Noah’s POV:
I hadn’t really thought through the decision to bring Reni to Italy with me. My family kept pushing for me to get back with Aurora, and honestly, I was worn out from explaining that it wasn’t what I wanted anymore. They kept believing that, somehow, if Aurora and I just spent time together, everything would fall into place. Her mother’s always clinging to this old dream she claims she had when we were kids—she insists it meant we’d end up together. When we started dating after high school, she was thrilled. Now, it’s like our families are caught up in this fairytale they can’t let go of. And Aurora isn’t making it any easier. She acts like we never officially broke up, but we never truly dated in the first place. There were no real dates, no deep connection. It was more of a partnership, a convenience. She liked being known as my girl, and I liked her company whenever I felt like being around people.
But here I was, bringing Reni with me to Italy. I’d already promised her, and I knew backing out would be out of the question. She’d be hurt and confused. My family would be civil enough, I was sure of that, but having Aurora and her family there? That would complicate things in ways I hadn’t even considered. And Reni—she had no clue about the layers of drama simmering just beneath the surface.
After I left her place last night, I stayed up, buried in company paperwork. It wasn’t a choice, really. My grandfather believes that none of the other grandkids understood the business like I do. Since my second year of pre-med, I've been making decisions for the company, the kind most people my age never even think about. My parents wanted two main things for me: they wanted me to leave my job at the hospital and work full-time in the family business. And they wanted me to get married—to Aurora, ideally. She’s familiar; her family’s well-connected with ours. They claimed they weren’t pushing, but their words left little room for anything else.
I had been the sacrifice for Ryan’s love and choices. It’s why I understand why they’re always asking for more. Sometimes, I wonder if there’s ever going to be a day when they’ll stop demanding and start seeing me for who I am, not who they expect me to be.
Marriage, though—that’s the last thing on my mind. I worked hard for my career as a neurosurgeon, and I’m not ready to give it up. Moving to Miami for the job caused this huge argument with my dad. He was furious, thinking I’d abandoned the company just to pursue medicine, which was exactly why I settled on juggling everything. And right after I’d left Reni’s place yesterday night, he called again. He’d found out I wasn’t home, and when I admitted I was in Miami to see someone who wasn’t Aurora, he fell silent. Then, in this calm, almost resigned voice, he asked me to bring her to Italy.
So here we were. Reni was coming with me, and I couldn’t shake the guilt off. I felt like I was pulling her into my family’s tangled expectations, using her as a way to get back at them. But she’d agreed to come, and it wasn’t like I forced her to.
Early this morning, around 8 a.m., I got a call from the hospital. They asked if I was quitting. I felt a pang—a deep, aching pull toward that place. I miss the hospital, the patients, the work. It’s exhausting, but it’s something I love, something that feels real in a way the company never has. I asked them for another week, knowing that if I didn’t untangle this family mess by then, I might have to give up my job in Miami altogether.
It was finally 9 a.m., and I still hadn’t closed my eyes. Our flight to Italy was at 1 p.m. Miami time, and Nathan and I needed to pick up Reni before heading to the plane hangar. The pilot had called last night, saying he was available between morning and early afternoon. I’d chosen the latest time, hoping Reni could get a little more rest.
With a heavy sigh, I closed my laptop and drained the last sip of coffee from my cup. I could officially diagnose myself with insomnia and a caffeine addiction. At first, I thought the sleepless nights were just a side effect of the workload, but now I felt trapped in this cycle, unable to find a middle ground. The firm was in the final stages of acquiring a Spanish car company. It was a thrilling opportunity but exhausting. This deal had been brewing for nearly three years, and now that it was within reach, my grandfather, father, and uncles were all pushing harder than ever to seal it. Part of me wasn’t sure if a complete acquisition was the right move, but I was too burned out to dig through the papers carefully. All I could do was hope that Ryan, who had joined the company right after college, knew better than I did.
I pulled off my shirt and headed down to the gym in the basement, hoping a workout would clear my head. After about 30 minutes, I went on a prayer jog that lasted another half-hour, coming back just after 10 a.m. I hopped into a cold shower, hoping it would jolt me awake, and dressed quickly.
When I walked into the kitchen to brew another cup of coffee, I was met with the smell of breakfast and the sight of Nathan at the stove. If there was one thing I loved about having my younger brother around, it was his cooking. He’d been passionate about it since he was a kid, always helping out in the kitchen whenever he could. Ryan and I usually stayed out of the kitchen, especially in Italy, with our grandparents. They never let us near the kitchen. Nathan, on the other hand, somehow always got away with everything.
I thought back to the years we spent with Angie. Back then, I was glued to her side, following her everywhere, and that’s how I picked up a bit of cooking myself. I might not have Nathan’s skill but could whip up something decent when needed.
“Good morning, Grump,” Nathan’s voice sliced through the quiet of the kitchen, breaking the stillness. He handed me a glass of water with an amused grin. “You look like you didn’t get any sleep.”
I took the glass, meeting his eyes with a tired stare. “Didn’t,” I replied simply, taking a slow sip. “Thank you.”
Nathan’s expression softened as he set his glass of orange juice down beside me. “Noah…”
“I’m fine, Nathan,” I cut him off, not wanting to dive into it. “Get ready. We’re stopping by Reni’s place first.”
“Reni?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. “Wait—where exactly are we going?”
I tossed a coffee pod into the Nespresso machine, watching it spin for a moment before answering. “Italy. Today. Dad wants me in Spain by Saturday.”
