Missing heiress of the moretti empire
865 Words
The afternoon sun was beginning to dip low when Lucia and Elena finally stepped out of Gino’s Barbecue Shop. Their aprons were folded neatly under their arms, and the familiar scent of grilled meat still clung to their clothes. They walked side by side along the quiet street, the orphanage only a few blocks away.
Elena glanced at her sister, a small frown creasing her brow.
“Didn’t you find what that lady did today weird?” she asked.
Lucia nodded slowly, kicking a small pebble with her shoe.
“Yeah, I did. It was strange. But let’s just forget about it. Maybe you look a bit like her sister and that’s why. People can look identical sometimes, you know?”
Elena giggled softly and bumped Lucia’s shoulder with her own.
“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s just head home.”
They continued walking, the evening breeze cool against their faces. Lucia swung their joined hands lightly between them.
“So how was your first day?” Lucia asked, smiling. “Think you can handle the barbecue life?”
Elena laughed.
“It was actually fun. My feet hurt, but I liked it. The customers were nice… mostly. Except for that one table.”
Lucia grinned.
“You handled it like a pro. I’m proud of you, sis.”
They kept talking and laughing the rest of the way, the easy rhythm of their steps matching the comfortable flow of their conversation. For the first time in years, Elena felt truly light.
Meanwhile, inside Damiano’s sprawling estate, the private study was bathed in the soft glow of evening lamps. Damiano sat behind his desk, reviewing a few papers, when the door opened.
Marco, one of his most trusted guards, walked in carrying a thick envelope.
“Boss,” Marco said, placing the envelope on the desk, “here are the pictures you requested.”
Isabella was perched on the arm of Damiano’s chair, legs crossed, scrolling through her phone. She glanced up curiously.
“What are those?” she asked.
Marco ignored her completely and kept his attention on Damiano.
Damiano picked up the envelope and opened it. The first few photos showed Elena serving plates of barbecue, smiling politely at customers. He set them aside and picked up the next set. His brow furrowed when he saw Elena, Lucia, and Valentina all standing together in the middle of what looked like a heated argument.
“How did you get these three together?” Damiano asked, holding the photo up.
Marco straightened.
“Well, Boss, on my way to carry out what you asked, I spotted Valentina going into the barbecue shop with three of her friends. There was a huge argument between Elena and Valentina. Valentina mistook Elena for Elisa. She kept calling her Elisa and accusing her of disgracing the family. Even though Valentina doesn’t know yet that Elena and Elisa are identical twins. The lady who stood up for Elena—Lucia—is actually her own twin sister.”
Damiano leaned back in his chair, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“Well, I can see it clearly now,” he said. “Valentina wouldn’t know because she and Lucia don’t even look alike even though they are twins. That’s awesome. I wonder what her face will be like tomorrow.”
He tapped the photos once and looked up at Marco.
“Send these pictures to all the major news outlets. I want it aired as early as tomorrow morning before everyone wakes up.”
Isabella, who had been listening silently the entire time, suddenly spoke.
“Caro, why do you care so much about these girls?”
Damiano shot her a deadly look, his eyes cold.
“Do not call me Caro,” he said sharply. “We are in this union just because of my mother. I have no feelings for you and you know that, so you have no right to interfere in my matters.”
Isabella’s eyes widened in stunned hurt. She slid off the arm of the chair, cheeks flushed with anger.
“Fine,” she snapped. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Marco bowed slightly.
“I’ll do that right away, Boss.”
Damiano nodded.
“Good. Get it done, Marco.”
Marco turned and left the study. The moment he stepped into the hallway, Isabella was waiting. She cornered him against the wall, arms crossed.
“Who are these girls really?” she demanded.
Marco tried to step past her.
“I have work to do, Ms. Isabella.”
She blocked him again.
“I’m Damiano’s fiancée. Respond to me.”
Marco sighed heavily and looked at her.
“They’re the missing heiresses of the Moretti empire, Ms. Isabella. Can I go now? I have work to do.”
Isabella stared at him, completely stunned. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something more, but Marco simply stepped around her and walked away down the corridor without another word.
Isabella stood there alone, her face pale, the weight of what she had just heard sinking in like ice in her veins.
- Writer
