Chapter 75 5 YEARS LATER

Chapter 75 5 YEARS LATER
5 YEARS LATER, MORETTI HOLDINGS

A black Aquila V12 purred as it rolled to a smooth stop in front of the towering glass skyscraper that dominated the Sicilian skyline.

Moretti Holdings.

The tallest building for miles.

A monument of steel, money, and quiet power.

The back door opened instantly as Matteo Moretti’s driver stepped out, straightening his jacket before pulling the door wide open.

Matteo stepped out.

The morning sun caught the flawless cut of his tailored suit, the expensive Italian leather of his shoes, and the heavy platinum watch resting against his wrist, a timepiece worth more than most people’s houses. Dark sunglasses shielded his eyes, but nothing could hide the authority in the way he moved.

People on the pavement paused, some stared and some whispered.

Everyone knew that man. Who wouldn't?

"Good morning, sir" the driver said, bowing his head slightly.

Matteo adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and walked toward the entrance.

The massive glass doors slid open automatically.

Inside, the building was booming with activity. The moment Matteo stepped in, the energy shifted.

"Mr. Moretti"

"Good morning, sir"

"Welcome, Mr. Moretti"

Employees straightened as he passed. Heads bowed, voices softened, some smiled nervously, others respectfully. His presence commanded silence without him ever asking for it.

Matteo acknowledged no one with more than a subtle nod.

He moved straight toward the private elevator at the far end of the lobby. No one else dared to step inside with him.

The doors closed smoothly.

The ride up was silent, the city slowly disappearing beneath his feet as the elevator climbed toward the topmost floor.

The highest level.

His floor.

When the doors opened, a pristine hallway stretched before him.

At the far end sat his personal assistant, already at her desk, tablet in hand, posture perfect.

"Good morning, Mr. Moretti," she greeted immediately. "Your schedule is ready. You have a board meeting in twenty minutes and the London investors on hold"

Matteo removed his sunglasses, revealing cold, sharp eyes that missed nothing.

"Push the meeting back," he said calmly. "I want the quarterly numbers first"

"Yes, sir"

He walked past her, pushing open the glass doors to his office.

Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed all of Sicily beneath him... the sea in the distance, the city rising and breathing below.

Matteo Moretti stood at the center of it all.

Five years had changed the world.

But power?

Power still sat exactly where it always had.

Right in his hands.

Matteo had just placed his sunglasses on the desk when the intercom buzzed softly.

"Sir, Mr Leone is here"

Matteo lifted his head. "Send him in"

The glass doors opened and the man who walked in carried himself with calm assurance. Mid-forties edging into fifty, silver dusting his dark hair, his presence was steady rather than loud. He wore money the way old men wore wisdom, without needing to show it.

"Matteo," the man said warmly, extending his hand. "It has been a while"

Matteo shook it firmly. "Leone Russo. You look good"

"So do you," Leone replied with a faint smile. "Success suits you"

Matteo gestured toward the seating area. "Sit"

Leone did, his eyes briefly drifting to the windows that revealed Sicily stretched beneath them before returning to Matteo.

"I will get straight to it," Leone said. "I am expanding. International developments, waterfront properties, hospitality projects. I want a partner who understands scale and vision, not just profit"

Matteo poured himself a drink, then offered one to Leone. "And you think that partner is me"

"I know it is," Leone said calmly. "Every major event I attend, every closed-door deal, your name is already there. People do not just respect you, Matteo. They trust your outcomes"

Matteo studied him for a moment, unreadable.

"You are one of the few men in this city with a clean reputation," Matteo said. "That matters"

Leone smiled. "I take pride in that"

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a black envelope, sliding it across the desk.

"I am hosting my fiftieth birthday tomorrow evening," he said. "Seven p.m., private estate. No press, no cameras. Just people I value"

Matteo glanced at the envelope but did not open it. "You are inviting me as a guest"

"As a friend," Leone corrected gently. "Business can wait one night"

Matteo picked up the envelope, turning it once between his fingers.

"I will be there"

Leone rose, satisfaction flickering briefly in his eyes. "Good. We will talk properly after"

He paused at the door and glanced back. "It was nice meeting you, Matteo"

The door closed behind him.

Matteo stood alone in his office, the envelope still in his hand, the city breathing beneath him.

Tomorrow would be interesting.

Matteo loosened his tie slightly and finally took a seat behind his desk, setting the envelope aside. He reached for the tablet in front of him, skimming through numbers he already knew by heart.

The office was quiet again. 

His phone vibrated on the desk.

Once.

Then again.

Matteo exhaled slowly before even picking it up. He already knew.

A debit alert glowed on the screen.

Another one followed immediately after.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes lifting to the ceiling as a tired sigh slipped past his lips.

"Maya" he muttered under his breath.

His card had not known peace since the day he handed it to her. Designer stores, random midnight cravings, impulsive bookings, luxury she pretended not to enjoy but absolutely did.

And yet, he was not complaining.

Not even a little.

He unlocked his phone and scrolled through the alerts, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth despite himself.

Five years apart had changed many things, but some habits refused to die.

Especially when it came to his twin sister.

His phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming message.

Maya: Before you freak out, I needed shoes. Important shoes.

Matteo let out a quiet chuckle.

"You are impossible" he murmured, typing back.

Matteo: You spent enough to buy a small island.

The reply came almost instantly.

Maya: Relax. You are rich.

He shook his head with amusement. 

Matteo: Where are you?

Maya: Milan. Do not ask.

He did anyway.

Matteo: When are you coming back?

There was a pause this time. 

Then her message appeared.

Maya: Soon. I promise.

Matteo stared at the screen for a moment, then locked his phone and placed it face down on the desk. 

His assistant knocked lightly before stepping in. "Sir, the board is ready whenever you are"

Matteo straightened, slipping the familiar mask back into place as he stood.

"Give me five minutes" he said calmly.

She nodded and stepped out.

Matteo picked up his phone one last time, typing a final message.

Matteo: "Try not to bankrupt me before dinner"

A second later, three laughing emojis popped up in response.

He smirked.