My name is Lorena Menz, I am 18 years old and the only child of the Menz family, one of the most influential families in the United States. My parents decided to send me to Italy to specialize in pediatrics. Their rushed decision raises suspicions, but what worries me more is the trip itself rather than whatever plans my parents may have.

It has been five years since I last traveled to Italy. My last visit was when I was 13 years old, and that's when I met Ricardo, the eldest son of the De Santis family. As soon as I saw him, I was smitten, but he arrogantly told me not to dream, that I was too ugly for him. In recent years, I've seen several news articles about him with the model Vanessa Rodríguez. I hope they're married by now so I can avoid his insults and not have to share the same roof with him. Although I can't deny that I also wouldn't mind having some fun with him, just to see his face when he sees me. In these five years, I have changed a lot - I have dark skin, long curly hair, wide hips, normal-sized breasts, and thankfully, I always have the advantage of a fit abdomen due to being a fitness enthusiast.

"I don't understand why my wealthy parents are so insistent on me living in the De Santis house. According to them, I need to learn about my origins and appreciate what life has given me."

Lorena

My name is Ricardo De Santis, I'm 25 years old, and I am the son of Italy's most prominent family. My parents drive me crazy by constantly asking when I am going to get married. I don't understand why because they don't accept my girlfriend Vanessa. They claim she is only with me for my money and that she is involved with other people.

Vanessa and I have been in a relationship for two years, and every day my world revolves around her. She dreams of becoming a renowned model, although sometimes I feel she is too ambitious. I understand that it is part of her quest to become the best Italian model.

Currently, I am the CEO of Italy's largest textile company, which is owned by my parents. I am attending the annual kickoff meeting, giving new instructions to the managers and employees. As always, before I leave for my office, I remind them that "no one dares to contradict me, no one speaks when I am talking, and anyone who disagrees is free to resign."

I enter my office thinking about how I will unload all my burdens on Vanessa today. She has just received a contract for Belgium and will be away from Italy for three years. She knows that I won't be seeing other people until she returns. I have plenty of models who are willing to sleep with me and keep it a secret. However, my world revolves around her, and everything else is just a release.

Ricardo

Author's Note:

Hello, welcome to my first novel. I hope you enjoy it. I will be attentive to your comments as an opportunity for improvement. The images used are generally sourced from the internet to help stimulate the imagination a bit.

Ricardo - I am in my office, thinking about everything that awaits me with Vanessa tonight, when my mother walks in.

Laura: Hello, son.

Ricardo: Hello, Mother. What brings you here?

Laura: Tonight, Lorena, the daughter of our friend Armando Menz, will be arriving. She will be staying at our house for a long period until she finishes her studies.

Ricardo: What does that have to do with me? Does she expect me to give up my room for that pathetic ugly girl?

Laura: Ricardo! I ask for respect towards Miss Menz. And if I'm here, it's to inform you that your father cannot pick her up from the airport and he needs you to do it.

Ricardo: Oh no, that's not happening. I already have enough seeing her face every day, now I have to go get her from the airport too? What happened to the house drivers? Do they prefer to quit rather than bringing the ugly girl?

Laura: The flight arrives at 7:00 tonight. You'll know whether or not you want to defy your father. See you at home tonight.

Ricardo narrates.

I am in my office, thinking about all the enjoyable things I will do with Vanessa tonight when my mother enters. I knew her visit wouldn't bring anything good, but I never imagined it would be to ask me to go pick up her friend's little girl. I don't understand what makes her so special that a simple driver can't go get her, nor do I understand why my parents consider an ex-employee as a friend and show him so much consideration to the point of allowing his daughter to stay at our house.

The first time I saw that girl, she was around 12 or 13 years old. The pathetic thing couldn't hide her infatuation with me, and I couldn't help but mock her and tell her, "Don't even dream about it, ugly." Even though five years have passed, I imagine she's still the same skinny girl, with short hair and no notable attributes. While it's true that I'm used to being with models, I prefer them with a bit of curves and breasts, not as flat as that girl.

The worst part is that she hasn't even arrived yet, and she's already interfering with my plans. My mother threatened me not to defy my father and left, leaving me with the task of finding the girl. I am thinking about what to do when my assistant, Juan, interrupts me. It immediately occurs to me that he is my solution. I ask Juan to find the girl for me and tell my parents that I am in a meeting. Tonight, I have no intention of going home. I will stay at my bachelor apartment with Vanessa. But before that, I want to take her out to dinner at the finest restaurant and propose to her that we get married when she returns from her trip.

I know it may sound a bit foolish, but for love, I can wait three years for her. Besides, I will use that time for my family to accept her as a De Santis.

Narrated by Lorena.

Mrs. Laura called me to inform me that Ricardo would pick me up at the airport. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I want him to see me and see how much I have changed. I'm not the same person I was when he called me "moscosa." But on the other hand, I am very anxious about his reaction. Since I met Ricardo, I liked him. He is the protagonist of my wet dreams. I have never had a boyfriend before, but I see this love as impossible because I always see him in the tabloids with his girlfriend Vanessa.

One day, I asked my mother if she knew about their relationship. She told me that Ricardo's family would never accept it, and that's why she didn't see a future in that relationship. I couldn't inquire much with my mother to avoid suspicion. Besides, for the past five years, I have given myself advice to forget about Ricardo, that he is not the right man for me.

I am lost in my thoughts when I hear the announcement that the airline is delayed due to bad weather. I head to the cafeteria for a hot chocolate when I receive a message from my best friend Katia. I decide to call her to clear my mind about the delay and try to convince her to come and live in Italy. Two hours later, my flight finally takes off.

I arrive in Italy and before getting off the plane, I touch up my makeup. The first impression is what counts, I tell myself, while laughing at my own whims. I am in the waiting area, looking for Ricardo despite not seeing him for five years. I have closely followed his life, and I know exactly what he looks like. But to my surprise, I managed to spot someone who always appears in the photos behind him. He approaches me and informs me that his boss was held up in a last-minute meeting and couldn't make it. He will be in charge of taking me to the De Santis mission.

I pretend that everything is fine and greet him politely. The journey to the mansion is quiet.

I arrive at the mansion feeling a bit exhausted. Mr. and Mrs. De Santis welcome me warmly. My father worked in the technology department of the De Santis family's factory for more than 15 years. When he married my mom, they decided to move to the United States and use their savings to start a technology company. The De Santis family always provided advice to my parents. Five years ago, our last visit was to seek the De Santis family's opinion on a new partnership proposed by a Belgian company to my parents. Thanks to that, my mother's company is now one of the best in the United States. My parents always say that although the De Santis family didn't contribute financially to the company, they are grateful to them for their advice and support.