A few hours later...

For people who have not yet had the privilege and joy of meeting me, I am Giotto Marchetti. A handsome man and a blessing to many people. Thanks to me, a third of the population in this country is employed. Unfortunately, I am not the owner of the company, but I do my best to bring money to everyone's table. 

I really am a great guy. 

Not to brag, I want to make it clear that I am a humble guy, but I can't cover the sun with a finger. I am simply the best at everything. Since I was little I was outstanding and physically as I grew up, I became the Greek god that women always desire. 

Indeed, I am wanted.

“Gio, what are you thinking about now, son?” asks my beautiful mother.

She is a warrior and all out fighter. Her decisions led her to be one of the most prestigious women in terms of the upper class. She is the most sought after event organizer in Europe, but I disagree on one of those decisions. 

She chose love over work.

Yes, I know. Even though she is incredibly well off financially because my uncle is extremely wealthy, it doesn't mean I agree that she always makes good choices. She's great, but the rest of the common class, they choose love and starve.

When the world realizes that: love with hunger does not last, that day they will stop romanticizing misery and stop saying that love can do anything. Because yes, it is delicious to make love with the one you love, but if you have enough to eat three days, every other day, how much will you endure? Whether you are a man or a woman, how much do you have to endure for love until you realize that the most stable and strongest relationship breaks down if money is lacking? 

Just because Camilo says he can't afford to give you a peso, but he can afford to give you a thousand kisses, doesn't mean that all men are Camilo. First, he has money and second, he is romanticizing poverty.

So I don't agree with promoting poverty.

“I was listening to a song by a Spanish-speaking guy and I was shocked at how bad this world is,” my mother looks at me funny. “Come on, my driver is Mexican and he is the most amazing guy I know and we are both outraged by that song. He was explaining the situation to me and I was very surprised.”

“Yes, and don't forget that you also hated him because he didn't treat you the way you deserved," he takes some of his juice. “Oscar is a great man and very admirable. I still don't know how he has put up with you all these years.”

“I was a kid and I've already changed a lot. Besides, Oscar loves me, he has no complaints about me. He fits in perfectly with me and we can have disagreements about my great personality,” I add. “Mom, I've changed so much, why doesn't anyone notice?”

“Because you threw a fit in a coffee shop a few days ago for the simple reason that you were not served quickly. Besides, a person who changed and is humble, doesn't live saying that” I make a bad face. “I completely agree that this world is corupt, but we must make a difference with hard work and have feelings so we don't lose our sense of humility.”

“I inform you that the company has been doing great since I am what you describe, I just don't romanticize poverty. Time is money and believe me, Mom, if your husband wasn't showering you with money, you'd be the first to leave,” I cross my arms as I see her half smile.

“Honey, in my case there was no middle ground. I will never be able to imagine Alek any other way because he simply wouldn't let me see him like that,” he stretches his arm across the table and plays with his fingers to touch it. “I only ask you, my little big boy, to stop being a jerk and have more sense.”

It's nice when she talks to me like that. That means I'm doing things right and she's proud of me.

“If only you would give me the company....”

“Giotto, please!” he withdraws his hand when I was about to touch it. “None of you have any common sense. Antonella, Lukyan and you think you are superior to the rest and if we give you the power you want so much, you will be dictators,” he frowns. “None of you would know how to control so much power and a man with so much ambition and the desire to want more, will make you blind.”

“And that's bad? I'm capable enough to even things out, Arya. That you don't want to see them is different,” I sigh in annoyance.

“You destroy smaller companies, you are cruel to your employees. You don't give them a chance for a new job. You don't promote them, you don't let them speak. They are afraid of you and the other two idiots who accompany you everywhere. Do you think Aleksandr will give you the company?” he shakes his head.

“Well, yes, but Lauren, Donato and you are not,” I grimace. “My employees respect me, love me and praise my being, but you and no one else is ready for that conversation. The difference between my uncles and you is that we do things the way they do.”

“They are gangsters, you are not and you should stop thinking you are. Act normal and I would never allow them to do things your way. Enough complaints and psychologists have had to be paid to the poor employees who have their self-esteem destroyed,” he looks at me defiantly.

“Weak and whiny generation. I will not change my way of being when I see no faults in it. If they like it, fine, and I don't give a shit what anyone else thinks. I'm perfect and keep paying the psychologists to see the strangers, that money comes out of the pocket of the company I'm taking to the top,” I answer coldly.

“You disappoint me, you are getting worse every day and you don't know how I hate that the children I loved so much, disappeared and have become a bag of bones without any humanity or humility,” his eyes glass over.

“It is what it is and things are going well,” I sigh and close my eyes. “Are they going to take Alexia out of the company?”

“No,” he says flatly.

“Have a good afternoon, Arya,” I rise from my chair.

“It's always a pleasure to be the rock in your shoe, honey," she gets up from her chair. “Lunch was delicious, next time take me out for tacos or paella. I don't like soup.”

She comes up to me and kisses me on the cheek and then leaves. That's what lunches with her are like. Pretty typical and filled with lots of love. I resent her attitude most of the time, but it is what it is.

