Chapter 4 The Price of the Illusion.

Chapter 4.

The Price of the Illusion.

The car glides smoothly down the road, but inside Alicia, the storm is fierce. Her oppressed heart barely finds space to beat under the weight of anxiety and the confirmation of her worst fears. She curls up in the back seat, hiding her face with her hair, trying in vain to stifle the silent weeping that shakes her. The tears are salty and hot, streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably, silent testimony to the open wound Lucas has inflicted with his sudden return and his engagement. The chauffeur, accustomed to the family's discretion, remains impassive, unaware of the pain overflowing in the cabin.

Upon arriving at the institute, the atmosphere contrasts brutally with her internal state. Her friends greet her with a burst of laughter and effusive hugs, trying to inject the joy of her nineteenth birthday into her.

"Happy birthday, Alis! You look pale! Did you sleep well?"

"We missed you, come celebrate!"

She forces a smile, returning mechanical hugs, feeling like an impostor. Every laugh from others is a painful echo of her own misfortune. She is dying inside at the thought of the mansion, and the silence that must reign there now. She knows Lucas and Carolina are at home, alone, and the image of her uncle with her, the image of the public kiss, torments her with a ferocity that almost makes her stagger. She wonders if they are intimate, taking advantage of the fact that she is no longer at home.

In the vast and silent mansion, Lucas is submerged in an asphyxiating pressure in his chest. The memory of Alicia's red, swollen eyes when she left is a recurrent vision, a sharp thorn. Insecurity invades him, awakening an irrational fear of having irreparably hurt her. However, instantly, the guilt he carries, the weight of his brother's accident and the need to honor the memory of his brother and sister-in-law, closes over him like armor. He cannot give in to that forbidden connection.

A soft knock on the door pulls him out of his reverie. It is Olivia, his personal assistant.

"Sir, everything is ready. The party organizers have arrived and are setting up the ballroom."

Lucas composes himself, his voice adopting the cold, professional tone that defines him at work. "Very well, let them prepare everything. Olivia, make sure Carolina dazzles tonight. Prepare a nice dress for her."

"Sir, and for Miss Alicia?" Olivia asks cautiously.

Lucas looks at her briefly. "Take care of everything necessary for her celebration. Inform me if anything important arises."

"As you order, sir."

The afternoon advances in a haze of preparations. This night is Alicia's 19th birthday, and for her, it will also be the night when she buries her feelings for him.

The time passes with exhausting slowness. As evening falls, Lucas watches from his study window as the family car pulls up. He sees Alicia. She pauses for a few seconds before crossing the entrance, staring intently at the start of the property, exhaling an almost inaudible sigh before entering. Immediately, she is intercepted by Carlota, with an overwhelming energy.

"There's the birthday girl! We were waiting for you, dear, we have everything ready for you."

Alicia visibly tenses as she is led toward the living room, where stylists are already surrounding her. She makes no sound, walking guided by the woman she despises the most, containing every feeling of suspicion and resentment that floods her.

"Work your magic on her, she needs a change of look. Look at that hair, it's neglected! Perhaps if you cut it..."

At that instant, Lucas's voice resonates with a wintry authority, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"No, you are not cutting her hair."

Silence takes hold of the room. Carlota tries to smooth over the situation.

"My love, it was just a suggestion..."

Lucas interrupts her with sharp firmness. "You are not cutting her hair. I will fire anyone who dares to pass scissors through her hair."

Everyone is left in shock, even Alicia, who had always noticed her uncle's strange fascination with her curls, yet never gave it importance, until now. Just as she hasn't noticed how enthralled he is by her beauty: She is a beautiful woman, with long, curly, dark brown hair down to her hips, delicate eyebrows, green eyes, long eyelashes, a fine upturned nose, naturally thick, red lips, a white smile and perfect teeth, with a dimple on her cheeks, few freckles, light complexion, and a well-proportioned body, sweet and charming. Lucas adores every part of her, especially her abundant natural mane.

Faced with his protective gaze and the uncomfortable tension he has created, Alicia breaks the silence, defiantly.

"What if I want to cut it, Uncle?"

Lucas focuses on her, his hand in his pockets, his gaze cold and challenging.

"I have given an order. But you can do as you please, you are an adult. Just think carefully about what you are going to do, don't regret it later."

Without another word, he withdraws, leaving Alicia in a whirlwind of inexplicable emotions: his opinion matters to her, and yet, she pretends not to care. It is incomprehensible.

Alicia looks at the stylist and, without further ado, proceeds. "Trim the ends and I want the rest straightened with waves."

"As you order, miss."

The afternoon is a whirlwind of activity. The ballroom is immaculate. Guests begin to arrive. After several hours of work, Alicia transforms from the usual teenager into the woman she always wanted to be. Perhaps her uncle won't recognize her as such, perhaps he sought out Carlota because he considers her suitable for him, But tonight, Alicia wants to show him that she, too, is a woman, and a very beautiful one.

In the middle of the grand ballroom, everyone waits. Suddenly, the lights focus on the top of the staircase. There, standing, is Alicia. Everyone is surprised to see her. The murmurs of the attendees quiet down, even the music stops. At the foot of the stairs stands Lucas, who, as usual, waits for her tonight to escort her and guide her to the rest of the guests. Their gazes meet; his eyes focus on her and hers on him, both with a helpless feeling before the unexpected beauty and the palpable tension.

Just as the climax moment is about to solidify, Carlota appears. Lucas's gaze shifts to the woman behind Alicia, and everyone is stunned by her sudden appearance.

"I'm sorry, I was late. Alicia, may I?"

Alicia is paralyzed in her moment, and Carlota steals it. Looking dazzling, she captures everyone's attention. Lucas receives her in his arms, gives her a kiss on the lips, and all the focus is on them. Alicia, seeing them, shudders, her heart skips a beat. She tries to turn around to flee, when one of her classmates approaches her.

"May I?"

Everyone's eyes turn back to her. Alicia looks at Rogelio, one of her friends and classmates. She glances at Lucas out of the corner of her eye, and decides to take Rogelio's hand, who grips it firmly. Meanwhile, Alicia takes a determined step towards him.

"Of course."