Fall for the one I called brother

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

The garden at The De Luca’s mansion was buzzing. A soft and steady music was being played in the background. An impressive buffet was already set up, everything from appetizer to main meal to dessert. Some guests had settled in, chatting and laughing, while others were still arriving and being welcomed with warmth and charm. It wasn’t just any party, the place was packed with Rome’s most wealthy men, all gathered under at the garden.

Inside, Lora’s parents were dressed and ready, standing tall and smiling, doing their best to play perfect hosts as they waited for things to officially kick off.

A black Porsche, sleek and tinted, pulled smoothly into the garage. Inside the car was Mr. Conti and his son, quietly taking in their surroundings and absorbing the beauty of the setting.

The moment Mr. De Luca noticed them, he walked elegantly towards the car, a smile spreading across his face. Mr. Conti stepped out first, and the two men locked hands, pulling each other into a warm, and familiar hug.

Adams stepped out too, greeting Mr. De Luca with a polite smile and handshake. Together, the three of them walked slowly toward the garden, exchanging small talk as they joined the crowd.

Meanwhile, Lora’s father glanced around, scanning faces, Lora wasn’t there. He frowned slightly, then turned to one of the maids.

“Go and call Lora.” he said.

“She should be here already. Tell her Adam’s here too.”

His tone was casual, but his intention was clear. He was pushing for something between them, not because Lora asked for it, but because he thought it would serve him well. He kept saying he wanted the best for her, but deep down, it was more about control than care.

The maid nodded and made her way upstairs. When she reached Lora’s room, she knocked gently.

“Lora! Lora!”

There was no response.

She waited a beat, then knocked again. It was louder this time.

She Still didn’t get any response from her.

Just as she turned to leave, she heard a voice from her room.

“What do you want?” Lora asked, her tone was sharp and tired.

The maid blinked, she was caught off guard by the attitude.

“um… Your dad says your presence is needed downstairs. The party’s about to start, and most of the guests are already here.”

She waited for another word, but Lora said nothing.

Not wanting to push her further, the maid quietly turned around and went back downstairs to report to Mr. De Luca.

The party was in full swing by now. The guests were all enjoying the moment. Glasses clinked, people laughed, and the party had officially taken off, but Lora was still missing. Her dad wasn’t having it.

Without saying a word to anyone, he walked upstairs and went straight to her room. He knocked once, then pushed the door open without waiting for her consent.

“Lora.”

He said, standing by the door.

“Why are you still in bed? Everyone’s downstairs. The party’s already started.”

She didn’t respond. She just sat there, quiet and distant.

He stepped into the room, now visibly concerned.

“Is something wrong?” he asked gently.

She said nothing. Lora stood up and walked over to her shoe rack, calmly picking out a pair of shoes to wear.

He sighed and moved closer.

“Lora, come on,” he said, trying to sound light.

“Cheer up. Just smile and be fine, okay? We have important people downstairs, very distinguished guests and highly notable people and I don’t want anyone asking why my daughter looks upset on a day like this.”

She kept her eyes down, slipping on her shoes in silence.

He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Lora, look at me.”

She looked up, slowly.

“I’m your father. I know what I’m doing. Maybe you don’t understand now, but one day you will. Just trust me. Please.”

He gave her one last look, then turned and walked toward the door.

“Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”

He walked out of her room, went downstairs to join his guests. Not long after, Lora walked into the garden with her elegant slitted dress.

At the garden, Lora sat quietly on her seat, observing everyone around when Adam approached her.

“Hey pretty”

He said, admiring her beauty.

Lora ignored his advances and maintained a stern look.

“You look prettier when you are mad”

He chuckled, trying to get on her nerves.

Lora became pissed and walked away.

The celebration was going on when Justin appeared at the garden. Lora noticed him first, his appearance was stunning.

Lora felt a bit of relief when she sighted him from afar. Although she was mad at him earlier, the sight of him ignited her spark again.

Justin couldn’t stop admiring her beauty but he pretended as if she wasn’t present.

While the celebration was going on, Lora’s dad called Lora and Adams together.

He tried talking Lora into liking Adams and made them sit together. This time Adams tried engaging Lora politely, but his first impression was already a turn off for her.

Justin, in one corner of the garden sighted the both of them seated together, he was curious who Adams was.

Although Lora wasn’t really responsive to Adams' engagement despite all his effort to win her heart.

Justin was a bit jealous noticing Adams had been engaging her since. He also sighted Lora’s discomfort from afar, he moved closer to the both of them.

“Hey Lora. You’re okay?” Justin asked curiously.

Adams became a bit defensive

“She’s with me, so of course she’s okay”

Adams responded a little bit aggressively not knowing who Justin was.

Lora stood up.

“Justin, can I come with you?”

She asked sharply.

Justin nodded in agreement while holding her hands and they both walked away.

Adam's face turned red, he was obviously angry. He noticed their connection and it made him curious to know who Justin really was. He hated him at first sight.

Close to the end of the party, Mr De Luca made a vote of thanks to the guests that came to celebrate with him and also announced that there will be another celebration coming up soon.

The guests were all excited, they started whispering to one another, guessing what the forthcoming celebration could be.

“You all will soon be gathered here again to celebrate the beautiful union of my beloved princess, Lora De Luca and Adams Conti, the son of the well known Mr. Conti.”

He announced with a big grin. The guests were all excited and happy for them, but Lora’s countenance switched immediately. She was lost and confused at the announcement. She was tempted to raise an objection but was scared of embarrassing her dad in the midst of his guests.

It was no news to Adams, but the most shocking news to Lora.

At that point, Adams stared at Lora from where he was seated and smiled at her. Lora was so full of rage, she was literally boiling inside of her, Adams' smile disgusted her the more.

Justin was shocked too, he was curious if Lora knew about the news before now. At this point, he hated the whole situation, he became so restless. Although they were siblings, he had fallen deep in love with her and he couldn’t control it.

Lora stared straight into his eyes. She saw it all in his eyes, the unease, the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched slightly as if searching for something to hold onto.

He was restless, but not because he wanted to leave. It was the kind of restlessness that came from trying too hard to stay strong.

Their eyes met, and for a long moment, neither of them looked away. It was as if the world around them paused, allowing only their hearts to speak.

In that silent exchange, love was screaming. So was the pain in their hearts too.

The Unspoken words lingered in the air between them.

But neither of them moved or spoke.

It was a quiet war waging between their feelings and their reality, and both of them knew.

The celebration went on till night. After the end of the party, every well wisher departed one after the other. Justin went quietly into the mansion, straight to his room.

Mr Conti was the only guest left. He and Mr De Luca spent the remaining hours of the night discussing the business deal they just sealed together.

At the end of the business discussion, they both finalized it by calling Lora and Adams together and talked them into marriage.

Lora had never been more mad at her dad.

“How could you take such a decision without my consent?”

She questioned her dad. At this point, she was so pissed at the whole situation and walked out on them. They were all shocked at her reaction.

“Don’t worry my friend. I will talk to her. You know a kid will always act like a kid. What does she even know?”

Lora’s dad responded and the two business men laughed.

Mr Conti nodded in agreement and added.

“You had better talk to her”

They ended the whole discussion and bade farewell. Mr De Luca walked them down to the garage where their car was packed. They locked fingers and he drove off.