|Author's pov|

The environment was typically quieter, with students sitting at desks and engaging in academic activities.

While some students were intently focused on the professor's lecture, others were distracted by the ticking of the wall clock, counting down the final moments of class.

The professor announced, "Class dismissed," as he collected his belongings.

In a matter of seconds, the classroom was empty as the students rushed out.

"Luna! Luna! Wake up, class is over," a girl said, shaking her best friend who was sleeping, unaware of her surroundings.

"Sofi, please," luna whined, turning her face to the other side.

"Luna, let's go... otherwise those scary bodyguards of yours will barge inside, looking for you" sofia said, packing her bag.

"Fine!!!" Luna lazily stood up uninterestedly putting her books back in her bag.

Suddenly something struck luna's mind, and excitement rushed through her eyes.

"Sofi!!! I forgot to tell you, there's a party at my house today. You have to come, no excuses," luna dramatically said, making a cross with her arms.

"And you already know my answer, which is no. I don't want to come to your house, it's scary," sofi replied anxiously.

"I already told you, I won't take no for an answer. You have no choice, bestie, bye!!! See you!!! Love you!!!" With that, luna took her bag and ran outside the classroom.

Sofia sighed, sitting on the chair.

"Her brother is scarier than her house," sofia mumbled, looking outside the window.

Luna belongs to the luciano's family, and her brother Charles Luciano is a well-known personality not only in Italy but also in Asia.

Although he is recognized as a successful businessman, he is infamous for his underground business. In a nutshell, he is known as a mafia.

Sofia gulped hard thinking about him. She only saw him once, when he came to drop Luna off at college.

No doubt, she was also mesmerized by his beauty but she didn't fail to feel his dark aura and sinister energy, that caused tension in the air. Rigid expressions with expressive eyes, that's how Charles Luciano is.

It would be a lie if Sofia says that she is not afraid of him.

Entering her small yet cozy apartment, sofia was welcomed by her little brother Nick.

Her tired face lit up after hearing his childish voice, after working for hours in a cafe.

"Noona! I missed you," he exclaimed, swiftly hugging her waist.

Sofia chuckled and kneeled down, ruffling his hair.

They aren't related by blood, but she met him on a footpath two years ago when he was shaking from a high fever.

She took him to her apartment, where she treated him. He recovered after a few days, but she didn't want to leave him on that footpath again, knowing the pain of being an orphan.

That's why he has been living with her since that day. She loves him like her own brother, and he sees her as his noona. He is now eight years old.

She works at a cafe to cover her expenses, but the salary is not enough. Despite this, she manages to make it till the end of the month.

"What were you looking for, Nick?" she questioned, as when she stepped in, the first thing she saw was Nick looking for something in the kitchen.

"Noona, I am hungry, so I was finding something to eat," he explained, rubbing his hand over his tummy.

This month, she didn't have enough money to buy groceries because she used it to buy her medication. She was diagnosed with leukemia five months ago after experiencing fever, fatigue, and weakness for over three weeks.

When she went to the doctor, they ran some tests and discovered her illness. The doctors told her that it was in the first stage and could be treated with induction therapy.

But she is still refusing them because her only problem is money. If she spends all her money and savings on her treatment, then Nick and she will ultimately die due to hunger and poverty.

She hasn't told anyone about her illness, including Nick and Luna.

Because Nick will get anxious about her, and Luna will insist on paying for her treatment, but she doesn't want that. Luna has already helped her a lot financially.

"Nick, wait here for me. I have some money. I'll go and buy a packet of ramen for you," she said, searching her purse for any leftover money.

"But noona, what will you eat?" he asked, being concerned about her.

"Tonight I am going to a party at my friend's house, so I will eat something there. You don't worry and sleep. I will ask our neighbor aunty to look after you," she ensured him, patting his cheek lovingly.

He nodded and went back to his room.

After feeding Nick, sofia is now selecting a dress for herself, although there is a limited variety to choose from.

"Everyone at the party will be hella rich, and I have no dress that can match their standards," she said to herself while sitting on the bed, having no id

She unlocked her phone and opened the message, which was sent by Luna.

"Sofiii, please wear the dress which I gifted you on your birthday. It will look good on you."

Sofia's eyes widened in happiness, remembering the expensive dress gifted by Luna.

She internally thanked Luna and ran towards her cupboard to find that dress.

"I almost forgot about this dress," sofia muttered, excitedly opening the box.

Within half an hour, she got ready and, lastly, after giving her apartment keys to her neighbor aunty, she left.

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Finally reaching Luciano's mansion, sofia's eyes explored it engagingly. She was stunned by how unreal it looked, just like it came out of a fantasy.

She shook her head, pulling herself back into reality.

Sofia was about to enter the mansion when someone stopped her. Examining his appearance, she came to know that he was a bodyguard.

"Ma'am, please show us your invitation card," the guard politely asked her.

"U-umm, I don't have an invitation card," she replied, fidgeting her fingers nervously.

"Sorry ma'am, but we can't allow you inside if you don't have an invitation card," he informed her in an apologetic manner and bowed afterwards.

"But Miss Luna invited me. I am her best friend," she tried to persuade him. Taking a quick glance at her surroundings, she saw people staring at her strangely, which only made her more anxious. She wondered if they were judging her.

"No ma'am, we can't allow you in. We have strict orders from Mr. Luciano to not allow anyone in who doesn't have an invita-," the guard was interrupted by someone who just came and stood beside sofia.

"Why are you not letting her go in?"

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