The nurse, sensing Luke's urgency, nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Let me check for you. Can you please provide me with your brother's full name?"

"Damian Thompson," Luke replied, his voice filled with desperation.

The nurse quickly typed Damian's name into the computer, scanning through the list of patients. After a few tense moments, she looked up at Luke, her expression serious. "Damian Thompson is in the intensive care unit. I'll take you there."

Relief flooded through Luke as he followed the nurse through the maze of sterile corridors. The sound of medical equipment and hushed voices filled the air, heightening his anxiety. He couldn't help but wonder about the extent of Damians injuries and what the future held for his brother.

When they reached the second floor, he quickly made his way towards room 205. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open. His heart sank when he saw his brother lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious.

Luke rushed to his brother's side and held his hand, trying to feel his pulse. But something didn't feel right. His brother's breathing seemed shallow, but his pulse was steady. Luke shook him gently, hoping to wake him up.

Suddenly, his brother opened his eyes and let out a groan. "Luke, is that you?" he asked weakly.

Luke breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God, you're okay," he said.

His brother sat up slowly, wincing in pain. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a little accident. Nothing serious," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Luke's relief quickly turned to anger. "Are you kidding me? I rushed here thinking you were in critical condition, and you're telling me it was just a little accident?"

His brother looked away, ashamed. "I didn't know how else to get your attention, Luke. I needed to talk to you, and I didn't think you would come if I just asked."

Luke was furious. "You could have just called me, bro. You didn't have to fake an accident. Do you have any idea what I went through, thinking I might lose you?"

His brother looked down, ashamed. "I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just needed to talk to you. Its important, and I don't know how you are going to get out of this hole your in."

Luke took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Okay, let's talk. But you have to promise me, no more stunts like this. You scared the hell out of me."

“I know you don't want to talk to me after the drug incident but you really need to hear me out.“ Damian started trying to get Luke's attention.

“Get to the point Damian.“Luke said trying to keep calm.

“Dad wants to get you into an arranged marriage.“Damian finally said.

 

“What” Luke asked as he grabbed his brothers shoulders . “And you were waiting to tell me now, how long have you known this, tell me Damian” Luke continued angrily. 

He didn't expect his father would do this to him. In addition, the wedding was to be held three months from now. He couldn't take it anymore and stormed out of the room.

Luke gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove towards his childhood home. The news that his father had arranged a marriage for him without his consent had left him in a state of disbelief and anger. He couldn't fathom how his own father could make such a decision without considering his feelings and desires.

As he approached the familiar driveway, memories of his happy childhood flooded his mind. But now, everything seemed tainted by this sudden revelation. The once-warm and inviting house now felt suffocating.

Luke took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. The front door swung open before he even had a chance to knock. His father stood there, his face etched with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

"Luke, my son," his father greeted, his voice filled with a forced cheerfulness. "Come in, we need to talk."

Luke followed his father inside, his emotions swirling inside him like a storm. The living room was adorned with family portraits, each one a reminder of the bond they once shared. But right now, it felt like a façade.

They settled down on the couch, a heavy silence hanging between them. Luke clenched his fists, struggling to find the right words to express his anger and disappointment.

"Father, how could you?" Luke finally managed to speak, his voice filled with restrained frustration. "You know how important my freedom and choices are to me. How could you plan a marriage without even consulting me?"

His father sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I assume you have heard” his father answered. “When did you plan on telling me” Luke asked agitatedly. “On your wedding day” his dad said as he looked up at him this time.

“I was afraid of this reaction” Lazarus added. “And it didn't occur to you that I could still escape.“ Luke asked.

“Are you planning to?“ Lazarus asked him instead as he looked up at him authoritatively.“I thought not”he added triumphantly.

“Do I have to get married?..I mean..“ “ You are a drug lord, Luke, you need a queen right now. You need a strong woman, one that can stand guns and bullets.you know what I mean by that.“ Lazarus said cutting Luke short.

Luke's frustration grew, his voice rising in anger. "But what about my dreams, my happiness? Did you even consider them? This is my life, Father, and I deserve the right to choose who I want to spend it with."

“And am certain I chose the perfect woman for you.“ Luke's father added. This left Luke speechless, he stoodup fighting the urge not to walk away, but for the respect he held for his father, he remained standing there listening to him.

“You can have as many mistresses as you want but she will be your queen.“he finally said with a trace of finality in his voice and Luke knew he couldn't go back on his words.

“Who is she?“ Luke finally asked, completely certain that whoever she is, his father can't have just decided on any ordinary woman.

“Monique Delacruz” his father answered.

The tension in the room began to dissipate, replaced by an air of vulnerability. Luke saw the remorse in his father's eyes, and it softened his anger.

“Monique, is she back …I mean she has been out of the country for three years now.“ Luke said surprised.

“Yes,and she will be here at the end of these two months, Am announcing your wedding officially so endeavor to look good” Lazarus said as he walked out on his son.

As Luke left the house, the evening sky painted with hues of orange and pink, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. He was left to think of what would come next. What was he going to tell Anna.