“Another one of Dad’s goddamn orders…” he muttered, glancing pointedly at my coffee cup. “You know, maybe slow down on that stuff.”
I shrugged, letting his comment slide as the machine hummed to life. The rich scent of coffee filled the room, blending perfectly with the warm, inviting smell of toast and eggs from the stove. Nathan had outdone himself again with breakfast, setting the table with a spread that looked like it belonged in a magazine. I took a seat as he joined me, setting plates for both of us, steam rising from the food in front of us.
Nathan dug into his meal, but his curiosity was far from satisfied. “Why is Reni coming?”
“Because she wants to,” I said, taking another long sip of water.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “And you said yes?”
I met his gaze, letting the silence linger as I slowly chewed my toast. Finally, I answered. “Actually, I asked her. She said yes.” The coffee machine finished brewing, the last few drops trickling into my cup. I could feel Nathan’s skepticism from across the table. Nathan liked Reni, which was surprising in itself. He didn’t warm up to many people, especially new ones. He was the extrovert of the family, but making new friends was never something he enjoyed. I’d never seen him with anyone outside the same circle of people we’d grown up with.
Nathan set his fork down, his eyes narrowing as he gave me a serious look, the one he always used when genuinely concerned. “Does Reni know about everything? The family… the situation with your job… Aurora?” he asked, his voice calm but tinged with caution. “If she doesn’t know, this trip could be a lot harder on her. Don’t make all your effort go to waste.”
I met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words sink in. Nathan had a way of cutting through the noise, of asking questions that went deeper than most people dared to. But this? This was something I needed to handle on my own terms.
“Get ready, Nathan,” I said, my tone firm, ending the conversation with a look that told him I wouldn’t go any further. I took another bite of toast, letting the silence settle over us once more.
“If you insist,” he murmured, disappointed, as he stood and walked off to gather his things.
The door clicked shut behind him, and the silence in the kitchen grew heavier. But I pushed it aside, finishing my breakfast alone in the stillness.
By 11 a.m., we were on the road to Reni’s place. I called her when we were just a few minutes away, and as we pulled up, she was already outside, standing with her bags at her feet. Her eyes lit up when she saw us.
“Babe!” she called, a broad smile spreading across her face as she hurried over. “For a minute, I thought you’d changed your mind about bringing me along.” She pouted a little, and I couldn’t help but smile back as I lifted her bags into the van.
“Oh, what if you’d just dreamed that I asked you to come with me?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.
She laughed, brushing her hair behind her ears. “I heard you loud and clear when you asked me. No way was that a dream.” Her face softened as she added, “But… I need to stop by Angie’s shop for a bit. She asked me to come over before we leave.”
I paused, my practical side kicking in. We were already cutting it close if we were going to make it to Italy on time, especially with the meeting I had planned with Ryan before heading to Spain. My father wouldn’t be thrilled if we delayed—he’d never like it if it seemed like I wasn’t prioritizing things right. I’d already pushed this flight back as much as I could. But Reni looked at me, her eyes hopeful, and I knew she’d sense it if I brushed her off too quickly.
Before I could answer, Nathan leaned out from the van. “Just for a minute or two, Reni. Or you’re getting left behind. Mr. Grump here isn’t playing games today.”
“Oh…” Reni looked at me, her smile fading slightly.
I shot Nathan a look, then turned back to her, reaching to take her hand. “It’s fine, babe. Just ignore him.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I can just call her if it’s too much trouble,” she said, squeezing my hand as if checking my reaction.
I nodded, reassuring her. “I’m sure. Just don’t keep us there too long,” I said gently, guiding her into the van before following her inside.
The drive to Angie’s shop was short, but when we arrived, Angie came barreling out with her usual enthusiasm, practically enveloping us in her hug. She pulled us both into a tight embrace, her energy so strong it felt like it might squeeze the life out of us. Then she hugged Nathan, ruffling his hair.
She hurried back inside, returning with a box overflowing with pastries, insisting we take it with us. “You can’t go on a trip without a little something from me,” she said with a proud smile, carefully handing the box to Reni, who grinned in appreciation. Nathan, of course, took the box from her before I could, and I could feel the passive-aggressive glare he gave me.
“Send my love to your dad, Noah. Take care of my Reni. And make sure you sleep! Don’t think I can’t see those tired eyes,” Angie said, her gaze knowing. Finally, she took Reni’s hand, her expression softening. “Come back soon, my love.”
Before we left, she closed her eyes and prayed over us, her hands gently resting on our shoulders. Angie had always felt like a second mother to me, and she’d been nothing but amazing since the first day she said hi to me.
A short while later, we were back on the road, the sound of the tires squealing against the pavement. The city started to fade behind us, and soon, we were heading up to the plane.
Once we were settled in, Nathan immediately dug into his latest project. His laptop was out before I could even get comfortable, and the tap-tap of his fingers on the keyboard filled the cabin. He was always working on something new—this time, it was some complicated robotics idea he’d been obsessed with for weeks. As a computer engineering and robotics major, his projects were constantly getting more complex, one after another. He was all in, lost in his work.
I tried to stay on top of my to-do list, catching up on call after call from the company. My dad seemed determined to keep me constantly busy, making sure I was the one getting all the updates from the team. It was his way of keeping me on my toes, and I wouldn't say I liked it. I hated the constant pressure to deal with people, especially when I wanted peace. I wasn’t in the mood for work. The excessive coffee I’d already had wasn’t helping anymore.
