Episode 3

Lorenzo Russo

Lorenzo woke up in his bedroom at the Russo estate, a sprawling mansion in Hillsborough, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Brushed his teeth and dressed in his 🔽🔽

clothes . He hit the gym in the east wing, pumped some iron, and showered – cold water, focus mode 😎. Black suit, crisp white shirt, no tie🔽🔽

. Blue eyes sharp in the mirror. Beard trim. He was ready.

_Downstairs, breakfast was served in the grand dining hall. His parents, Giovanni and Isabella, were already there, sipping coffee. His sis, Alessia (24), played with her phone. The staff – chef Maria, butler James, and assistant Lisa – were on standby._

Lorenzo: "Morning."

Isabella (mum): "Buongiorno, caro. Eat something. We’re finalizing plans for the gala next week."

Lorenzo sat, poured coffee. "Which day?"

Giovanni (dad): "Friday. Russo Luxury’s new Nob Hill boutique launch. Alessia’s debuting Russo Cosmetics."

Alessia piped in: "I’m so hyped! 😊 And I convinced you to wear the new Tom Ford suit."

Lorenzo glanced at Alessia. "Do a walk-through before the event."

Isabella smiled. "Your sister’s doing great things, Lorenzo."

Giovanni: "Next week’s event is key. Mingle, make deals. Show the Russo name’s power."

Lorenzo: "Handled."

Alessia whispered to him: "Play nice 😏... and don’t ditch me for a supermodel."

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. "I’m always charming, sis."

Isabella: "Lorenzo, behave. No... distractions."

Lorenzo smirked 😎. "I’ll focus on business, Mum."

_Alessia mugged to him: "Playboy 😏"_

James (butler) stepped in: "Car’s ready for your meetings, Mr. Russo."

Lorenzo stood. "I have meetings. See you at dinner."

Giovanni: "Make us proud."

Lorenzo nodded 😎, and left with his security detail.

45 minutes later

Lorenzo arrived at the Russo Luxury Group HQ in downtown San Francisco. His security detail cleared the path as he walked into the sleek, glass lobby.

_Elevator to the top floor. Lorenzo stepped out into the executive suite. His assistant, Lisa, greeted him._

Lisa: "Morning, Mr. Russo. You have a meeting with Mr. Conti and his son, Leonardo, from Conti Enterprises at 10 AM to discuss the joint venture."

Lorenzo nodded 😎. "Coffee."

Lisa: "Already on your desk."

_Lorenzo entered his office. He checked the files on Conti Enterprises – a big deal for Russo Luxury’s expansion._

_10 AM. Butler James showed in Mr. Conti and Leonardo._

Lorenzo stood, shook hands. "Mr. Conti. Leonardo. Good to meet you."

Mr. Conti: "Lorenzo. Pleasure. My son Leonardo’s handling operations with me."

Leonardo: "Looking forward to working with you, sir."

Lorenzo gestured to the table. "Let’s discuss the partnership."

_Meeting started. They talked numbers, markets, and strategies._

Lorenzo: "We’ll handle the luxury retail side. You handle tech integration."

Mr. Conti: "Sounds like a plan. Leonardo’ll work with your team."

Leonardo: "We’re excited about the synergy."

Lorenzo nodded. "I’ll send Alessia to liaise. Deal’s almost done."

_Meeting wrapped up. Handshakes, smiles._

Mr. Conti: "Thanks for hosting the gala next week. We’ll be there."

Lorenzo: "Looking forward to it.Lorenzo wrapped up some work, responding to emails and signing docs in peace... till it got disturbed by Alio 😏.

_Alio burst into Lorenzo's office, plopping into a chair._

Alio: "Hey, rich boy! 😎 working as always , I see."

Lorenzo didn't look up from his screen. "What do you want?"

Alio: "Ain't seen you all week. Thought I'd crash."

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. "You crashed."

Alio laughed. "Details! 😂 Let's grab coffee."

Lorenzo closed his laptop. "I'm busy."

Alio: "Aww, come on, Lo! One coffee. I picked a sick playlist."

Lorenzo stood, expression unchanged. "Fine. But don't talk in the car."

Alio grinned. "I'll be quiet. 😏"

_They headed out. Joe's Coffee was closed._

Alio: "Haha! Universe says no coffee 😂. Mall time!"

Lorenzo smirked. "You owe me."

_Food court. Coffee in hand. Alio kept talking._

Lorenzo: _Alio was talking... whoa._ A girl with blonde hair gathered in a high bun, wore a grey two-piece that showed off that curved body... and an angelic face. _Mesmerised_... when she smiled, dimples played on her cheeks... and those eyes – one blue, one green – hit me like a truck.

_Lost in a stare._

Alio: "lorenzo...... Lore. .. —"

Lorenzo: _Huh?_

Alio: "😏 "

_Lorenzo’s phone blazed. Alessia texted: "URGENT: Meeting in 15 minutes "_

Lorenzo stood. "Gotta run."

Alio: "Bruh—"

Lorenzo: "Later. 😎"

_Lorenzo left the food court, gaze flicking back once._

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