Chapitre 1
The O del Passo family is the richest in the region. Despite the fact that it's not a wealthy region, their grandparents were able to exploit what they do best and the pressing need of the times to turn it into a very successful business that has lasted through the generations. And all this, combined with good energy, ambition, and motivation, can only lead them to fortune.
Seeing them like this, you'd think they have no worries or concerns in life. But they do! They even have two, and we can even name them!
The first, which is by far not so serious, although it is, from their point of view. Helena, the eldest of the third generation of the line, inherited her family's ambition and goodwill. After graduating from the most prestigious high schools in the region, she decided to study history, and more specifically, the history of Mediterranean civilizations. Which suited her personally, given her fascination with this field since a young age, but it doesn't help their business, since she's supposedly the next generation. After her parents, it should be her, at the head of this factory chain that clothes the entire region and the entire neighborhood too.
The second, meanwhile, is named Henry, aka El Bonito, in reference to their Mexican origins.
He wants at all costs to be the successor and to be the one to rule the textile industry.
He craves power and control, he's also haughty, pretentious, and loves pretty girls.
Henry studied Marketing and Business Management; he's working on his master's degree in the same field. Since his second year at business school, he hasn't missed a single meeting, whether at the factory or at their franchise headquarters. He's been behind several distribution ideas and even inventory management, returns, unsold items, etc.
But his management in his private life isn't as elaborate!
He enjoys debauchery, parties where no one knows anyone, but everyone's screwing everyone else!
He never spends the night alone in his bed, especially when he spends the night at home (in his room). He still lives and always has in the family empire, but it's as if he wasn't there! He's never attended a family meal since he turned 18. In fact, his gift to him was that his suite was a little away from everyone else and that it led directly into his garage, where he now has a motorcycle and three kinds of cars! And yes, because Mr. Henry can't go to university with the same car he uses when he goes to work, and to travel, he needs another one, and the motorcycle is for his desire to escape and also to play his favorite role in front of the girls he wants to seduce.
And his favorite hobby is spending money; he knows by heart all the places in the entire region where you can waste money, and he knows these places by heart because he goes there very, very often.
_ Hello,
_ Hello, Mrs. Helena,
My mother is in her office?
Yes, and she's waiting for you.
That's fine, I'll go...
Come on, my dear, we're going to tell them what's in our guts, what drives us deep down.
_ Hello, Mrs., you asked for me!
_ Helena, can you stop teasing me! Be serious, darling!
_ Please, let me be serious! May I know what your definition of this word, or rather this concept, shall we say, is?
_ Helena, my darling, sit down, and I didn't bring you all this way here to talk about the definition of this... please.
_ Oh really! And what do you want to talk about? You know we live together... oh yeah, that's not the impression we get in this big mansion where we only see each other for meals and then not even for certain things...
_ That's not the point either...
_ Oh yes, sorry, Madam, why "YOU MADE ME COME HERE."
_ My darling, you make me feel bad like this, I feel guilty sometimes. While I, on the contrary, put the whole family on my back to let you choose...
_ I'm sorry, but I'm going to cut you off now, Mom. Choose, but when did I choose! If since I was born, I've been named Heiress of the family business.
_ I let you choose your studies, your clothing style, and your lifestyle! If you only knew how much gossip I hear because of that, but...
_ But Mom, you heard yourself talking there, it's just gossip and then why should we live the way you chose for us! Whether it's them or you... I want to live my life, not the one that was programmed for me by other people who are outside of me! And frankly, Mom, thank you so much for letting me study the history of people I NEVER see!
_ If you've been to Europe quite a few times, with friends, with your brother, with family. In that, you have nothing to complain about. And then if I brought you here, it's because I want to introduce you...
_ Again, again and again to introduce myself to someone... Hey, I'm not a trophy, a thing, I'm a human being! I feel, I think, I AM.
And then to get back to my European Vacation, that's not what seeing Mediterranean civilizations is all about, if I see you morning and evening, in a building far from everyone. We don't meet anyone, because either we're in the car, in the store, at the restaurant, or way over there in that building out of sight.
Believe me, they don't go, at all, to those places.
_ Okay, enough, you're going to change, freshen up, and calm down a little, because your Prince Charming will be here soon.
_ I'm not going anywhere, and if this "Prince Charming" wants me, he has to accept me as I am and not as... I don't know what!
_ Willem is a wealthy heir to his parents' company who recently passed away, so he needs affection, and he's from the Netherlands, so you should like him. But you should be presentable.
