Chapter 22
Luca stood near the window, His voice was low and sharp clearly discussing something business related. He was dressed in a crisp black button-down, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Even though his back was to me, I could tell the tension between us hadn't improved since last night.
After what happened. The fight, his accusations, his cruel words. I expected things to be worse this morning. But Luca had been distant, yes, but not overtly hostile. He didn't bring up what happened.
And maybe that should have made me feel relieved. But instead, it left an odd weight in my chest.
I didn't tell him the truth not because I wanted to keep it from him but because I didn't know how he would react. Luca was already a ticking bomb with his jealousy and anger. And if I told him that Nico Romano had just claimed that I was supposed to belong to him? I wasn't sure what he would do.
I swallowed, pushing the memory aside. I had barely slept, my mind replaying his words over and over. But I wouldn't dwell on it. Not now. Not when I had plans to get out of this penthouse for a few hours.
Sara had texted me this morning asking if I wanted to go shopping with her. I agreed as the idea of getting out even if only for a little while felt like a relief.
I had already spoken to Luca about it earlier. He hadn't cared, just told me a driver would take me since he was busy.
Luca turned toward the entrance and gestured me to follow him. I followed a step behind him, my heels clicking softly against the floor. He barely looked up as he punched in a five-digit code, his gaze on his phone. I didn't mean to look but my eyes caught the numbers as he entered them.
Five digits. 2-4-0-5-#
We entered the elevator together, standing side by side as he got on his phone again. I blinked, my mind silently repeating them.
When the doors opened into the lobby, Luca strode out first barely sparing me a glance. I exhaled slowly, watching as he disappeared through the front entrance.
Then I turned, heading toward the black car waiting for me just outside and slid into the backseat.
As soon as the car rolled to a stop in front of the shopping center, the driver stepped out, moving toward my side to open the door.
I slipped out, smoothing my dress as the warm afternoon air settled over me. The driver looked like he was in his early thirties, well built and dressed in all black. He watched me expectantly, clearly waiting to follow.
"You don't have to come with me," I said before he could move. "Sara probably has bodyguards with her already."
His expression remained stoic. "Mr. Moretti instructed-"
"I know" I cut in, forcing a small smile. "But I will be fine. I just need your number so I can text you when I'm done."
He hesitated, then pulled out his phone. "Name is Marco," he said, reciting his number as I typed it into my phone.
"Okay, Marco" I said. "I will call you when I need a ride."
He gave a short nod but didn't move until I turned and walked toward the entrance. Even as I stepped inside, I could feel his gaze on me as if making sure I didn't vanish the moment I was out of sight.
As I stepped inside, my phone buzzed in my hand. A text from an unknown number.
My fingers curled around the device, a sharp chill running down my spine.
Nico? It had to be. But how did he got my number?
My stomach twisted. I blocked the number and deleted the message before I could overthink it. I refused to let him inside my head.
I forced myself to take a slow breath but my hands still felt cold.
Should I tell Luca? No. Not now. Not when I didn't know how he had react. And not when things between us were already so strained.
Shoving the thought away, I slipped my phone back into my purse.
Just as I did, a familiar voice called out.
"Alessa!"
I looked up to see Sara waving at me from across, a bright smile on her face. And as expected she already had three bodyguards behind her.
I walked over to Sara and she pulled me into a quick hug. Her perfume was soft, floral, comforting.
"Where is Leo?" I asked as we pulled back.
Sara sighed, shaking her head with a tired smile. "I left him with Mom. He is at that age where he throws a tantrum over every little thing. If I had brought him, we would have spent the whole time chasing him around the mall instead of shopping."
I chuckled. "That sounds exhausting."
"You have no idea" she muttered before linking her arm through mine. "Come on, let's make the most of our freedom while we have it."
The next couple of hours passed in a blur of shopping bags and laughter. Sara had a way of making me forget about everything else, her easygoing nature pulling me into the moment. We moved through designer boutiques, tried on dresses and browsed through endless displays of shoes and handbags.
Sara next pulled me into the baby store, her excitement contagious.
"Just a few things for Leo" she promised, already reaching for the nearest display of tiny clothes.
I smiled as I followed her through the aisles, my fingers brushing over soft little onesies, knitted socks and miniature shoes. Everything was so small and so delicate.
My heart squeezed unexpectedly. I was getting a very strong baby fever right now but knew it wasn't the time for Luca and I to plan anything like that.
Pushing the thought away, I focused on Sara as she picked up a few tiny onesies, holding them up with a soft smile.