My phone buzzed again, and I sighed. I was so tired of the endless emails, feedback, and questions—it felt like they’d been pouring in since the first light of day. But my dad had assigned Ryan the technical tasks and left the business part to me. His reason? It would push me out of my comfort zone. The truth was that Ryan was better suited for the job. He deserved to be the next chairman of Alcott Enterprises, but family politics overshadowed what made sense. I was the grandchild with the same birthday as my grandfather; I was named after Him, too. Since I was born, he had decided to have it that way, and nobody had contested it. But the entire firm? I wish he realized I wasn’t him and didn’t want any of this. The whole thing exhausted me, and no one else seemed to mind. Everyone is convinced I was born to do this—everyone except me.
I hadn’t realized how much time had passed until I looked up, surprised that I’d nearly forgotten Reni was right there with me. My heart softened as I glanced over at her. She was sitting quietly across the cabin, her Kindle in hand. Her new hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and she had that peaceful smile on her face that made everything feel lighter. There was something radiant about her, even in the simplest moments, and it caught me off guard. I was about to wrap up a meeting when the hostess came over.
“Sir, would you like anything to drink?” she asked with a polite smile.
I didn’t even look up from my screen. “Another cup, please,” I mumbled, feeling my focus split between the meeting and the coffee request. I ended the meeting and took a deep breath.
Before she could move, Reni spoke up from across the aisle. “Actually, no coffee. He’ll take a large glass of water,” she said, her tone playful yet firm, and I could see the playful glare in her eyes.
The hostess hesitated, glancing between us.
“Uh—actually, I’ll have…” I started, but Reni shook her head.
“Water,” she insisted, her voice soft but certain. “You’ve had four cups already, and we’re barely two hours in.”
I sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with her when she had that look on her face. The hostess nodded, then disappeared to fetch the water. Reni raised an eyebrow and watched me with that half-amused, half-exasperated expression she always had when I overdid something—especially coffee.
“You know, caffeine might be holding you together now, but you’re going to crash sooner or later,” she teased, crossing her arms as she settled into her seat.
“Guess I’ll take my chances,” I shrugged, attempting a grin, though I could see she wasn’t impressed. I finally put my laptop down and leaned back in my seat. “But I’m still functional, right?”
She shook her head, chuckling softly. “Functional? Barely. You’re practically glued to that laptop. I thought I’d lost you to the company for a minute there.”
I sighed, realizing just how absorbed I’d been in work. “Yeah, sorry. Things have been… a lot,” I admitted, feeling the weight of it all in a way I hadn’t earlier.
Reni smiled at me from across the cabin. “I get it. You’re helping your dad. But you deserve a break, Noah. That’s kind of the whole point of this trip, isn’t it?”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. The truth was, that wasn’t the point of the trip. In fact, I was supposed to be on a business trip as soon as we landed in Italy. I hadn’t found the courage to tell Reni that yet. I didn’t want her to worry or, worse, get scared. She didn’t know the whole story about my family’s wealth or the businesses I was tied to. And knowing Reni, I could guess she didn’t want the life that came with it—the life of a man who was always traveling, always working. I didn’t want her to think I couldn’t be the man she deserved, even though I couldn’t convince myself that I was good enough for her.
Completely lost in his coding, Nathan suddenly glanced up, a smirk spreading across his face. “By the way, he already had like 200 cups of coffee before we even left home,” he added, his tone full of mischief. “I told you. You’ve been acting like a robot for months.”
The hostess returned, smiling and placing a glass of water before me. I raised the glass in a mock toast to Reni and Nathan. “Happy?” I asked, a slight smirk tugging at my lips. “Thanks,” I added to the hostess, my tone more genuine this time.
Reni leaned back in her seat, her smile returning. But her eyes softened with a hint of concern. “Almost. Take a few minutes to relax, okay? I’m sure the company won’t collapse without you.”
I wish my dad and grandfather had thought the same way. However, I knew that without me, everyone would lose their minds trying to fight me.
Feeling the warmth of her gaze, I finally set my laptop aside, taking a long, slow drink of the water. Reni, meanwhile, settled back into her book, entirely at ease. It was as if she had a way of slipping into her world so effortlessly, and it made me realize how much I needed that peace, too.
A few minutes later, I made my way over to her side of the cabin, resting my head on her shoulder. She looked at me, surprised but happy. “Finally decided to join me?” she teased.
I nodded, feeling the tension ease from my body. “You asked me to get some rest,” I said, my voice quiet, like I’d just realized how badly I needed it.
She smiled, closing her Kindle and gently draping the soft throw over us, adjusting it to cover my shoulders and her own. Her hands reached up, warm and familiar, gently rubbing my cheeks. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch, letting my mind quiet down as I focused on the steady rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her skin, and the faint hum of the plane around us. It was just us—no distractions, deadlines, looming expectations. For the first time today, I felt like this was exactly where I was meant to be. Not in Italy, not in the boardroom, and definitely not on some conference call—but right here beside Reni.
“Let’s move to the big chair, Noah,” she whispered, her soft breath tickling my ear. Her words made me smile, and I opened my eyes and got up, stretching my hand out to help her up. She laughed, the sound soft and light, as she led the way to the long, plush seat on the private jet. I couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t asked a single question about how we were on a private plane in the first place. Knowing Reni, she was probably waiting for the worst time to explode, and I wasn’t ready for any of it.
