“Girls.”Papa interrupted.
I clenched my fists.
“Let’s not ruin the night,” he said calmly.“Tesoro, you wouldn’t have to bother about taking time off work if you had picked up the reins of the corporation like I told you to.”I could see the twinge of disappointment in his eyes.
My heart bled at his words.Of course, leave it to Papa dearest to never fail to rub it in my face at how much of a disappointment I was.
“Papa, I have told you that I’m not interested in the family business.”I gritted my teeth.
“But you can waste your life away chasing a hobby?”He frowned.
I scoffed.“Right.”
“It’s a good thing Papa never needed you anyway.I’m handling the corporation just fine.”Sofia might be a bitch, but she treated Papa’s business like it was hers.
“Of course.”I flashed her a cold smile.
My taste buds were numb.I was exhausted, and my head pounded so hard.The night had barely begun, and I was already so apathetic toward the entire dinner.I burned so badly to walk out on everyone.But the only thing keeping me together was Luciano’s hold.I spared him a glance, but he wasn’t looking in my direction.His jaw was locked, and his expression was as blank as a sheet.
I kept shoving my food down my throat.For a moment, everywhere was silent.
“So, Luciano...”Lillian broke through the tension.“Do you spend all your time making illegal money off people’s backs like your father?”
My eyes widened.
I turned to Luciano.He looked collected, too collected, and a corner of his lips twitched.“I don’t handle my father’s dirty work for him if that’s what you’re asking, Lillian.Matter of fact, I own a few hospitality businesses of my own.”Luciano responded with a politeness that made me so proud of him.He didn’t give her the reaction she expected, and knowing Lillian, that must have cut deep.
I smiled, massaging his forearm lightly.
“Adriano, here, is into an honorable business,” Sofia commented snarkily, leaning into her fiancé to kiss him.I couldn’t fight back an eye roll.“He runs a successful PR company.”
“Yes, The Zenith Agency,” Adriano boasted.
“Wasn’t that the company that was practically sinking about a year ago or so?”Luciano casually asked.I snorted, wanting to aid him in his pettiness.
If looks could kill, my fiancé would have been six feet below the ground.Adrian’s jaw flexed.He looked like he wanted to smash his fist into his face.
“Yes, babe,” I conceded.“I’m very conversant with many top magazines as a creative director, and I’m sure it hasn’t been listed in the top fifty PR companies in the country.How were you even able to afford Sofia’s ring?”I turned to my boiling sister.“Babes, are you sure you didn’t get that ring yourself?The guy looks like a gold digger if you ask me.You can be a little shallow, so I’m just looking out for you.”I took a sip from my wine.
“You bitch!”Sofia screeched.
“No need to cuss me out, sissy.”I pouted.
“Girls!”Papa raised his voice.“Can we just enjoy this dinner without going at each other’s throats?”
“She started it!”we both yelled, pointing our fingers at each other.
“Now, I’m saying give it a rest,” he insisted.Sofia huffed, and I rolled my eyes.
By the time the chefs brought in the main course, the tension at the table had already risen to its peak.I was stabbing through my dinner, desperate to stuff myself full and get out of there.
“Luciano, for someone with a questionable reputation, you certainly won’t mind if I ask you what you want with my daughter.”Papa bluntly threw the question at Luciano.His gaze was burning and unfriendly.
“Papa—”
“Not a word from you, Andrea,” he shushed me calmly, his gaze still intently pinned on Luciano.“With your businesses, I’m assuming it’s a front for your father’s shady deals.”
“I’m not affiliated with my father’s business, Mr.Rossi.We are two separate entities,” Luciano responded.
