𝖳𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾 𝖮𝖿 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗇 | 𝖪𝖳𝖧 |

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 🥀

"You may be new to this crowd. There will most likely be my fathers men in partnership, employees within the company, and other business men present." he told me as we walked from his car, "What about the women?" I asked, but he did not respond right away. "Most of them must be here with their wives?" I rephrased, and he looked at me. "Of course." he smiled.

My home was nothing compared to his mansion. Enzo was not exaggerating his wealth. But why would he want to spend his time with a girl who isn't worth even a quarter of what he owns.

We approached the double doors and they opened, a middle aged man standing between them on the inside. "Marco." Alessandro greeted him, but his eyes did not once flicker to mine. He stared at Alessandro and stepped away for us to walk through. I could hear the chatter of the men further in and my stomach tightened. If one of them did approach me, I wouldn't know how to present myself without making a complete mess out of myself. They were old enough to be my Father.

"This is my father." Alessandro said, as we approached a man in a black velvet suit. His shoulders were broad and he had long black hair with a few grey streaks. The people he was talking to looked back at Alessandro and his father finally turned to face us. His dark eyes didn't meet mine at first, but I found out where his son had gotten all of his features from.

His stentorian voice spoke, "Great timing, this is my son and.." but his words stopped as his eyes then met mine. Alessandro's hand pressed on my lower back, "This is Mr Lee's daughter-"

"Alora." his father finished for him, "She has her fathers eyes. It's a shame that your father himself was unable to attend." His eyes caught mine, and he held eye contact before extending his arm out to me. His hand was warm but rough when I slipped my fingers into his palm. "Thank you for inviting me, Mr Romano." I said quietly, and he pulled me slightly beside himself, into the circle of men he was talking with. "Call me Leonardo, and you are always welcome, my love."

"Mr Lee, as in the old Mr Lee?" one of the men asked and Leonardo laughed, hugging his shoulder. "Yes, the Mr Lee, we are all grown up now, huh."

"You've known my father since you were little?" I asked, and he glanced over his shoulder, down at me. "We were the best of mates. I even offered your father partnership with my company as we both created the many ideas which did help my business thrive, but your father denied it as he wanted his own business in jewellery." he explained. "A generous man, your father, and I respected his decision."

I never knew of this.

"My father will talk only about his business if we do not leave now." Alessandro commented from beside me. "A business which you are next to inherit." Leonardo answered back, and Alessandro only gave him half of a smile.

"Let me feed you, come." he said, taking me away from his father.

"Your father is kind." I said, and he kept his hand on my back. "Don't let his smile deceive you, little one." he replied, and my smile fell. "Sit, I will bring you your plate." he said softly, before pulling out my chair. "Thank you." I sat, and he walked away, so my eyes wandered around. Everyone looked the same. Formal, expensive, arrogant.

There was very few women. I was sure that half of these men were married, but why not bring their wife with them? My father brings my mother to many of his jewellery events.

A glass of what looked like lemon juice was suddenly placed in front of me and I looked at up who brought it. "A lady in my house with no drink by her side?" Leonardo said, pulling out the chair in front of me. "Thank you, you have a beautiful home." I told him.

"I must come visit your father. You have an older brother, if I am correct?" he questioned, and I nodded, lifting the glass to my lips, his eyes following. "His name is Enzo."