“Better now?” I asked, watching her settle onto the couch, her eyes glinting with that familiar playful spark.
“Yes, much better.” She grinned, patting her lap with a gentle firmness. “Now, lay down here. You need sleep, Noah Bear. I can’t have your mum thinking I ran you into the ground.” She chuckled, guiding me down.
I settled down, resting my head on her lap as she gently ran her fingers over my hair. She dug her nails into it gently, rubbing toward the direction of my waves. “Fine. That’s if you let me sleep,” I teased, a faint grin pulling at my face.
“Oh, and why wouldn’t I let you sleep, Mr. A?” she asked, giving me a skeptical look, the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement.
“You never stop asking questions when I’m next to you, Reni,” I murmured, reaching up to kiss her forehead. The weight of my exhaustion was sinking in.
“I’m just going to read my book,” she said, rolling her eyes with a smile, though I could hear the fondness in her voice. “We still have a good eight hours left.”
“Fine,” I yawned, settling deeper into her lap. “I’ll just sleep.”
“Oh my gosh, don’t sleep the entire eight hours, though! I’ll go insane if you’re out that long.” Her voice was sincere, almost panicked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
My eyes grew heavier as I started to drift off. Even though I felt safe with her, the kind that made me want to open up about everything weighing me down, part of me hesitated. I wanted to tell her about my family, about the pressures and responsibilities that felt like they were constantly building up around me, but I held back.
“Of course, he didn’t tell her. Stubborn guy!” she huffed, her voice breaking the silence, and through my sleep, sounding so exasperated, I opened my eyes, thinking she was talking about me.
I blinked, disoriented, but she laughed, holding up her Kindle. “Sorry, babe—it’s this character in the book. He’s driving me crazy.”
I relaxed, my heart still pounding slightly. “I know that feeling,” I said with a wry smile. I paused, and then the words tumbled out before I could stop myself. “Reni, there’s something about my family I want to tell you.”
She tilted her head, her expression curious. “Oh?” Her eyes searched mine, gently probing, like she’d known this was coming.
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.
She looked at me knowingly, a soft smile on her lips. “Which one? That your family is the Alcott everyone else knows? Yeah… when were you planning to tell me?” Her voice sounded calm—too calm for Reni, and it unsettled me.
I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Wait—you knew?” I asked, my shock apparent. “Since when?”
She raised her brows, confusion spreading across her face. “Remi figured it out first. I didn’t believe him until…well, today,” she said, locking her gaze with mine. “Why didn’t you tell me though? Did you think I’d turn into some gold-digger?”
“What?” I sat up straight, my chest tight. “Why would you even think that?”
“I don’t know, Noah.” She crossed her arms, her face torn between confusion and frustration. “What other reasons could there be? Did you think I couldn’t handle it, or I’d go blabbing to everyone?”
“No, no—it wasn’t that.” My words felt clumsy, stumbling over themselves. I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. I really did, but it’s—”
She gave me a small smile, the kind you give when you’re too tired to be upset. “Look, I don’t have the energy to be mad right now. When I find it, we’ll revisit this.”
“Reni—” I started, but she interrupted me with a soft, teasing smile.
“I’m joking,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Really, it’s okay.” Her eyes softened, the playful edge fading. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
I hesitated, the weight of my family’s expectations settling heavily on my shoulders. But she was here, and we were stuck together for the next few hours—if there was ever a time to open up, it was now.
“My family wants me to quit the hospital…” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“What?” She straightened, her eyes widening. “And do what?”
“Run the companies. With my brothers and cousins.”
Reni’s hand left mine, and for a moment, everything felt still. She didn’t say anything initially, just processing what I’d said. Her gaze never wavered from me, though, and there was something soft but serious in her eyes.
“Why?” she asked, her voice gentle, but there was no mistaking the concern in it.
I let out a long breath, feeling the heaviness of the question in my bones. “Because they think I can do it, Babe. Because they want me there… But… I don’t know if I can do it. And the idea of being tied down to all that—it’s suffocating.”
Nathan, who had been listening quietly, leaned forward with a sigh. “Because the Alcott family owns five top-tier firms across different industries,” he began, his voice edged with a subtle irritation. “Our grandfather runs the show, and he’s handpicked Noah to carry on his legacy. Everyone else—my uncles, cousins, everyone—work under my grandfather and will eventually work under Noah. But for Noah? He’s supposed to lead not only our grandfather’s firm but also to co-lead my dad’s company because Dad’s pushed that responsibility onto him as well. Like he’s the only child in the family. And somehow, He thinks that means he has to be the family’s shining star while still juggling his hospital work.”
She turned to Nathan, bypassing me completely. “So you think he should give up his medicine degree?”
Nathan shook his head, scoffing. “It’s not like he has that much choice. But Noah would rather juggle everything because as much as he acts like he doesn’t care, Noah’s the biggest peacekeeper you’ll ever meet. He thinks the world would fall apart if he pushed back. Main-character syndrome, you know?” His tone was laced with sarcasm, and I could feel the anger bubbling beneath the surface.
“What?” I asked, feeling the sting of his words.
