BACK IN MILAN

"Don't cause any trouble, be a good girl, focus on your work….."

"Alright alright, I know!" Scarlett rolled her eyes, tired of Rowan's over the top advice. He had been talking nonstop and giving 'brotherly' instructions ever since he arrived at the airport.

"You know, with this big coaxing mouth of yours, you should be working at Radio one Asia by now." She mocked.

"Hey! Do you dare talk to your big brother in such manner? I came to this world two years before you, and I deserve much more respect than this." Rowan faked an Old man's voice, his hands crossed behind him.

Scarlett and Tracy laughed at him.

Wasn't he supposed to be acting mature here? Instead he was the clown, making everyone laugh their ribs out.

"Okay. That's enough." Tracy said, still laughing. "Letty dear, take good care of yourself and don't work too hard.

Your brother and I are here for you any day, anytime."

"We're at your service, ma'am!" Rowan playfully saluted

Tracy and Scarlett chuckled, both nodding their heads in resignation. Could Rowan be serious for one singe second?!

"Yes mom. I've got to go now. There's a lot of work ahead of this pretty girl." Scarlett sighed, running her hand through her hair.

"Miss, it's time to leave now, the plane is ready." Antonio, who had been standing behind Scarlett, spoke up.

Scarlett was leaving for Milan, not by boarding a first class plane. She owned her own private plane, given to her by her grandfather on her 21st birthday. It was much more than an average girl would expect or even ask for, but what could she do when she lived with a multibillion dollar rich grandfather?

Antonio collected her bags and waited for her by the side.

"Mom. Big bro, I'm leaving. I'll be back immediately after the fashion show. Be safe.

I love you.: She reluctantly kissed them both.

Antonio led the way and walked her on to the plane.

She went straight to the bed for a quick nap before she landed in Milan, because as soon as she got to work, shed would have to work overtime.

Rowan and Tracy got into their car, with the driver taking over the wheels.

"Mom." He started. "I feel there is something really wrong between Scarlett and Dad. Do you still remember their confrontation two days ago?

It was scariest standoff I've ever witnessed since birth. I don't if I'm just imagining bullshit, but this…does it look like bullshit to you?" He asked worriedly.

Tracy thought about was he said. It did seem like an issue that was more than meets the eye. Scarlett spoke to Bryan like he had committed an abominable crime, and he spoke to her like she had no right whatsoever to judge or condemn him.

She didn't think so deep into the issue. She thought it was just a little misunderstanding that spiraled out of control.

She now had to look deeply into this to know exactly what happened.

"Don't worry about this. I'll look into it and make sure our family is back to normalcy again." Tracy patted his hand in loving assurance.

Rowan smiled. He lay his mother's head on his shoulders, letting her relax.

She was always stressed out about their family. Even with all the money and power their family possessed, she was not totally proud of them.

Her only wish in this life was that they become one big happy family again...

Scarlett landed at Linate Airport after an hour and thirty minutes.

It was just 11:30 am.

The weather was cool and bright, like it was anticipating the arrival of someone who owned that territory.

Scarlett was wearing a white tank top, shiny black leggings, a lightweight black blazer and a black Nike Air Monarch IV.

With her sunshade on and minimal jewelry to match, she was ready for business.

Antonio, who was walking by her right, was handling her luggage, while Pogo was on her left.

The rest of her security team was walking a few meters behind her.

It looked like a popular Hollywood scene: A lady boss and her top notch security team all dressed in black, walking out her private plane so majestically

Walking towards her high class sports car…..so mysterious....

They all got into their assigned cars and zoomed off.

Scarlett gently closed her eyes. She kept breathing in and out, as she was quite nervous for this fashion show. She was an extreme perfectionist and she always wanted things her way..flawless and accurate, not missing one tiny detail.

In no time, the driver pulled over at the company, and he opened the door for her, guiding her steps as she alighted.

The car door was shut, with the driver driving her luggage to her apartment.

Scarlett looked up at the 15 storey building, with the words: ROMANO written clearly on top.

Yes, she was indeed the Creative Director and Chief Designer for ROMANO.

Well she couldn't do all the work so she has an assistant who works and she oversees it.

She sometimes assumed the position of President for her grandfather, Russell, at board meetings and events he was unable to catch up with.