"Aren't these too small for Leo?" I asked, frowning.
Sara's lips twitched as she glanced at me. "Who said they are for Leo?"
I blinked, confused for a second. Then realization dawned, my breath catching.
"Oh my" My eyes widened. "Are you...?"
Sara's smile grew and before she could answer, I threw my arms around her. She laughed softly, hugging me back.
When we pulled away, I searched her face. "Does Cancio know?"
She shook her head. "Not yet. I'm planning to surprise him with these tonight." She gestured toward the onesies in her hand, her excitement shining through.
I squeezed her hand. "He is going to be so happy."
A soft smile played on her lips. "I know. I can't wait to tell him"
After a few more hours of shopping, we ended up in a cozy cafe, sipping on warm drinks. The atmosphere was quiet, the hum of low conversations blending with the clinking of cups.
Sara stirred her cappuccino absentmindedly. "So..." she started, her gaze flicking to me. "How are things with you and Luca?"
I wrapped my hands around my cup, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. "They are better now." I said, offering a small smile.
Sara arched a brow. "Yeah?"
I nodded, stirring my drink. "I mean... we are still learning about each other but I like spending time with him."
It wasn't the complete truth. I wasn't about to tell Sara about last night, about Luca's accusations, his anger or the lingering tension between us. But before that I had really liked being around him, liked spending time with him.
I shifted the conversation to her. "What about you and Cancio? Was your marriage arranged too?"
Sara smiled, her fingers tapping against her cup. "Kind of" she admitted. "It wasn't arranged the way yours was but Cancio saw me once at a wedding and that was it. He decided for the both of us."
I blinked. "Just like that?"
She laughed softly. "Just like that. I was twenty and he was twenty five. And when he saw me, I guess he decided I was it for him. He told his parents and mine that I was the one he wanted to marry."
I smiled. "So, love at first sight?"
She smiled. "For him, yes. He won't admit it, of course. If you ask him, he will say it was a logical choice that I was the perfect match for him in every way." She rolled her eyes. "But I know the truth."
I laughed, unable to imagine the ever composed Cancio being head over heels for someone at first sight. "And what about you?"
Sara took a slow sip of her cappuccino. "I wasn't sure at first. He was so serious and intense. But he was patient with me. He never forced anything, never rushed me. And eventually..." Her voice softened. "I fell for him too."
I rested my chin on my hand, watching the way her expression softened at the mention of her husband. "You love him a lot."
She nodded, smiling. "I do. More than I ever thought I could."
I exhaled, trying to imagine it. Luca and Cancio were brothers but they were nothing alike. Luca had first resisted our marriage at the start, treating it like a burden. But Cancio, he had chosen Sara. Claimed her as his without hesitation.
"And now you are having another baby," I said, trying to focus on the present instead of my own marriage.
Sara grinned. "Yeah. It's crazy, isn't it? Feels like just yesterday I was terrified about having Leo and now I can't wait for another."
By the time we finally stepped out of the café, the sky had darkened. It was late evening
Sara pulled her coat tighter around herself and gave me a small smile. "We should do this again soon."
I nodded, adjusting the shopping bags in my hands. "I had like that."
She hesitated for a moment before adding, "And if you ever need to talk about anything, you know I'm here, right?"
I swallowed, knowing she meant Luca, knowing she had picked up on the things I wasn't saying. But I forced a small smile. "I know."
Sara pulled me into a quick hug before stepping back. "Get home safe, okay?"
"You too."
She gave me one last smile before turning towards her car, her bodyguards falling into step behind her. I watched as she slid into the back seat, the door closing softly behind her before the car pulled away into the night.
I exhaled, pulling my phone from my bag and dialing Marco's number. But Marco was already standing outside the black car when I arrived. He opened the door for me, waiting until I was seated before closing it and taking the driver's seat.
The drive back was quiet. I stared out the window, my fingers tracing patterns on my dress. My mind should have been at ease after such a nice day but I couldn't shake the unease that clung to me, the memory of Nico's text lingering like a shadow in the back of my mind.
Why does he want to reach me now? After I am already married.
When the car finally rolled to a stop in front of the building Luca was standing there. He leaned against his car parked out front, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
I stepped out, holding onto the shopping bags. Luca moved forward and plucked them from my hands.
His eyes flickered to mine. "You are late."
I swallowed. "I didn't realize the time."
He didn't respond, just turned and started toward the entrance, carrying my bags. I followed him, still feeling the distance last night caused between us.