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Yes, Noah, stop acting like you’re the reason everyone breathes. You harm yourself under the guise of helping everyone else, but the truth? You avoid accountability. You’re terrible at saying no. You put on this tough exterior, but it’s just a front.” He leaned forward, his words coming fast, biting. “You claim you hate the job, but you keep doing it and pour every ounce of yourself into it. And you know what? It makes it harder for me. I don’t want this life, but when you do everything perfectly, it’s like I’m also supposed to. Get a grip, Noah. Get a damn grip! Confront Nonno and stop acting like this is effortless for you.”
His words hit me harder than I expected—not because I thought they were true, but because this was how he’d seen me all along. This was how my brother viewed me.
“Nathan…” Reni started, her voice gentle, trying to cut the tension. “Please don’t speak to him that way.”
“Let him be,” I told her quietly, forcing myself to meet Nathan’s gaze.
Nathan's words lingered in the air, sharp and biting, like a wound that had yet to heal. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, feeling the burn of his accusations under my skin. The urge to defend myself was there, but I fought to keep my voice even.
“Only because you asked nicely,” Nathan replied. His eyes were still on me like he just released his pent-up anger. “Big brother. It’s just…” He paused, frustration simmering in his eyes. “Every day, I watch you give yourself away to everyone around you like you’re some tragic hero, and it eats me up. You’ve always been this way. You barely talk or say anything that matters, and yet—somehow, you do what is expected. It’s why Aurora is taking advantage of you. She knows if she drags this a little longer, you’ll conceit and be with her for peace. They say something, and you drop everything to do it like you didn’t have other things stressing you out. You act like you’re the only one who can handle everything. The stupid firms won’t collapse without you. Heck, it won’t collapse without Nonno, and I know a part of you knows this. Stop letting them play you this way. It’s suffocating, Noah, and it’s not fair.” He exhaled, folding his arms and looking away. “You’re not the only one who cares about this family. Honestly, sometimes it feels like you’re just… selfish. Reni needs you. I need you as my big brother. Mama needs her son, even though she looks like she’s on Papa’s side, but you’re always busy doing everything else.”
The last word stung, and I clenched my jaw, biting back a response. Just as I was about to say something, the air hostess approached, signaling us to fasten our seatbelts. We were about to experience some turbulence. Nathan sank back into his seat, and I moved over to my own on the other side of him and Reni. I needed space and time to breathe. And with the way his words still hung between us, I was glad to put some distance in the few feet between us.
When the turbulence hit, it was rougher than usual, the plane dipping and jolting with each wave of turbulence. I glanced at Reni, noticing her eyes squeezed shut and her hands clenched tightly around the armrests. Despite my steady exterior, my heart quickened, not from fear but because she looked genuinely afraid. Plus, everything that is currently happening looks like a lot for her. And somehow, Nathan blurted out the Aurora situation in Reni’s presence.
Without a second thought, I unbuckled my seatbelt and crossed the aisle back to her, ignoring the dizzying effect of the caffeine and sleeplessness that had been gnawing at me all day. I sat beside her, fastening my seatbelt once more. I reached over, holding her hands.
“It’s alright,” I murmured, keeping my voice steady. “It happens all the time.”
Her voice trembled. “Doesn’t make it any less scary,” she whispered, eyes still firmly shut.
“Look at me,” I whispered, hoping she’d at least open her eyes. The plane’s shakes and jolts, combined with the caffeine I’d had earlier, made me feel light-headed. Muscle tremors flared, but I focused on Reni, making sure she knew I was there with her.
Finally, the turbulence settled, and the pilot announced that we could move around again. Reni’s eyes snapped open, and she exhaled, a heavy, relieved breath escaping her lips.
“For a second there, I thought that was it,” she admitted, half-laughing out of pure relief.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not happening,” I whispered back, squeezing her hand. Then, glancing over at Nathan, I said, “I’m sorry about him. He’s never like this.”
Reni turned to look at me, her gaze clear and steady, something clicking in her expression. “Maybe he’s right, though.” She paused, studying me. “Because why are you sitting here apologizing for him, Noah?” She took her hands from mine and moved to the long couch.
I hesitated, caught off guard. “He won’t do it,” I said, feeling the words fall out before I could think them through—my default—shouldering everything to keep the peace.
Reni looked down, scrolling through her phone. “Then let it go.”
“Maybe if you actually put yourself first for once, your girlfriend would have something better to look forward to in this relationship,” Nathan muttered, picking up right where he’d left off, his words laced with irritation.
Reni shot him a warning look, her voice low and controlled. “Can you guys stop this bickering?”
Nathan folded his arms, meeting my gaze with a challenge. “It’s not bickering if he’s not even responding.”
I was just about to respond, anger simmering beneath my calm exterior when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing down, I saw Ryan calling. I took a breath before answering, hoping to gather some composure.
“Noah,” Ryan’s voice barked through the phone before I could even say hello. “What on earth do you think you’re doing? Have you completely lost it? Why did you leave Italy? And why is Reni coming back with you? We agreed you’d stay until you finish those meetings in Spain. Why do you always think you can up and leave, and now I’m supposed to cover for you? My wife is pregnant, Noah and the last thing I want is to be pulled away from her right now. Send Reni back and focus on the job. Just do your damn job!”
His voice sliced through my pounding headache, intensifying the pressure behind my eyes. I squeezed my temples, trying to contain the onslaught of frustration. “It’s fine, Ryan. I’ll sort it out. Send my love to Ann,” I managed to say, swallowing the irritation and guilt clawing at me.
