Chapter 18 — Salvation

Jane's POV:

"Bonjour!" A cherry voice beamed from the other side of the line.

I grinned widely. She's still as lively as ever.

"Hey aunt Em." I spoke.

"Oh my! Jane! How are you dear? Why the sudden call? Did something happen?" She questioned all in one breath.

A small giggle escaped my lips. "No aunt Em, we're fine."

"Oh, so you wanted to just check up on me?" She asked and I can imagine the smirk adorning her lips.

"Yup and...uhmm.....I need a favor." I told her.

She chuckled. "I knew it."

"Sorry." I apologized guiltily.

"It's fine dear, I wanted an excuse to leave the company anyway." She brushed off.

"So, you'll come?" I asked hopefully.

"Absolutamente!" She exclaimed.

Aunt Em, or Emily Freeman was my father's cousin, a distant relative. Her husband is an infamous billionaire, having his hotel and restaurant franchise. They were filthy rich but very humble and modest. They were down to earth and had the biggest hearts.

While Mr.Freeman had his restaurants and hotels, aunt Em had her own fashion line. She can turn an ugly duckling into a swan easily.

She was well known and respected, just like her husband and I had no doubt in my mind that she and Mr.Freeman were invited to Luca and Sarah's engagement this weekend.

Anger coursed through my veins at the memory.

He's mine!

* * * *

The doorbell rang making me jump from my place quickly and run towards it.

"I'll get it!" I yelled as I ran to open the door. I knew exactly who was behind it.

Aunt Em's grinning face appeared as soon as I yanked the door open.

She engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug and I responded as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"How have you been Jane?" She asked with a wide smile.

"I'm good. How are you Aunt Em? Still addicted to those Turkish series?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

She grinned down at me. "They never fail to excite me."

"Now, where are these parents of yours?" She asked as she pushed me to the side and started making her way to the kitchen.

I shook my head with a smile then followed after her.

She and my mom were hugged tightly as wide grins adorned their faces.

After the greeting and a one hour chat, I was finally able to take aunt Em away and lead her to my room.

I told her Luca and I's story, but skipped of course the part where his father abuses him. It's his own personal secret and it's his choice whether he wants to tell or not.

"I knew it." Aunt Em muttered.

I looked at her in confusion.

"I knew that there was something suspicious about that engagement." She explained with gritted teeth. "I knew that Mila and Fred were a bit...." She motioned for her head before completing it. "..sick in the head, but to force their son into marriage?" She grimaced.

I sighed. "I know and now I really need your help. He can't marry her aunt Em, he can't." I murmured the last past as I felt my eyes start to glaze over.

I felt her place a hand on my shoulder and that when my tears started falling.

She pulled me closer into a comforting hug as I sobbed into her shirt.

"We'll figure something out, I promise." She reassured me as she patted my head gently.

I nodded hesitantly then pulled back slightly.

I wiped my teary eyes and face and looked at her.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked with a sniff.

The corner of her lips tugged into a smirk.

"Hmm....well Jane, I think it's time that you step up into the business world and take over my company."

My eyes bulged out of their sockets. "What?" I gasped.

Aunt Em giggled. "Don't worry, it's not what you're thinking."

"Then?" I asked in confusion.

Another smirk played on her lips and with the confident look she gave me, I knew that Luca and I still had hope.