57. Lucas
CHAPTER 57
Lucas
T he rest of our wedding reception goes without a hitch, the air thick with laughter and music and love. Serafina and I even manage to actually enjoy ourselves, forgetting for a few precious hours that this wedding was not just forced down Serafina’s delicate throat.
With the day behind us and the night fully present, I sink into the plush, luxurious leather seat of our private plane, the hum of the engines a constant reminder of the distance we're putting between us and Oakland. Serafina sits across from me, her delicate hands resting gracefully on her lap as she stares out the window. Even in this tense moment, her beauty is breathtaking—a painful reminder of everything I’ve had to hide from her.
"Why did you leave me?" she asks suddenly, voice soft but laced with an edge that cuts through the cabin’s quiet.
I take a deep breath, running my fingers through my dark, wavy hair. "Serafina..." I start, but words catch in my throat. How do I explain months of secrets and lies in just one conversation?
"Lucas, please," she presses, turning those deep green eyes on me. There's a vulnerability there, a crack in her usual armor.
"All right," I say, leaning forward. I reach out, taking her hands in mine. They're cold, trembling slightly. I caress them gently, hoping to steady both of us. "I wanted to protect you."
"From what?" Her voice is sharper now, demanding answers.
"From Dominic." The name alone feels heavy on my tongue. "Serafina … he was onto us. And I couldn’t risk him hurting you for our forbidden romance. I would never be able to forgive myself if he hurt you because of me."
She doesn't pull away but I see the confusion and hurt in her eyes. "So you thought that leaving me in Mexico, pretending you didn't care would be better?"
"Yes," I say, nodding slowly. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And while I know it was necessary, it’s the biggest regret of my life, leaving you like that."
Tears well up in her eyes, and I feel my heart breaking all over again. "You should've told me, Lucas. We could've faced him together."
"Maybe," I admit, my thumb tracing circles on her skin. "But I couldn't risk it. Not with your safety on the line."
The silence stretches between us, thick with unspoken emotions. I watch as her walls begin to crumble, her strong facade giving way to the raw pain beneath.
"What are you getting out of this arranged marriage?" She asks, her tone wavering as if she's unsure of whether she wants to know the answer.
"You," I declare with conviction. "You are all that I've ever wanted."
Although surprise is evident on her face, she stays silent.
"I love you," I whisper this time, barely audible above the drone of the engines. "I never stopped loving you, Serafina. Every day without you was torture. That’s why I married you."
Her tears spill over, and she squeezes my hands tightly, grounding herself in our shared pain. "Lucas, I..."
"Shh, it's okay," I murmur, guiding her to sit on my lap.
She leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. For the first time since this whole craziness began, there's a flicker of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, we can find our way back to each other.
Serafina's tears fall silently onto my shoulder, each one a little dagger to my heart. Her body trembles against mine, and I can feel the weight of our shared past pressing down on us like a heavy blanket.
"Lo siento, mi angel," I whisper, begging for her forgiveness, knowing it won't erase the pain but needing to say it anyway.
She doesn't respond, her entire body shaking with sobs as she clings to me for dear life. Her sobs eventually quiet into soft whimpers, her breathing evening out as exhaustion claims her. With tenderness and care, I lift her in my arms and make my way towards the small bed in the back of the plane.
"Get some rest," I murmur, tucking her in gently like a fragile bird. "We’ll be home soon enough."
As I begin to rise from the bed, her small hand reaches out and grasps mine, her fingers delicate and warm. "Stay," she whispers, barely audible.
I lie back down beside her, the familiar warmth of her body drawing me in. She instinctively curls into me, finding her place on my chest. My arms wrap around her protectively, holding her close. Despite everything, she allows this closeness, and it feels like a small victory.
The hum of the engines becomes a lullaby, and soon, her breathing turns rhythmic, indicating she's asleep. I watch her in the dim light of the cabin, my mind swirling with regrets and hopes. Every rise and fall of her chest, every twitch of her eyelids, reminds me of what I've missed, what I've sacrificed for this journey. But in this moment, with her safe and peaceful in my arms, I know it was all worth it.
