Tony's POV
It's almost midnight when I finish getting ready to go out.
Nightclubs aren't really my thing.
But when my best friends are there… it's different.
They're the only ones who truly know me, and I feel comfortable with them.
I slip on a deep black t-shirt, simple but perfectly tailored.
Over it, a charcoal gray blazer, elegant without being flashy.
A fitted black jogger, clean and sleek.
Pristine white sneakers.
I grab my keys and phone.
I'm about to leave when my phone vibrates.
It's my father: "Come to the chalet."
I close my eyes and exhale.
— Seriously…
I haven't been back since the other day.
Since I saw Esther's mother pleading.
A broken woman.
And I hate seeing a woman suffer.
It just triggers a surge of anger inside me.
I don't know why, but at that moment… I just wanted to protect her.
And that feeling hasn't left me.
Forty minutes later, I arrive at the chalet.
I knock.
The door opens, and my mother immediately hugs me.
— MY DEAR! I've missed you so much!
— Mom… breathe. We saw each other two days ago.
— Two days isn't enough, especially now that you're going to get married!
I frown.
I'm about to respond when my father's voice rings from behind her:
— Ah, you're here? Are you going to stay at the door or come in?
Mom finally lets go, and we enter the living room.
Dad settles into a chair. I do the same.
Mom sits right next to me.
She loves me a lot. Too much, probably.
Normal, I'm her only son.
— Tony, says Dad gravely… I called you because…
He stops.
I stare at him silently.
— Alex just informed me that Esther accepted the marriage.
My heart pounds violently.
Why does this hit me like this?
I thought she would refuse…
Mom smiles, clearly thrilled by the news.
— Yes! You're getting married soon.
They've arranged a dinner tomorrow to formalize… your engagement.
And I finally get to see her!
I look at her, intrigued.
— Finally see her? You haven't seen her yet?
— No, I want to see her in person, not in photos.
Dad resumes:
— I know arranged marriages aren't your thing.
But believe me, son… Esther will be the best partner for your life.
I laugh, dry, nervous, almost cold.
— Perfect?
You talk about her like a contract.
— Tony, I—
I cut him off.
I stand abruptly.
— I have to go. I'm expected.
— Already? Stay here…
— No, Mom. See you tomorrow.
She gives me that mock stern look.
— You're not seeing one of those… girls again, I hope?
I'm warning you… you'll stop. No way your future wife sees you with girls like that.
— Mom. Stop.
I kiss her anyway.
— Good night.
I reach the door when she calls out:
— Wait.
She returns with a small box.
She opens it.
A ring.
Simple. Elegant.
A thin band, surrounded by tiny sparkling diamonds.
— Here. It's for Esther. You'll give it to her tomorrow.
— Mom… can't you give it yourself?
— No.
— Why not?
— Because you're the one marrying her.
— Fine.
I take the box and leave.
Outside, the cool air hits my face.
I get into the car and drive toward the club.
…
The club is already packed.
The music hits me like a wall.
Dim lights, heavy bass, the smell of alcohol and shisha surround me.
I head straight to the VIP.
Samir sits, focused on his phone.
Ethan is already on the dance floor, surrounded by girls. That idiot never changes.
— Samir,
He looks up.
— Hey bro, how's it going?
— Could be better. Why are you alone here?
We bump fists and I sit.
— Nothing, man. I'm waiting for company, he says with a sly smile.
Samir… I've known him since middle school.
When everyone else turned away, he stayed.
We run a hotel chain together, and I must admit, it's doing very well.
We're recognized across Europe.
Ethan approaches, smiling:
— Brooo! When did you get here and why didn't you tell me? And why the funeral face?
Ethan… I met him at the rehab school my father sent me to.
He always tells the truth, even when it hurts.
He's the only one who can truly make me laugh.
He runs a car business in partnership with Arrison Holdings, and his company is thriving.
— I just got here, but you were busy with the girls, I say, referring to the distraction.
He sits down, ever-smiling.
