chapter four

Tobia was shocked when she heard her aunt's call, how her niece was with them that night as a waitress in the restaurant and not as one of the guests of her sister's fiancé as was supposed to happen

The scene froze for a moment;  No one knows what is happening, the signs of surprise that appeared on Mark's face and the rest of his family are enough to let them know that something is wrong

She took a deep breath to calm her down, and then spoke softly

Tobia addressed her aunt: Yes ma'am, this is my name. I will be at your service tonight

No one expected that reaction from her, as she did not even look away from her talker, fearing that she would weaken and show signs of being affected by the position of her father and sister, who came with her fiancé to have dinner in the restaurant where she works without even telling her to come.

Elena, with pity for her niece's condition, directed her eyes to her brother, who only closed his eyes without looking at any of them.

She was no less stunned. The last thing she expected was that she would meet her younger sister at the acquaintance dinner in her fiancé's family, and her sister would be just a restaurant worker bringing them what they asked.

When Elena spoke her name, he knew who she was. He had heard her name before, but that was the first time he had seen her.  She was really charming and only resembled his fiancée in simple things, and what he knew was that they were not aware of her work in that restaurant

So you're a Tobia?!  Frank spoke to her to break the prevailing silence

Tobias coldly: Yes, sir, at your service

Frank : You are not, you are my future wife's sister

Tobia: It seems I'm not like that anymore

Vera swallowed the pain that her sister felt, for she is really cruel, how could she hide the news of her engagement from her, and when she sees her after all those months, their meeting is a coincidence.

Mark in a dry tone: And that's what you earned yourself, Tobia

A war in the eyes took place between her and her father, how much she misses him, but here he is sitting in front of her. Tobia: Of course, sir

In seconds, she remembered her last encounter with her father after he learned that her engagement had been broken without telling him

flash back

Mark angrily: Is what I heard true, Tobias?!

Tobia visibly nervous: Yes, Dad

Mark: So you called off the engagement without telling me about it?!

Tobia: Dad, believe me, it's for the good of everyone

Mark: To make me hostile to a man like Marcus is an interest in your view?

Tobia is impatient: Of course, who would accept to deal with him daily or being with him all the time?

Mark: Tobias

Tobia please: Dad please let's forget about it, I have my reasons

Mark threatened, pointing at her: So you won't back down from your decision?!

Tobia: No, I won't. I told him of my decision in his father's presence

Mark: So I've made up my mind and you're going to leave the house and forget that you have anything to do with the Udinese family

Tobia was shocked by her father's decision: Your decision is very unfair, father

Mark: I am not your father anymore. You have no right to call me my father. You gave up your right when you made your own decision.

Tobia: But I am not the first girl to break off her engagement to a man?

Mark: When you're the daughter of Mark Udine and the man is Stefan Marcus, it's different. I won't let you cause a rift in the family.

Tobias in disgust: Family!  So you're going to sacrifice me for the family?  Like  my mother before, right?

As soon as she finished her words, she found herself lying on the ground as a result of a strong blow from her father, whose face demons danced with when she accused him of killing her mother.

Mark: We're done, Tobias. Tomorrow you're leaving the palace

...................................

She woke up from her confusion when someone put a hand on her shoulders

He couldn't bear to leave her there any longer, so he came to her rescue, for she would collapse at any moment now

Adam grabbed Tobia's shoulder: I'm sorry,

He did not add a word and dragged her with him away from them and entered his office

Adam: Are you okay?!

Tobia: Yes

Adam: I'm sorry, Tobia, I didn't know they were among the guests

Tobia: It doesn't matter, Adam, that could have happened at any time

Adam: Well you can go, your work is done for the night

Tobia objected: No Adam...

Adam interrupted her: No, you won't work tonight, Annie'll take your place, go, what happened is enough for you

.......

The atmosphere was tense, and no one could hide it. Vera lowered her head in shame because of her attitude towards her only sister. Why didn't she call her?!  Is she really jealous of her?!

She was never close to Stefan or wished to be associated with him. It was all speculation when she learned of his father's intention to link the two families by his son's marriage to one of Mark Udine's daughters, and because she was the eldest, everyone thought she was the ideal candidate so she dealt with the situation on that basis and when Stefan and Tobia approached she didn't feel bad  Except for the hints of those around her that her sister rushed to take what was supposed to be her, so a estrangement occurred between her and her sister,and when she  broke off the engagement, leaving a feeling of anger in her, but she quickly forgot about it, and how much she thanked Tobia for that when she dealt with Stefan closely after that;  He is very harsh in his dealings with women

Frank: Honey, are you okay?!

Vera, shaking her hand nervously: No, I'm not, Frank

Frank: Shall I go in and talk to your father, perhaps?!

Grateful Vera: Thank you, Frank, but I know my dad wouldn't like that, he's made up his mind to punish her and God knows when he'll end his punishment.

He shook his head, understanding what she was saying

............

Everyone knew what was going on. Frank had already told them about Mark's estrangement from his youngest daughter, so they preferred to be silent. Philip was busy drinking his glass, and so did his father. It is hard to surprise them;  This is their life that they are accustomed to, everything is expected, the relationship of families with each other is more important than individuals

Although she considered Tobias as her enemy, she wished to have everything she had, but she did not feel happy when she saw her like this;  she really pity her, but isn't this what she wanted for the princess to lose her position and land on the ground?!  She did not give herself time to think and decided to complete what she planned.

Laura in a sad tone: We are sorry for what happened, as you know that Tobia is punished for her recklessness

Fabio: We know, my daughter, the most important thing is family

Laura: Of course, especially since she has passed her sister;  Vera and Stefan were supposed to get engaged, but Tobia topped the scene, and when she succeeded in eliminating her sister, she rushed to end the engagement as if it was a toy that she kidnapped and when she got bored she threw it

Vera was astonished by what Laura said: What are you saying Laura?!!

Laura: I'm telling the truth, my dear. She looked at Frank, and when she saw signs of anger appearing on his face, she said, "I think you're no longer angry with her. You've compensated with Frank, right?"

She couldn't answer her, she only said the truth, but what she feared was Frank's reaction to the matter, and she was right, so when she turned to look at him, she found him burning in anger.

She was in a state of indignation when she heard what Laura had said about Tobia.

Elena: I don't think that your point of view is of interest to anyone, Laura;  Atopia was never taken advantage of situations

Laura: I know, but what happened...

“Enough.” Mark interrupted her in an angry tone and stern eyes that scared her, then added in a stern tone

It's over, and since we're a family now, we have to set the record straight, Tobia was wrong and punished, and we're done.

Everyone complied with Mark's order, but Frank's features suggested that he would not pass the matter, as he was preoccupied with what Laura had said. Was Vera in love with Stefan, so she really interrupted her sister and not just according to her father's words or what?!

**************

She changed her clothes and went out the back door of the restaurant so that she would not see them again.

As soon as she left the restaurant, her phone rang and she took it out of her bag to answer without looking to see who was calling.

Caller: I miss you

Tobias sarcastically: Really?!

Caller: I want to see you now

Tobia: Are you in town?!

Caller: Yes dear, when are you coming?!

Tobia: now

Caller: Ok, I'm in my usual suite, I'll wait for you

Tobia: Ok, a few minutes and I'll be there

*******************

Who is the caller she used to meet in a hotel suite?!

Who is Adam again?

And your expectations remain for the next party 💖💖💖