Meant To Be

LUCY

“So you came all the way from New York to just quit?” Nat asked, raising her right eyebrow. Oh, how I wish I could do it.

We are currently in my room. I’m unpacking my clothes and Nat is sitting on my bed and eating my chips. I too want to eat, but If I start eating chips, I can’t stop and I have so much unpacking to do.

So, back to her question, yes, I resigned.

After my little staring contest with the Electric green eyes guy, I realized that he couldn’t see me and he was just looking at the building before he took off.

I mailed my registration to my boss after I got home. Though I got an earful of scoldings, he respected my decision and, since I’d not officially started working here, it was easy.

“Yes, now tell me, do you know anything about Moretti’s?” I asked while arranging my closet.

Nat started choking hard. I immediately went to the kitchen and brought water for her.

“Are you OK?” I asked, sitting beside her.

“W-Why are you asking about them?” She asked while placing my chips beside her.

Ok. I can’t resist anymore. I took my chips and sighed as soon as they touched my tastebuds.

Fuck unpacking, I can always do it after I finish this.

“Hello..?” Nat snapped her fingers at my face, spoiling my romance with them.

“Argh.. fine. Wait “. I took another chip and placed the bowl on the nightstand.

Nat gave an ” are you serious ” look. But I just smiled sheepishly at her and explained everything that happened in the office.

She was silent for a minute. “Well, its not a surprise, since they are Moretti’s. They spread their companies like this.”

“But it’s Mr. Orlando’s dream: how can his son just sell it in a blink?” I asked, getting angry. It’s his father’s dream, even if he didn’t want to work in this field, he could just have resigned from his CEO position and give it to one of the board members and still enjoy the profit. But no, he has to kill his father’s dream.

“Lucy, if Moretti wants something, they will always get it. Knowing them, I bet they played every dirty game to buy the company shares below its half rate.”

” You mean they blackmailed or threatened Mr. Orlando’s son to sell his company? But he looked like he had won the lottery ” I looked at her in disbelief.

“No. There will always be atleast one money-sucking vampire on the board of directors. They will target them, lure them and offer more money than others. It may be double, triple or more” she said while shrugging.

“Oh..” I nodded my head like I understood everything in the world.

” Yup.. and Moretti’s are the top 28 richest in the world and top 2 richest in Italy”.

” Really?” I gaped at her. Woah.. wait.

“How the hell do you know these strategies? ” I narrowed my eyes at her.

She laughed and winked at me.” Guess?”

I gasped ” Oh my God!! You work for them?”

“What? Eww no.” She said, making a disgusting face.

What? Then how?

“Then?”

She signed. ” Remember I told you Moretti’s will get what they want?”

I nodded.

“But they can’t get one thing” she said with a serious face.

“What?” Now I’m getting irritated. Is it supposed to be a suspense? I rolled my eyes internally.

“No. 1 place in Italy. They can’t reach it. It always belongs to GG and I work for them”. She said with a proud smile.

“GG ?” I heard it before.

She nodded and said “the ‘Ganovese Groups’ are the richest men in Italy and the top 10 richest in the world. I work in the secretary’s department. I know all their strategies.”

“Wow. That’s a lot to take in and you work for the richest company? No wonder you make more money than me.” I looked at her in shock.

Yes. Even though my position is higher than hers, she earns more than me. I’m not degrading my previous company, but GG is beyond my imagination.

“Of course ” she chuckled and continued ” GG has already spread its wings in many areas. So the secretary’s department has a lot of work and our pay is also more. But hey, they will not wear us out. We even have a 10-day vacation every six months. Even our big boss will join us. It’s dreamworthy”, she finished her little speech with a dreamy sigh, making me sigh with her.

Looks like it is dream worthy.

“If we are going to talk like this, I’m never going to arrange my room” I got up and went to my closet.

“Hey! You are the one who asked me about Moretti’s and I didn’t even tell you the interesting part” she whined and pouted, making me chuckle.

“Okay, tell me the most interesting part” I said sarcastically.

“Moretti and Ganovese were partners”

I froze.” What?” I whispered, turning around.