_ I don't want to meet that grandson of Bourge, and I don't want you introducing me to any more potential business allies. Wake up, all of you, I'm your daughter, not a deal to be won. You don't need marketing thoughts in your relationship with me!
No, but, what planet are you from? Only one in this family manages to stay human!!
_ You're the heir too, so whether you like it or not, you're a daughter of Bourge, as you say. And for your information, there are some in the family who would love to be in your place, starting with your brother.
_ Well, I don't like being in that position everyone envies! And at least my brother studied marketing and is aware of what's going on here and throughout the chain, plus he devotes much more time to it. I see that my brother is more qualified for this position.
_ Henry isn't reasonable enough!! He's going to destroy everything after so much effort to build this whole empire.
"Door opening."
_ Hello, I heard my name!
_ It was your mom who found you a suitor!
_ But I like my life like this, I don't want to be stuck with just one for life!
_ There, you hear, and I should sacrifice myself!
_ It's not up for discussion, the decision is made. You no longer have a choice.
_ We always have a choice, there's always a different way, another method, another route...
_ Uh, I feel like I missed something!
_ Stay here, Mom will introduce you to some people, they'll help you understand better!
I'm leaving here, I need to breathe!
_ Helena!
"The sound of doors, the elevator opening."
Excuse me, madam...
Information is across the hall, sir. Excuse me!
Good morning, Mr. Anderson, please follow me to your appointment.
"The receptionist knocks on the door, then opens it and invites him in."
Thank you,
Thank you, please!
Mr. Anderson, Hello,
Hello, to be honest, I was expecting a different welcome and more charming company!
Mr. Henry smiled, leaning back in his chair. “I appreciate your honesty. It’s not every day I get a visit from a rival heir. Please, have a seat.”
Mr. Anderson took a seat across the desk, folding his hands. “I didn’t expect to be welcomed with open arms, but I was hoping for a bit of charm in our discussion.”
Henry chuckled softly. “Charm doesn’t run the factories, Anderson. Numbers do. But I suppose we can start with some pleasantries before we get to the business of our families.”
“Fair enough,” Anderson replied, glancing around the office, noting the awards on the walls. “I’ve heard a lot about your expansion plans. Are you still on track to dominate the East Coast?”
Henry leaned forward, intrigued. “We are, but competition is fierce. Your family’s strategy to cut costs has been impressive. I’d love to know your thoughts on future collaborations.”
Anderson raised an eyebrow. “Collaboration? I didn’t think we were on friendly terms.”
Henry smirked. “Business is business, and sometimes rivals can find common ground.”
Mother, can you explan to me pleas, i start to feel like i'm missing things on this conversation !
_ Indeed, Mr. Anderson and I would like to begin a collaboration... a very promising one!
_ So, forgive the interruption, Mrs. Ô Del Passo, but you see, the condition under which I agreed to travel from the Netherlands isn't in the play!
_ And even more than that! I found myself facing a business buff who wants to cash in on everything...
_ I forbid you to talk about me like that, but that said, you can catch the return flight that brought you here!
_ Come on, my children, you both come from distinguished families! You're not going to give in to these whims!
_ I don't see what you were talking about, Mrs. Ô del Passo!
_ You're not going to come to my empire and treat me like that... if you're not happy here, no one's stopping you!
_ I see, that's exactly what I suspected... it's only half-bloods who behave like this!
_ Mom, will you make him understand that if it's my sister he came looking for here, she's not even interested in business, and what's more...
_ Henry, calm down, that's why your sister is the one chosen to inherit the management.
And that's why Mr. Anderson is here!
But I see that Mr. Anderson hasn't inherited his parents' elegance and diplomacy either.
I suddenly feel less alone!
_ I'm sorry to tell you that your Chosen One is the one who just left your office, like an erupting volcano, without even looking presentable enough to go out for breakfast!
_ Enough! Henry, could we finish this discussion later and somewhere other than here! As for you, Mr. Anderson, follow me for the rest of the tour!
