Chapter 2: The Call

knock knock 

There was a knock on the door “come in” Adrian said without looking up as he knew only Joe was brave enough to enter his office at this time of the night. 

The first thing Joe noticed when entered was his boss reading a file, while sipping a cup of coffee, he wonders who drinks coffee at night, his boss is a workaholic everyone knows that, he’s very hardworking, and that why all the employees in the office are hardworking and diligent as well, Joe shook the thoughts out of his mind and focused on his boss who had his head bowed reading a file.

“Boss it's 3 a.m in the morning, aren't you going to rest” came Joe’s hoarse voice it was obvious he was really tired.

“You go to bed, I'll sleep in my office bedroom when I'm done with these files” Adrian replied without raising his focus on the files he was working on.” alright Sir I’ll take my leave ” Joe turned around and left. 

Adrian's phone suddenly rang“Hello Dad” Adrian's voice rang out as he answered his phone which was ringing a while ago.

“And what are you trying to do by meddling in the Facci’s business, why don't you just stay away from that woman, she's bad news okay, nothing good can come out of her.” his father Edward De Luca said harshly “she nothing but a who....” Adrian cuts him off in his sentence. “Enough father, Lillian is my fiance and your daughter in law to be, don't talk about her in that manner, and my decision to meddle in her business is my concern not yours, remember dad I'm the current patriarch of the De Luca family I make my decisions, you've no right to interfere,” Adrian said coldly.

”Is this how you talk to your father now, I knew that woman was no good for you, she's just like her parents who want our wealth, power, and name why don't you get it” 

Edward yelled over the phone “I'm warning you dad do not interfere in my business or as much as hurt Lillian or the Facci family, trust me you'll have me to contend with.” Adrian said with a smirk on his face.

“Is that a threat?” Edward Said anger evident in his voice. Adrian scoffed “You know me, Dad, I don't threaten people I give promises, and you should know better than anyone I never break my promises, unfortunately, Dad I don't have time to talk, I'm busy don't call me if it not important.” 

Adrian hung up and continued his work like he didn't just threaten his father.

On the other side, Mr Edward was really angry and he was already shaking due to anger, he vented it on his wife Mrs. Roma Edward who was trying her best to pacify him which further irritated Mr. Edward he yelled at her “Can you see the Son you raised, he threatened me, his father” he yelled at his wife Mrs. Roma De Luca.

“Honey calm down, we both know he has always loved Lillian and no matter what you do he won't listen, he has loved Lillian for twelve years, what made you think he'll be willing to leave someone he holds dear to his heart just because you said so and don't forget because of what's you did three years ago he no longer listens to you ” Mrs. Roma De Luca said calmly.“ I don't care, I won't let them get back together impossible” he shouted loud enough to his wife hearing as he walked out of the room, he started thinking about how the whole thing started. 

Flashback

Edward De Luca had just taken over his father's conglomerate and was doing a great job running the company well, he has always desired his son to marry the Facci family as he knew it was going to be of great impact on their business as it would make their connection stronger and his best friend 

Patrick Facci happy, if his son Adrian marries his daughter, Tasha, he had made a promise to his best friend Patrick that he'll ensure it happens.

Until the day his father told him he was going to betroth his son Adrian to Lillian Facci the daughter of Larry Facci, the first son of Robert Facci whom his friend Patrick Facci hated, he immediately refuted his father's decision saying his father can choose The Facci’s second sons daughter Tasha instead of Lillian, Larry's daughter as his best friend hated his brother Larry Facci, the son of tycoon Robert Facci who Patrick hated, had always dreamed of becoming a soldier. However, his father strongly opposed his decision and refused to support him, believing that his son's place was in the family business.

Despite his father's objections, Larry was determined to follow his dreams. He joined the army and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a skilled and respected soldier.

During one of his missions, Larry came across a man who was badly injured and on the brink of death. Without hesitation, Larry carried the man to safety and nursed him back to health. Little did Larry know that the man he had rescued was Robert De Luca, a prestigious billionaire tycoon.

As Micheal De Luca regained his strength, he learned about Larry's background and was struck by his selflessness and bravery. Micheal De Luca also learned that Larry had a daughter, whom he doted on.

Micheal De Luca became interested in Larry's family and began to investigate them. He learned that Larry's daughter was a bright and talented young woman, and he became convinced that she would be a perfect match for his grandson.

Micheal De Luca invited Larry to his luxurious estate for a meeting and proposed a betrothal between his grandson and Larry's daughter. However, Larry was not interested in arranged marriages or having his daughter marry into a wealthy family with problems.

Despite De Luca's persistence, Larry rejected the proposal and insisted that his daughter should be free to choose her life partner. He didn't want anyone to force her into a betrothal or a life that she didn't want.

Larry vehemently refused, but eventually news got to Robert Facci that the De Luca made an offer of alliance. The old man immediately summoned his first son to the house to talk about the alliance.

Although Larry had been estranged from his father for many years, he eventually honored the invitation to the Facci’s Mansion. Larry knew the reason his father wanted to see him was because he probably heard about the alliance of the De Luca. Robert Facci had come to realize that his son's decision to join the army was not a sign of weakness, but rather a display of courage and dedication, Larry Facci finally went home after a long time. At that time Lillian was already thirteen and he was happy his father finally found him worthy to be called his son.

But on the other hand, Patrick Facci wasn't too happy about this, he felt Larry Facci was a threat to his Inheritance, he had always hated Larry since they were kids even if they were brothers, as Larry would always do better in both academics and business, and he knew Larry was a good businessman and had plans to eliminate him, but contrary to his expectations, Larry choose to serve the country, which made him so happy, as that would eradicate competition leaving him as the sole heir of the company. But his father was not at all happy about his brother's decision and he ousted him from the family out of anger, he was so happy when all that happened and now his worst enemy Larrys is back, and he felt insecure as he was just a mere manager in the company and not yet the CEO, he was angrier that the family he planned to betroth his daughter too is now betrothed to Larry's daughter, Robert Facci had arranged this alliance saying that Larry's daughter is the would be daughter in-law of the Prestigious  De Luca familyhe was so angry and called his best friend Edward De Luca asking him about his promise to him.

Edward De Luca wasn't having it easy as his father had refused to listen to him he felt his pride as a man crushed to the ground that he couldn't fulfill a simple promise.

Flashback ends 

At this present time Edward was boiling in anger and was finding it hard to calm down, Edward is a man who is egoistic, proud, and arrogant at the same time and it hurts his pride that he couldn't fulfill a promise he made to his friend, and he vowed never to let the alliance happen at all cost.