5. Masaccio
CHAPTER FIVE
Masaccio
“ W hy are we having a meeting with Marco Alesso, anyway?” I ask, following my father into his office. He is planning to retire soon - then this will become my office.
Ever since I was little, before I even understood the concept of business, my father has been training me to take over from him.
I am the oldest son. The first born.
Even my identical twin brother, Tuomo, won’t be consider an heir because he was born a full three minutes after me.
“Mas just leave the questions for later. I have a lot of my mind right now.”
“You want me to join you at the meeting having no idea what it is about?”
“You’ll be fine. You always handle yourself well in business situations.”
“So, it is business related?”
“Of course.” My father nods, but he isn’t looking at me, his attention is on the paperwork on his desk.
It’s for the best that he isn’t looking at me, anyway. He reads me too well. He would notice the relief in my expression. The meeting is business related. That means it has nothing to do with the fact that I kissed Leora Alesso.
The thought of her father finding out and the drama that would cause - I just don’t have the patience or the energy to deal with that kind of nonsense.
I wonder what it is my father wants with him then.
Our family is much stronger than his - and if the rumors are true and Marco is struggling financially perhaps, he wants to grovel a little and ask my father for money.
That would be like throwing fire on my father’s ego. He would love to watch Marco groveling. He would love to be able to make Marco suffer in any way at all.
Fuck.
This meeting is going to be a bunch of old men bullshit and a bunch of politics. I guess that’s what most business is.
Soon I will take over from my father and makes some much-needed changes to this business. It needs some life injected into its veins. Something new, young, fresh.
My father still does things old school. It works. But there is room for improvement that he is not yet interested in hearing about.
“What time is the meeting? I want to grab a coffee?”
“No time. Marco will be here in a minute or two.”
Just as my father replies one of his men comes through to knock on the office door.
“Sir, he’s here.”
“Good, send him to the board room. We’ll be right up.”
My father takes his time finishing what he is busy with. It’s a power play - making Marco wait.
I say nothing.
When my father stands and pulls his jacket on, I ask, “you sure you don’t want to give me a heads up regarding what this is about?”
“No. Come on.”
Marco stands when we walk into the board room and my father diplomatically accepts his hand to shake it.
“You’ve met my oldest son, Masaccio. He will be taking over the family business one day.”
“Good to meet you, Masaccio.” Marco says. His voice is tight. His shoulders are so tense they look knotted and stiff. His jaw muscles are clenched. When he sits down again, he is sitting as though there is a metal rod shoved into his spine. Perfectly straight.
Whatever the reason for him being here - he’s not comfortable or happy about it. I’d place bets on how difficult this is for him. It must be true. His business must be suffering. I guess he’s here to ask for a loan of sorts.
I take a seat, sitting comfortably at the table. Waiting for the two old men to talk.
“So, Marco. You told me what you wanted over the phone, why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me in more detail.” My father says a smug grin on his face. He’s loving this.
Marco clears his throat. “Vincent. You know by now that I lost the stretch of territory next to the docks - and I am about to lose the two warehouses on the other side. It is my only entry point for getting my shipments out and if I lose that territory I lose my place at the table, I lose everything.” He pulls his mouth tight. He’s really struggling. The truth is even worse than the rumors. His business is scraps at this point.
“Alright. And what did you want to do?” my father asks, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest.
“I want to make a deal with you. I will give you what we discussed, and you will cover the debt I owe in order for me to keep my warehouses.”
He takes a heavy breath, holding it in for a long time before blowing it out.
My father is taking his time giving his answer. I know he already has one. He’s just playing games at this point. He’s making the moment last because he’s enjoying himself.
“So, you are still going ahead with what we discussed on the phone?”
“Yes, my daughter, Leora.”
At the mention of her name my ears prickle and my attention turns towards Marco.
“Leora?” Her name is out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop myself, but I was not expecting him to talk about her today.
“Yes, Leora has agreed as well. She will not give you any trouble. Have you decided which of your sons she will marry?” Marco asks and my heart leaps into my throat as realization slams into me.
What the fuck?
An arranged marriage. That is what this meeting is about?
I clench my teeth together to stop myself from reacting emotionally.
“Masaccio will marry Leora.” My father says the words, but my brain denies them.
I feel myself staring at him, but I don’t seem to see anything except white smudges that blur my vision.
“Masaccio? Oh, that’s good. Your oldest.” Marco says.
“You want me to marry her?” I blurt out, aiming the question at my father.
“Yes, Masaccio. You spend far too much time working, and this is an excellent opportunity for you to get a wife.”
“Rufino and Celso are also unmarried and would be better suited.” I argue.
Marco has gone silent as the back and forth between my father and I grow tense.
My father shoots me a warning look. “Masaccio, you are to marry the girl. It has already been decided.”
Now is not the time to fight this. Not in front of Marco.
But my father knew what he was doing by not letting me know what this meeting was about.
“Marco, I will arrange everything. Once the wedding is concluded, our families will have entered an alliance. Your warehouses will remain safe and in your name.” My father confirms, ending the meeting.
I don’t utter another word until Marco leaves. I don’t even say goodbye to the man.
Then I turn towards my father, fuming with rage. My fists clenched at my side.
“What the hell was that. You blindsided me and you know it.” I snap.
He doesn’t even flinch. He was expecting this - which makes me even more angry about it.
“Masaccio, you have to marry one day. May as well be now.”
“No, not that girl. Get Celso to marry her. Tuomo, Rufino - any of them - I really don’t care. Just not me. I have too much to do. I don’t have time to get married and deal with that shit.”
My father turns towards me with his brows knotted and his eyes narrowed. His gaze is sharp and pierces into me.
“You are going to marry that girl. It is my decision, and you will do it. I know that if you don’t end up in an arranged marriage, you’ll never get married. This is the way it’s happening. She’s a beautiful girl. I don’t understand what your problem is.”
“I’ll get married one day - I will - just not to her.”
“Bullshit. When last did you even go on a date or look at a woman with interest? You bury yourself in work. You hardly socialize. No. This is done. It’s decided. You are marrying her, and I won’t hear another word.”
I grit my teeth. I know the limits of when I can and can’t disagree with my father’s decisions and he won’t tolerate me talking back again. He let me have my say - and now it’s done.
I am going to have to marry that fucking girl. The one girl on the planet that I would never ever want to marry.