As the line went dead, I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of everything settle on my shoulders again. It always came back to this—being the child who had to do the right thing. My brothers had taken on the family’s burdens while I pursued my studies in neurosurgery, but it had come at a price. Ryan, in particular, had been forced into roles he didn’t want, dealing with the fallout of refusing to marry the woman our grandfather had chosen for him and rejecting the full responsibility for the company. And now, it was me they were looking at, asking me to pick up the pieces and “do the right thing.” I had promised to do everything they wanted if they allowed Ryan to do whatever he wanted and be with Ann, but now everything is biting me in the back.
Even my mother had asked me to stop rebelling, to give in, and finally meet the family’s expectations. She’d said it was what our grandfather needed to stay well, especially after his last heart attack, which I’d been partially blamed for when I chose medicine over a degree that could potentially help the company.
My phone buzzed again. “Noah, I’m serious,” Ryan’s voice echoed.
“So am I,” I replied quietly, listening to the line go dead. Slowly, I rubbed my hands over my face, trying to find a sliver of peace amid the storm.
“Baby, you don’t look well,” Reni said softly, her gaze full of concern. She reached over, gently patting my face. “We still have four more hours until we land. Why don’t you try to rest?”
I sighed, trying to steady the faint tremor in my hands. “I can’t just yet. I need to sort out something for Ryan first.”
Reni gave a small, exasperated laugh. “Lord have mercy. You’re unbelievable.” She held her hand out, palm up. “Give me the phone. What’s this meeting about? I’ll handle it. I’m officially your assistant for the day.”
I arched an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Oh really? Big Reni is stepping up as my PA. That’s new.”
“Don’t underestimate me.” She grinned, crossing her arms. “I’ve got more experience than you might think.”
“Alright then,” I said, settling back and giving her a thoughtful look. “We’re in talks to acquire Velozía. It’s a Spanish luxury eco-friendly car brand known for producing electric and hybrid vehicles that combine speed, style, and sustainability. We’ve worked on this deal for nearly two years and are finally at the final stage. But there’s a lot still hanging in the balance. I’m weighing whether it’s smarter to pursue a full acquisition or consider a merger. And if we do acquire them, there’s the question of whether Energia is even ready to expand into vehicle production.”
She listened with an intensity that made me smile, her eyes widening as if I’d just offered her the keys to an ice cream parlor. “That sounds… exciting.”
I chuckled. “The meeting’s with my team at Energia, who’s working on the acquisition, some of the board members in Energia, and the executives at Velozía. We still need to hammer out some financial projections, success metrics… you know, the fun stuff. Wanna tackle all that?” I teased, expecting her to throw in the towel after hearing the details.
But she held my gaze, undeterred. “Sure,” she replied with a firm nod. “On one condition—while I handle this, you sleep. You look like you need it.”
“Reni,” I started, surprised that she would even volunteer. “My grandfather is on the board.”
I saw her light leave her eyes. I could tell she panicked.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I can’t be on the call. I don’t want to meet your grandfather this way. But let me help. You know this is my turf, right?”
I nodded. There was no day I’d ever doubted Reni’s skills. She was closer than anyone to stepping into an executive role at Prestige Inc., and my baby was only 27. “OK. I’ll put this on loud so you can hear, and you can whisper to me.” I chuckled at the lengths I’d go to make her satisfied.
A few minutes later, the meeting started. We were still on the plane, so I was the only one not physically present in the boardroom. I had my laptop open on my tray table, with Reni sitting next to me, leaning in occasionally to whisper her thoughts as the meeting continued.
"Alright, let’s get started," my finance director began, his voice clear over the call. "We’re finalizing the details of the Velozía acquisition. We’ve looked at their balance sheet and initial forecasts, but now it’s time to dig into the projections and success metrics. We’re looking at the long-term growth of their EV division, but we still need to iron out the financials. What’s the projected return on investment once we pull the trigger?"
Reni leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. "They’re not accounting for the shifting regulatory landscape in the EU, especially around carbon emissions. If we don’t factor that into our projections, we will get blindsided."
I frowned, trying to follow along. I almost missed it. At first, I was trying to process everything that was being said, but when I looked at her, I saw the conviction in her eyes. She was serious, and she was right—this was a key point and one that had somehow slipped through the cracks. I discreetly signaled with a slight nod for her to go ahead. She could take the lead here.
I straightened in my seat, feeling the eyes of the room on me, and then spoke up one last time before turning the camera to Reni. “We need to factor in the environmental regulations in Europe, especially around carbon emissions. We should build a model based on three potential regulatory outcomes—minimum, moderate, and worst-case scenarios—and adjust the ROI projections accordingly.”
Reni’s eyes flicked to mine, sharp and determined. She took a deep breath, then straightened up, her posture shifting as she moved into a more commanding presence. I could feel the weight of the room’s gaze slowly shifting from me to her as she joined the conversation.
"As Mr Alcott mentioned," Reni said clearly into the call, her voice cutting through the boardroom’s chatter. There’s something we need to address before we move forward. We can’t ignore the growing regulatory concerns in the European market, especially concerning carbon emissions. If we don’t model for the worst-case scenarios, we could be leaving ourselves exposed."
The room went silent for a moment as everyone kept staring at the screen. I saw the board members and executives exchanging glances, unsure of who she was. They were all expecting me to speak, but Reni had taken the floor with an authority that made it impossible to ignore her.
I looked at Reni, raising my brow. It was time.