This fashion empire started out when Romano got married to his lovely but now late wife, Calista.

Calista inspired him to start something worthwhile and meaningful with his life. A heritage he could pass down to his children and grandchildren...… A lifetime heritage.

Scarlett walked boldly into the office building, straight for the elevator, with all employees chorusing "Good morning, Miss."

She nodded her head and got into the elevator for her office. It was the 13th floor.

"Good morning, Miss Scarlett." Orla greeted as soon as the elevator door opened.

Orla Fabbri was Scarlett's Personal Assistant. She had been working for Scarlett since she assumed her position as Creative Director at ROMANO.

Orla was a very dedicated worker. She was always at work on time, never slacked off, or even took a day off even when she was sick.

Scarlett loved her attitude, as she understood the difference between work and play. She was able to separate her life from work. That put in a higher pedestal than every other employee that worked for Scarlett.

"Morning Orla." Scarlett nodded. "How are you doing this morning?" She asked her.

"I'm doing very fine ma'am" Orla replied.

Scarlett sighed and rolled her eyes, as Orla led the way to her office. "Orla, I have told you like a billion times now. Don't call me ma'am.

Simply say Miss. Ma'am makes it sound like you're addressing a strict, old granny who was going to gouge your eyes out if you don't make her feel respected.

I don't like that." Scarlett corrected her assistant.

"I'm very sorry about that ma'am." Orla joked.

!!!!! Scarlett glared at her assistant who was clearly messing with her.

"Just kidding, Miss. I'll get you a cup of lemon tea right away." Orla apologized.

Scarlett chuckled, shaking her head.

This vibrant assistant of hers loved messing around with her at the slightest opportunity she got….She was lucky her grandfather was not there to witness that.

Her tongue would have gone for it.

Speaking of her grandfather, she had not called him to let him know she was back to Milan.

'His heart must have been hurting right now' she grinned. She picked up her phone to dial her grandfather.

'ring ring..'

"Torta carina!!!! How are you?

Are you back to Milan?

Have you eaten yet?

Where are you?

I could ask the cook to prepare something delicious for you and have it delivered to you now." Russell asked all in one breath. Was so excited to hear his granddaughter's voice after a few days.

"Nonno!" Scarlett exclaimed. " That's a lot of questions.

Yes, I'm back to Milan. I have not eaten yet. I'm at the office and no, there's no need to send food to me.

I'll just order a takeout." She sipped her freshly made lemon tea, answering him tiredly, like she was reading through a boring piece of newspaper.

Orla stood by the side, arranging Scarlett's itinerary for the day in order of importance.

"Why would you order food? You're just a young girl for goodness sake!

It's not healthy! Do you want to get cancer with your constant habit of eating out?" He asked like the over caring grandfather he was. He always pestered Scarlett to cook for herself, rather than ordering food from a restaurant whose food preparation and techniques was unknown to her.

"I know, I know.

I drove straight to the office from the airport. I haven't gotten home yet, so I can't cook." She stated.

"I thought you have a kitchen right there in your office. You could easily send any one of your staff to get you something to cook." Russell pointed out her excuse.

"But the time spent to get the food items and cook it would be saved if I just order ready-made food, which would clearly be freshly made…..or I could heat it up if it isn't." Scarlett argued back.

Russell sighed. This granddaughter of his was as stubborn as a mule. "Okay, alright. I've heard you." Russell sighed for a second time.

"Come and see me when you're done with work. You don't need to drive, I'll send Mario to pick you up.

Don't push it further." Russell declared.

"Yes sir." Scarlett resigned.

"If you don't mind now, I have a lot of work to do. I'll call you as soon as I'm done….don't call me, I'll call you."

She was not going to allow him disturb her and persuade her over matters that didn't really matter.

"Fine. Work hard, but not too hard. He disconnected the call.

"Oopsie doopsie. President Romano is upset.

You need to get him something when you go back." Orla laughed.

Everyone knew Russell for one thing: If he disconnected the call, he was pissed off already.

Scarlett simply sighed.

"Please gather everyone for a meeting. We have loads of planning to do." She sat up straight on her seat, her rapt attention on her laptop.

"Yes ma'am." Orla ran as fast as her legs could carry her

"Orla!!!" Scarlett yelled.