Chapter 3

JASON'S POV

Six years later.

Life has suddenly gone tough for my family and business. 

As I entered the Roma Capital, a glistening glass and steel tower that punctured the sky like a divine piece of crystal, I felt a sense of excitement flushing through my soul with each step I took. The building itself seemed to be bustling with energy. 

With one hand I pushed through the revolving door and into the lobby, where the air was fresh and calm… 

I made my way to the elevators and marvelled at the infrastructure of the Roma Capital as I went. From what I figured, the entire tower occupied about eleven floors and I was about to meet with the CEO, an old friend of my father.

I had done my research about the company, and I strongly believed it was the best fit. Their best shot at saving the failing company. My father had been hell bent on me sealing this deal to fix things or risk losing all my inheritance. 

I couldn't shake the anticipation I felt as I began the elevator ride up. And before I had much chance to blink, the metallic brown doors split opened onto the tenth floor, the executive floor.

With a well-rehearsed smile I stepped out into a glossy, well designed reception area, where a poised secretary greeted me. She looked up at me through a pair of sophisticated glasses.

" Hello Jason Wilmore, welcome to Roma Capital. My name is Zara. Please have a seat," she gestured to the reception seat just opposite her desk area, her Italian accent sounding sweet to his ears like music. "I'll let my boss know you're here."

I nodded, savoring the elegant décor and the sweet smell of the diffuser burning somewhere around the large hall. I must give it up for the designer, the interiors spoke loud of class and taste. On each section of the walls were modern art pieces for aesthetics, and the furniture was simple yet sleek. The floor was covered in a posh, gray covering that felt soft underneath my feet.

The secretary's eyes and fingers grazed the dial pad as she placed the receiver to her ear. She soon began speaking in rapid Italian, her voice grating with confidence. She hung up and turned to me, her smile resolute. "My boss will see you now."

I nodded, feeling a rush of eagerness. I took a short but deep breath, pressing his suit jacket straight down with my hand quickly before following her lead into the CEO's office.

The room was spacious and neat, and magnificent much like the rest of the building's decor. I felt confident in the help this business would offer us. I took a deep breath as the door opened before,a quick word of prayer as I stepped in behind the secretary and right there I froze at the sight that greeted me. The CEO isn't whom I thought it was and for a moment, time stood still.   

“Jane!” I called out in shock.

“It’s Gianna Della Rocca to you.” I replied completely unfazed. “Please have a seat” She gestured but I was practically frozen in place.

My heart faltered, as my thoughts raced. This was the same woman I knew as Jane, my ex-wife and what the hell is she doing on the CEO's seat? She looked almost nothing like that woman. She stood tall, her dark hair styled in an elegant up do, and her piercing green eyes penetrated his soul like the morning light. I took the seat right in front of her as she nodded to her secretary to excuse us.

“Please let me know if you need anything Ma'am”

“Thank you Zara”, she smiled for the first time, it felt different, looked different. 

I swallowed the lump forming it my throat, forcing it down dry and shallow, I plastered on my forced smile as I struggled to process the revelation. I kept wondering, how did this happen? Jane, or rather Gianna, my ex-wife , had become the sophisticated CEO of Roma Capital. Someone I thought would never amount to anything good!

"Let's get down to business, Mr. Wilmore," Gianna's voice came out direct and professional. She knew his mind was in a frenzy although she did not show it. "We have a merger to discuss."

“Yeah—but Jane, sorry Gianna. H-how? What happened to you?” I finally found the words to ask but she looked me dead in the eye and said—

“Don’t let your ego make you miss this, I know how badly your family needs this deal Mr. Wilmore!” 

That was enough to keep me quiet. I couldn’t deny the fact. I took the empty seat opposite her desk but even as I tried to focus on the reason I was there in the first place, my thoughts kept drifting back to the revelation. 

As we discussed the merger, Gianna was poised and calm but I was unravelling and seeing her this big makes my heart drop dead with shame.

I found myself becoming increasingly engaged and intrigued by not just her charm but her expertise proving that she definitely knew the business and it wasn't fate playing some cruel joke on me.

As the meeting drew to a close, Gianna leaned forward, her eyes locked on mine, the motion is sudden, my heart skips a beat. "So, Jason Wilmore, do you think our companies can work with yours effectively without any issues?"

I paused, the history between us could definitely be an issue. But she didn't seem to acknowledge it and I knew my father would chop me to pieces if I dared to reject this deal so I nodded. "I do—I think our collaboration could lead to remarkable growth and innovation in the coming years." 

Gianna smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. 

"I agree!”,

“The paper work would be sent over to your email, feel free to read through the contract and inform me if any clause isn’t clear. My assistant will be available to answer any questions.” She instructed and stretched her hand to shake him.

But just as we made contact, the door suddenly flung open. Gianna looked straight at the door behind Jason and smiled as the soft padding of footsteps filled the space. I turned around only to see a young boy. He darted over to Gianna, his eyes shining with excitement. 

"Mamma, Mamma!" he exclaimed, tugging on Gianna's skirt. The boy was dark-haired with eyes just like hers. I watched as she clung to her leg. He couldn't have been more than five years old. The boy’s big green eyes stared up at me with a mix of dense curiosity and confusion.

Gianna's hand rested on his shoulder, a gentle smile on her face as she spoke to him in Italian.

Gianna laughed and scooped him up, her eyes sparkling with love. "Ah, Giorgio amore mio." Then she planted a kiss in his soft curly hair.

At that moment, I couldn't shake the feeling of something strong. Something I couldn't describe. 

It wasn't jealousy, but rather a sense of longing. My heart began to throb faster than it should. But I forced myself to push the feeling aside and focus on the business that brought me here.

“Mr. Jason”. Gianna began after observing him quietly for a few seconds. 

I held his breath. Why? I was unsure of myself. But I felt… hopeful. Alas, whatever hope I had for whatever reason got dashed when she continued with “I think we are done here”.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to make of her words "Of course," I said finally. And got up to leave but stole a quick glance at the boy in her arms again.

Gianna's smile was enigmatic. Triumphant somewhat. She had definitely won. And after all these years the man who had hurt her the most was there to see it. 

To see how far she'd come without him.

As I left the office, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping into something far more complex than a simple merger for a multibillion dollar contract. The elevator doors closed behind me, and I felt a sense of anticipation building.