Episode 17

As Kiara was unpacking, her phone rang.

KIARA: Hello... she answered the person on the other end of the line.

UNKNOWN: Boss, check what I sent to your email and then call me.

And without waiting for a response, they ended the call.

NARRATOR: You might be wondering who called Kiara, considering she doesn't have anyone. Well, the person who called her is the only friend she's had for three years. But how they met, that's a secret I'll share with you.

When Kiara was 15, she was already an expert in technology, the best in her class. But this was a secret, as she had taken a computer science course offered at her high school, open and free to anyone interested in learning. She signed up without hesitation, grateful that it didn't clash with her regular school schedule. Within months, she excelled because she learned quickly. So much so that she created a project that caught the attention of many, thanks to her teacher. She received several lucrative offers to buy it. The project was an app that could locate a missing person just by entering their name, revealing their location, status, and if anyone was with them. However, she outright refused to sell until she got a call offering a partnership to start a company. Initially, she declined, but the persistent caller finally convinced her to consider it, and she agreed to meet. She arranged the meeting during school hours so her parents wouldn't find out, since after school her father would question her whereabouts, unlike her freely outgoing sisters. On the day they met, Kiara was shocked to see a young man; she had expected someone older, but she was surprised to find someone youthful and handsome. The surprise was mutual, as the young man had not expected to encounter someone of her age. Despite this, after a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons, they agreed to terms.

Together, they founded a technology company that, despite being new, was quickly gaining recognition and was on its way to becoming globally famous.

Having received the email, Kiara was astounded by what she saw—it was the rising rating of their increasingly well-known company. She called her friend to congratulate him on the excellent work.

KIARA: Matteo... this is unbelievably good, the company is growing so much.

MATTEO: I know, I'm so happy I can barely contain myself, I want to scream with joy, Boss.

KIARA: Matteo, I'm going to raise your salary for the excellent work you do, on my behalf.

MATTEO: It's nothing, you know I'm delighted that you gave me this chance without knowing anything about me, and you know I'm your best friend and your greatest admirer.

KIARA: Oh, Matteo, I'm the one who should be thanking you, for insisting back then. Without that, all the designs I made would have just been for me. You're the older brother I never had, the only friend I have, and you've earned my trust in these three years of friendship and partnership.

And it was true, beyond a business partner, Matteo had become her only friend and confidant... which is why, when he learned of her arranged marriage, he was very upset. But Kiara managed to calm him down, explaining that this marriage would give her the freedom she never had before. Despite his concerns, he would always respect her decision.

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