Chapter 4: Apperances

“Lila,”  Zio’s voice broke through the silence of the study, low but firm. “Sit down.” 

I did, reluctantly. It was weird for  Zio to address me in his study, but I knew why. My fingers fiddled with the hem of my sleeve like I was a child again, waiting to be scolded. 

He sighed tiredly, then looked at me, he looked so tired he did not look like the man who used to sneak me pastries when Dad wasn’t looking. That felt like a lifetime ago. 

“You can’t keep doing this,” he said quietly. “The clubs. Drinking and partying recklessly.” 

I swallowed, my jaw tight. “I’m sorry.” 

“I know you are.” His eyes softened. “God, Lila. I miss him too. But grief doesn’t give you the right to burn down everything he built.” 

I flinched at that. He noticed, and immediately his voice softened again. “I don’t mean to sound cruel. I’m worried about you. You know how they see you. I don't want you to be affected by them ” 

“ The board doesn’t matter.” 

“They do now,” he said, sitting forward. “Leo’s gone. Your father’s name won’t shield you if you give them enough reason to think you’re unstable.” 

“So this is about appearances,” I snapped. 

“It’s about survival,” he said. “Yours and the company’s. If you want a future here, you have to stop giving them excuses to chase you out.” 

I looked away, my throat tight. The worst part was… I knew he was right. 

He stood slowly, walked around the desk, and placed a hand on my shoulder. “There’s a gala tomorrow. The formal announcement for Theo’s appointment. It’s going to be televised. Press, partners, and investors everyone will be there. You need to be there.” 

I stiffened at the name, but nodded once. 

Zio bent down to my level, his eyes meeting mine. “Just… promise me you’ll be good. No more drinking or clubbing. No more drama. Please.” 

I paused before answering  “I promise,” I said finally. 

--

Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling scattering the light across polished marble floors that reflected every movement.

 Waiters were dressed in black tuxedos moving through the crowd smoothly, balancing silver trays of champagne and wine.

The camera was flashing as I stepped into the hall.

I ignored the press and their questions and moved to my table.

Most of the executives and shareholders were sitting at a table, one near mine. Diamonds glinted from their wrists and ears. 

At the front of the room, there's a banner that reads “Legacy in Motion: The Moretti Empire Continues,” and under it stood the man of the hour. 

Theo.

His expression was cool and practised, polite. Cameras flashed as he raised his glass and began to speak.

"Leo Moretti was more than a mentor..."

I spaced out as he began to speak, his voice faded into the background, smooth and practised. My champagne was untouched in my hand. I stared at the crystal chandelier. It looked like it might shatter at any moment, to rain glass and glitter down on everyone in this room. So beautiful yet fragile. 

The sound of applause snapped me back to reality. People were clapping as he left the podium.

I stood up to go to the restroom the voices fading behind me. 

I opened the restroom, everything shined like the rest of this goddamn palace. I stepped into one of the stalls and locked the door I needed a minute. To breathe. To get myself together. 

I sat there in silence. 

Then the door creaked open. Heels clicked across the floor. A voice rang through the bathroom.

“Wasn't that Leo’s daughter at the table next to us?”

"Yes she was, poor girl"

“Did you hear she went off at the last board meeting? She had to be escorted out.”

“Really? She could have handled it better.”

"How could she? She is used to her father taking care of everything for her" she said mockingly 

"No wonder she wasn't elected as the executive chairman "

"I pity her though she hardly knows anything about everything that happened" 

They paused before they continued.

“You know I heard that they retaliated before ending it.” 

“Don’t. You’re not supposed to—”

“No, seriously. That Rowan he-"

The door creaked open as I opened it, I stepped out, keeping my head high, looking at them blankly looking at each of them as I walked past them slowly, 

"Don’t let me interrupt,” I said sweetly 

They didn’t say a word as I left the restroom, my heels clicking against the tile,my  heart pounding in my chest.

I wasn't surprised that they were talking about me but it doesn't make it feel less terrible than it is. 

When I got back to the hall, most people were just mingling while some were leaving. I walked over to the table where Zio was sitting with the board of directors.

"Good evening" I said sweetly 

“Good evening” Mrs Rena answered me sweetly too sweetly 

I gave her a tight-lipped smile 

I moved closer to Zio 

"I'm going home, I have a terrible headache" I said to him 

"Alright, take care. "

---

I couldn’t breathe in that room anymore. I needed to get away. I changed out of my gown the second I got home. I took a Jeans, a crop top and a pair of sneakers. I pulled my hair into a ponytail. I didn't want to go through the front door, I promised Zio that I won't go clubbing again, but I can't stand staying here anymore. I felt suffocated.

     My room had a balcony. It was barely used, but I knew the ledge. I used it when I was sixteen. And just like all those times before, I slipped through the window, climbed down the balcony, and slipped through the gate. Both of the guards were inside to eat their dinner; Nana Rosa probably thought I was sleeping. 

---

The club pulsed with music so loudly. People swirled around me, moving their bodies to the music. It all feels like a dream. I needed this. 

A beautiful girl with piercing blue eyes was walking towards me. 

Her black hair was so long and shiny that it put my ginger hair to shame.

She came to me and offered me a drink with a warm smile.

“Here,” she said, pushing the glass towards me. “It’s on the house.” 

I hesitated. "No thanks" Something was off and I wasn't planning to take any risk.

I moved to the bar and brought a drink to be on the safer side 

The drink burned down my throat as I finished it.

I moved to the dance floor to dance away my problems when I started to feel dizzy. 

Everything seemed hazy 

The room was spinning. 

My vision blurred. 

I stumbled forward, my feet unsteady, and I found myself heading toward the exit, but the door seemed farther away. I pressed a hand to the wall to steady myself, but I felt like I was losing consciousness.

I was-- 

My thoughts fractured, and then everything went dark.