|| Lorenzo's POV ||
" Mr. King!! Please wait a second!"
The reporters screamed, stumbling, pleading to step forward but they failed halfway miserably. My guards surrounded me closely as they guided me in, opening a path for me. The most awaited night was finally here.
" The annual party of King Enterprise!"
Not only the reporters, but the entire Humbsblock city waited for this grand event to be telecast on television. The King Enterprise has been ruling over the business world for the past three decades. My father, Arnaldo King had built his empire single-handedly and made sure to leave a remarkable footprint in the world of business. Naturally, we were called the number one family in this state. Although the focus should have fallen on Arnaldo King only here, I had all the flashlights and sole attention from the media. Because Lorenzo King had his empire.
After eighteen, I didn't rely on my father's business. Within three years, I had my own business though it wasn't as big as King Enterprise. Still, it had managed to place third among the leading companies of Humbsblock. I was hopeful that in the next few years, I would be able to turn my own company as big as King Enterprise.
Harlo guided me inside, stopping under the dazzling chandelier that we had for the party that night. I spotted Luka in the distance who waved back at me, smiling. He left the crowd behind, marching on my way, and pulled me into a bear hug,
" Goodness, Nana was so worried. She thought that you wouldn't come. I have been pampering her for hours."
He grumbled lowly and I chuckled lightly at his response. Nana could be dramatic sometimes. She still refused to believe that she was 90 not 23 anymore. Well, I couldn't argue that much. She still had her beauty and young mind, flourishing every single day perfectly.
I muttered sarcastically, gesturing at a staff member to serve us drinks,
" How can I miss the show, Luka?"
We toasted our drinks together as Luka's eyes followed something in the distance. He spoke while whispering, leaning onto me slowly,
" Do you think that he will announce it tonight?"
I replied, shrugging off as the warm liquor flowed in my throat,
" No idea! Everyone is expecting to hear tonight like always but it never happened."
Luka pulled his brows together in concern, gulping his liquid down in a shot,
" I guess, he will say something this year as Leonardo is a married man already. The legacy rules should follow."
The name 'Leonardo' made my jaw clenching hard. One single name was enough to remind me how much I wanted this enterprise. My pain, anger, frustration everything was pulled and pried open in a single shot. My teeth sank deeper into my lips and I swallowed hard, looking away furiously.
" Yep, my brother should be a married man too.", a sudden voice traveled from behind. We both snapped our heads together behind to see Leonardo smirking at us.
There he was! The mysterious devil of our conversation!
That face reminded me of my lost childhood. He looked exactly like a carbon copy of his mother, the woman who destroyed our lives. His smile stretched more once his gaze tracked my hardened jaw, enjoying the wrath building inside me. Leonardo walked down to us, speaking again wearing his big fake smile,
" Welcome to the annual party, brother. I thought you wouldn't come. What changed your mind though?"
He sipped from his wine after blurting those words to me. His eyes glistened with a twinkling feeling as if he was ready to face the battle with me. I scoffed through my clenched teeth,
" Didn't I tell you to stop calling me ' brother'?"
I didn't fucking like that. His mischievous smile stretched further playfully, stepping forward to challenge my patience,
" Why? Aren't we from the same blood or do you think that your mother had fucked someone else to have you?"
That was the end of all my restraints. I approached forward in a rush, ready to blow his brain out but Luka grasped me from back hastily. I growled, struggling to break free from Luka's grip,
" Let me go, Luka. I will kill this bastard and end this game."
Luka hushed me down quietly, eyeing around worryingly,
" Hush, calm down, buddy. Why don't you understand that this is what he wants? Angering you! Manipulating you with his words so that you lose your temper. You have to understand that. This isn't the right place to fight. If your father sees this, you will be the first to cut it off from his choice list."
I slowed down after Luka's wise reminder. That's why, I loved this friend of mine. He had always been very mature and wise when it came to making any decision. He had always been there to support me. After putting his thoughts inside my mind, I sobered down subconsciously. Indeed, Luka had uttered the undeniable truth. That's what Leonardo wanted. Losing my mind so that I could become a sick bastard in front of this thousand people.
Looking back, I saw Leonardo staring hard at me with blazing hatred in his eyes. He didn't stay longer, turned around, and disappeared into the crowd.
Oops! His plan failed!
***
" Lorenzo!", my nana's voice pulled me back to reality as I was lost thinking about all the possibilities, reigning through my mind. I spotted the 90-year-old young lady in her dark red lipstick. Relief flooded across her eyes after she saw me with her own eyes.
I strode over to her, caging her with my bare arms, and planted a sweet kiss on her cheeks. She beamed into a happy smile and muttered with a relief sigh,
" At least, you used some brains this time. Let's go forward. Your father is going to make the announcement."
Nana pushed me forward through the crowd. Others also came near the stage as Mr.King was going to give his speech.
