3

LUCA

EVERY DAY IS A BAD DAY.

Being a Moretti means being prone to attack from anywhere, and having to always keep your guard high up. It means striving for nothing second to best, and locking up who you truly are. Probably tossing the key into the Atlantic.

It was hard enough to just bear the name; now, think about what it was like to be the heir to the Moretti empire.

No, whatever you thought of is nothing compared to what it actually is.

The door made its way, and my secretary strode in. “Sir, Ms. Miguel is here to see you."

Finally! Someone who understands.

“Let her in!"

Minutes later, my elder sister walked in casually. She tossed her handbag to the cushion, pulling a chair out and settling into it.

“Hey, kiddo!"

My shoulders relaxed for the first time today, and I leaned into the chair. “Don't call me kiddo." I scoffed.

She rolled her eyes. “Don't pretend like you don't like it. I got you a midday snack." She said, pushing the McDonald's package to me.

How much I love her!

You ain't gotta show it though. “Did anyone see you walk in with this?" I asked playfully.

She frowned. "I can eat it myself, you know.”

"No!” I gasped, snatching it from the table.

She began laughing, and I joined in too. "Sleeky!”

I took out the burger, munching on it. Mmmmm. This is good.

“So, what's going on, little brother?" Miguel asked.

I put aside the burger, my expression suddenly growing serious. "We are running at a loss, Miguel. It's driving me insane.”

She understood, the playful expression leaving her face too. "How bad?”

"Real bad. They took three billion worth of gold, and five of my men were murdered brutally.” I mumbled, my heart breaking as I thought of it again.

"Oh! That's bad. What are the holders saying about it?”

I heaved. "They're blaming me. They're saying my men are incapable, but I know that's not the case. The people guarding that warehouse were one of my trusted, so if they couldn't hold the attackers back, then it must have been brutal.” I explained.

Miguel exhaled. "Well, what are you doing to find them?”

"Everything. I must commend them, those guys are good. They left no trace.”

Miguel chuckled dryly. "They steal, and leave no trace. Apart from us, only one other Mafia is that good.”

She is right. "Sandro!”

"You know it.” She clicked her tongue, rising to her feet. "It's better to move on, Luca. If it's Sandro, then the chances of finding them or the gold are basically zero. No need to chase a holy grail.”

I sighed, exhausted. "You're right!”

"You look terrible, man. Wanna turn up at the rager, tonight? Maybe get a lady to smash?” Miguel said, picking her bag from the cushion.

I rolled my eyes. “You'll never change."

She was at the door now. “Nuh-uh! It's why I'm grateful that you get to do all the work, I love being the free bird."

“Get lost already." I scoffed.

“Think about it!" She threw at me, closing the door behind her.

I heaved. I hope you now understand why every day is a bad day for me.

As I left the office late at night, I couldn't stop thinking about Miguel's words. Maybe she is right!

I was drained, physically and mentally, hence I decided to take a break, which explains why I drove past the street to my residence, heading to a different location, a party filled with drunk people.

Without the expensive three-piece suits, and trail of bodyguards, it was easy to blend in. No one would believe me even if I told them that I was the upcoming leader of the most dangerous Mafia in the whole of Italy.

I'm practically the leader already. My father died exactly 5 months ago, and I had to return from New York. However, I hadn't been pronounced the Mafia Don yet, just some useless formalities.

Not that I'm actually eager to take up the title. Truthfully, I'm dreading it immensely. But that doesn't matter, does it?

I heard movement beside me, and my head turned. I was seated at the counter, with my third glass of whiskey. Several people had come and left, and it couldn't be less of my business, but this particular lady… Damn!

She has to be the most beautiful lady I have ever seen.

My eyes fell on her lips, and something in me stirred. I kept staring until she looked at me. Her green eyes held this dark gaze that immediately got me hooked.

Her voice broke through my thoughts. “It's rude to stare."

Melodious! It sounded like something I wanted to hear every day.

I looked away, clearing my throat to clear the thoughts that were running through my mind. “I'm sorry, I got lost for a minute," I said, my voice coming out unrecognized.

She chuckled. “Mmm. New line."

A laugh escaped my lips before I could hold it back. "I'm not going to tell you there are stars in your eyes if that's what you think.”

The corner of her lips curved ever-so-slightly, I almost didn't notice it. “What are you going to tell me then?"

I hesitated, wondering what I was doing. Gulping down the glass of whiskey, I turned to her. She was staring at me now, and for the hard guy I usually was, it felt like my insides were turning to mush.

“You have beautiful eyes, Mr." She said, right before my lips parted to say something.

It seemed that's what I needed to boost my courage. “And I love the darkness in your eyes. That's what I got lost in."

Her expression turned to that confusion briefly, the next minute, her lips curved up into a bigger smile.

“Elena. Had a hectic year, here to unwind." She said.

Elena! The name danced in my mind, longer than it should have.

“Luca,” I said, without thinking it through. "Facing some major losses, here to… unwind as well."

I felt her inch closer to me, and I froze. Her long lashes batted at me as she leaned into my ear. Her voice sounded so seductive when she said, “Well Luca, wanna get out of here?"

Hell yeah!