and we agreed to meet up for a drink.

That evening, I told Diego, and he shook his head, watching me with a smirk.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy,” he said. “Not even when your company hit a billion-dollar valuation.”

I swirled the whiskey in my glass, still smiling. “Because nothing else compares. This is the first real win I’ve had in years, and I’d be damned I* I don’t celebrate it.”

Diego grinned.

And celebrate we did.

I got wasted. Completely and shamelessly drunk.

Diego had to drag me into the house. “You’re heavy as shit,” he muttered.

I just grinned. “She’s gonna see me every day. Every. Damn. Day.”

“Yes, Luca,” Diego muttered, shaking his head as he helped me onto the couch.

I let out a happy sigh, sinking into the cushions. “I’m gonna have happy dreams tonight.”

Diego scoffed. “Try not to choke on your own stupidity while you’re at it.”

I chuckled, my eyes already closing. My head was spinning, but for once, I didn’t care. The weight I had been carrying for years felt lighter. Diane wasn’t in love with Marko. And now, fate had given me a way back into her life.

I could work with this.

Diego let out a long sigh. “You’re an idiot, but at least you’re a happy idiot.”

I heard him moving around, and talking to John, probably making sure I wouldn’t die in my sleep. He pulled off my shoes, then placed a bottle of water on the table next to me.

“You good?” he asked.

I hummed in response, already half-asleep.

“Yeah, whatever,” he muttered. “I’ll see you tomorrow, you lovesick fool.”

The last thing I heard was the front door closing behind him, and I fell asleep with a smile on my face.