Chasing Starlight

The thumping bass vibrated through Luca's chest, a dull counterpoint to the simmering frustration stirring within him. He stood on the balcony of the penthouse suite, the glittering skyline of the city a vast, indifferent canvas spread before him. The party raged on inside, a cacophony of laughter, clinking glasses, and carefully piled conversations. This was his world, a world of power, privilege, and suffocating expectations.

"Lost in thought, boss?" a voice drawled from behind him.

Luca turned to see Marco, his childhood friend and counselor leaning against the railing, a mocking grin on his lips. Marco always saw too much, understood too much. Beside him stood Alessandro, the group's tech whiz and strategist, ever the observant one, scanning the crowd with cool calculation. They were his rocks, his confidantes, the only people he truly trusted in this viper's nest.

"Just enjoying the view," Luca replied, his voice a low rumble that barely registered above the music. It wasn't a lie, exactly. He was enjoying the view...of an escape route.

Marco raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Right. And I'm sure the view includes Isabella Blackwood practically throwing herself at you all night."

Luca grimaced. Isabella Blackwood . Daughter of one of their oldest and most demanding clients. Beautiful, ambitious, and about as subtle as a jackhammer. He'd been dodging her all evening.

"She's persistent," Luca conceded. "Her father is...insistent."

Alessandro chuckled. "Insistent? He practically offered her hand in marriage with a signed contract. Benefits package included, I presume?"

Luca's jaw tightened. This was the game they played, the expectation he carried on his shoulders. Strategic alliances masked as romance. He was a pawn, just like his father before him, expected to solidify business deals with a smile and a strategically chosen bride.

He took a long drag of his cigarette, the nicotine doing little to soothe his frayed nerves. "I'm not my father," he said, the words sharper than he intended.

Marco clapped him on the shoulder. "We know, Luca. You're not. But you still have a business to run, an empire to protect."

He knew they were right. Duty. Obligation. The chains of his legacy. He sighed, a plume of smoke disappearing into the night. "Tell Isabella I have an early meeting. And make sure her father understands...my profound appreciation for his...generosity."

"Consider it done," Alessandro said, ever the diplomat.

Luca watched them disappear back into the throng, feeling the weight of his responsibilities press down on him. He was trapped, caught between the expectations of his family and the longing for something...more. Something real.

The piercing shriek of Frozen's "Let It Go" ripped through the silence of the morning. Luca groaned, burying his head under his pillow. He could picture it now: his little sister, Sofia, all of fourteen years old, standing by his bed with her phone blaring, a mischievous glint in her eyes. He tried to ignore it, willing himself back into the oblivion of sleep. But Sofia was relentless.

"Luca! Wake up! You promised you'd take me to the mall today!" Her voice was high and insistent.

He pulled the pillow away, glaring at her with mock ferocity. "Sofia, I swear, one day I'm going to confiscate that phone and throw it into the river."

Sofia just giggled, jumping onto his bed. "You wouldn't dare! Now come on, lazy bones. Get up! Mom called, she said she is back so you can drop me off at the house after the mall."

Luca managed a weak smile. Sofia and his mom were the one bright spot in his life, the people who could penetrate his carefully constructed defenses. He ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright. Give me five minutes. But if I hear that song one more time, I'm blaming you."

As Sofia skipped out of the room, Luca sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The weight of the previous night returned, the memory of Isabella's forced smile and the unspoken expectations of his father. He needed this morning with Sofia. He needed to escape the suffocating world of Moretti group of companies, even if just for a few hours.

He stood and walked towards his bathroom. "Let it go, Luca." he muttered to himself, "Just let it go." As he stared at the mirror. He sighed and started his morning routine.

The mall was a sensory overload. A full room of bright colors, loud music, and chattering crowds. Luca, is used to the hushed tones and controlled environments of his world, felt a knot of tension tighten in his shoulders. But Sofia was in her element, flitting from store to store with boundless energy.

"Luca, look! They have the new Ariana Grande perfume!" Sofia squealed, dragging him into a perfumery.

Luca dutifully endured the assault of floral scents as Sofia sprayed herself with every fragrance she could get her hands on. He watched her, a small smile playing on his lips. These moments with Sofia were precious, a reminder of the normal life he craved.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. It was Marco. Luca frowned. He rarely got calls from Marco on a Sunday morning. Something was up.

He stepped away from Sofia, answering the phone. "What is it?"

Marco's voice was grim. "We have a problem. The Blackwood deal is falling apart. Isabella's father is threatening to pull out. He's demanding a meeting."

Luca cursed under his breath. "Now? I'm with Sofia."

"He's insistent, Luca. And he mentioned something about 'disrespect' and 'broken promises.' This could get your dad angry."

Luca's jaw tightened. He hated when his personal life bled into his business, but this was unavoidable. "Alright. I'll be there in an hour. Set it up at the office."

He hung up the phone, his good mood instantly shattered. He turned back to Sofia, forcing a smile.

"Hey, kiddo, something's come up. I have to go. I will drop you off at Mom's but I promise to be there for dinner." Sofia's face fell. "But you promised! We were going to see that new movie!"

Luca felt a pang of guilt. He hated disappointing her. "I know, Sofia, and I'm really sorry. But it's important. I promise, I'll make it up to you. We can come again and see movies next weekend, okay?"

Sofia sighed, but nodded. She knew better than to argue. "Okay," she mumbled.

Luca ruffled her hair again, his heart heavy. He hated that he couldn't always be there for her, that his responsibilities often took precedence over his family. He knew that one day, Sofia would understand. But that didn't make it any easier.

He dropped Sofia off at their family house. Mrs Elsa, with her warm smile and comforting presence, greeted them at the door.

"Luca, dear, what a surprise! Sofia told me you two were having a day out," she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Something came up, Mom," Luca said, his voice apologetic. "I have to go"

She nodded understandingly. She knew Luca's responsibilities and the weight he carried on his shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her. You go handle whatever it is you need to handle. And Luca..."

"Yes, Mom?"

"Don't worry alright, everything will be fine."

Luca smiled, a genuine smile this time. "sure Mom. Thanks."

He kissed them both goodbye and headed towards Moretti group of companies, the weight of his world settling back on his shoulders. The brief escape had been nice, but now it was time to face the music.