Chapter 03:
My father decided to host another high profile party in his buzzing mansion surrounded by different activities.
His business associates and partners who were also in his underworld illegal business were in attendance, their conversation filled with power play and subtle threat.
I moved through the crowd with a practiced smile. My mind was preoccupied in keeping my secret. I felt the weight of my pregnancy but I intended not to show any sign of weakness.
I decided to go to the bar to have some drinks just when I thought I could keep my secret longer. I felt an unmistakable presence when I looked up I found it was Luca.
"You again! What are you doing here?".
I was shocked seeing him, my drink flipping out of my cup, his gaze locked on me as he tried to explain.
"Sorry I came without telling you, I just decided to use this opportunity in meeting you again".
"How do you know my father is hosting a party".
"Your father is a well known businessman, and whenever he hosts a party like this he intends to invite everyone both the rich and poor, I guess I like him for that".
"You don't know my father too well, you only knew his good sides".
I swiftly interrupted leaving him in a state of confusion.
"Meaning?". He curiously asked, expecting an answer.
I tried to maintain my composure, but my hands trembled as I picked up a glass of water.
My father's voice boomed somewhere in the background, but all I could focus on was Luca.
I needed to avoid him to keep my secret safe but fate had other plans on handling some situations.
I slipped out of the garden to catch my breath hoping for a moment of relieved.
I saw Lucas making his way towards me cutting through the throngs of people like a predator ready to hunt its prey.
"Should I tell him I'm pregnant". I thought to myself but couldn't reveal the secret to him yet not even in this place.
The cool night air did little to calm my racing heart I wondered through different paths, as the moonlight casting long shadows on the ground.
Suddenly I felt a hand on my arm when I spun around I found out it was Luca. Standing behind me with an intense and unreadable eyes.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?". He whispered, his voice a mix of anger and something softer.
"No, I'm not…how… could.. you…". I stuttered with a trembling lips and feet.
His words broke my resolve in which I tried to deny but the truth was written all over my face. I couldn't lie to him not when he looked at me like that.
My words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Yes I'm pregnant". I confessed, my voice barely above a whispers which made Luca reacted immediately.
"Why didn't you tell me?". He asked, his voice pained his eyes widened and for a moment I saw a flicker of something tender.
"I just intend to keep it a secret because I don't want my father to tell me?".
"And so? Even if he finds out what's the big deal?".
"You don't know him well, my father is very strict especially when it comes to issues like this".
"No matter how you hide this from him he will still find out" ..
"Yes I know, that's why I'm working out others' plans".
"The let's work out our plans together".
Despite everything I said to him he still stood by me to protect our unborn child.
His determination was fierce and it both terrified and confronted me. But the reality of our circumstances loomed over us and I knew we could be afraid to be reckless.
As much as I wanted to believe Luca's promise, the reality of our family rivalry was inescapable.
Our blood feud between our clans was ancient and deadly. I stood there gazing at him for a moment before revealing some family secrets.
"We can't be together Luca, our family will never allow it instead they will kill us both".
I said with a broken voice telling him about our family beliefs, the risk was too great and I couldn't drag him into this mess no matter how much I longed for a different life.
"That unfair family can't break the bond between us, so what do you intend to do with the pregnancy? You can hide this from your family forever. This is my responsibility and I have to take it up on me".
He argued, his eyes burning with conviction, but I stood firm. I couldn't afford to dream of a future together. It was too dangerous, too reckless.
We were playing with fire and I couldn't let him get burned.
"You need to go, forget about me and the baby I would take care of". I insisted with a trembling voice.
"This is my seed and I'll fight for it with my last breath".
"You have to stay away from us, it's the only way to escape my father's wrath".
He looked at me with a mixture of hurt and determination, his jaw clenched.
"I can't do that Alessia, I won't abandon you". His words looked convincing but I held my ground, knowing it was the only way to protect him.
"Please, Luca, for our child's sake stay away".
He finally nodded with a look of pain and frustration etched on his face. He left, but his eyes promised that this wasn't the end.
As Luca disappeared into the shadow, I felt a pang of regret. Pushing him away was the hardest thing I could ever do, but I knew it was necessary.
I couldn't let my guard down, the future was uncertain, filled with danger and obstacles I couldn't yet foresee.
But deep down, a small part of me clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe Luca would find a way for us to be together.
For now, I had to focus on surviving and protecting my child. I returned to the party, my heart heavy with the weight of my secret and the promise of an uncertain future.