CHAPTER 34: THE D-DAY!

The day of the engagement finally arrived, and the Drago estate was buzzing with activity from the moment the sun rose.

Guards patrolled the grounds, designers made last-minute adjustments to outfits, and Milo dashed around the kitchen, preparing breakfast for everyone.

The location for the party wasn’t the estate... it was a 5-star hotel owned by Clara’s family, one of the largest in the country, with grand ballrooms and crystal chandeliers that could host hundreds. Everyone in the house was busy, from Gerald coordinating the cars to the twins running around in excitement.

Elias was in the twins’ room, making sure they were dressed perfectly. He had woken up early to help them, personally checking their shirts for wrinkles and combing their hair until it was neat and tidy.

"Dante, hold still," Elias said, adjusting the boy’s tie for the third time. "You keep messing it up."

Dante grinned, wiggling.

"It’s itchy, Nanny! Why do we have to wear this stuff?"

"It’s your dad’s big day," Elias said, smoothing Dario’s collar. "You want to look good for him, right?"

Dario nodded, standing tall in his suit. "Yeah. But are you getting dressed, Nanny? You’re still in pyjamas."

Elias glanced at his reflection in the mirror... the simple shirt and pants he’d slept in.

"I’ll go after I’m done with you two. You need to look perfect first."

Dario shook his head. "No, go now! We can finish the rest. Tie our shoes and the rest."

"Yeah," Dante added, pushing Elias toward the door. "We’ll be fine. Go get fancy!"

Elias wanted to argue, but their eager faces made him smile.

"Okay, okay. But don’t wrinkle your suits. I’ll be back to check."

"We promise!" they chorused, waving him out.

.

Elias headed to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. He stared at the outfit on his bed, the suit Luka had picked for him during their shopping trip. It was a dark blue, sleek design, featuring a bow tie and polished shoes. He sighed, picking it up. He didn’t like wearing suits... they felt stiff and uncomfortable, like they weren’t made for someone like him. But today was the last day; he’d wear it for the twins, get his pay, and leave.

He changed quickly, the fabric hugging his frame, and styled his hair with a comb, making it neat but simple. He looked in the mirror, barely recognising the sharp, handsome guy staring back.

He glanced at his bag by the bed, packed and ready.

’I have to take it with me,’ he thought. ’Run as soon as I get the chance, especially after I’ve gotten my pay.’

He grabbed the bag, peeking out his door to make sure no one was around, and hurried to the garage. Marco was there, polishing a car, his face sad as he saw Elias.

"Marco," Elias said, handing over the bag. "You know what to do?"

Marco nodded, taking it and stowing it in the trunk of a small car.

"Gerald told me. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting."

Elias saw the sad look on Marco’s face, his eyes soft. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Marco smiled faintly. "You’re good for the kids, Elias. We’ll miss you."

Elias’s chest tightened, but he smiled back.

"I’ll miss them too." He hurried back inside, his heart heavy. He almost bumped into Viktor and Luka in the hall, who were talking quietly, their suits sharp and styled.

Elias’s heart thumped hard in his chest, his eyes widening at how handsome Viktor looked.

The black suit and black shirt hugged his broad frame, his hair styled perfectly, his grey eyes even more intense. Elias looked away quickly, realising he’d been staring too much.

Luka noticed him first, leaning closer with a grin. "Hey, kid," he said, adjusting Elias’s bow tie. "The suit looks good on you. You clean up nice."

Elias’s cheeks warmed. "Thanks, Luka. You too. Also, I’m not a kid,"

Luka turned to Viktor. "Right, you’re not. Vik? Isn’t Elias cute?"

Viktor just looked at Elias, his grey eyes intense, like he was waiting for something. The answer. It was Monday, the day of the engagement, and Viktor was expecting Elias’s response.

Viktor shoved Luka aside.

"Go get the kids already," he said, his voice flat.

Luka winked at Elias and left, leaving Elias and Viktor alone. Elias wished he could disappear, his heart racing. Viktor leaned closer, and Elias stepped back, then again, until his back hit the wall. Viktor pinned him there, his arms on either side.

"Your response," Viktor said, his voice low, his eyes searching Elias’s face. "Do you want me? Tell me, Elias. If you do, I’ll cancel the engagement. For you."

