Chapter 3

Lucia

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. It was a routine ingrained in my body, and I went straight to the kitchen. Heating the soup, frying eggs, arranging bread on plates. I did everything automatically, as if my body moved without needing instructions. I barely slept last night, but fatigue had never been an excuse in this house.

Strangely, there was no shouting this morning.

When I finished setting the breakfast on the dining table, my uncle was already seated neatly, wearing his best shirt. My aunt also looked more dressed up than usual. Her hair was neatly styled, her face full of makeup. Elena sat beside her, beautiful as always, wearing a simple dress that was clearly expensive.

I was about to return to the kitchen as usual when my uncle said, "Sit."

I froze.

"What is it?" I asked hesitantly.

"Eat together," he said briefly.

My chest pounded uneasily. This had never happened. Not once since I had lived in this house. I sat slowly at the end of the table, my hands stiff as I picked up the spoon. For several minutes, only the sound of cutlery could be heard, until my aunt started the conversation.

"Elena, you remember today's schedule, right?" she said with a proud smile.

"Of course, Mom. The pageant starts this afternoon. I'm ready."

"I'm sure all eyes will be on you. With your face and body, you truly belong on that stage."

I lowered my head, focusing on my plate.

"The replacement gown arrived last night, even more beautiful than the previous one," my aunt said.

Elena smiled in satisfaction. "Thank goodness. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened."

I said nothing. They talked at length about the pageant details, the decorations, the judges, the important guests, while I was merely a listener who did not seem to exist. I already knew what my task would be later. Carrying bags, makeup cases, spare shoes, just like always. After we finished eating, my uncle stood up. He adjusted his shirt cuffs, then looked at me.

"Tonight, you're coming with me," he said.

"Why?" My voice almost failed to come out.

"Just be ready."

My hand instinctively rose to my neck, clutching the necklace my mom had given me. My uncle glanced at it briefly, then turned away and walked out of the house without waiting for my answer.

My aunt only glanced at me for a moment, then said flatly, "Get ready quickly. We don't want to be late."

We left an hour later. I sat in the back seat of the car, holding several of Elena's bags, and not long after, we arrived. The building where the beauty pageant was held looked grand. A red carpet stretched across the entrance. Camera lights flashed everywhere. Women arrived in beautiful gowns, slim bodies, flawless faces.

I stepped out of the car and immediately felt out of place.

I lowered my head, following behind my aunt and Elena. Many eyes were looking around, but not at me. All attention was on the beautiful women who seemed born to stand in a place like this. I gripped the bags tighter.

Elena was soon surrounded by organizers and other contestants. They laughed, exchanged compliments, compared themselves. My aunt stood beside her, her face full of pride. I stood a bit farther away, near the wall, trying to make myself smaller.

I knew I was not as beautiful as them. My body was too large, my face too plain, my skin imperfect. In this place, I was like a stain on white fabric.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations softened, and I slowly lifted my head. The main doors opened, and several men dressed in black entered first. Their bodies were upright, their steps synchronized. Their presence made the room feel as if it were shrinking.

In the center of them, a man walked calmly. He was tall, broad-shouldered, his face firm with a sharp jawline. His black suit fit his body perfectly, without excessive decoration. His gaze was cold, full of control, as if the room bowed to him without him needing to command it.

I knew who he was. Alexandro De Luca.

His full name often appeared in business news, an international property and logistics entrepreneur, owner of shipping and cross-border distribution companies. But everyone also knew that those businesses were only the front.

Behind them, he controlled dark networks, illegal distribution routes, territorial protection, and transactions that were never recorded. Rumor had it that he was the guest of honor at this prestigious event.

Alexandro stepped inside, and as if unspoken, people made way. The judges stood up. The organizers smiled nervously. My aunt even straightened her back, trying to look worthy. I felt myself shrinking further, and somehow, among the sea of beautiful faces and glittering gowns, that gaze met mine. Alexandro's eyes shifted slightly in my direction.

I did not know why he looked at me. I was just a fat girl standing in a corner holding bags, but his gaze did not immediately turn away. There was a brief pause, enough to make my breath catch. I quickly lowered my head.

The pageant finally began. The main lights dimmed, the stage lights blazed brightly. The opening music echoed throughout the hall, greeted by enthusiastic applause from the audience. I sat in the regular seating area, right next to my aunt, with large bags piled at my feet. Spare shoes, makeup cases, water bottles, everything was with me. My aunt sat upright, her eyes fixed on the stage.

"Sit properly," she whispered without looking at me. "Don't embarrass us."

I nodded faintly. In the front row, the VVIP seating area stood out. The chairs were larger, more spaciously arranged, and guarded by several broad-shouldered men. That was where he sat. Alexandro De Luca.

He leaned back casually, one leg crossed, his arm resting on the chair's armrest. Two bodyguards stood behind him, one on the left, one on the right. Alexandro's expression remained flat.

"Look at him," my aunt murmured softly, almost to herself.

I glanced briefly in his direction, then quickly lowered my head again.

"Handsome, but terrifying. People with that kind of aura never bring anything good," my aunt said.

She clicked her tongue softly. "And unfortunately, my useless husband owes him money."

My aunt took a long breath. "If only Elena wins today, the prize money can be used immediately to pay off that debt, at least part of it."

On stage, the contestants were introduced one by one. Beautiful gowns sparkled under the lights. Their steps were graceful, their smiles trained, the audience cheered, cameras flashing endlessly.

Elena appeared in the middle order. The cheers immediately grew louder. My aunt reflexively patted my hand, too hard. "That's my daughter," she whispered proudly.

Elena walked with confidence. Her body was slim, her chin lifted, her smile perfect. She waved to the audience, and many responded with even louder applause. I watched the stage with mixed feelings. A part of me knew that Elena truly belonged there. She was beautiful, she shone, and the world was always kind to her, while I was just a spectator.

I glanced toward the VVIP seats without realizing it. Alexandro was watching the stage, but not with the captivated expression of the other spectators. I lowered my head again.

Session after session passed. Question and answer, talent evaluation, special performances. My aunt grew more restless. Her feet shifted, her fingers gripping the small purse on her lap.

"Why are the judges taking so long?" she murmured.

I did not answer. When a short break was announced, the audience stood up and chatted among themselves. My aunt leaned toward me.

"Did you see Alexandro earlier?" she whispered.

I nodded faintly.

"Someone like him..." my aunt swallowed. "It's better to pay quickly than to wait for his anger."

I remembered my uncle's gaze, the look of someone who had run out of options.

"I don't care how. What matters is that the debt is paid off," she said.

On stage, Elena appeared again for the final session. This time, her gown was more striking. The lights highlighted her every movement. She answered the judges' questions smoothly, confidently, even drawing applause from some audience members before she finished speaking.

I glanced again toward the VVIP seats. Alexandro was leaning slightly forward now, his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlaced. His eyes were fixed on the stage as if watching Elena, then for some reason, he turned his gaze toward the seats where I was sitting.

I was startled. The look was brief, but enough to make me panic. I immediately lowered my head, pretending to adjust the bags at my feet.

Suddenly, thunderous applause filled the room. The announcement was about to be made.

My aunt unconsciously gripped my hand. "Please let Elena win."

I held my breath too, because I knew that if Elena won, the debt would be paid with money, but if she did not...

I remembered my uncle's words from last night.

You're coming with me.

"Does Uncle Carlo want to give this necklace to Alexandro?" I murmured silently to myself.