Big brother?

"Do you hate my name that much?"

Uh... why did he suddenly asked that out of the blue? Aisha was taken aback by Lucian's question but maybe she was acting weird around him and so, she forced herself to go back to the usual Aisha. Cold, void of emotions, like a robot.

"I don't know where did you got that idea but I don't hate your name, Lucian."

"Really? Then why did you sounded so distant whenever you mentioned it? Did my name remind you of something?"

Aisha take an unnoticeable deep breath and gritted her teeth behind her lips. "Quite the observer, huh, Lucian. But I believe let's just get down to business here, alright?"

"Sure, we can do that," Lucian said and Aisha was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Lucian open his mouth again and say, "But seeing how you avoid my question piques my curiosity, and I'll not start until I get a satisfactory answer."

This bàstard, Aisha choked down the curse she was wanting to say to him. It's sucks when you have to tolerate their acts because you were the one in need of help.

Being the daughter of Morano De La Torre, Aisha grew up at getting what she wants easily. Though, she is not pampered with affection and love, with just a word from her, all things she desire fall right into her hands.

Being inferior to someone and shows submission... it really is a feeling Aisha hated to feel.

Aisha couldn't do anything about it but to answer him, "I was just reminded of my one week friend back when I was still young, his name is also Lucian. After my vacation to their place, I hadn't see him again."

There was a hidden smile in Lucian's lips. "Is he somewhat an important person to you?"

Aisha thought that he will drop the topic once she answered him but she didn't expect he will ask an another question.

"Don't get me wrong though, you're adamant on asking my question so I just had a hunched that maybe this person is important to you." Lucian shrugs and his tone held curiosity and innocence.

Is he important to me? Aisha leans deeper into the back-rest, her hand is holding the cabernet as she twirls the red wine in the glass.

From what Aisha remembers, Lucian is her first friend. He is a little bit bossy but extremely shy, he is cute whenever he blushes, he also helps her in things she struggles with, he is like a big brother to Aisha.

So, is he important to Aisha?

Aisha pursed her lips and finally answered. "He is. He's important to me but he probably hates me right now."

Aisha made a promise to him that she will be back but she didn't. On the night of Christmas eve, she killed her mother and was sent back to the De La Torre manor afterwards, but even so, she didn't go back to her mother's hometown because of the awful memories that hunts her. But Aisha was sure that they are doing well, she did gave them the land and threatened the Jones famiglia to be nice and help them.

Lucian breathed out the breath he doesn't knew he was holding and was about to ask why Aisha thinks that he hate her but was stopped at Aisha's next statement.

"He is like a big brother to me so it will be quite a disappointment if he really hates me." Aisha closed her eyes, her left arm is draped unto the back-rest of the couch, while her right hand is holding the cabernet glass.

She looks so lazy and sexy at her current position but Lucian couldn't admire the lady before him at the moment.

Did she just say he is like a big brother to her? Lucian's mouth twitched, his blue eyes darken, he was obviously displeased at this but he could only hide it behind the cabernet glass as he sipped the red wine.

They are drinking Cabernet Sauvignon[1], it is a dry wine and is a full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors and savory tastes from black pepper to bell pepper, but to Lucian, it tastes tangy and bitter.

Aisha open her eyes when she starts feeling more cold than she already are. Sitting up straight, Aisha crossed her right leg over the other left leg as she fix her trench coat to cover her more.

She look up to Lucian and was confused at how his blue eyes darken. He is exuding a menacing aura that force Aisha to be on guard.

Aisha reached the dagger inside of her trench coat, she gripped it tightly into her palm. While she is preparing for a fight mentally, outside she is just a nonchalant person who develops an interest in bacteria on the red wine.

Aisha blinks as her vision suddenly blurs. She shook her head lightly and curse herself for drinking too much.

It looks like all the alcohols she drank is starting to effect in her body.

Lucian notices Aisha's constant blinking and sigh in disappointment.

He had hope to spend more time with her but it looks like she is starting to be tipsy.

"Let's get down to business here. Why does the Boss of the De La Torre famiglia wants to meet with me?"

Aisha cocked her head in confusion. She expects a fight between them, and was really thrilled to know how strong he is but instead he just gets right down to business.

Oh, stupid Aisha! This is what you're here for! Not to fight! Aisha mercilessly scold herself but didn't stop the slight tinge of disappointment from her heart.

So, Aisha closed her eyes, took several deep breaths to gather herself, and when she opens her eyes, Lucian was suddenly lost at the fiery determination and seriousness in the depths of her violet eyes.

"I want to establish an alliance with the Boss of the Lumière famiglia."

[1] Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties.