KING OF NEW YORK

CHAP 5. Family Above All

The luncheon was set to be a grand affair, and it was. The restaurant, exclusive and rented out for the day, sparkled with elegance. Flowers draped the tables, the finest wine flowed freely, and every detail had been meticulously planned. The New York skyline shimmered outside the large windows, serving as a perfect backdrop to what the tabloids had already dubbed *"The Event of the Year."*

Rumors had begun swirling even before Lucas Materazzi and Aïsha Sunak arrived at the restaurant. Some whispers suggested a hidden pregnancy, others spun wilder tales about political scandals and secret alliances. The press, who had gotten wind of the proposal, were hungry for a story - but they could only speculate for now. The truth was, today was Lucas's day, and he had made sure that nothing would get in the way.

As they entered, Lucas held Aïsha's hand, his touch firm but calm. The mayor, his wife, and a few close family members were already seated, making the intimate event feel even more charged with significance. Clara, Lucas's cousin and like a sister to him, had flown in from Italy for this occasion. She had been a constant in his life since they were children - Lucas's father had brought her over to America when Lucas was just six. Clara had been his confidante, the one person who understood him in ways no one else could. Now, she smiled warmly at Aïsha, sensing the importance of this moment for her cousin.

Next to Clara sat Leo, Lucas's closest ally and second-in-command. He had raised Lucas in many ways after the death of their father, teaching him how to rule the Materazzi family with an iron fist. Leo was more than just a mentor - he was the brother Lucas had needed, a father figure when their own had been too harsh, too distant. Today, Leo's stern expression softened ever so slightly as he looked at Lucas. He knew what this proposal meant, both politically and personally.

On the other side of the table, Aïsha's stepmother, who had lately been avoiding the public eye, sat quietly. The whispers about her affair with Dimitri Romanov, one of Lucas's greatest rivals, had not faded. Whether the rumors were true or not, no one knew for sure, but her sudden retreat from the spotlight had only fueled more speculation. Despite their fifteen-year age gap, the mayor remained infatuated with his wife, his eyes often darting toward her during the lunch, trying to catch her attention.

The lunch unfolded just as Lucas had planned. The mayor beamed with relief, clearly seeing this proposal as his salvation from the corruption scandal that had threatened to destroy his career. Aïsha, however, was quieter, taking in everything around her with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She was no fool - she knew that this was more than just a marriage proposal. It was a binding alliance, a political move disguised in romance.

When the moment came, Lucas stood from his seat, the diamond ring from Tiffany's glittering in his hand. He faced Aïsha, his expression serious, but his voice surprisingly tender as he spoke his vows.

"Aïsha," he began, his tone soft yet commanding, "from the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You challenge me, make me think in ways no one else ever has. I don't just want you in my life - I need you by my side, as my equal, my partner. Marrying you isn't just about politics or family ties. It's about the future I see with you, the future we'll build together."

The room fell silent as Lucas dropped to one knee, presenting the ring to her. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Aïsha, caught off guard by the unexpected sincerity in his words, blinked in surprise. His vow sounded real, genuine, even though she knew the stakes. The man who had so ruthlessly planned every detail of this event had, for once, revealed something deeper. She hesitated but finally smiled, her hand slowly reaching for his.

But just as Lucas was about to slip the ring onto her finger, the doors to the restaurant burst open. The air seemed to shift, and all eyes turned to the entrance.

Two figures stood in the doorway.

The first was a woman Lucas had not seen in years, her face both familiar and foreign. His biological mother, the woman who had been taken from him when he was just six, stood before him. The same woman his father had hidden him from, erasing her from his life. Lucas's eyes narrowed, a wave of emotions flooding him - confusion, anger, and a deep-seated sense of betrayal. What was she doing here now, after all these years?

The second figure, however, sent a ripple of tension through the room. **Lee Chang**, Lucas's longest nemesis, stepped forward, his face unreadable but his presence unmistakable. He had known Lee as a competitor in the underground world of New York crime, but today, it wasn't just business that brought him here. Lee's gaze wasn't on Lucas - it was on Aïsha.

The room buzzed with confusion. Guests whispered, trying to make sense of the sudden intrusion. Lucas stood, his body tense, his instincts screaming that something was about to go horribly wrong.

Lee Chang, however, ignored the stares and the tension. He walked straight toward Aïsha, his expression softening as he approached her. "Aïsha," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "I had to come. I couldn't let this happen without telling you the truth."

Aïsha, wide-eyed, glanced between Lucas and Lee, confusion etched on her face. "Lee, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Lee's jaw clenched, and for a moment, it seemed as if he would say something monumental. His feelings for Aïsha, buried for years, threatened to spill over. But in the end, he said nothing more. He couldn't. The moment had already slipped away, and Lucas, sensing the danger, stepped forward, reclaiming his space beside Aïsha.

"This is a private event, Chang," Lucas said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're not welcome here."

Lee held his gaze for a long moment before finally turning away, his shoulders sagging with unspoken regret. The man who had loved Aïsha in silence for years knew he had lost her. With one final glance at her, he left the restaurant, leaving behind only a shadow of what could have been.

As for Lucas's mother, she remained near the door, watching silently. She didn't make a scene, didn't demand attention. But her mere presence was enough to unsettle Lucas. He knew he would have to confront her later, to deal with the ghosts of his past that had resurfaced at the worst possible time.

But for now, nothing - not Lee, not his mother, not the swirling rumours or the scandals - could distract Lucas from what mattered. He turned back to Aïsha, taking her hand again, and with all eyes on them, he slid the ring onto her finger.

In front of their families, in front of New York's elite, Lucas Materazzi had won. Aïsha Sunak was his.