CHAPTER 21 - Adam Fiore

***Reconciliation.***

Even though I didn't speak with Kim, I answer|serve her graduation to witness her achievement, and the smile on her face filled me with joy. Lunna looked absolutely stunning and radiant. I observed her from a distance, and when I saw tears in her eyes as she approached him, I felt an immediate urge to rush over and find out what had happened. However, my father held my arm, preventing me from intervening. They are aware of everything that Lunna has been through. I truly didn't know how to handle someone experiencing a panic attack, and I couldn't even begin to comprehend what was occurring. My mother informed me that she had experienced it numerous times after we lost our sister. Often, it would happen while we were at home, and she would retreat to her room, following the guidance of her psychiatrist.

I was genuinely concerned for her well-being, and Lunna was the catalyst for my reconnection with my sister and parents. Our conversation was heartfelt, and I discovered that on the night of the dinner, Kim was proposed to. She cried and struck me, expressing her desire for me to be present during that special moment in her life. I made a promise to always stand by her side and never abandon her again. However, accepting her relationship with that individual would still prove to be challenging for me. There he was at her graduation, his hands, and fingers all over my sister. Multiple times, I restrained myself from delivering a blow to his face, but I had to set aside my pain and focus on the happiness radiating from my sister's face. Finally, I was there beside her. However, the final blow came when I witnessed Lunna accepting his proposal. I simply cannot believe that she agreed to it; it all feels like a farce! I left with an immense ache in my chest, feeling as though I had lost her forever. Jully's voice and the words she spoke to me during Lunna's crisis continue to echo in my mind. Yet, I mustn't allow myself to succumb to these foolish emotions. I refuse to form attachments and have no desire to be a part of that “committed” team. I don't understand what love is, nor do I want it for myself.

My thoughts are interrupted by the ringing phone. I answer it, and Laila's grating voice fills the air. What on earth was I thinking when I decided to bring her into my bed? Ah, right! I didn't even bother to think it through. As my friend Rick says, I never think, I simply act when all that matters to me is pleasure.

“Ada…, it's Mr. Fiore, a man named Antony Harris is here to see you,” I can't believe he came all the way here.

“Laila,” I sigh, placing my index and ring fingers on my left temple, trying to ward off the impending headache. “Ask him to come in.”

“Yes, sir,” she says. I hang up and stand up, buttoning my suit jacket.

It doesn't take long before the door to my office opens, and he walks in with that scoundrel look on his face.

“Adam,” he says, approaching, and I give him a punch that almost knocks him down, causing him to lean on the table.

Laila looks at us, hands covering her mouth in shock.

“You can leave, Laila.”

“Yes, sir,” she says, closing the door.

“Now we're somewhat even, and I only agreed to see you because of my sister,” I say as he straightens up and sits in the armchair in front of my desk, wiping the corner of his mouth where there's blood, and I smile. “Now, you can start explaining why you're here,” I say, and I return to my seat, sitting down.

“I want to clear things up.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Look, Adam, I'm going to marry your sister, and I hope we can get along for her sake.”

“I know very well that you're with my sister, and it's not because you love her,” he tries to speak, but I don't let him. “You can say you love her, but I don't believe it. She loves you, that I'm certain of, andit's for her sake that I'll tolerate you. But I'll be keeping an eye on you, I'll pay attention to every move you make.”

“I'll show you that I love your sister…”

“I don't want you to show me anything! I still believe that you knew about my relationship with that woman, and now you've come close to getting something.”

“I don't need anything from your family!”

“I know that, I did thorough research on you and the Harris family. You're a well-off family, but you have an extensive collection of debts, and your father is on the verge of losing your family's newspaper because of it.”

“Who gave you the right?” he says, standing up.

“Sit!” I say, pointing to the chair. “I'm not done yet,” he sits back down. “You showed up here at my company thinking I would be a pushover? I know your kind, and I know you're just waiting for an opportunity to strike.”

I stand up and walk to the door of my office.

“I won't stand in the way of my sister being with you, but I won't be smitten either. If you do anything to her, I'll forget my regard for her and give you the beating you deserve,” I say, opening the door. “Now, you can leave! I have an important meeting.”

