Billionaire to Billionaire

Chapter 1. Anthony Mozzeo's POV

*Anthony Mozzeo's view*

I arrived yesterday afternoon to a pleasant bed and breakfast cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Surrounded by plenty of trees, a creek that leads to a beautiful fresh spring waterfall, and wildflowers for the nose to devour, this was definitely the perfect space to ground down and loose oneself in. There is not a lot surrounding this place which is exactly why I choose it. This last year has been hell and I need the escape.

My businesses are all doing well and are being cared for by my firsthand man, Peter. He has been with me since I took over my first hotel and grew from there. I trust that man with my life. When I said I wanted to run away to the woods for a month, he didn't even bat an eye. He knew I needed it. He just gave me his big "I've got your back" smile and set everything up for me as I asked. No one is to know where I'm at except for him, and my Mother, of course. I don't want her to worry when I don't show up for our weekly dinners for a month.

When my ex-fiancé, Clara, slept with an ex-associate and friend of mine, the week before our wedding, I cut ties with both of them and have been dedicating my time to growing my empire this last year. I can't remember the last time I had a day off. I made sure they both knew, financially, how they f****d up before I cut ties though. If it wasn't for Peter being with me and getting me out of that room, I probably would have killed them both that day. They deserved it.

I awoke this morning to the sun peaking through the flower speckled curtains and smiled at the thought of enjoying a nice, dark cup of coffee on the beautiful wrap around porch below. The couple that own this place have really outdone themselves with making it peaceful and comfortable. I crawled out of bed and let my feet hit the floor softly. This place is big enough that each room has it's own bathroom. Respectfully, it should be a hotel. But its charm, personal touches, and overall feel is anything but. It heavily makes me reconsider how some of my hotels are arranged.

After a nice hot shower, I throw on my favorite pair of broken in jeans, a black t-shirt, and hiking boots. My appearance is on the flip side of how I arrived yesterday. Suits and ties are for the business me. This is the leisure me. I grab my phone and head out the door to the big dining room downstairs. Fran, the sweet, plump, older woman who greeted me yesterday, instructed me that breakfast starts at 9:00 am. I can already smell it as I go down the stairs!

After saying my good mornings to Fran, her husband Bill, and their chocolate lab, Drake, I grab my hot cup of coffee, four slices of French toast, cheesy scrambled eggs, and sausage links and find myself a seat at the huge dining room table. I’m deeply enjoying my breakfast of champs when I hear Fran squeal with delight. "AHH! MY LOVE! When did you get here!?" I look up to see this beautiful woman with dark brown, curly hair, blue eyes, and a beautiful smile that sparkled with white teeth. She had on a pair of jeans with holes in the knees, a vintage Queen t-shirt that hugged her body just right, and a pair of vintage Converse to end it all. She was gorgeous!

She laughed and threw her arms around Fran encircling her with a big hug. I heard her say "Morning, Momma! I got in last night and let myself in. How are you?" I had to remind myself not to stare as she took my breath away. There was something so simple but so elegant about her. Turning my attention back to my breakfast, I tried hard not to eavesdrop as they caught up. Suddenly I'm startled back to reality when Fran goes "Andi, put some food in that skinny body of yours and take a seat with Mr. Mazzeo. I'll be there to join you in a moment". Laughing, she walks over to the kitchen and starts grabbing her plate. The next thing I know, my temperature rises as she's spun around giggling by a man who appears to be early thirties, very tan and built like a true lumberjack. He looks like he's been sculpted by his labors. His beard is no match for mine though, but he definitely gives me a run for my money.

"Mark! Put me down! You made me drop my bagel!" She giggles. "Sorry! I saw your jeep out back and couldn't help it! The girls are going to be so excited to see you! I know I am! When did you get in? How was your trip?" He exclaims excitedly. Still giggling, Andi answers "It was alright! Glad to be back! I'm excited to see you too! Where's Emily and the girls?" "They'll be in shortly. I couldn't contain myself when I saw my little sister's jeep and left them to get out of the truck together!" I feel the breath come back to my body as he says "little sister". I didn't even realize I was holding it. That's an interesting feeling...

Andi throws the dropped bagel in the garbage and goes back to grabbing herself breakfast. She seats herself across from me at the table, with a smile, as Mark, I'm assuming Emily, and 3 beautiful little girls come strolling back in. The two older girls go running up to Andi and throw their arms around her small waist. She glows as she hugs them back and they practically scream "Aunt Andi! You made it!" I catch myself smiling.

Fran comes back in with Bill and they help Emily get the girls food. They fill up more spaces around the table and begin enjoying their breakfast. Fran sits next to me and squeezes my shoulders as she sits. She asks how I'm enjoying my breakfast. I tell her "Very much!" This feels like the family dinners we used to have at Mom's.

Soon I find myself engaged with them as they catch up on their lives, talk about things that have happened in the small town 30 minutes from here, and general life talk. Emily asks Andi how her trip was. Andi makes a slight scrunch face with her nose and replies " It was alright. I’m just glad to be back." This leaves them wanting more and I catch myself saying "Where'd you go?" Geezus, Anthony. Pull yourself together, man. "Andi looks at me like she's just been frozen by headlights and stammers out "Sardinia, Italy. My company sent me there for business. " Mark chuckles "Yeah...YOUR company! Wouldn't that be YOU sent yourself there?" "Technically yes...but for my company" she retorts, throwing a piece of her bagel at him. "How was it, my love?" Her mother asks. "It was alright, Momma. I didn't really get out a lot as I was there to do business". I can see Fran roll her eyes. "How does one go to Italy and not get out to enjoy it? My love, you need to make more time for yourself!" She says. I see Andi blush and go "I'm aware, Mother". Fran goes to say something else before Andi jumps up and starts cleaning the empty plates. I notice I still have a sausage link on mine and take it to the sink for washing. Andi comes up behind me with the rest as Fran exclaims "Leave those there! You're supposed to be enjoying yourself!" I don't know if that was for Andi or me. I smile at Andi as she smiles back and grabs one of the girls, walking out. I think I caught myself staring. I think Fran did too. She has a sweat, but mischievous grin on her face. I fill my coffee up and head to that beautiful porch to enjoy more of my morning. My mind is suddenly clouded and needs those cleansing rays!

A little bit passes and I've found myself with my head back and my eyes closed. The faint but not distant sound of beautiful laughter fills my ears. Again, I catch myself smiling. It's been too long! A light brown haired, blue eyed little girl of about 10 comes running up the deck with a gorgeous bouquet of wildflowers. Following behind her is a sun kissed Andi. The way the sun touches her face gives her an even more angelic look. It's like the heavens have opened up and I catch myself staring again. I pull myself together and remind myself that it's not worth it. One, she's gorgeous and has to have a boyfriend. And two, I swore off women a year ago. They're nothing but trouble!