Sunday Invitations
818 Words
Later that day, back at the Sunshine Bar—
Luca wore a faint smile on his face as he moved around, serving drinks and making small talk with customers. Despite the earlier call with his mother, he refused to let it ruin his entire day.
Work was the one place he could focus and forget everything else.
As he wiped down the counter, the manager approached him and gestured for him to step aside.
“I’ve got to tell you something, Luca,” the manager said.
Luca turned to him.
“The job I told you about… is no longer available.”
Luca blinked in surprise.
“Oh… may I ask why?” he responded respectfully.
The manager smiled slightly.
“Because we now have two events to cater to on that day.”
Luca frowned, trying to process it.
“The new event is a company’s anniversary,” the manager continued, “and I need you to handle that one while I handle the other.”
Luca’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s good, but… why me?” he asked. “I’ve not managed any events before.”
“I know you haven’t,” the manager replied calmly. “But you’re the most responsible among my staff. So I know you’d be able to handle it.”
He placed a reassuring hand on Luca’s shoulder.
“Besides, you know how irresponsible my nephew is. So I have to be there to guide him.”
He smiled.
“You can do it, Luca. You have my trust.”
The manager gave his shoulder a light tap and began to walk away.
Then Luca suddenly spoke up.
“Oh wait… that means I can’t wear just anything.”
There was a hint of anxiety in his voice.
The manager turned back with a small chuckle.
“No worries. I’ll take care of that.”
He paused briefly.
“The event is in two days… Sunday. So clear up your schedule.”
Luca nodded slowly.
“Yes, sir.”
The two of them walked back into the bar, returning to their duties as the night carried on.
Sunday morning arrived bright and clear.
Sunlight streamed softly into Luca’s small room.
He was awake, sitting on his bed, staring ahead.
He didn’t have to go to the building site today. It was one of the rare days he could rest.
But rest wasn’t coming.
His mind kept drifting back to everything happening at home—his stepfather, the land his father left him, and the pressure building around it.
What troubled him the most was his mother.
She had tried to convince him.
That thought sat heavily in his chest.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
He picked it up and saw it was his mother.
He stared at the screen for a moment… then dropped the phone back onto the bed, avoiding the call.
A few seconds later, it rang again.
This time, he answered.
“I just wanted to say I am sorry for how I sounded on our last call,” his mother said softly.
“If you really don’t want to sell, then don’t.”
Luca sat up straighter.
“You know I love you, and you mean the world to me,” she continued. “So I am always there for you in any decision you make.”
Luca felt something inside him loosen.
Like a heavy weight lifting off his chest.
“Do you really mean all that?” he asked quietly.
“Of course,” she replied warmly. “It’s me and you versus the world.”
A small smile formed on Luca’s face.
“Thanks, Mom… I’m really glad to hear you say that.”
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed from her background.
“Mariannnn!”
Luca’s expression changed instantly.
“I’ve got to go now,” his mother whispered.
“Okay… love you, Mom,” Luca said.
She smiled softly before hanging up.
Moments later, she rushed into the living room, where Marco—Luca’s stepfather—and the twins were watching a movie.
Marco turned toward her sharply.
“Call your stupid son and tell him to get his a*s here for dinner.”
His tone was fierce. Commanding.
“Okay?” he added.
That evening—
Everything had been set.
Guests were arriving one after another.
The venue glowed with elegance as company workers, board members, important family members, and close friends gathered to celebrate the anniversary of Hart Enterprises.
The atmosphere was filled with class, wealth, and influence.
And somewhere among those lights, expensive suits, and polished smiles…
Fate was already waiting.
Because while Luca adjusted the borrowed outfit his manager had given him and prepared to work another shift—
Elena was stepping into the same night from the opposite end.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But by the time the evening ended—
Nothing between them would remain ordinary.
- Writer