The first rays of dawn break through the plane’s windows, waking us gently. Serafina stirs before stretching out like a cat, her green eyes fluttering open. There is a moment of disorientation before the weight of reality settles back onto her shoulders. She pulls away slightly, the distance between us palpable.
"Morning," I say softly, not wanting to shatter the fragile peace we've managed to build last night.
"Morning," she mumbles, her voice hoarse from sleep and the tears shed last night.
As we descend from the plane, Florida's humid air envelops us in a warm embrace, filling our lungs with its salty tang. The stark contrast to the cold sterility of airports and private jets is immediately apparent. Serafina pauses, her eyes wide with surprise as she takes in her new surroundings. My hope is that our new home will be a sanctuary, a new beginning for us.
"Wow," she breathes, taking a step forward.
"Wait until you see our home," I say, trying to catch her gaze, but she seems lost in thought.
"Home…" she echoes, her voice filled with wonder and disbelief, as we pull up in our private car.
Before long, we arrive at the towering gates of our mansion. As they slowly open, the grandeur of our home is revealed to us. It stands tall and imposing, yet welcoming with its white stucco walls adorned with vibrant bougainvillea vines.
The distant sound of crashing waves against the shore add a tranquil touch to the scene. It's everything I had dreamed of for her—a fresh start, far from the shadows of our past. A place where we can leave behind all our pain and make new memories together.
"You remembered," she says softly, her voice filled with wonder and emotion.
I meet her gaze and reply, my own voice gentle and sincere, "Yes. This place was meant for you all along. And now, we get to build a life here together."
There's a long pause between us as we walk into our new home. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind as she processes all the details, from the ridges in the hardwood floors to the pattern of light filtering through the windows.
"Serafina," I start, reaching out to touch her hand, but she steps back. Not rejecting me, just needing space. I understand, even if it stings.
"Give me time, Lucas," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "It's a lot to take in."
"Of course," I nod in understanding, dropping my hand to my side. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."
She offers me a small, tentative smile, and it's enough to give me hope. We walk the entirety of the mansion together, our steps in sync but our hearts worlds apart, hoping that somehow, we'll find our way back to each other in this new paradise.
As the afternoon sun began to dip low in the sky, I knew it was time. "Serafina," I say softly, catching her attention as she tears her gaze away from the breathtaking sunset visible from our private balcony. "I have a surprise for you."
Her eyes narrow slightly, suspicion mingling with curiosity. "A surprise? Lucas, what are you up to?"
"Just trust me," I grin, extending my hand towards hers. After a moment of hesitation, she places her delicate hand in mine and allows me to lead her through the winding corridors of the mansion. The white walls seem to glow in the fading light, and the soft sound of our footsteps echo through the halls as we make our way towards our destination.
"Where are we going?" she asks, her voice a mix of excitement and wariness.
"You’ll find out soon enough," I reply, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
As we step out of the back door, the warm Florida sun bathes everything in a golden light. The air is thick with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine, its vines climbing up trellises and clinging to the walls. I take her hand and lead her towards a delicate wrought-iron gate, partially obscured by the vibrant greenery.
With a dramatic swing, I push the gate open, revealing a charming greenhouse nestled within the garden. The glass walls catch the last rays of the setting sun, casting colorful shadows across the rows of potted plants and flowers inside. A feeling of enchantment washes over us as we enter this secret haven, away from the chaos of the outside world.
"What’s this?" Serafina's voice barely above a whisper, she gasps at the sight before her. Her eyes widen in awe as she takes in the vast collection of rare tropical plants from all corners of the world, gathered together solely for her enjoyment. The air inside is a heady mixture of fragrances - the sweet scent of jasmine wafting in from outside mingled with the deep, earthy musk of damp soil that fills the greenhouse.
"Do you like it?" I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Like it?" she repeats, almost incredulous. "It's... it's incredible."
“Just wait until you see what else we have in our warehouse," I murmur, pressing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. In awe, she walks slowly around the garden, her fingers trailing over velvety petals and lush leaves. It feels like our own secret paradise tucked away from the outside world.
