25
That night at sharp 7:00 pm Luca was at my door. Dressed in a casual attire consisting of dark blue jeans, white t-shirt that didn't hide the kind of muscular body underneath it.
"Ready to go?" He asked as his eyes took in my appearance.
After so many struggles in trying to find the 'perfect' outfit I finally decided to go with a simple floral mini dress. My hair was less loose as I kept my makeup minimal.
"Bellissima." He murmured as his fingers ran along my hair.
I flushed looking at him. This man was tall and getting used to his height seems impossible. Standing here looking effortlessly gorgeous had me feeling stuff I wasn't sure whether I was ready to admit myself.
"You look lovely yourself," I said.
A smirk twitched upon his lips, "You think so huh?"
"W..well I was s..saying," I muttered looking around trying to ignore his piercing gaze.
He simply stared at me, his eyes as sharp and possessive as always, presence commanding. "Let's go." He took my hands into his much large ones. Something about this made me feel safe. Surprisingly they were warm as heled us out from the apartment
The drive to Luca's mother's house was quiet, except for the occasional soft hum of the car's engine.
I was loving the comfort of his BMW. The city lights flashed by, but they didn't seem to matter much in my quiet, overthinking mind.
I kept replaying everything Luca had said.
How his mother had invited me over for dinner.
How casual it seemed for him, and how not-so-casual it felt to me.
What if she doesn't like me?
I felt out of place already, just from the idea of being in his world.
Luca was everything I wasn't—powerful, confident, and untouchable.
His mother was his family, the person who probably knew all the pieces that made him who he was.
And then there was me—just a girl who'd stumbled into his life, trying to keep up with the insecurities and hidden layers of herself— unlike him who was always confident.
I glanced over at him, and I could feel his eyes on me. They were always watching, but in a way, it was comforting. Luca, the man who was so used to being in control, had a way of making me feel... safe. But it was the kind of safety that also made my heart race.
Made me think of stuff that weren't very innocent.
"Relax." He took my palms in his hand and started massaging them gently.
"I'm always close by remember?"
I nodded my tension dropping a few degrees. He always made me feel at ease.
As we pulled into a quiet, upscale neighborhood, I felt my nerves tighten in my stomach.
The house—villa—was beautiful—classical, elegant, and grand.
Luca didn't say much as he parked the car, but I could feel the tension in his posture.
I wondered if he was nervous about tonight, or if he was just used to this kind of thing.
We walked up to the door, and before he could knock, it swung open. I found myself face-to-face with a woman whose presence immediately radiated warmth. Her smile was kind, and yet there was something commanding in the way she stood.
"Luca," she said, pulling him into a hug as her curious eyes turned towards me and her eyes softened as a different emotion was plastered through her face. " And this must be Lenora."
I stood there, frozen for a moment, caught in the gentle force of her gaze. She was stunning—elegant, poised, everything I imagined Luca's mother would be.
But something about her face... I couldn't place it, but there was something familiar.
"Lenora," she repeated softly, as if tasting the name. "It's so wonderful to meet you in person."
I smiled nervously, feeling a bit self-conscious. "It's nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Maroni," I stammered, glancing at Luca for some kind of reassurance.
"Please, call me Mariana," she said warmly, stepping aside to allow us into the house. "I've heard so much about you from Luca."
As I entered, I noticed how elegant and refined everything was.
The house was a beautiful blend of classic and modern design, with large windows letting in the soft glow of the evening light.
But despite the opulence, there was a homely warmth to it.
I could feel the care that had gone into every detail.
The dinner was laid out on a long, polished wooden table, and the aroma of fresh pasta and roasted vegetables filled the air. I was immediately struck by how much like Luca his mother seemed—there was an intensity to her that was softened by the kindness in her eyes.
"Luca speaks so highly of you," Mariana continued, her voice smooth like silk. "He's told me how you've been such an asset to the company. I must admit, I've been curious to meet you."