_ As they walked down the opulent hallway adorned with family portraits, the atmosphere crackled with unspoken resentment._
_ "You know," Mr. Anderson began, his tone softening slightly, "this isn't just about the business for me. It's about legacy. Your family's name carries weight, and I'm here to ensure it continues to thrive."_
_ "Legacy?" Henry scoffed. "And at what cost? You come here under the guise of collaboration, but it feels more like a hostile takeover."_
_ Mrs. Ô Del Passo halted, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She turned, eyes narrowing at both men._ "Enough of this bickering! We have an empire to uphold, and I won't have you tarnishing our reputation with petty squabbles."_
_ "You think I'm petty?" Henry shot back, crossing his arms defiantly. "You have no idea what it means to fight for what’s yours."_
_ "And you think I just inherited it?" Mrs. Ô Del Passo retorted, her voice rising. "I built this from the ground up, battling countless 'business buffs' like Mr. Anderson!"_
_ Mr. Anderson stepped forward, attempting to mediate._ "Let’s focus on the future. We can’t afford to let emotions cloud our judgment."
_ "Fine," Henry replied, his voice begrudgingly calm. "But the moment I sense this is becoming more about you than the family, I’m out."_
_ With a heavy silence hanging in the air, they resumed their tour, each of them grappling with their conflicting loyalties and ambitions_
------------------------
_ Hey Helena ! (calling her from afar as she barely gets out of her car).
Ignacio, I don't want to talk about anything at all! I just want to be left alone.
Oh, that sounds like it's going to be a tough day! Plus, you took the car!
Yes, please leave me alone!
I came to visit, but apparently no one's home!
They're all busy with their own business...
Oh, okay, well, I'll come back later, unless you want to talk to someone about your day!
They're not planning on coming back anytime soon, and yes, I think it'll do me some good. You're the only one in this Bourges family I can talk to anyway...
Well, if it'll make you feel better to talk about it, I'll stay... I have a feeling you really need to, so I'll come with you.
_ No, wait for me inside, I'm going to shower and make myself comfortable, and I'll join you.
_ Okay, so, you're feeling better now!
_ Yes, let's go! Do you want to walk a little?
_ Yes, I don't mind.
_ Go ahead, tell me everything.
_ So, I don't even know where to start...
_ From the beginning, no!
_ Oh, but no, otherwise our walk will be endless...
_ At that point, but I'm your cousin, and you know you can tell me anything.
I even think I could have been a coach, or even a therapist, if we didn't have to take over the family business after our parents...
_ Exactly, that's the crux of the problem.
In fact, I told them I don't want to work in this field; I want to do something else with my life. I want to travel, meet people, learn an exciting career, fall in love, start from scratch... I don't know, I don't want to die old. I dream of escape, of new horizons, of dropping everything to find myself somewhere else!
_ I understand you perfectly, my dear, but you're the chosen one! The family chose you.
_ Well, that's exactly what I'd like to understand: what are the criteria for the choice, and what if I wasn't the first?
Henry, he wants it, he embodies it, he even studied in the field...
_ But he's irresponsible, can you imagine if he's the one in charge of all this... financially, it's bankrupt with the level of spending he has. And besides, no employees will stay with us!
_ They all resigned the very moment he was appointed head of this empire (laughs).
_ Think a little before making any decision, and if you want to talk, you always know where to find me.
_ Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for listening to me; it did me a world of good!
Helena was walking towards her car, her mind clouded by her bold plans. She wanted to leave everything behind, to abandon this life she had never truly chosen. Each step towards the vehicle gave her a little more courage, but also a dose of anxiety. She didn’t want anyone to discover her intentions before she was ready.
When she opened the trunk, she was surprised to see her mother, her face marked by anxiety and frustration. The news of the failed collaboration with Mr. Anderson weighed heavily on the atmosphere.
_ "I can't believe you turned down that marriage!"_ her mother exclaimed, her voice trembling. _"That was our chance to save the family business!"_
_ "And at what cost, Mom? Sacrificing my dreams for a man I don’t even know?"_ Helena replied, her anger rising. _"You want me to be the key to the company's success, but what about my aspirations?"_
_ "It’s easy to talk about your dreams when you have no idea what it costs to keep this business afloat!"_ her mother shot back, her gaze piercing. _"You don’t understand the sacrifice it requires!"_
_ "And you don’t understand that I don’t want to be a pawn in your game!"_ Helena shouted, tears in her eyes. _"I’m tired of living according to your expectations."_
The two women, caught in their anger, had said what they thought without filters. A heavy silence settled in, each realizing that behind this confrontation lay deep pain and a desire for understanding.
_ "I want you to be happy, Helena, but I don’t know how to make you understand that," her mother finally murmured, her tone softer.
_ "Maybe we both need to learn to listen," Helena replied, her heart eased by this glimmer of understanding.
The following evening, one of the staff working in the Ô Del Passo estate informed that Miss Helena had not spent the day at home, she had not eaten any of the meals there and perhaps she had not even spent the night in her pavilion!