Elias’s mind spun, his heart pounding. He couldn’t say yes... he was leaving. But he couldn’t say no... the way Viktor looked at him made his chest ache. He bit his lower lip, reaching out to touch Viktor’s necktie, pulling it slightly to adjust it. Viktor’s body heated at the touch, his eyes softening, expecting a yes.

But Elias smiled faintly.

"Congratulations on your engagement, sir."

Viktor’s face turned cold, his eyes hardening. Elias apologised, slipping past him and walking away, his heart heavy. Viktor remained there, staring after him, his fists clenched.

As Elias disappeared down the hall, Clara came around the corner, her beautiful dress shimmering, her makeup perfect but her expression panicked. She was yelling at her assistant and makeup artist,

"Does this dress make me look fat? Be honest! And my hair... is it too flat? Fix it!"

She saw Viktor standing with a cold expression. She walked closer, smoothing her dress.

"Viktor, what’s wrong? You look upset."

Viktor snapped out of his thoughts, faking a smile. "Nothing. I just... can’t wait for the engagement."

Clara smiled, her eyes lighting up.

"Me too!" She wrapped her arms around him, leaning forward to kiss him.

He didn’t back away like usual. She pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply. He didn’t return it, just let her do what she wanted, his mind still on Elias.

She pulled back, blushing, touching her lips.

"I ruined my makeup," she said, giggling. "Be right back." She smiled at her assistant and makeup artist. "Retouch, quick!"

Viktor grabbed his hair as she left, asking himself,

’What just happened?’ He rubbed his chin, the memory of Elias’s rejection stinging. ’He said no. But I won’t stop trying.’

.

.

Finally, they were all on their way to the venue. Clara and Viktor rode together in a sleek black car, Clara clinging to his arm, chattering about the party. Viktor hadn’t spoken a word since Elias’s rejection, the hurt gnawing at him.

’It hurts. More than I thought,’ he thought, staring out the window. He wanted to lock Elias up, force him to say yes, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t hurt Elias. He’d keep trying, gently, until Elias accepted. Or... he’d have to do it forcefully.

Clara glanced at him, her clingy grip annoying, but he couldn’t push her away. Not today. He remembered Elias’s pay, pulling out his phone to text Gerald...

V: Pay Elias’s salary an hour after we get to the venue. Don’t forget!

G:

Noted Master!

.

The twins were driven by Marco, with Gerald in the front. Elias sat with them in the back, the twins absorbed in their tablets, not caring about their father’s engagement. Gerald suddenly got a message and turned to Elias, showing the screen... Viktor’s message about the pay.

Elias was happy but didn’t show it. He was finally getting what he wanted

"Thanks, Gerald," he said quietly.

The twins heard, pausing their game.

"Pay?" Dante asked, leaning forward. "Nanny, you’re getting paid?"

"Yeah," Dario said, eyes wide. "We should ask Dad to increase your salary so you don’t leave us!"

Elias’s heart ached, but he smiled. "Don’t worry about that, guys. Let’s just enjoy the party."

The twins exchanged looks, whispering.

"We need to make Dad keep Nanny," Dante said.

"Yeah," Dario agreed. "He’s ours."

Elias heard but said nothing, his smile bittersweet. He knew he wouldn’t be with them after today. He just listened, his chest tight, as they chatted about ways to convince Viktor.

.

.

A few minutes later, they got to the huge venue. It was massive, filled with guests in fancy dresses and suits, the entrance decorated with flowers and lights. Dario and Dante jumped out of the car and saw the paparazzi, cameras flashing.

The twins held Elias’s hand, hiding behind him.

"Huh? Are you scared of the crowd?"

"What? No! We don’t want pictures," Dante said, his voice small.

"Me neither," Dario added. "I don’t like those flashy cameras,"

"I see..." Elias glanced at Gerald. "Is there another way in?"

Gerald nodded, leading them through a side entrance, away from the crowd. Elias was about to follow when a voice called his name from behind. He paused, turning, and saw Jace, dressed in a sharp suit, waving.

Elias’s eyes widened. "Jace?" he called, confused.

’What is he doing here?’

Jace grinned, walking closer.

"Hey, Elias. Fancy seeing you here."