I wouldn't trade my mother for the world, but maybe, just maybe, I wish she would trust me and my sense of how to do things a little more.

Of the rest, I love her.

***

I walk around the floor where my office was located, everyone was working quietly. When they saw me coming they just pretended I didn't exist and went about their business.

It's not fear, it's respect. I have earned that with my good work.

I walk into my office and see a white envelope on my desk. I smile at the efficiency my staff has when it comes to investigating people and it can also be dangerous for that girl because it is easy to describe her. I take a seat, grab the envelope and open it. I smile again as I see the picture of the Queen of Narnia and a few other people.

And my mother complains because I do things like her husband.

It's a good thing my uncle is a mafioso.

Confidential:

Lady Alexia Nellie Victoria Henderson-Bassh. Lady of Sweden and Princess of Finland, 1st in line of succession to the Finnish throne. 27 years old. Graphic designer and graduate in world history. Graduated with honors from the University of London.

Smart woman, I like her. How nice that I made her my assistant.

Ok, I'm not interested in this... I'm not interested in this either... how boring royal blood is. They just need to say that they have more pedigree than me and that's impossible. I'm turning the pages until I see a picture of a royal guard. This interests me... a lot.

Jasper Virtanen. He is Lady Alexia's royal guard. Humble family and it was rumored that they had a secret relationship, but they are just best friends. Born in Filandia 36 years ago, he is considered one of the best men in the royal guard.

He is an old man.

You should retire now and not babysit spoiled little girls. Wait... how old was the brat?

Ah... she is 27 years old.

I'm still too good-looking for her, but I know she's in a relationship with that man. I leave the papers on the desk and turn my gaze to the black-haired woman who is sitting in her cubicle in deep concentration.

I am bored.

“Alexia, please come to my office right now,” I say, when I press the intercom, she gives a little jump in her chair and puts her hand to her heart, looks at me angrily and reluctantly, she comes towards me. She is already upset and I just wanted to say hello.

“I'm working, how am I supposed to be an excellent and splendid assistant if you won't even let me work? “she complains as she enters the office.

“Aren't you going to ask me how it went with my mother?” She stops in front of my desk with a pout. You should have treated me better.”

“But I don't know your mother or your family. Why do I have to ask about them?” he crosses his arms. “I'm not treating you badly, besides, things are earned and you've only earned my contempt.”

“Well... then don't say I didn't warn you,” I get up from my chair, walk to the bar in a corner that harmonized my cold office and press a button, which covered the smoked glass of my office with curtains specially designed to retain the noise. “You are the girlfriend of the royal guard to whom you were supposed to give the address of the apartment.”

She opens her eyes in surprise and I can only laugh.

How easy it was to discover your secret.

“No! He's just my best friend, we've grown up together and...”

“You fell in love with the poor man,” his eyes are filled with anger. “Love with hunger doesn't last. Come on, I've said this sentence so many times today, I'll pay for owning it.”

“Friendship between a man and a woman exists, genius,” she squints, "Are you investigating me? I can have your head cut off or I'll just sue you for harassment!”

“You should really improve your secret service. It's very easy to find your personal information," I pretend to be indignant. “I got it off the internet just by googling your name.”

She goes straight to my laptop and tries to use it.

How adorable, I'll lower her salary.

“She's blocked, genius” I approach her as I see her sit down in frustration, "I have my ways of getting any information from mere human beings,” she moves as far away from my chair as she can, her nose is so close to mine, I brush it for the simple pleasure of seeing her angry, "Your attitude tells me that guy is with you, but let me tell you, he's not the man for you.”

“So you do?” He faces me, I look at his full lips and then at his eyes full of rage. “You're a bastard and don't even think it's going to stay that way.”

“One word from me and I kill two birds with one stone," he frowns uncomprehendingly. “You get kicked out of Narnia and your knight in rusty armor gets crossed off everywhere.”

“You are so despicable,” she grabs me by the tie. “Someday you're going to fall in love and I'm going to make fun of you because you'll be so miserable, I won't let you be happy. You're going to be alone because nobody loves heartless trash.”

“Ouch?”

“That was deep,” he laughs.

“I don't need love because I can buy it,” I grab her by the back of her head. “Any woman will be happy to have me in her life. Don't talk nonsense that you'll have to swallow later.”

“No one wants you, they only feel fear and revulsion for you. They all hate you and are waiting for you to fail so they can throw you out and you’ll see for yourself that you are nobody. You are only praised by the same four people, but they only do it for the money. You may have a lot of money, but as a person you are worthless.” In each of her words, I felt her contempt for me, but honestly, I don't care.

I have a twisted personality and love being a bastard.

You are the second woman to pretend to hate me and that my mind will not be able to process.

“But you want me,” I scoff, she kicks me in the crotch, knocking me to the ground immediately. “My fucking balls,” what have they done to you?!

“I hate you, you are despicable and the one I loathe most in my life!” she shouted and walked out of my office, leaving me lying on the floor.

“She likes me, only she's shy and has the syndrome of loving a uniformed man,” I say as best I can, since the lack of air and the pain in my inner tenderness was killing me.

I hope not to be left without offspring.