Moretti Mansion
The Moretti household was unusually quiet—well, quieter than usual. The air was thick with tension and cologne as Lorenzo Moretti, the patriarch, stood by the grand fireplace, swirling his glass of scotch like he was preparing for battle.
Everyone was present—Tristan, calm but suspicious, and Adrian, lounging like he had zero cares but clearly listening with both ears. The only person missing was Liana, who now lived in her own penthouse ever since the explosion incident. A place Lorenzo still referred to as *that glass cage.* tho they had 3 Mansion, she still prefer her little space .
"Your suits are pressed, your ties are ready, and for the love of God, sit up straight," Lorenzo barked.
Adrian raised a brow. "You calling us for a family photo or a funeral?"
Tristan frowned, arms crossed. "What's going on, father?"
Lorenzo took a deep breath. "We're expecting an important guest today. An old friend of mine. The Black family."
Adrian blinked. "The Blacks? Why are they coming? Are we throwing a surprise party no one cares about?"
Lorenzo shot him a glare. "Must you always speak in sarcasm? For once, be serious, you brat."
Adrian mock gasped. "Wow, I've been promoted from *waste of trust fund* to *brat*. I'm flattered."
Tristan ignored his brother. "Who exactly is coming from the Blacks?"
"The father… and his son," Lorenzo replied gravely.
Adrian sat up. "Wait. Why the hell is his *son* coming?"
Lorenzo sighed, placing the glass down. "It's about Liana."
Both men froze.
Tristan's jaw tightened. "What about Liana?"
Adrian squinted. "This better not be one of your ancient business alliance tactics again, because if it is…"
Lorenzo hesitated. "Back in the day, during a very dark time, I was saved by a man… my friend, James Black. To repay that debt, we made a pact. At first, he requested something... unthinkable—your mother."
Adrian coughed on his water. "What?! This man wanted *mum*?!"
"Yes," Lorenzo replied. "But your mother refused. Fiercely."
"I can already picture her cussing him out in three languages," Tristan muttered.
Adrian nodded. "And throwing a shoe."
Lorenzo chuckled grimly. "Possibly. So, the agreement was revised. He asked for a marriage alliance. His first son… to my first daughter."
Silence.
Tristan slowly stood. "Liana doesn't know about this… does she?"
Lorenzo looked away. "No."
"You've got to be joking," Adrian said, standing up as well. "You want to marry off Liana to some guy she doesn't know—because of a deal you made before she could even exist ?"
"It's not like that," Lorenzo snapped. "I don't intend to *force* her. That's why I'm telling you. I need your help. Liana is headstrong. I don't want her to feel cornered. But I also can't dishonor a man who once saved my life."
"You made the mess," Tristan said, voice calm but steely. "Now you want us to fix it."
Lorenzo didn't argue.
After a long pause, Tristan added, "Because it's Liana… I'll do what *she* wants. If she says no, then it's a no. Period."
And with that, he walked out, straight-backed and furious.
Adrian, for once, wasn't smirking. "You realize if Liana finds out about this the wrong way, she'll burn this mansion down and make you hand her the lighter fluid."
Lorenzo nodded solemnly.
Adrian took a step forward. "I'll talk to her. But Dad, for real—stop making decisions for people who weren't even born when you were making them. What if Mum gave birth to three boys instead? Would the Blacks have claimed one of us and sent an engagement ring to the nursery?"
Lorenzo gave a weary sigh. "I was young. I didn't think—"
"Exactly. And now Liana's gonna have to clean up that thinking," Adrian said, turning toward the door.
He stopped for a moment. "I'll help. Because it involves my drama queen. But pray she forgives you for this... or you'll need more than that scotch to recover."
With that, Adrian left, leaving Lorenzo alone with a glass, a fireplace, and decades of guilt
---
While the tension brewed back at the Moretti household, Liana was having the exact opposite kind of day—fun, carefree, and drama-free.
She was out with Saphina, finally getting that much-needed girls' time. After what felt like a lifetime surrounded by overprotective brothers and confusing men, being with another girl was refreshing. They had already done a mini photoshoot with Liana's phone, tried out silly TikTok dances in the middle of a garden, gotten their nails done in pastel pink and lavender, and tried matching temporary tattoos that read "Boss Babe" and "Queen Energy."
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Liana laughed as she checked their goofy selfies, "but this might just be the best day of my life."
"Right?" Saphina grinned. "You needed this detox, babe. No drama, no rich boys acting like gods, just good old-fashioned girl time."
After the laughs, Saphina pulled Liana toward a local street food market.
Liana wrinkled her nose. "Uhm… what is this place?"
"It's food heaven!" Saphina said with a proud grin. "And you're going to try some. No excuses."
Liana stared at the skewers, grilled corn, spicy dumplings, and what looked like glowing orange drinks in plastic bags. "I don't usually eat anything… that's not sanitized by five-star chefs."
Saphina burst into laughter. "Girl, please! One bite won't kill your inner princess."
After some playful dragging and mock begging, Liana finally gave in and picked up a stick of grilled beef coated in spicy sauce. She hesitated, took a bite… then paused.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
Then—"AHHHHHH!"
Saphina jumped. "Liana?! Are you okay? Was it too spicy?!"
Liana turned slowly, still chewing, and dramatically whispered, "This… is… the best thing I've ever tasted in my entire royal life!"
They both cracked up. Liana hugged Saphina so tightly, people in the market started staring.
"I can't believe I've been missing out on this!" she squealed. "Thank you, Saphina. Seriously. This is my best outing with someone who actually gets me."
Saphina beamed. "Okay, don't make me cry in public. I'm older, I should be treating you, not the other way around."
"Nonsense," Liana said, tossing her hair like a diva. "You gave me beef on a stick. I'm repaying you with a shopping spree."
Before Saphina could argue, Liana dragged her to a luxury boutique down the street.
Two hours later, both of them stepped out with three bags each, giggling and still talking.
"I swear I feel guilty letting you pay for all this," Saphina said, holding up a designer bag she never thought she'd touch, let alone own. "Like, I'm definitely older. I should be spoiling you."
Liana nudged her. "You're my girl. End of discussion. Plus, I'm rich. What's the point if I can't spend it on people who make me laugh?"
They paused, looked at each other, then hugged again.
"Best. Day. Ever." Saphina said.
"No doubt," Liana replied with a wink. "Next time, we're going bungee jumping."
Saphina choked. "You're mad."
"I'm rich and mad. Dangerous combo," Liana said proudly.
The two girls walked off into the setting sun, full of food, laughter, and bags full of sisterhood.
—