Chapter 4: Coming To Mateo's Office

• Mateo sat in his chair, sipping the wine in his hand. His mind was no longer clear. He had felt a surge of happiness when Selena ran away from the wedding—but it vanished in seconds when Miracle, Selena’s twin sister, replaced her. If Miracle hadn’t stepped in, his life would have been simpler, free from his family’s coercion.
• The intercom buzzed, pulling Mateo from his thoughts. He exhaled roughly as the phone rang again, cursing the interruption. He longed to be free of this d*mn responsibility. Being the only son and heir to the De Luca Industries left him with only one option: shoulder the company’s duties and obligations.
• Reluctantly, his face flat and cold, Mateo pressed the green button. “What is it? Why are you bothering me?” he snapped.
• “Mr. Mateo, Mr. Antonio is outside and wants to see you. I told him you were in a video conference, but he insisted on meeting you, sir,” the secretary said from the other end of the line.
• Mateo exhaled a rough breath. Excusing himself with a video call was useless; if his father wanted to see him, he wouldn’t accept any excuses. Finally, Mateo replied coldly, “Ask the old man to come in.” He pressed the red button to end the call.
• A middle-aged man with a strikingly handsome face and a well-built body entered Mateo’s study. Lazily, Mateo glanced at his father as he approached.
• “You’ve only been married a day and you’re already at work! Why don’t you go on your honeymoon, Mateo?” Antonio exclaimed sharply.
• “I’m married to the daughter of your business partner. That’s more than enough. Don’t ever force me on a honeymoon,” Mateo replied firmly, his hands clenching the armrests as his anger simmered.
• Antonio exhaled roughly, stepping closer with a sharper gaze. “Can you stop being defiant? What’s wrong with marrying William Geovan’s daughter? She’s perfect for you. Even though you didn’t marry Selena, you still married his daughter. And Miracle—she’s beautiful, educated, and deserves to be with you!”
• “If you think William Geovan’s daughter is perfect, why don’t you marry her?” Mateo snapped sarcastically.
• “Watch your language, Mateo De Luca!” Antonio barked, his gaze fixed on his son.
• “Dad, go away. I don’t want to be disturbed. I’ve always obeyed you, haven’t I? I gave up my dreams for you. I married the daughter of your business partner. I’ve done everything you asked. Don’t expect more. You can rest assured—I will never divorce Miracle. In public, they’ll only know we’re the loving couple you want us to be.” Mateo grabbed the wine on the table and gulped it down. He lit a cigarette, paying no attention to his father’s glare. To Mateo, being the obedient son was enough; he could no longer be forced into things he didn’t want.
• Antonio growled, struggling to control his temper. “You still have De Luca after your first name. You have no right to defy me! If I remove that surname, you’ll have nothing left! You can’t control your life with just a first name! I’m warning you! You have to learn to love Miracle!”
• Mateo cursed inwardly. His father had always clung to the family name. He would have let it go long ago if he could, but all his wishes had to remain buried. He could not hide the De Luca surname—he did everything to protect his mother’s feelings.
• “Mateo,” a woman’s voice called as she barged into his office. Gustav, Mateo’s assistant, chased after her, trying to stop her intrusion.
• Antonio and Mateo immediately turned their eyes when they heard her entrance. A smile instantly appeared on Antonio’s lips as he saw Miracle standing there.
• “Sorry, am I interrupting?” Miracle bowed her head, feeling a little guilty about Antonio’s presence. No wonder Gustav, Mateo’s assistant, had been holding her back. But it wouldn’t be Miracle if she weren’t stubborn. Of course, she wanted to assert herself. She felt bad, but she had her reasons.
• “Mr. Antonio… I’m sorry. Mrs. Miracle would like to see Mr. Mateo,” Gustav said, bowing his head to Antonio.
• “Miracle has the right to come here whenever she wants,” Antonio replied immediately, making Miracle smile.
• “Then you’ll have to excuse me,” Gustav said before leaving Mateo’s office.
• Mateo stared coldly as Miracle entered his office. He opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it; there was no way he could argue with Miracle in front of his father. Of course, he was sure his father would defend her.
• “Miracle, come here,” Antonio said with an affectionate look.
• “I’m sorry for bothering you with Mateo,” Miracle said as she stepped closer. She lowered her head slightly, still feeling guilty.
• “Miracle.” Antonio gently stroked her head, “You should call me Dad. You are Mateo’s wife now. That makes you my daughter.”
• Miracle nodded. “Yes…Dad, I’m sorry.”
• Antonio smiled. “You’re not used to it yet, but you will be. Anyway, I’ll take my leave now. I won’t bother you or Mateo.”
• “Take care, Dad,” Miracle said with a smile.
• Antonio kissed her forehead and left Mateo’s study. Once he was gone, Miracle stepped closer to Mateo.
• “How did you find my office?” Mateo asked, his voice cold and piercing, cutting through the room before she could speak.
• “De Luca Industries—the largest company in Italy. How could I not know where its headquarters are?” Miracle replied. She walked closer and casually sat on the edge of the table. “I don’t like small talk. I came because I wanted to tell you I’m going to Rome tomorrow.”
• “What are you going to Rome for? Running away like your twin sister?” Mateo asked sarcastically.
• Miracle snorted in displeasure but didn’t answer immediately. She picked up the wine glass from Mateo’s hand and sipped slowly. “I thought Mateo De Luca was clever enough. If I wanted to escape, I wouldn’t announce I was going to Rome. I’m going there to take my personal belongings. Milan and Rome aren’t that far apart. I’m just going out of town, not out of the country.”
• Mateo grinned at her words. He studied Miracle intently for a moment. Miracle and Selena were like night and day. Both were beautiful, but not alike. They weren’t identical twins; their faces and traits were different. Selena was famous for her grace, and even her way of speaking was gentle. Miracle, in contrast, was loud and bold.
• It was the first time Mateo had seen a woman from a prominent family sit casually on a table like this. Usually, women from such families were meticulous about their behavior. He had to admit, Miracle was different. Unfortunately for him, she didn’t seem to care at all.
• “Miracle…” Mateo rose from his seat, moved closer, and gently lifted her chin with his fingers. “Didn’t you ask your assistant?” he whispered, his voice sharp and piercing near her ear.
• “Ask?” Miracle’s brow furrowed, confused. “What do you mean, Mateo?” she asked, blinking in incomprehension.