“I think we need a fresh voice on this. So, let me introduce her.” I smiled lightly, not wanting to sound too casual but knowing she was taking over this meeting.
I turned my attention back to the screen. “Everyone, this is Reni. She’s the director of finance at a Fortune 500 company and will join us for this meeting.”
My father, who had been sitting quietly, furrowing his brow at the financial projections, was the first to speak. “Director of finance?”
I could sense the sudden tension in the room. No one had expected a new voice, let alone a woman so young, to take charge of a conversation that had been mine for the past two years.
Reni didn’t flinch. She straightened, met my father’s gaze over the call, and confidently introduced herself. “Yes, I’m Reni Adedola, Director of Finance at Prestige Inc. And as Mr. Alcott said, I’ll be joining this meeting today.”
The entire room seemed to pause, the silence hanging heavy as everyone tried to process her introduction. She wasn’t flustered, wasn’t even phased. Her brilliance was starting to shine through, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere.
Her voice was steady as she continued, diving straight into the details.
"Here’s the problem: the current projections for ROI on this acquisition are too optimistic, considering the volatility of the European auto market," she continued. "Velozía’s projected growth in EV sales doesn't factor in the new carbon regulations coming next year. If we don’t account for that, their revenue forecasts could fall short by at least 12-15%. We need to adjust the model accordingly."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in.
"Additionally, Velozía’s valuation doesn’t reflect the true cost of transitioning their production lines for full electrification. There’s a lot of capital investment needed on that front, which we need to prepare for. It would be unwise to assume we can fully integrate them without understanding the immediate costs involved."
I could see the team on the call nodding along, slowly realizing the gaps in their analysis that Reni was pointing out. My father’s eyes narrowed as he processed her insight. She was right, of course, but hearing it from her, someone not on the inside of Energia, made it hit differently.
"Lastly," she added, "we must look beyond the financials and consider cultural integration. If we acquire Velozía, it’s not just about the numbers. The two companies have very different organizational structures and corporate cultures. We can’t overlook the human aspect of this acquisition."
The murmurs in the room indicated that no one had considered the cultural side of the deal. The financials had been the focus, but Reni was shifting the conversation toward a more holistic approach.
As she wrapped up, I could see the respect in everyone's eyes. My father looked at my grandfather, who gave a slight nod in response, a rare acknowledgment of how well Reni had handled herself.
The silence lingered for a moment, and then my grandfather, seated at the head of the table, leaned forward. His voice was calm, but I could hear the underlying approval.
"I hope you’re coming with him to Italy," he said, his words almost rhetorical, as though he were stating the obvious.
Reni smiled, not saying anything in response.
The screen went black, and Reni turned to me, a playful smile lighting up her face. Her eyes sparkled, bright and curious, as if she expected me to say something, offer praise, or maybe tease her.
"What do you think?” she asked, her voice soft but with that familiar confidence.
Without a word, I pulled her close, wrapping her tightly in my arms, my heart swelling with pride. I buried my face in her hair, breathing in the soft scent of vanilla, amber, and sandalwood combined with something unmistakably her. She had taken over that entire meeting with such grace, such brilliance. Watching her work, truly work, for the first time made my chest ache with a strange mix of awe and jealousy. Her colleagues saw this side of her every day—her brilliant mind, her calm confidence. I felt a pang, realizing how much of her world I still hadn’t seen.
“Noah!” she giggled, her laughter a soft melody that filled the quiet cabin. The sound wrapped around me, warm and grounding, and I couldn’t help but laugh, too.
I pulled back just enough to look at her, my hands moving to cup her face, my thumbs grazing her cheeks. Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her deeply, letting every unspoken word, every ounce of admiration and love, pour into that moment. When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, I whispered, “I’ve wanted to do that since you started talking to them. I love you.”
She laughed softly, her eyes still sparkling, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I know.” Then she arched a brow, mischief dancing in her gaze. “Didn’t we agree to take kissing off the table?”
“You make it hard when you do things like this,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. I took in her bright eyes and beaming smile. She looked as excited as I felt as if she could barely contain her excitement.
Her grin widened as she stood up. “You mean by being myself?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Yeah, maybe.”
She started to walk away, glancing back over her shoulder with a smirk. “Bathroom,” she mouthed silently, then added, “and Nathan,” in that playful, secretive way of hers.
I watched her go, taking a deep breath, trying to relax my pounding head. I closed my eyes, hoping to ease the throbbing that had settled there. As I started to settle, Ryan’s name flashed on my phone, pulling me back to reality.
I sighed, steeling myself as I picked up. “Ryan, I have less than an hour before we land. I’ll see you soon.”
Ryan’s voice burst through the speaker, tense and accusatory. “Is that why you put your girlfriend on an executive call?” He took a harsh breath, but it did nothing to calm him. “Have you completely lost your mind, Noah? Ever since you met this girl, you’ve forgotten how to do your job. For God's sake, why am I chasing you down like you’re Nathan? The sooner you snap out of this honeymoon phase and let her go, the better for everyone. You do realize Aurora’s father is a major shareholder, right? Don’t be stupid. Let that girl go.”
I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Ryan,” I said, my tone colder than I’d intended, “if you must speak about Reni, you will do so respectfully.”
He sounded taken aback as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What? Is this a joke?”
“What part sounds like I’m joking? Go ahead—let me know so I can set it straight.”
