Chapter 54: You’re insane, little sister
Frida chuckled at the news on the screen and switched off the TV with a click of the remote.
"Luca saved Sara again," she remarked, glancing at her brother as he stepped into the living room, an envelope clutched in his hand.
"Was that really surprising?" Diego muttered under his breath, sinking into the couch. "I told you not to hire any reporters. In the end, Luca always comes out on top with his responses. People trust the Augustino Group more than ever. Share prices are climbing, and that works in our favor, Falcone Industries is firmly under his control now."
Frida frowned, leaning back against the couch. "I wanted them to humiliate Sara today... but it looks like it’s not going to be that easy."
Diego nodded thoughtfully. "As long as Luca is watching over her, Sara’s image is untouchable. Besides, the De Augustino name carries weight. Everyone knows it."
Frida’s eyes narrowed. "So even if we try, breaking through will be nearly impossible. Not with him protecting her every step of the way."
"Why are you suddenly so full of hatred toward Sara?" Diego asked, amusement flickering in his tone as he leaned back in his chair.
Frida’s eyes hardened. "Because she’s the reason I’ve had to suffer... to stay in the shadows all my life." Her voice trembled, though she tried to steady it. "Did Dad ever once acknowledge me the way he did her? It was always Sara this, Sara that. Learn from her, be more like her. " She let out a bitter laugh. "And then Asher, he broke up with me and vanished. While Sara was off enjoying her honeymoon, he was drowning in pain. Do you know how much that hurts?"
For a moment, Diego simply studied her, then sighed and shook his head.
"Asher’s an idiot," he said. "He was with Sara first, then suddenly started seeing you. I don’t support cheating, you know that. And you, out of all the men in the world, you picked him?"
Frida shot him a glare. "You don’t understand anything about love, Brother. So just shut up."
"But I do understand loyalty," Diego countered. "I’d never cheat on anyone."
"I didn’t cheat on him," Frida snapped, her eyes flashing. "It was a plan to make Sara fall in love with Asher."
Diego blinked, taken aback, and then burst out laughing. "What? You used your own lover? Hah!" He clutched his stomach, shaking his head in disbelief. "You’re insane, little sister. What kind of twisted plan was that? I used to think you were the innocent one in this family, but you’re far more dangerous than I ever imagined."
Frida said nothing, but gave him a hard scowl. At last she spoke. "Soon I’ll be the director of the company. Then I’ll show Sara exactly where she belongs."
Diego raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that? Don’t forget that Sara is Luca’s secretary." With that, he walked out of the house.
~~~~~
Sara removed her hand from the mouse and rose, heading toward the printer. She watched as the pages slid out, then neatly stacked them before stapling them together. Carefully, she filed them and made her way toward Luca’s office.
She knocked lightly before entering, but the room was empty. Setting the file down on his desk, she paused, listening. Moments later, the door opened behind her, and she turned.
"Fabio, did you ask Diego to see me?" she asked.
"Yes," Fabio replied. "He’s on his way."
"Why did you call Diego?" Sara asked, turning slightly toward him.
"He’s supposed to give me an update on the financial report he prepared," Luca replied, glancing at the folder on his desk. "But why are you here?"
"I brought this report for you to review," she said, holding out the file. "It’s from the sales department."
"I see." Luca checked his watch and smiled faintly. "It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s go out for a bit." Then he turned to Fabio, who stood near the door. "We’ll be back in an hour. If Diego arrives, don’t send him in, have him wait in the lobby."
"Understood, sir," Fabio replied with a polite nod.
Without another word, Luca reached for Sara’s hand, guiding her toward the exit with quiet confidence.
"I should grab my phone and wallet first," Sara said quickly, glancing back toward her desk.
Luca’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "You have two minutes," he murmured, still holding her hand as if reluctant to let go.
Sara gently pulled her hand free and turned back toward her small office. "What’s wrong with him?" she murmured under her breath, though a soft smile tugged at her lips.
She slipped her phone into her pocket, grabbed her wallet, and stepped out again. Luca was waiting near the doorway; without a word, he placed a guiding hand against the small of her back as they headed toward the elevator.
As the doors opened, Sara caught the lingering glances of the staff around them with envy in their eyes. It wasn’t hard to understand why. Luca De Augustino was considered untouchable: composed, reserved, a man who never allowed any woman close.
Yet here he was, walking beside her, close enough for everyone to see. Well, they were couple, so it was obvious.
As the elevator’s door shut, Sara said, "Why did you ask Diego to prepare a financial report? You know him well."
"I want to catch his dishonesty," Luca replied. "Shall we take off our minds from the other people? Since it’s a break time for us, let’s just talk about each other."
"What do you want to talk about?" Sara mumbled. "Ahh, I have one thing to ask. What will Ivanna do? I think your parents will ask us to see them in the evening? Your mother tried to reach out, but I’ve not answered her calls today. I didn’t want to. I think she’s upset with this press conference."
"Let her be upset then," Luca asserted.
"We have to meet Asher as well," Sara reminded him and found his expression darkening with an unexplainable emotion.