Episode 11

One of his objectives had been achieved that night, Pietro was relieved. Since he already had the documents signed, he no longer wanted to be in the company of those men, most of whom he despised.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I'll go find my fiancée. Thank you all and I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening."

Pietro left the office feeling excited. As soon as he entered the hall, he scanned the room, trying to find Augusto and Alice. He spotted them and headed in their direction, but was stopped by Debora.

"You know how to throw a party. The Castro brothers are a hit. Augusto is looking great," the friend taunted.

"He is, but he's mine, so keep your eyes off him," Pietro said, giving her a stern look.

Debora smiled at her friend's possessiveness, while they interacted, Augusto happened to see them together. He remembered her from the day he saw them at the restaurant, and he felt indignant at the thought that he had brought his mistress to his sister's birthday party. He was chatting animatedly with her, even though he knew he would be married soon. Seeing that only reinforced his belief that he was a womanizer.

Pietro distanced himself from Debora and went to talk to Alice and her family. He wanted to let them know about a small detail.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked Alice directly.

"Yes, the party is beautiful, thank you," she replied, not looking directly into his eyes.

"No need to thank me. That's the least I could do for my fiancée. I want to let you know that I'll pick you up tomorrow. The engagement will be tomorrow night, and the wedding will be the day after. So get your things ready. I'll come to get them tomorrow."

Alice was shocked when she heard what he said. She hadn't imagined that he would want to do it so quickly. She knew that engagements didn't last long, but this was too fast.

"But the wedding will be so soon?" Alice's mother questioned, coming closer to her daughter.

"Yes, she just turned eighteen. There's no reason to delay it. I have a lot to do, so the sooner I settle this, the better," he said sternly the whole time.

"Settle? Is your marriage a problem that needs to be settled?" Augusto questioned.

"I think it is for some people," he replied, looking from Augusto to Alice.

Alice lowered her head as soon as she received that look. Augusto noticed it, and he still believed that something had happened in that garden. Even though she was scared of him, her reaction had changed after they came back from there.

"That was all I wanted to say. I'll leave you to enjoy the party. Dinner will be served soon, and I've ordered a cake as well, so if you'll excuse me."

Pietro turned his back and left. Alice's mother hugged her immediately, wanting to comfort her, but she was reprimanded by her husband.

"Pietro just left, and you two are hugging each other with those faces. Do you want people to think something happened? Let's avoid any gossip."

"Do you really think nobody knows why she's marrying him? Nobody believes it's for love, father," Augusto retorted.

After that, Augusto stormed off to get a drink but asked Alice to stay close to her parents. He had noticed that Diego was looking in their direction quite often, and he also noticed that Alice was looking at him. Augusto had seen that Diego and Pietro had come back from the garden together with his sister, so when he passed by him, he made a request.

"Good evening Diego, can I speak with you in the garden?"

Diego confirmed, and they both left. Before that, Augusto grabbed another drink. They stood near the fountain where everything had happened, and Alice's brother was very direct.

"What exactly happened here in this garden? My sister has been acting very strange since then."

"She didn't tell you anything?"

"No, just that she came out for some fresh air and happened to find your brother here. But you also came from this garden. I know she's not telling the truth."

"Augusto, you're overthinking, what could my brother do to her? They're getting married soon, it doesn't make sense what you're saying." he feigned innocence.

"I don't know, he could have threatened her in some way, but I'll find out what happened here."

Diego moved closer to Augusto before continuing, "If I were you, I would just enjoy the party and stop looking for trouble. If Alice said nothing happened, you should listen to your sister, she seems wiser than you."

Augusto was stared at before Diego finally left. He had never been one to intimidate anyone, but he couldn't let Augusto interfere with his brother's plans. After all, he would also benefit from them, as he could be with the woman he loved.

However, Augusto could sense that threatening tone. He had never seen Pietro's brother in such a way before, which only made him more certain that something was wrong. Lost in his thoughts, someone approached him.

"Enjoying the night breeze?"

Augusto turned around and saw that it was Mirella. He had already seen her at the party, but thought it best not to approach her, knowing that her parents didn't approve of him.

"Trying to clear my head, and you? Bored inside?"

"Actually, I couldn't stand listening to my parents talking to their friends about arranging a marriage for me. I even have a candidate, but I don't think he likes me that much," she ran her hand over Augusto's chest as she spoke.

"Do you remember what we agreed on? Besides, even if I wanted to marry you, it would still depend on Pietro, not to mention your parents wouldn't want you marrying the son of a traitor," he held her hand.

Mirella didn't have time to respond to Augusto, as a third person joined them at that moment. The voice was firm and still seemed annoyed.

"Looks like the party is happening out here."

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