I say, and he stands up, walks towards me, and looks at me, then leaves my office. I close the door and return to my desk, sit down, and gaze through the glass wall at the beach where I saw Lunna. I turned my chair to refocus my attention on the papers when my door is opened.

Kim rushes in and throws herself into my arms, catching me surprised.

“Th-thank you, Dan Dan,” she says, sniffling, and I hug her.

“I'll keep an eye on him, and if he does anything to you, Antony will regret being born,” I say, and she steps back, wiping her tears and smiling.

“Have you had lunch yet?”

“No, and how did you get here so quickly?”

“I was on my way to meet the girls, but after Antony called me and said he talked to you, that everything was okay between you, I came running,” she says, her eyes shining with happiness.

I can't tell her that I threatened him and that I'm still not happy with their relationship. If I could, I would take her as far away from him as possible, but I know she would suffer, and I don't want to see her cry.

“Come on, let's have lunch,” she says, taking my hand and dragging me out of the room, but I manage to grab my phone and wallet.

“Laila, please cancel all my brother's appointments. Today, he's spending the day with me!” she shouts as soon as we pass by my secretary's desk. “And don't complain, Adam Fiore. You're back tomorrow.”

“Okay, okay, bossy lady,” I say, and she smiles.

Then we enter the elevator and leave the company, for a day filled with things that Kim enjoys doing.

**Days later…**

I arrive home after a tiring day at the office when my phone rings. I didn't recognize the number, so I hesitated to answer. The person persists, so I decide to pick up.

“Hello, what do you want?” I say, rubbing my temple.

“Adam, it's me, Antony.”

“What do you want?” I reply, still rubbing my temple.

“We need to talk. My wedding with your sister is approaching, and I would like us to resolve everything.”

“I made things clear in our last conversation.”

“But let's talk…” My doorbell rings. I walk to the door and open it, seeing him standing there. He hangs up the call. “For your sister.”

“Okay, come in,” I say, gesturing for him to enter, and then I close the door behind him.

We walked to the living room. He sits on the sofa, nervously running his hands over his leg. I take a seat in the armchair opposite him, waiting for him to speak.

“So, I really wanted to make amends with you and say that I had no idea about your relationship with Alycia. I want to make it right with you so that your sister can be happy. She's very upset and even suggested postponing the wedding.”

“She wants to postpone the wedding, and I'm the one to blame?”

“That's not what I meant. She said it would be perfect if we resolved everything between us because she wants you by her side. But if that doesn't happen, we'll postpone it so that our union day can be perfect, and she'll find a way for you to accept me.”

I don't really know if that's true, but I would do whatever it takes to make my sister happy.

“Okay, but let it be crystal clear that if you ever hurt her, I'll break your face.”

“Thank you.”

“I'm not doing this for you, but for her.”

“I know that,” he says, getting up and walking towards the door, extending his hand. “Goodnight, Adam, and thank you again.”

“Goodnight,” I shake his hand, and he leaves.

I close the door and head up to my room, taking off my clothes and taking a shower. I still have my doubts about this guy; he can't fool me with his talk about not knowing anything!

I come out of the bathroom, and my phone rings. I pick it up from the nightstand and see that it's a call from Kim. I answer.

“Hey, princess!”

“Is it true that you and Antony made amends?” she asks, excitedly.

“Yes, I did it for you.”

“Thank you, Adam,” she says, her voice filled with tears. “I actually considered canceling the wedding. I want you by my side on the best day of my life.”

“I'll always be by your side, Kim! Never forget that. I'll always take care of you. It was a promise I made when I saw you in the hospital.”

“Thank you, Dan Dan. I'm so happy…” she says, crying.

“So, why are you crying?”

“I'm just so happy, that's why I'm crying.”

“You've always been a softie.”

“I know,” she says and smiles. “Now, I'll let you rest, and tomorrow I'll stop by the office, so we can have lunch together.”

“Alright, I'll be waiting for you.”

“I love you, Dan Dan.”

“I love you too, princess!” I say, and she hangs up.

I walk to the closet, grab a pair of sweatpants, put them on, then head down to the kitchen to grab something to eat before going to sleep. The day with Kim is going to be busy. This lunch of hers is just an excuse for us to spend the whole afternoon together, and I'll need to cancel my appointments.