Isabella's POV:

Me and summer were rushing about trying to finish getting ready in time realising we were cutting it really close now.

"Where is my bag!?" I yelled trying to find it under the pile of stuff we'd used to get ready for this stupid ball

I couldn't even be bothered going anymore

I finally found my bag and sighed in relief going to put my heels on.

Leonardo had gotten me a dress and it was not possible to deny that this was a gorgeous dress

He had good taste.



Isabella's dress ^^^

Weirdly enough Killian got summer, her dress which I found really suspicious

Well actually I've had this suspicion for awhile

Anyways summers dress was also beyond gorgeous.



Summer's dress ^^^

She looked hot as fuck.

No wonder my brother has a thing for her

Ew did I just call Killian my brother?!

I shook my head forgetting about the thought

I finally had everything I needed and my heels on so now I just had to spray some perfume and body spray so the scent lasts all night.

I heard people arriving

I quicken my pace.

"Got everything?" I asked summer and she hopped into her heels , nodding her head looking exhausted already

The night hasn't even started yet.

She sprayed her perfume and body spray too

Finally we were ready.

"You look stunning" summer complimented me with a large grin on her face , taking a deep breath in preparing for the night ahead.

"You look more than stunning, you look sexy Hun" I spoke sarcastically flirty back at her and she just winked at me

Here goes nothing.

"Ready?" Summer asked me and I hesitated before answering her question

Ready as I'll ever be.

I nodded and we walked out ready to face this night head first.

Many people were arriving and I could hear music playing in the distance, security was higher than normal tonight

Thomas and his hoe done up nicely.

"You both look fancier than normal" I commented looking at the both of them with a smile

"Thank you Isabella , you both look lovely" Thomas replied with a small smile once again he seemed chappy

He never smiled.

I always see him smiling when with Riley

They were made to be.

Me and summer stood side by side as we slowly started walking down the stairs with our heads down both scared to look up

Also because we were paranoid about tripping

Thomas and his hoe trailed behind us like the big , scary bodyguards they were

We reached the end of the stairs and I gained the courage to look up , All my 'family' and Leonardo with his father stood at the end of the stairs staring up at us

Leonardo looked like he was in some sort of trance

Killian didn't take his eyes off summer as she finally looked up too standing Infront of them

"You look... perfect" Leonardo tried to find the word for a minute as he stared me up and down in amazement

I know right!

"Thank you , I guess you don't look hideous" I attempted at a compliment back but it wasn't my best of compliments that left my mouth

He was lucky he got that.

He smirked down at me

"I'll take that" he muttered and snaked his arm around my waist

I knew resisting was pointless as we were here to announce our engagement

Engagement, Ew.

"Summer you look beautiful" Killian complimented breathless at the sight of her

She did look amazing

"Sister you look really pretty" Ace referred to me as his sister making me take a deep breath automatically knowing how hard this night was going to be for me

I smiled at him the best I could

"You look so much like your mother" Alexander added making my heart beat increase in speed

My mother.

"She was beautiful" I muttered looking at my hands , feeling uncomfortable talking about it all right now

It was alot to digest even now

"She was just like you" Leonardo whispered to me making my heart skip a beat

We all seemed awkward about this exchange so we walk towards the ballroom

Ready for the night to begin.

The doors were opened for us by guards and we walked in the music being turned down as we did

All stares turn to us.

My hands shook

My knees wobbled as we walked in further so everyone could see us

Leonardo pulled me closer to him

They waited for silence and gathered with me and summer , keeping us close to each one of them

Thomas and his hoe were not far behind.

"Firstly we would like to thank everybody for joining us this evening for two very special announcements." Victor started like he'd always done this and like he knew exactly what he was doing

I couldn't help it when my hand reached out for summers.

I hated this

Everyone was going to know and after that I couldn't escape, never officially at least.

No matter where I ran , they'd all know who the de Luca's sister was

Summer squeezed my hand reassuring me it was going to be okay because she was here

I could feel Leonardo looking at me when I did this.

"So it is officially time we announce that we have finally after 17 years of searching found our sister , Isabella Rosa De Luca." Ace continued the announcement and as his words left his mouth

My face paled

Whispers.

Gasps.

Shock stares.

That was all that could be heard and seen

Leonardo pulled me close to him

"Don't worry my darling" he whispered trying to be reassuring but at his actions it only seemed to raise more questions

I looked down at the ring on my finger.

"A second announcement about my daughter , I am overjoyed to announce that Isabella will be marrying one of my most trusted allies, Leonardo Russo, as they are engaged." My 'father' spoke with pride looking at me like I was a rare gem he had found in a cave

I just stared forwards

"Smile please I know this is hard for you but we have to try act like this all is by choice" Killian whispered to me as my heart felt like it was seconds away from pounding from my chest

I knew he had to tell me do it but this feeling was unbearable

I force a smile on my face and many people cheered , some on the other hand just stared still shocked about all the announcements.

