Threads of Fate

Enzo

Enzo's POV

The sunset cast long shadows across my desk as I stared at the quarterly report. The numbers blurred together, my mind still reeling from Mom's phone call about the dating trip. Being president of Katz Group meant nothing when your mother decided to play matchmaker.

My grip tightened around the papers, my jaw clenching as a muscle ticked near my temple. The phone call from my mother still echoed in my ears. A dating trip? Five days of mindless small talk and forced romance? My fingers drummed impatiently on the desk before I threw the report aside with an exasperated huff.

"I really can't do it. Neither can I leave my work for a goddamn 120 hours for this trip and tolerate all those girls for five days. It's been a nightmare for me all along," I muttered under my breath, raking a hand through my hair before grabbing my jacket. I needed to put a stop to this nonsense.

Not wasting time, I left my office and walked out of the company to the parking lot, heading straight for my car. I had to go home and argue with my mother about this hasty matter.

Katz Mansion

The living room of the Katz mansion was buzzing with tension as I stormed in. The four figures were together, discussing something, but my voice brought their conversation to a halt.

"Mom, what is wrong with you? How could you sign me up for a trip without even informing me? And tomorrow, of all days? I disagree. I am not going!" I huffed, my frustration boiling over.

Stella Katz, my ever-persistent mother, sat there with a sweet, wicked smile plastered on her face. "Zoa, my darling," she began, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. "I wouldn't have pulled this stunt if you hadn't rejected every single blind date I've ever set up for you. I've even lost count!"

I rolled my eyes, my patience wearing thin. "But, Mom, it's not my fault that none of them interest me. Either they're too tacky for my taste, or they're gold diggers, or they're just too childish. I can't help it if they're not my type."

Stella's smile didn't waver. "So that's exactly why you're going on this trip, and that's final," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I turned to my father, Sebastian Katz, hoping for some backup. "Dad, help me out here. Make Mom understand. I can't go on this trip, and I can't just leave my work behind."

Sebastian, ever the voice of reason, sighed and looked at me with a stern expression. "Your mom is right, Enzo. You need to have a life. Maybe this decision of hers will finally make you leave your work and find an actual partner."

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "But, Dad, I can't just leave my work for five days. It'll be a big problem."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, so work is the problem? No issue, I'll manage your work. There are no upcoming meetings at the hospital, so I'm free."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Dad! You can't! You're the chairperson of Katz Hospital. How can you do my work?"

Sebastian's expression darkened, and he let out a low growl. "Are you looking down on me, young man?" he roared, his voice filling the room. "I might be in the medical field, but your grandfather made sure I was well-trained in company matters. When I was familiar enough with it, he let me change my field. It's just your luck that you were born with the blessing to be the owner of the Katz Group."

It's not like I was dying to be the president of Katz Group. If not for my dad being the only child of my grandparents and pampered to death, he would've been the CEO. And my brother, being the eldest, wasn't forced into it. But me? Even before I entered this world, my destiny was decided. I didn't have a choice, not that I complain. I'm happy to be the president.

But seriously, no one was on my side. It was like a battle for me, with me being alone against four. Then an annoying voice chimed in, making me roll my eyes.

"Any more excuses, brother? I guess your work was the only excuse you had," said the troublemaker sister of mine, Ivy.

"You all are ganging up on me!" I roared.

"Enzo, you're not getting younger anymore. You're already 28 and still single. It's not that we're forcing you to get married; we just want you to be happy," said my brother Mateo.

"Oh, for God's sake, stop throwing tantrums. You're already married to your work, but at least get a real second wife," yelled my mother, rolling her eyes at me. I could do nothing other than nod my head in defeat.

Is it even possible to win when it's 1 against 4? Definitely not. So here I am, getting ready for the five-day trip to God knows what.

Later That Evening

After a hot, steaming battle of wit that ended in my defeat, I sat at the dining table. My mother was smiling ear to ear, and my father was happy seeing her in joy. Meanwhile, one devil was staring at me as if I'd grown horns.

"What is it, i***t? Just spit it out. Stop staring at me; it's annoying," I growled.

Ivy replied, "Stop being grumpy. It wasn't me who signed you up. As for staring at you, I'm just imagining you being there without your first wife—your work—in search of a second and running back to her for attention. It's worth imagining." She started to giggle.

I just rolled my eyes at her comment, but nope, my family loves to make me feel vulnerable. They all started laughing with her, even Mateo. I felt betrayed, so I dragged him into it.

"Why are you backing off? You guys already have a soon-to-be daughter-in-law," I huffed in anger.

My mother replied with a sweet smile on her face, "My darling, Mateo and Sara are childhood lovers, and your lovely sister is also dating, even though she's younger than you. It's just you who's single and full of tantrums. If not for your overbearing nature, I wouldn't have to worry until my wrinkles started showing up, and neither would you have signed up for the dating trip. So, in short, it's your fault, Zoa."

Everyone started to c***k up even more after my mother's comeback, as if what Ivy said wasn't enough for them. I couldn't sit still and let them make fun of me, so I left the dining table, gulping my food in a hurry.

I reached my room and sat down, about to start packing, but my eyes landed on an already-packed bag with a note on it:

"Zoa, your bag is ready for the trip. Now get yourself ready to find a girl, or else I'm going to sign you up for every single dating trip until you get yourself one. P.S.: Love, Mom."

I shuddered at the mere thought of another dating trip. Better to find a daughter-in-law for my mother than be tortured again.