Don't overthink this

I tried to convince myself that I was overthinking everything.

Maybe Alex was simply enjoying himself. Maybe Luciano had finally decided to accept our relationship and was only trying to make him feel welcome.

But something about the whole situation didn't sit right with me.

I watched them from across the room.

Luciano leaned against the bar, laughing at something Alex had said. He looked completely relaxed, while Alex seemed unusually comfortable around him.

That was what bothered me the most.

Alex had never been this friendly with Luciano.

Not even when we first told him about our plans.

I picked up another glass of champagne, but before I could take a sip, someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned around and saw Sophia.

She looked worried.

"Can we talk?"

I glanced toward the bar.

"Now?"

"Yes. It's important."

Something in her voice made me put the glass down.

She led me away from the crowd and into a quiet hallway.

"What is it?"

She looked around before lowering her voice.

"I saw Luciano speaking to Alex earlier."

"I know. I was there."

"No, Gena. I'm not talking about the balcony."

My heart skipped.

"What do you mean?"

Sophia hesitated.

"I saw them in the study."

"When?"

"Before you arrived."

I stared at her.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't sure what they were discussing. But when I passed the study, I heard Luciano mention your father's name."

My stomach tightened.

"My dad?"

She nodded.

"And I heard your name too."

I suddenly felt cold.

"What exactly did you hear?"

Sophia shook her head.

"I couldn't hear everything. But Luciano said something about a marriage arrangement."

I laughed nervously.

"That's not news. Dad has always wanted me to marry him."

"No, Gena. I don't think he was talking about his marriage proposal."

Her expression made my smile disappear.

"Then what was he talking about?"

"I don't know."

Before I could ask another question, we heard footsteps approaching.

Sophia immediately stepped away from me.

Luciano appeared at the end of the hallway.

He looked at both of us and smiled.

"What are you two ladies whispering about?"

"Nothing," Sophia replied quickly.

Luciano's eyes moved to me.

"Are you enjoying the party?"

"Not anymore."

He chuckled.

"Why? Did someone upset you?"

"You tell me."

His smile widened.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

I stepped closer to him.

"What did you discuss with Alex?"

"Ah."

His expression changed slightly.

"So that's what this is about."

"Yes."

He slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Gena, you're becoming unnecessarily suspicious."

"Then explain."

He stared at me for a few seconds.

"I was simply getting to know the man you're willing to risk everything for."

"And?"

"And I like him."

I frowned.

"You do?"

"Very much."

There was something strange about the way he said it.

Before I could respond, Alex appeared behind him.

"There you are."

I immediately turned toward him.

"Alex, we need to talk."

He looked at Luciano.

"Sure."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him away.

We returned to the main hall, but I didn't stop until we reached an empty sitting room.

I shut the door.

"What happened in the study?"

Alex's face changed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Sophia told me she saw you and Luciano in there."

He sighed.

"Gena—"

"And she heard him mention Dad and my marriage."

He became silent.

That silence was enough to make my heart pound.

"What did he tell you?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying."

"Then why aren't you looking at me?"

Alex finally raised his eyes.

"Because I don't want you to panic."

I stepped backward.

"What did he say?"

Alex ran his hand through his hair.

"Luciano knows."

My heart stopped.

"Knows what?"

"About us."

I stared at him.

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Alex, you told him?"

"No!"

"Then how does he know?"

"I don't know, Gena!"

He sounded frustrated.

I folded my arms.

"What exactly did he say?"

Alex hesitated.

"He said he knows we're together, and he knows you're planning to tell your father."

I felt the room spinning around me.

"What else?"

"He said he could help us."

I laughed bitterly.

"Help us?"

"Yes."

"Luciano?"

Alex nodded.

"And what does he want in return?"

He didn't answer.

"Alex?"

"He wants something."

My heart sank.

"What?"

Alex looked at me.

"He wants you to marry him."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"What?"

"He said if you marry him, he'll make sure your father never finds out about us."

For a moment, I couldn't speak.

Then I burst out laughing.

"He has to be joking."

"I'm afraid he's not."

"So that's his plan?"

"I think so."

I walked toward the window, trying to process everything.

Luciano wasn't helping us.

He was bargaining with us.

He wanted me.

And somehow, he had discovered our secret.

"What are we going to do?" I whispered.

Alex came toward me.

"We tell your father the truth."

I turned around.

"What?"

"We've been hiding for too long. We can't allow Luciano to control us."

"But you know what my father will do."

"Yes."

"He could throw you out."

"I know."

"He could disown me."

"I know."

"And he could make sure we never see each other again."

Alex took my hands.

"Then we'll face it together."

I looked into his eyes.

For the first time that night, I felt a little relief.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe running away from the truth was only making everything worse.

Then suddenly, the door opened.

We both turned.

Luciano stood there.

He wasn't smiling anymore.

"I was wondering when you two would finally decide to stop hiding."

My heart sank.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

Alex stepped in front of me.

"What do you want?"

Luciano looked at him calmly.

"I want Gena to make a choice."

"What choice?"

He looked directly at me.

"Me or you."

I frowned.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means you have until tomorrow morning to decide."

"Decide what?"

He took a step closer.

"Whether you want to continue this little secret relationship with Alex..."

He paused.

"...or become my wife."

My mouth fell open.

"And if I refuse?"

His expression hardened.

"Then I'll tell your father everything."

He turned around and walked away.

I stood frozen.

Alex grabbed my hand.

"Gena..."

I shook my head.

"No."

He looked at me.

"I'm not marrying Luciano."

"I know."

"I don't care what he tells my father."

Alex squeezed my hand.

"Then tomorrow, we tell your father ourselves."

I nodded slowly.

But deep inside, I knew something neither of us had considered.

Luciano wouldn't simply sit back and watch us destroy his plans.

And as I looked toward the door he had disappeared through, I realized something even more frightening.

Maybe the party had never been about celebrating anything.

Maybe Luciano had invited us there because he had already planned his next move.

And somehow, I had walked straight into his trap.