Episode 4

SMITH MANSION

NARRATOR...

After Mr. Macolis explained why his grandson was taking so long, everyone settled in the living room to chat, Mr. Macolis turned to Kiara with a question.

MR. MACOLIS: And tell me, Kiara, which year of high school are you in?—he asked with a welcoming smile.

KIARA: I'm in my final year of high school—she replied with a timid smile.

MR. MACOLIS: Oh, that's great. And what do you plan to study?—he inquired.

KIARA: System Engineering and Business Administration—she said, eyes sparkling with ambition.

ELIZABETH: And how do you plan to pay for those two degrees? Surely you don't expect Dad to support you after you're married, right sister?—she said with irritation and mockery.

KIARA: Of course not, sister. I won’t need Dad's support—I can work. I'm perfectly capable of living modestly.

ELIZABETH: Oh, I’d forgotten, now that you're getting married. Your husband-to-be is wealthy; he can give you anything you want, can't he sister?—she said, feigning a smile.

KIARA: No, sister. I can work and pay for my own education; I don't need anyone to support me—she thought with a hint of defiance.

NARRATOR...

To everyone's eyes, Kiara and Elizabeth were having a casual conversation, but only they knew it was all pretense. Mr. Macolis believed he had a loving family, which is why he'd pledged his only grandson and heir to his empire to marry one of the SMITH daughters. Many others desired the position, but they were told about how tight-knit the SMITH family was. Indeed, if Gerardo SMITH was skilled at anything, it was maintaining appearances; everyone thought him a loving father, which was partially true, but no one knew the full extent of how he treated his youngest daughter. As the conversation continued in the living room, the doorbell rang again, and everyone turned their attention to the newcomer. A remarkably tall man, standing at 1.90 meters, entered the room with a stoic expression.

He was incredibly striking, with a well-built physique that even his suit couldn't conceal. Upon seeing him, the sisters were astonished, never having encountered such a handsome man before. Their mother regretted not being younger, while Kiara was impressed by the man she was to marry, though she didn't show it.

ELIZABETH: (Wow, who is that hunk?)—she whispered, biting her lip.

LUCIANA: (He's not just handsome—he's gorgeous! I can't believe this Greek god is going to marry my sister. I loathe her).

BEATRIZ: HELLO, and welcome Mr... —she paused, hoping he would introduce himself.

MR. MACOLIS: Allow me to introduce my grandson, ALEJANDRO MACOLIS, my sole heir—he said, beaming with pride at the evident attention his grandson received from the women.

ALEJANDRO: Good evening, everyone. Apologies for my tardiness; business doesn't rest—his tone serious.

GRANDFATHER: Son, I want to introduce you to your fiancee, Miss Kiara SMITH—he announced joyfully.

ALEJANDRO: Hello, a pleasure to meet you—he said, approaching to kiss the back of her hand.

KIARA: It's... it's very nice to meet you too—"she stuttered, nervously chastising herself. Keep it together, Kiara, why do you act like a fool?

ELIZABETH: Hello, a pleasure. I'm Elizabeth SMITH, Kiara's older sister—she said flirtatiously.

ALEJANDRO: Hello, Miss Smith, a pleasure—he replied, barely acknowledging her and maintaining his solemn demeanor.

BEATRIZ: Mr. ALEJANDRO, let me present my second daughter—if I'd known she was going to marry this man’s grandson, I would have married off one of my beautiful daughters instead. The youngest hardly seems like mine; if I hadn't carried her for nine months, I'd doubt she was my child—Luciana SMITH.

LUCIANA: Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you—she offered with a flirtatious smile.

ALEJANDRO: Likewise, Ms. Smith—his face stern.

GERARDO (father): Well, dinner is ready; let's move to the dining room—he said after catching the signal from a servant at the door.

NARRATOR...

The party transitioned to the dining room, filled with a long table. Kiara's father took the head seat with his wife by his side. His two daughters sat next to their mother, the grandfather at the table's opposite end, and ALEJANDRO and KIARA together. Dinner progressed smoothly with discussions about Alejandro's work and Kiara's school life. As dinner concluded, Alejandro's grandfather chimed in.

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