After changing clothes and makeup, I decided to go downstairs. Casey was in the kitchen eating lunch.

"How do I look like?" I directed the question at my sister.

"Great. Are you going somewhere?" Casey asked, so mildly interested in my outfit.

"Yes. Rafael organized our engagement party"

"Seriously? He's a tyrant, and his brothers are no better. Can we just move out?" Casey complained angrily, stuffing a handful of French fries in her mouth.

"Did they hurt you in any way?" I asked, worried. I need to speak with Rafael about Casey.

"Not particularly, but they're trying to order me around. I hate when people do it. Besides that relationship of yours is progressing too fast"

I sighed as I sat down across from her. Sooner or later we had to have this conversation.

"I needed to protect us from Ethan and Harvey. This is the place where they can't reach us. Think of this as temporary arrangement, can you survive living like that just a little longer? Please Casey"

Casey was silent. She knew what Ethan had done, of course.

"How is living with Rafael saving you from Ethan or Harvey?" She asked skeptically.

"They can't do anything to him and by extension to us as long as we're here"

"What does he want in return for helping you?"

"Company shares"

Casey stared at me as if she didn't know how to react. The door opened and Raphael stood in it.

"You look beautiful," he said, looking at me.

"Really?" I asked surprised at his compliment.

"I'd like to kiss you"

What, really? He wanted to... I?

"Disgusting," Casey said making sour face. We ignored her.

"Kiss... me?"

"Mhm. I'm gonna say things like that tonight so get used to it. We need to play a believable couple after all"

He came over and kissed my lips. Holy shit.

"I don't think I can get used to it," I said weakly.

"You will have to"

I pulled away from him when Casey started making the choking sounds.

"Casey are you okay? By the way how was the first week at new school?" Rafael asked.

"Shitty. It's school" she grunted.

"What a cheerful ray of sunshine she is," said Remi with amusement as he entered the kitchen.

"Come on sweetie don't you enjoy our company?," said Milo, and smiled to himself.

"You're the worst company I could think of" Casey responded drily.

The brothers began to prepare the food for themselves, which Casey took as a signal to disappear.

Rafael, gave his brothers a warning glance before placing his large hand on my back.

"Time to go," he whispered, his warm breath tickling my neck.

🌹🌹🌹

The engagement party was held at Lorenzo's restaurant.

As we passed through the room, everyone greeted us with respect. I saw each other, and people looked at me with curiosity. After all, I was the mysterious fiancée of Rafael Vincenti.

At one point a woman appeared in front of Rafael blocking our path. She looked at me with disgust and then her eyes returned to my partner.

"Rafael"

"Elizabeth"

"You know, after you get bored with this one" she pointed at me, I may not be around anymore"

Did she really just said that? I looked at a strange women feeling shocked at her hostility towards me.

"I told you we're done. I'm not going to change my mind"

"You always say that and then you always come back to me"

"Am I coming back to you or are you bothering me? Speaking of which, why are you here? "

I was sure that this woman would be offended, I would have felt, but she just smiled and said, "I thought our families work closely together, how could I let go of such an important occasion in your life?"

"I'll go get a drink," I muttered, wanting to give them time to discuss whatever they wanted to say. They both looked surprised. I was also surprised to see real emotion displayed on Rafael's face.

After ordering drinks, I headed to the table but was stopped by a man who introduced himself as Oliver Moretti. He kindly invited me to dance and I felt like it would be rude to say no, so I said yes.

"I can't dance," I said shyly.

Oliver was smiling. "So it's a good time to practice," he winked at me, and I smiled back.

🌹🌹🌹

Second part today... later. I need some more time to edit.