Completely Alone

  The look on Enzo’s face was priceless, one look at him and anyone would think Luca had just accused him falsely. 

Looking at the two of them, a fight looked ready to break out.

“How dare you,” Enzo finally spoke.

Luca studied him calculatively.

Enzo took one slow step toward him. “You walk in here and accuse me of sleeping with your fiancée? What next?”

“Explain why you’re fighting so hard for her,” Luca said coldly.

Enzo scoffed. “Watch yourself, Luca. I won’t play babysitter for your fiancée just to have you accuse me of such bullshit.”

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t believe Enzo was talking to Luca like this.

Luca stared at him for a few long seconds before letting out a dry chuckle. “You’re getting defensive.”

Enzo’s expression didn’t flicker. “And you’re getting careless.”

The room went dead silent. My heart pounded against my ribs. This was terrifying to watch.

“You’re my cousin, Enzo,” Luca said softly. “Don’t forget that.”

Enzo smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. “And you’re forgetting who I am.”

Luca’s eyes narrowed. “Then remind me.”

Enzo stepped closer until there was barely any space left between them. “You know exactly who I am,” he said quietly. “You just never thought I'd have a reason to remind you.”

I had never heard Enzo speak with such lethal quietness. Was he actually threatening Luca?

Luca studied his face for a long moment. “You're very protective of her.”

Enzo's eyes flicked toward me before returning to Luca. “That’s because her so-called fiancé is never home. I am. Try staying here once in a while, maybe you’d feel protective of her, too.”

“Be careful, Enzo,” Luca warned.

Enzo gave him a humorless smirk. “What? Did I hurt your feelings?”

“You seem to have forgotten something,” Luca replied, “I don't need to be home to know everything that happens under my roof.”

My stomach twisted into a tight knot. Luca glanced at me, and I tried so hard to maintain a blank face.

“She's your problem, Luca. Don't make her mine,” Enzo said, taking a step back.

Luca turned his full attention to me now. “For someone who talks so much, you’re surprisingly quiet.”

I lowered my gaze to the floor. “What do you want me to say?”

“The truth would be a good start.” He replied. 

“There’s nothing between us,” I whispered. Shit Sofia, that wasn’t convincing. 

“Then why is he so determined to keep you here?”

“I don’t know. You should ask him.”

Luca stayed silent for a long beat before giving a single, dismissive nod. “Pack your shit and leave,” he ordered.

I looked over at Enzo, but he said nothing. He didn't even look at me. What had I expected? That he would fight his own cousin for me? I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.

“And tell your father I’ll be paying him a visit if I don’t get my money in seven days,” Luca added. 

I bit my tongue so hard I could taste blood. I didn’t want to cry in front of any of them.

I turned around and hurried upstairs before either of them could see the tears gathering in my eyes.

“Enzo, find a suitable wife for me,” I heard Luca say.

“The fuck, man? Do it yourself,” Enzo grumbled back.

“Fuck you then,” Luca told him.

“Love you too, cousin.”

I stopped halfway up the stairs.

What the hell?

Moments ago, they looked ready to tear each other apart.

Now they were joking like nothing had happened.

I shook my head and continued upstairs.

I had bigger problems.

I packed the few things I could carry and left the house.

I didn't look back.

I couldn't.

By the time I reached my father's house, my eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying. I stood on the porch for a second to catch my breath before knocking.

The door swung open. My father looked at me and at the bags resting at my feet. It’s been so long I’ve saw him 

“What happened?”

“Luca ended the engagement.”

His face darkened instantly. “You're joking.”

I shook my head, my lower lip trembling. “He told me to leave.”

I made a move to step inside, but he blocked the doorway with his body.

“Dad? Aren’t you going to let me in?”

“You don't have a home here anymore.”

My throat tightened so hard I could barely speak. “Dad, please... I don't have anywhere else to go.”

“You should have thought about that before ruining the only thing keeping this family afloat!” he barked.

“I said I was sorry”

“Sorry doesn't mean shit if Luca walks away!” “You need to find a way to make him change his mind.”

“How?!”

“I don't care how! Call him. Beg him. Apologize. Do whatever you have to do!”

“Dad please”

“If Luca doesn't change his mind, I’m a dead man!”

“I won’t let that happen!” I sobbed, clutching at his arm. “Just let me in so we can figure this out together!”

“No,” he snapped, shaking me off. “Thinking alone is more effective.”

“I don’t have anywhere to stay, please”

“You're an adult, Sofia. Figure it out.” He replied, then he slammed the door shut in my face.

I stood still with my bags beside me, waiting for him to maybe come out and change his mind. But he didn’t.

An idea crossed my mind: I could call an old friend of mine.

I pulled out my phone and stared at my contacts. Would she agree to help?

I hesitated before finally pressing her number.

She answered after a few rings.

“Hello?”

“Emma…”

There was silence before she finally replied. “Sofia?” she asked in disbelief.

“I… I need your help,” my voice cracked. I was met with silence. “Are you there?” I asked.

“Now you remember me?”

I closed my eyes.

“Emma, please.”

“You left us the moment you got engaged to the city's billionaire.”

“I didn't mean to” 

“You stopped answering our calls. You stopped showing up. You had a rich fiancé and suddenly you didn't need us anymore.”

“That wasn't what happened.”

“Then what happened, Sofia?”

I couldn't answer. I can’t tell anyone anything about the contract. 

“Now that things have fallen apart, you remember your friends?”

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

“I just need somewhere to stay only tonight.”

“You should have thought about that before you left us.”

The call ended.

I stared at my phone.

I was completely alone.