"We hope you enjoy the night while we celebrate my fiance; Isabella De Luca" Leonardo finished off the speech with a bright smile keeping me close against his chest

Everyone clapped and cheered as we made our way down the long stairs that looked down at everyone

This room was huge.

It had lots of gold and red colours around the room , chairs and tables scattered all over the room with a bar in the corner

It was something straight out of a movie

People greeted us immediately

Killian now has his arms around summer , she seemed just as confused as I but because of the crowd she didn't want to get away from him either

We made our way to a table finally getting away from the army of families and couples trying to greet us all

Drinks were already there.

Didn't know what they were but by the first sip I was hooked

Tonight was going to be a long one so I knew I'd be needing quite a few of these drinks.

Summer's POV:

---A couple hours later---

We were all smashed already

It has been a very strange and long night so far so we'd all gotten through it with drinks in our hands.

"Leonardo you look more grumpy when your drunk" Izzy teased her soon to be husband and he stared at her with love filled eyes

"Grumpy, huh? What would you like me to do while drunk" Leonardo spoke like he wasn't even drunk but we all knew he must have been

I think he'd drunk almost the most

Me coming first.

I hadn't really had a chance to fully recover from all that has happened recently so I was using tonight as my way to recover.

Through drinking

"Smile!" I answered Leonardos question for Isabella's and she nodded agreeing with me

He gave us both a smug smile

"Your not a good smiler" Ace rolled his eyes at Leonardo

As If he's a good smiler.

"You can't say anything" His father voiced what we all thought

"Yeah I obviously have the best , most charming smile" Killian commented quickly and for some reason the words that left my mouth next didn't go through my head before leaving my mouth

Uh oh.

"You do" two words that made everyone around me go silent

Killian smirked as I covered my mouth realising what I said

Izzy started laughing at me as I avoided looking at Killian.

"Is that so?" He teased being the one sat next to me which made this even worse , I didn't have a brain I swear

Who on earth says 'you do'

Am I okay in the head?!

"No I lied." I stubbornly replied not looking at him which made him place his hand on my chin firmly

Forcing me to look into his beautiful blue eyes.

What's going on with me?!

"Well lyings not good , now is it?" He spoke in a tone barely above a whisper, his voice husky and deep.

Nuh uh.

"Damn guys leave some space for us to breath." Victor spoke in his usual cold voice but seemed interested in where this was going

I decided I wanted to clear my head so I stumbled up out my seat , pushing Killian away from me

"Hold on there girl!" Jakob made sure I didn't fall helping me balance as I drunkenly stood up right

"I'm fine I need some fresh air." I stated trying to push Jakob away so I could prove I was able to stand up straight without his help

Killian got up with me.

"I'll go with her don't worry" he told my brother and Jakob hesitated for a moment but nodded agreeing

"Don't have to much fun guys!" Izzy shouted after us teasing me and I turned back sticking my tongue out at her

We got outside and the place was empty as everyone was inside enjoying the party

I had to clear my head

I was being strange.

"You look gorgeous tonight summer , did I tell you that?" Killian asked me with a tilted head as I turned around

Finding him stood inches away from me.

"You might have mentioned" I drunkenly mumbled looking at his similar drunken state

He looked into my eyes intensely

I refused to look away

His eyes were so pretty

They were light blue and the moon light made them sparkle that little bit more as I stood on the edge of the patio

Suddenly his hand was on my hip.

I had no desire for him to remove it

His eyes pulled me in

I don't just mean theoretically either.

We had somehow gotten so close if I moved the slightest bit closer are lips would touch

He looked at me for a moment with hungry eyes but he couldn't resist the urge

His lips suddenly slamming down on mine with passion and aggression but aggression in the good way

Was there a good way of aggression?

I don't know but if there was that's what it felt like.

I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him that little bit close as he Hungerly kissed me

Not letting go for air

He pryied my lip open and slipped his tongue in my mouth

It felt amazing

I'd forgotten everything.

Everyone problem had seemed to have just disappeared

It was only me and him

Finally when we both were on the edge of fainting from the lack of air reaching our lungs we pulled back

What just happened?!

Suddenly I was fully sober staring into his eyes once more

I felt sober so tell me why I went in and kissed him again.

Another passionate kiss this time slightly quicker as we didn't have as much air left in our lungs.

It felt amazing.

We pull back and the only word I could think of saying was..

"Wow"

---------

Chapter 23 finished x

Damn.

That was a very intense kiss was it not? Hope you all love where all this is heading and if you do please let me know by commenting 🫶🏼