between two worlds

Chapter 2: beneath the surface (Luca's pov)

The night air was thick with tension as I made my way through the dimly lit streets of my neighborhood. The carnival was a world away now, replaced by the harsh realities of my life. I could hear the distant sounds of laughter and music fading into the background, leaving only the echo of my father's voice ringing in my ears.

"Luca, we need to talk. Now."

His words had left little room for argument. As I walked, I replayed our conversation in my mind, the weight of his expectations heavy on my shoulders. I was supposed to be the next in line, the one to uphold the family name, but the thought filled me with dread.

I turned the corner and approached our family's estate, a sprawling old mansion that loomed over the neighborhood like a dark sentinel. Inside, the walls echoed with the history of our lineage—stories of power, loyalty, and violence that hung in the air like a thick fog. I stepped through the ornate front door, greeted by the familiar scent of polished wood and expensive cologne.

"Luca!" My mother's voice called from the living room. I hesitated for a moment before walking in, my heart heavy.

She looked up from her seat, her expression a mix of concern and affection. "Are you alright? You seemed a bit distracted at dinner."

I shrugged, not wanting to dive into the chaos swirling in my mind. "Just a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Your father has been on edge lately," she said, her brow furrowing. "You know how he gets when things don't go his way."

"I know," I replied, feeling the pressure build inside me. "It's just... it's never-ending."

She studied me for a moment as if weighing her words carefully. "You're part of this family, Luca. There are responsibilities that come with it. You need to be prepared for what's ahead."

"I know," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper. The truth was, I felt suffocated. I wanted to shout, to express how trapped I felt beneath the weight of our family's expectations. But I couldn't; it would only bring disappointment.

"Your father wants you to be involved in the business more," she continued. "He believes you have what it takes."

"Business," I echoed, the word leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. It was a euphemism for the darker side of our lives—intimidation, power plays, and violence. I didn't want to be part of it, but turning my back felt impossible.

"I'll be fine, Mom," I said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'll figure it out."

As I turned to leave, my mother called after me, her voice softer. "Luca, just remember that family is everything. We protect our own."

The weight of her words pressed down on me as I climbed the stairs to my room. I closed the door and leaned against it, taking a moment to breathe. My sanctuary felt more like a prison, the walls closing in with every passing day.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my  Instagram until I found her username—Sophia. The girl who had brought a light into my otherwise dark world. Just a few hours ago, I had been hanging with her, the worries of my life feeling distant. Now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I would have to push her away for her safety.

The reality of my situation hit me like a cold wave. I was tied to a legacy that demanded loyalty, and the more I got involved, the more danger I would bring to her.

I tossed my phone onto the bed, frustration boiling inside me. How could I explain to Sophia that the carefree life she saw was built on a foundation of violence? I wanted to protect her, but the deeper I got into this life, the harder it would be to keep her safe.

I paced my room, the weight of the family business pressing heavily on my mind. I couldn't shake the image of my father's face, the intensity of his expectations suffocating me. He had sacrificed so much for this family, and now it was my turn to carry that burden.

"Luca!" My father's voice rang through the house, breaking my thoughts. "Get down here."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This was it. The moment I had been dreading. I made my way downstairs, each step feeling like I was marching toward my fate.

In the living room, the atmosphere was charged. My father stood with a few of his associates, their faces serious and focused. The discussion paused as I entered, all eyes on me.

"Good, you're here," my father said, his tone leaving no room for uncertainty. "We need to prepare for our next move."

I swallowed hard, knowing that this was my life now. The stakes were high, and there was no escape. As the plans unfolded around me, I felt a familiar sense of dread settling in, a cold reminder of the life I was destined to lead.

But as I glanced out the window, the moonlight shining down like a beacon of hope, I couldn't help but think of Sophia. The laughter we shared felt like a distant memory, a fragile moment in time that I desperately wanted to hold onto.

The dark reality of my life loomed large, but somewhere deep down, I clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to break free from this legacy.

Sophia's POV

The sound of raised voices echoed through the hallway, pulling me out of my thoughts. I was in my room, trying to finish up some homework, but the argument between my parents had grown louder.

"Stop acting like I don't know what I'm doing!" my dad shouted, his voice booming through the walls.

"It's not about that! It's about your timing!" my mom replied, her tone sharp. "You can't just make decisions on a whim and expect us to follow!"

I rolled my eyes, the frustration bubbling up inside me. This wasn't the first time they'd gone at it like this. "Great, just what I need," I muttered under my breath. I stood up and headed toward the living room, feeling the need to intervene.

"You're both being ridiculous!" I burst in, crossing my arms. "Can you just chill for a second?"

My dad turned to me, eyebrows raised. "Sophia, this isn't your business. Stay out of it."

"Of course it's my business when you're fighting like this!" I shot back, my voice rising. "Why can't you two just talk without it turning into a shouting match?"

My mom sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's not about you, sweetheart. We're just trying to figure things out."

"Well, maybe if you didn't make everything a crisis, it wouldn't be so chaotic!" I snapped. "It's exhausting listening to you both argue over the dumbest things!"

"Dumb? You think this is dumb?" my dad asked, incredulous. "Your mother is worried about money, and I'm trying to find a way to fix it!"

"Yeah, well, yelling isn't going to solve anything! Why don't you both just take a breath?" I exclaimed, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

"Don't talk to us like that," my mom said, her voice firm.

I threw my hands up in exasperation. "I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking! I'm tired of the constant drama. Can't we just be a normal family for once?"

The room fell silent, tension hanging in the air. My parents exchanged glances, their expressions softening just a bit.

"Fine," my dad said, his voice low. "We'll talk later."

"Yeah, you'd better," I replied, turning on my heel and storming back to my room. I flopped onto my bed, frustration coursing through me. I didn't want to deal with this right now. I just wanted to escape, to find a way to enjoy my life without the constant stress of family drama.

I picked up my phone, scrolling aimlessly. My thoughts drifted to Luca. I missed his comforting atmosphere and the way he made me feel alive amidst all the chaos. But I knew he had his struggles.

As I lay back on my bed, I sighed, wishing for a moment of peace in a world that seemed determined to spin out of control.