— Thanks for inviting us. I admit, there's a lot of entertainment here, he says with a wink.
Samir bursts out laughing.
— Seriously, you first. You're here to work, not to fool around with those girls.
— And you, why so quiet?
I exhale.
— I'm getting married.
Silence.
They burst into laughter.
— Stop it! Ethan says between laughs, I already told you to stop joking, you're terrible at this.
Silence.
— Seriously? Samir says, laughing, holy… you're not joking?
— Wait… really? So you're getting married? Ethan looks shocked.
— Engagement is tomorrow.
Ethan whistles.
— The great Tony, ladies' man… engaged.
I glare at him.
— Shut up.
They laugh.
Ethan stands:
— I'll grab a drink, we have to celebrate this, he says, heading to the bar.
— Congratulations, bro! Samir says, putting his arm on my shoulder.
Then my phone vibrates. Youssef.
I step away from the noise.
— Speak. I'm listening.
— Sir… the man you asked me to find is Malik Belrose.
The son of Esther's father's enemy.
Interesting.
— Continue.
— He's been around Esther for months.
A quiet rage rises inside me.
Unexplainable.
— Are they together? My voice is sharper than intended.
— I couldn't confirm. He's very discreet.
My fist clenches.
— And the envelope?
— Still nothing.
— Find the sender. Fast.
I hang up.
Malik Belrose… who are you to her?
I return inside and sit.
— You look bad, Samir remarks.
I'm about to answer when a female voice interrupts our exchange:
— Tony?
Damn. Not her…
She approaches and sits beside me.
— I missed you…
— Lana. Not tonight.
— Come on… just one drink.
— I said no.
She exasperates me. She wants something serious between us, but it's impossible, and she refuses to let go.
She insists, placing a hand on my chest.
— Are you serious? Since when do you refuse? One drink, you.
I remove her hand.
— Since now. Go elsewhere.
— You're really an asshole. Why refuse?
Silence.
— Why? Because you're getting married.
And I see Ethan signaling me. Probably he spilled the info… that idiot.
— Exactly.
— You really think you'll stay faithful?
I look at her coldly.
— Leave.
— You're a bastard.
— Maybe. But not with you.
She storms off, furious. Finally.
Ethan returns.
— Dude… you're really in love, huh?
I take a sip.
— No.
We stay there for the rest of the night.
But deep down… I'm not sure what I feel anymore.
I remain seated in the VIP, no longer enjoying the music or the laughter around me.
All I can think about is Esther.
Malik Belrose.
His name echoes like a silent threat.
Who is he to her? Why is he in her world, lurking around her?
I clench my fists.
A cold anger rises in me, a mix of frustration and protectiveness.
The thought that another man could touch her… look at her like he does… drives me mad.
Yet I can't calm down.
Because I know… I know she isn't with him.
But that simple "I know" isn't enough.
Every thought, every moment where she's in danger or manipulated, makes my heart race.
I step out onto the balcony.
The cool air slaps my face, but it doesn't calm my mind.
I think back to the last time I saw her, her brown eyes, her angelic face.
And I realize… it's not just the marriage I care about.
It's her. Only her.
I close my eyes.
Am I… falling?
No. No. I refuse. I won't fall.
Not after everything I've lived through.
Yet a voice whispers in my head:
"You will protect her. Even if you have to face the world."
And that's exactly what I feel.
This burning determination.
This desire to control everything around her so she won't suffer.
I go back inside.
Samir looks at me, curious:
— Dude… you okay? You look elsewhere.
I smile faintly, shaking my head.
— I'm fine.
But it's not true.
Nothing is fine.
Because I can't ignore Malik Belrose.
Because I can't ignore Esther.
And because tomorrow, at the engagement dinner…
Nothing will be the same.
I take a sip, close my eyes for a moment, and whisper almost to myself:
— I will protect you, Esther. No matter the cost…
And for the first time, I find myself hoping for something I still refuse to admit.
That this marriage… maybe, despite everything… could be the beginning of something else.