She nodded ” Yup, 150 yrs ago G&M contributions were found by two friends. I don’t remember their names, so don’t ask me. And around 80yrs ago, they split and their families became rivals “.

Well, this is indeed an interesting part.

“So, when can I start working at GG?” I asked Nat, giving her a mischievous smile.

She gasped and shouted “bitch no” with a laugh.

“‘Hell yeah!”.

” But seriously, we don’t have any vacancies at present and even if we had you were the General Manager and getting that post in GG is nearly impossible.”

“I dont care, even if there is a post for an accountant. Just inform me.”

“But why? You can get your previous post in any other company easily with your experience”.

“You are right. But you yourself said that GG is the richest in Italy. So, if I enter into it, I can climb up to my previous position,” I said with a shrug.

“Ok. I’ll definitely inform you”

~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~

The streets of EUR district are quieter compared to other areas in Rome. The weather here is 10 degrees less than the weather in NYC even in hot mid September. It’s been four weeks since we came here and I’m loving it.

Even though this is a quieter area, it still offers lots of atmosphere and big parks, ideal for people that want to be away from the bustle of the city. Perfect for lovers of the tranquillity of Sunday strolls, the main seaside spot of Rome (Ostia) is only a short drive away. There are lots of buses that connect EUR to the city centre anyway, but don’t move here if nightlife is high on your list of priorities and the view of the artificial lake is amazing.

Three weeks before, I got a full-time job at “Io e la torta”, which means “me myself & pie”.

The pay is very, very less, but sitting at home is boring. Since I have a sweet tooth, I only know how to bake perfectly, but I suck at cooking.

I sold all my properties in my home town since we are moving here permanently, so even if I don’t have a job, we can live recklessly for atleast 10yrs.

Yup, I’m a mini millionaire with some millions in my account.

‘Io e la torta’ is owned by an elderly cute couple who are in their late 65’s.

I’m not exactly a baker, Mr. Sartori, the owner’s son, bakes with his wife and I’m just a helper.

The best thing is it’s just a 10min walk from home. But a week after working here, I finally got a job at GG as a Personal Assistant for Mr. Agosti who’s is an COO.

But I still help them at weekends, for free of course, because I want to learn more about baking from them. Until now, everything is perfect.

~○~

Today is a big day for kids. They are starting their primary school at Highlander Institute Srl.

I woke up at 6:30, did my daily routine and went to the kitchen at 7:10. Gemma is already here at 7 to prepare breakfast and lunch box for the kids.

Gemma is a 40yr-old chubby lady. She is a cook and babysitter.

“Buongiorno Lucy” Gemma greeted me with a smile as soon as she saw me.

“Good Morning to you too, Gemma. JAY , VICKY come out quickly “.

“Coming Mom ” Jay shouted in return and came out of the room in 2mins, while Vicky came weakly with a longing face.

“Hello big buddy? What’s with that face?” I asked him as he neared the dining table.

He looked up with a sad face, pointing at his chest and said “I-it’s hurting here mom,”

I frowned and got down from my chair.

“What? From when it hurts Vicky? Why didn’t you tell me before?” I bent to his level and asked him, placing my hand on his chest.

“From morning mamma, do I really have to go to school mamma? I’m going to miss you and Mrs. Gemma. That’s why my heart is aching ” Vicky said with a most innocent face. I gaped at him.

Jay snickered and muttered ” drama queen”, making Gemma laugh heartily.

“If you don’t stop your acting, I’m not going to take you to ‘Io e la torta’ at the weekend”.

“Ok Ok mamma” Vicky raised his hands in surrender and hopped on his chair.

I shook my head in amusement.

After finishing our breakfast, we hopped into my car, which is a black ‘Buick Lacrosse’, the smoothest car. It did damage my account, but it is worth it. Right now, it is the one and only car I love and it doesn’t make me sick.

I stopped my car in front of the school and turned my head toward the kid.

“All the best. No fighting and no bullying. If anyone bullies you, complain to teachers. OK?” I said with a stern tone.

I got one boring and one over-enthusiastic Ok in return before going to my work.