I could feel my cheeks flush, unsure of what to say. "Thank you," I mumbled, taking a seat at the table. It felt surreal, like I was stepping into a world I wasn't fully prepared for.
The conversation shifted to more casual topics—work, travel, the latest news—but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. Mariana's gaze was always on me, but it wasn't judgmental. It was thoughtful, almost like she was piecing together some unspoken puzzle.
Then, as she refilled my water glass, it hit me.
The familiar feeling I had when I first met her—a small encounter in the park, the day I lost my job, when I was lost and unsure of my next steps.
She had helped me. Told me where to go, directed me to apply for a job at Luca's company.
And then disappeared when I was about to thank her, but now, seeing her sitting in front of me, it all clicked.
"Y..you..." I started, my voice catching. "You were the lady in the park, weren't you? You helped me find the...." my voice slowed as so many pieces started to come together.
Her confession on park that day that she was a retired architect designer.
Luca talking about his mum being a retired designer.
"I'm a retired architect."
"You got any favorite people out there looking for inspirations on?"
"I love Mariana Lazcano."
"I think she'd like your designs too."
It was her. She was Mariana Lazcano. And I had been fangirling about her to her.
Jesus Lenora.
Mariana smiled, her eyes twinkling with something unreadable. "Yes, that was me," she said, her voice filled with a soft laugh. "I remember you were looking so confused yet so dedicated with those perfect designs. I'm glad you went to that interview."
I looked at her, still processing this revelation.
The same woman who had guided me that day, the one who had been the biggest inspiration behind what started as a hobby to more than that was now sitting across from me, welcoming me into her home as though we were old friends.
It was like fate had intervened, weaving us together in a way I hadn't fully understood until now.
I think I need someone to pinch me.
Luca, who had been quiet throughout the conversation listening to all this, caught my eye. There was a knowing look in his gaze—one that made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't tell if it was pride or something else, but in that moment, it felt like everything was good.
Mariana leaned in a little closer, her expression warm and curious. "Luca never tells me everything, but I can see it in his eyes. He's very protective of you, Lenora. I'm glad he's found someone who... cares for him as you do."
I felt my breath catch. "I—" I started to say, but the words didn't come out.
I didn't know what to say. I wasn't sure how to explain the strange, complicated bond I had with him.
It was too much, too soon. But for the first time, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I had found a place here—a place where I belonged.
That night after dinner Luca got a call and excused himself. Before leaving he gave me a knowing look silently asking whether I'll be okay. I nodded giving him a reassuring smile.
It was just me and Mariana now as the maids were busy taking the finished dishes.She had her curious gaze on me, a small smile playing on her lips.
Finally I decided to ask the question that had been nagging me.
"Um..why do you not go by Mariana Maroni." I blurted.
She chuckled, "I do, but in my line of work I chose to go with my maiden name. My father when he was like me aspired to me a designer, and due to poverty he had to focus on other stuff. Keeping my maiden name when I'm in this profession makes me feel closer to him."
I nodded understanding, she was lucky to have a great father.
Our topics shifted to more easy and good stuff as Luca returned a few minutes later seemingly being done with his call. He sat next to me in the sofa as he had his arms casually draped around my shoulder listening to me and his mum conversing.
It was no doubt to see Mariana's eyes sparkling as she took us.
"We should go now," Luca said as I looked at the time. It was 10:50pm.
Since when did time start flying so fast?
Mariana nodded standing, "You should bring her here more often Luca, maybe next Sunday again when your brothers would be here."
Brothers? Now I was more curious since he hadn't mentioned about siblings. There was a lot to earn about this man.
Luca seemed to be considering what his mother said as he slowly nods.
Mariana comes to the door biding goodnight as she gives Luca a hug and then surprisingly pulls me into a warm hug.
Something about this made my throat tighten.
It reminded me of the way my mother used to hug me before she gave up on herself and turned away.
And Luca. Luca seemed to be... happy? and as we said our good byes he led me toward his car his hand on the small of my back and my messy thoughts resting in happiness tonight.