Episode 5

At 5:00 AM, I rise to go jogging as I do every day since settling in Madrid, now as the CEO of Lombardo Corporation. Today, I plan to hit a hotspot owned by my friend Apollo Sotomayor here in Madrid. While performing my exercises to maintain my physique, as I prefer, I receive a call from Fernanda, a girl I met when traveling to Italy to visit my parents at one of Apollo's clubs. I choose not to answer; I'll call her back later. It seems she's getting the wrong idea—my thing with women is strictly sex; I'm not looking for girlfriends or any attachments. At 25, Apollo and I are considered the most eligible bachelors both here in Madrid and back in our native Italy. Yes, we are Italian.

Some may wonder why I shy away from commitment. The truth is, I was once engaged by my parents' arrangement, but the girl who would have been my wife passed away at the tender age of thirteen. This freed me from the obligation, restoring my independence, although I never met her. Being forced into marriage just to fulfill a promise made by my father to his friend Renato did not sit well with me.

I cherish my bachelor life, though sometimes I dream of a young girl I met years ago during an attack on a shopping center. She was trapped inside a store, and I saved her, rescuing her from peril. Her frightened face remains etched in my memory; beautiful even then, it was clear she would grow into a stunning woman. But after that incident, I left to study at the University of Madrid and never saw her lovely face again. For some reason, dreaming of her soothes my often fiery temperament, not typical for a CEO with a notoriously difficult temper, which only Apollo, my friend and business partner, can tolerate on my bad days. After breakfast, I head out to the company, running into Apollo, who's flirting with the new receptionist. I give him a look that he understands, and he follows me out. Despite our friendship, he doesn't grasp that we can't mix with the staff. Apollo just laughs. At that moment, my father calls.

Paolo Lombardo: (Leonel's father) Ungrateful boy, I never hear from you unless I call. Don't forget, it's almost time for you to take control of all the Lombardo businesses, and you'll have to move back to Italy to manage the main headquarters.

Leonel: Hello, Father. How are you? I'm fine. Regarding your question, I haven't forgotten; I'm getting things sorted here in Madrid, so I'll be ready to relocate as you wish.

Paolo Lombardo: I hope so, son. You know you're my only child and by extension my sole heir. Or perhaps you'd prefer I appoint your cousin Demetrio as CEO?

Leonel: That will never happen. I am your heir, and that position is mine alone.

Paolo Lombardo: Don't take too long then. I'll give you six months. If you don't return within that time, I'll pass your inheritance to your cousin. Take care, son. And he hung up.

Leonel was furious. He couldn't believe his father would threaten him like that, knowing full well that he and Demetrio did not get along—the latter had once stolen a girlfriend from Leonel. It hurt not out of love, but because he never thought his cousin would betray him in that manner.

Days passed, and Leonel had to travel with Apollo to the United States to finalize some negotiations and resolve everything at the Madrid branch.

Upon arrival, they settled into their Massachusetts apartment, then went to meet with investors to seal a significant deal involving a fleet of luxury cars—after all, the Lombardos were manufacturers of high-end vehicles and owned several buildings and islands among many other assets. Apollo was eager to check on one of the nightclubs he'd acquired and how it was being managed, so Leonel decided to accompany him.

Apollo donned a blue shirt while Leonel chose one in white.

Leonel Lombardo.

Apollo Sotomayor.

They headed out to the club, unaware that they were about to encounter the women who would leave them breathless. Apollo was met by the manager upon entry, who gave him a grand tour, while Leonel headed straight for the VIP area to rest and await his friend's return so they could enjoy the night, perhaps with a lady willing to share in a pleasurable encounter.