The De Luca Heir

1: Proposal went wrong

"Anthony, I’m sorry, but I’m breaking up with you.”

Catherine’s words echoed through Anthony’s mind like a cruel mantra, each syllable heavier than the last.

The world around them seemed to slow, but the reality of the crowded café didn’t. The clinking of cups and muffled chatter continued, punctuated by hushed gasps and whispered judgments.

He knew people were watching.

In his hand, the small velvet box felt heavier than ever. Inside was the modest ring he had saved up for months to buy. With trembling hands, he snapped it shut and smiled bitterly, masking the storm inside him.

“Oh my gosh. She rejected him.” a woman’s voice whispered behind him, loud enough to be heard.

“Serves him right. Look at that ring—it’s so cheap! And him? Ew. He smells awful.” another chimed in, her voice cutting through him like shards of glass.

Anthony’s face flushed a deep crimson. He swallowed hard, resisting the lump in his throat. Slowly, he stood, slipping the ring into his pocket, his eyes darting anywhere but at the crowd.

Catherine sighed heavily, shaking her head. Her irritation was palpable, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“Why would you do such a thing?!” she hissed, her tone sharp enough to wound. “Look around! You embarrassed me.”

Anthony adjusted his slightly crooked glasses, gripping the bridge of his nose as if trying to steady himself. His heart ached, not just from the rejection, but from the humiliation of it all.

“I—” he began, his voice faltering before finding strength. “Catherine, I’m embarrassed, too.”

His voice was soft, almost inaudible, but there was a tremor of sincerity in it that even she couldn’t ignore.

“Tsk! It’s your fault!” she snapped, her anger not fading but morphing into disdain. Without another word, she spun on her heel, her long coat trailing behind her as she left him standing alone.

The café was silent now, except for the muffled snickers of a few patrons. Anthony remained still for a moment, staring at the floor as if it held the answers he desperately needed.

He took a deep, shaky breath and walked out of the café, the chilly air biting at his skin.

Anthony wasn’t strong, not in the way people expected. He was a quiet soul, raised by his grandmother in a small, forgotten village. Her death had pushed him to the city and worked as a waiter to a middle-class restaurant. Then he met Catherine—a whirlwind of energy and ambition who had captivated him.

But now, as the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Anthony felt something else. A flicker of resolve.

“I’ll get through this.” he whispered to himself, his voice breaking but determined. “Somehow.”

As he walked away from the café, the cheap ring still in his pocket, he decided he wouldn’t let this moment define him.

It hurt, but the sting of rejection would fade. And maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new.

The next morning, Anthony went to work with a puffy eye.

“Let me guess? Catherine rejected you.” Jake, his best friend and also co-worker.

“Jake, shut up.” he sighed as he reached for his uniform.

Jake rolled his eyes and patted Anthony’s back. He had been warning him about Catherine, but Jake seemed to be very blinded by his love for her.

“I tried calling her last night and I even went to their house, but her mom just lured me away.” he sadly sighed.

“Dude, how many times do I have to tell you? Catherine and her mom were just using you. Remember her birthday last month? She tricked you and you gave her all your savings just for her to hang out with her mom and her friend.” Jake couldn’t help but be frank to him.

Jake really hates Catherine, because he had seen how she treats his best friend, but Anthony didn’t care about it at all. Plus, Catherine is so pretty and sexy, she can make any guy fall for her in just one snap.

Anthony didn’t say anything, but deep inside he was hurt. Jake sighed and looked at him.

“Anthony, you’re handsome, but Catherine couldn’t see that. I mean, look at you, I am your best friend but I hate the way you look. To be honest, you are not a guy she would want to end up with.” he shrugged his shoulder.

Anthony groaned madly, glaring at him.

“Jake! That’s not funny.” he seriously said.

“I am not being funny, Anthony. If you want to, see for yourself.” Jake saying while looking at the mirror.

Jake left him to start working. Anthony slowly walked where the mirror was placed. He looked at himself and chuckled bitterly.

He adjusted his glasses, the thick black frames refusing to stay in place on the bridge of his nose. His hair, a dark brown mess of cowlicks and failed attempts at taming, stuck out in odd directions, as though he'd forgotten what a comb was for. He wore a button-up shirt patterned with tiny rockets, the kind you'd find in the kids' section, tucked into a pair of high-waisted khakis that were slightly too short, revealing mismatched socks beneath his scuffed loafers.

“But Catherine said she loves me even though I look like this.” he whispered.

While he was thinking about Catherine, someone knocked by the door.

“Catherine is looking for you.” Jake with an angry expression said.

Anthony’s sad face suddenly lifted up.

“R-Really? Maybe she’s here to take back what she told me yesterday.” he said and came out of the room.

He saw Catherine by the garden and ran toward her. Catherine is wearing a short skirt paired with his pink top and pink heels, all he got for her.

“Catherine!” he waved at her.

Catherine held his hands and intertwined with her fingers.

“Babe, I am sorry about yesterday.” she pouted.

“It’s fine, babe. I know you didn’t mean it. So, we are still together?” he asked her.

Catherine nodded but suddenly, her happy face became sad.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Babe, the thing is... my grandma is sick and I wanted to visit her, but...” she took a deep sigh.

“But what?” he asked, cupping her cheek.

“I... I don’t have any money. Maybe you can lend me some. I promise I will give it back to you.” she mumbled.

Anthony sighed in relief and chuckled.

“Okay. It’s not a problem.” he said.

But before he took some from his wallet, Catherine grabbed his wallet with force and laughed.

“Okay. I will take this all. I will pay you next week. And by the way, I need to go. Bye!” she gave back his wallet and ran away.

Anthony stood frozen, disbelief washing over him. Then he heard a voice behind him.

“What the hell?!”