Skylar Jones was adopted into an old Italian aristocratic family when he was ten. His life goes under the strict control of his stepfather, Count Massimiliano De Angelis. Sky is a good boy and obeys the rules. One thing only he keeps to himself, his...
The penthouse is equipped with a private elevator, but I prefer to use the stairs. The headquarters of the family company extend five floors below me. My new workplace happens to be on the top one, where the offices of the big cheeses are, including father's, so it is a short walk. I am not thrilled at all. Working in close proximity to a control freak can never be fun. However, no one cares about my opinion.
I am about to lock the front door and head down when my phone rings. It instantly raises goosebumps all over my skin. Please, do not be dad. Am I late? I can't be late for my very first day at De Angelis Corporation. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I have strict orders not to reveal my identity and tell no one I am his stepson, but it does not mean he will not be duly informed if I take one wrong step.
Did I tell you my life was bad? Whatever you thought, no, it is worse.
Father said he would pay for my education only if I study at Vienna University as he also graduated there. It is not easy to pass the admission exams. You need a good school history too. I was hitting the books for years under his strict supervision. Then he announced that he would pay only the cost of attendance, which included tuition, room, and board. I was on my own for anything else. That is how I ended up working at the campus library, a café, a department store, and being a struggling student, despite my three part-time jobs. If someone tells you it is cheap to live in Austria's primal city, do not believe them. You are probably wondering how I was able to buy my precious, branded clothes. Well, the answer is easy - no clubs, no restaurants, no car, no road trips, no nothing. Mom had no say in it either. She perceives her husband as something like God. A handsome Italian count, the head of a billions worth corporation, owner of private castles all over the world, a yacht, and even a Caribbean island. I do not blame her. I did not want to pursue a master's degree. Nor did I want to work for him. But I am not a rebel. My biological father never cared about my existence. So, here I am.
My hand is shaking while I pull the phone out of my pocket. Phew, it is Luca. And I still have twenty minutes to nine a.m. when I am expected to appear in my new boss's office. Jesus Christ! That was scary.
"Ciao, fratellino (Hello, little brother)!" Luca yells in my ear as usual. I suspect this is the only way he can talk. "How are you feeling on the big day? Master of Economics at last. A new job. Complimenti (Congratulations)! Must be exciting."
"It would have been if your father hadn't decided I should start as a secretary to some newly promoted marketing director whose name I didn't bother to ask about. There's nothing to cheer about," I grumble. "The guy is my age, also has only been with the company for two years. And yet, he has already managed to climb the corporate ladder all the way up to the thirtieth floor. You can imagine what king of a ruthless shark the bastard is. That's the type of person I'll be stuck with."
"Ma dai! Aspetta un attimo (Come on! Wait a moment)," Luca retorts. "You are not being fair. First of all, this is not only my father we are talking about. He is your dad too, and loves you. You know it. He just has his unique ways of showing it. I've had my share of harsh upbringing, too. Don't be such a baby. This company will be yours one day. The old man is just trying to guide you through the entire process so that you are prepared when the time comes."
"He should have better put me in the courier service then." I pout dramatically, although Luca can not see my face through the phone. "I don't want to run for coffee and serve it to some unscrupulous social climber. The guy is surely a bootlicker as well."
I do not really mind the job. I actually think my stepfather is right. It would be unwise to give me a managerial position right away. I neither want it nor do I have the necessary experience. It is just that I am so socially awkward and bad with new acquaintances that it gives me shivers only thinking about presenting myself to this young, new executive. He must be desperate to prove himself, and I will probably make a fool of myself as soon as I step in. He will start hating me before even learning my name, which, by the way, will not be the real one. I am instructed to use my old family name, although, count De Angelis officially adopted me at ten when he married mom.
"Basta! Per amor de cielo! (Enough! For heaven's sake!) You always jump to conclusions too quickly." Luca sighs deeply, as he always does before taking on the role of the big brother. "Do you remember what you thought of Ryo when you first saw him? You refused to enter the room and be introduced."
"Yeah. What about it? I was fifteen back then. It's normal to be shy and taciturn at that age." Ryo Takayama, Luca's best friend and business partner is hot like hell, but no less intimidating. I was really apprehensive about him in the beginning. He seemed like a guy who could totally screw you over if you did not live up to his expectations. Well, Ryo turned out to be awesome. If I had not met Jason, I would probably be still crushing on him, although he has a husband now.
"I am just saying that you're so negative," my stepbrother points. "Why always expect the worst? Most people are well-intentioned. You're charming. Look at those cute dimples. You should show them more often. Smile! Everyone likes you. Time to grow up, Sky. You're not fifteen anymore. Relax. Ce la fai, fratellino! Io credo in te. (You can do it, little brother. I believe in you.) Give me a call when you get home tonight, ok? All will be fine."
"Yeah, thanks, bro! I'll keep repeating it to myself. It was really nice of you to call." A faint smile blooms on my lips. "Deep inside, you are a real sweetheart."
"Shut up and go to work," Luca snorts. "Che due coglioni (What the fuck)!"
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A/N
Hello at the end of Chapter 2.
Thank you for being here!
Now that you have more insights into Sky's life, do you think it is challenging to be a part of the De Angelis family?
Or is he just being dramatic? 😀
How do you expect his first working day to go?
Have fun, share your thoughts, and don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter.