“Don’t be a fool, man,” he snapped, his voice laced with frustration. “You know better than this. You’ve already ruined whatever chance you had with her by bringing her to Italy. I told you to marry Aurora in Italy and keep Reni in Miami. Aurora wouldn’t mind; she’s done it before. Look, I get that you love her, Noah, but this is bigger than your feelings. This is the future of Energia, and I’m not taking any chances.”
I felt my patience snap, my hand gripping the phone tightly. “If I hear one more word from you, I might pass out. Ryan, I’ll see you when we land.”
I ended the call, cutting off whatever response he had, and leaned back, my head throbbing harder than ever. The cabin felt too small, the walls pressing in around me. I closed my eyes and imagined floating in the middle of the ocean, with nothing but the vast blue stretching endlessly beneath and around me.
I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pounding ache, but it only grew sharper, heavy as though the weight of every expectation, every demand was pressing down on me, relentless as a storm that wouldn’t clear.
“Noah… are you okay?” Nathan’s voice cut through the haze.
I didn’t answer him. We hadn’t spoken since his outburst earlier, and I didn’t have the energy to start now.
“Was that Ryan?” he asked, slipping into the seat beside me where Reni had been sitting. “What did he say?”
I exhaled, exhausted. “Did both of you decide to make me the villain today?”
“You don’t look good, Noah,” he said, his voice softening. “Can I get you something? Just tell me what you need.” He looked genuinely sorry, but what good did it do? The day had been endless—a carousel of tension, no rest, and constant demands. And as always, my brothers chose me to unload their frustrations on, assuming I’d never push back. Noah can handle it; Noah won’t break. It wasn’t that the words didn’t hurt—I knew they wouldn’t be able to take it if I fired back. So, I stayed silent.
“Noah, I’m sorry,” Nathan said, his tone strained. “I didn’t mean any of it.” Then he glanced around, calling, “Reni!”
“Could you keep your voice down?” I winced as the migraine spiked again. “She’s in the bathroom.”
He lowered his voice, guilt in his eyes. “I thought you told us the migraines were gone?”
I had told everyone that. They all worried so much, but it never felt like it was because of me—more like they had something to lose if I was out of the picture. If anything happened to me, Ryan wouldn’t have been able to marry Ann; my parents might have lost the favor of Nonno, who loved to call me his “legacy.” Even Nathan, who’d always had a carefree life when I was around, didn’t realize I’d quietly taken on the pressure for him, too. I’d made sure both my brothers had less on their shoulders whenever I came around. I’d shifted all the pressure onto myself so they wouldn’t feel it. That’s why him calling me his favorite brother doesn’t mean anything to me. He may not know all the details, but he knows that when I’m around, he gets to relax while I handle the extra load, and that’s why he likes seeing me around.
“Don’t worry. Just get me some painkillers,” I said quietly, glancing up to see the flight attendant already standing nearby, her face concerned. She hurried off, and a moment later, Reni returned, her eyes darting between us, puzzled by Nathan’s worried expression.
“What’s going on?” She looked at me, worry clouding her eyes. “Noah?” She dropped to her knees beside me, her hand resting on my forehead. “You’re burning up… does your head hurt?” Her voice shook, and I felt her hands tremble against my skin.
The flight attendant returned with the painkillers, and I nodded in thanks, managing to mutter, “I’m fine. Let’s stay calm.” I tried to smile through the pain, but Reni’s eyes filled with tears, her hands still resting on me, desperate to help.
“You know these painkillers don’t work when it’s this bad,” Nathan said, pulling out his phone. “I’m calling Dad.”
“Nathan, don’t,” I said, my voice firm despite the headache. I looked at Reni, her face creased with worry. “Reni, can you… just manage things while I close my eyes?”
She smiled through her tears, trying to lighten the mood. “By manage, you mean emergency landing, right?”
“Please put on your seatbelt and prepare for landing,” the pilot announced over the speaker. “We’ll be landing in Milan in less than 30 minutes.”
I shut my eyes, willing myself to ignore the throbbing in my head and the racing of my heart. Sleep was out of reach, but I tried to at least focus on breathing and staying still.
“Is the Spain meeting still on after we land?” Nathan mumbled, knowing it wasn’t what anyone wanted to hear.
Reni wiped her face, determination hardening her features. “There’s no way you’re going to Spain in this state. As soon as we land, you’re heading to the hospital.”
I chuckled weakly. “You’re just going to land yourself on Ryan’s bad side.”
She shrugged, calm as ever. “I was never on his good side anyway.”
As soon as we stepped off the private plane, we made our way to the waiting convoy. I glanced at Reni, trying to gauge her expression. She was unreadable, a blank look masking whatever she was really feeling—whether it was shock or annoyance, I couldn’t tell. She walked briskly toward the sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom waiting for us, its deep, polished black exterior gleaming in the late afternoon sun. I climbed in after her while Nathan headed for the car in front, a black Mercedes G-Wagon.
Our parents insisted we always take separate cars in Italy for security reasons—not that we had a choice. The convoy wouldn’t budge until we were in different vehicles. So, with a sigh, I settled in beside Reni. The luxurious leather and soft interior offered a little comfort, though the silence between us was thick as ever.
I think I like Nathan, cos Noah was doing too much for everyone else and someone had to say it.
But Reni ? 😳😳. Wow I didn't see her handling that meeting so well. 🤗🤗
Finally we're backkkkk 😎😎. I was about coming to ask where we've been. Thank you so much. It's time to dive in. 🤗