"Take your time, my love," I whisper, tracing circles on her back with my fingertips. "Explore to your heart's content." She nods eagerly, eyes darting from one fascinating plant to another. I stay behind, content to simply watch her discover this hidden gem.
Every now and then, she turns to me with an excited grin and points out something new she's found. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm, feeling grateful for this moment shared together. As she continues to explore, I find myself falling even more deeply in love with her - if that's even possible.
Her eyes mist over, and I can see the walls she's built around her heart beginning to crumble. "Did you... did you do all of this for me?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes," I nod, closing the distance between us. "Every single plant."
Her gaze, a mesmerizing shade of green, fixates on mine as she seeks out an explanation. "Have you been the one gifting me plants all along?," she asks.
"Yes," I admit, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "It was always me."
Serafina's breath catches in her throat and tears begin to trace their way down her cheeks. Without hesitation, I reach out and gently wipe them away, my thumb grazing her tender skin.
"Serafina," I say softly, "I wanted to give you something truly special, something that would serve as a constant reminder of just how much I love you." My voice trembles with emotion, my heart overflowing with all of the love and adoration I have for this amazing woman standing before me.
"Thank you," she whispers, her walls crumbling down at last. The vulnerability in her voice tugs at my heartstrings and I pull her closer, wanting to protect and cherish her forever.
Before I can even respond, she envelops me in a fierce embrace, her body pressed against mine as she reaches out for to kiss me. Everything else fades away as we lose ourselves in each other's touch, our love reigniting amidst the delicate unfurling of the fenestrated leaves around us.
"Te amo, Serafina," I whisper between kisses, my words filled with unspoken promises and adoration.
"Ti amo, Lucas," she finally replies with a steady voice, her love for me evident in every word.
I pull her closer into me, the way I’ve wanted to for far too long now. The way my body has craved for her. I pull her in for the kind of kiss I’ve missed. It’s time to take what’s mine.
Serafina's lips are soft, tasting faintly of salt from her tears. I cradle her face in my hands, feeling the warmth of her skin against my palms. She clings to me as if afraid I'll vanish, but I hold her tighter, letting her know I'm not going anywhere.
"Lucas," she whispers against my mouth, her breath hot and urgent.
"Shh," I murmur, kissing her again, deeper this time, pouring all my love into that connection. "Estoy aquí, mi amor." I’m here, my love.
Her fingers weave into my hair, tugging gently, grounding me in this moment. We stumble back until her hips hit a wooden workbench covered in pots and gardening tools. I lift her effortlessly, placing her on the bench, our eyes never breaking contact.
"Serafina," I say, my voice rough with emotion, "You have no idea how much I've missed you."
"Show me," she challenges, her eyes darkening with desire.
I respond by trailing kisses down her neck, savoring the way she shivers under my touch. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. My hands explore her curves, memorizing every inch of her body like it's the first time.
"I love you … so much," she breathes, her voice quivering with intensity.
"Te amo más de lo que puedes imaginar," I reply, my lips brushing against her collarbone as I tell her that I love her more than she could ever imagine.
Our clothes become a forgotten barrier, discarded hastily as we give in to the need that's been building for far too long. The greenhouse turns into our sanctuary, the plants standing as silent witnesses to our reunion. The setting sun filters through the glass panes, casting patterns on our intertwined bodies, making the moment feel almost ethereal.
"Lucas," she gasps as I kiss my way down her body, worshipping her with every touch. Her hands grip the edges of the bench, knuckles white, as she succumbs to the pleasure.
"You're mine, Serafina," I growl softly, my words reverberating with possessiveness and love.
“Yes," she responds, her voice laced with equal parts surrender and determination.
We move together in a rhythm that's both familiar and new, rediscovering each other in the most intimate way possible. Each moan, each whisper, binds us closer, erasing the distance that once separated us.
"Mi amor," I whisper as I reach the peak, feeling her tighten around me. "Together, always."
"Always," she echoes, her voice cracking with emotion.
As we collapse into each other's arms, spent and satisfied, the world outside ceases to exist. In this greenhouse, amidst the thriving life we're going to cultivate together, we find solace and redemption. Our love blossoms anew, resilient and unwavering, ready to face whatever comes next.