Chapter 5: The Text

"What do you mean we need to get married now?"

"Your father will surely object and would call the engagement off. When we are married, they wouldn't lay a hand on me."

"What is exactly your plan, Silvestri?"

Luca strides towards his table after making sure that the door to his office is locked.

"I need protection against your father and lover."

"For a hundredth time, William is my brother."

He shrugged his shoulder, "If you say so. They've been hitting on me ever since my name boomed up. I'm trying to do my business here, I don't have time for them."

"That's the reason why you throw an investigation on me?"

"It happens that when I saw your face on the internet, you seem familiar."

Patricia sighed and closed her eyes to keep her composed. If she refuses Luca's offer, everyone knows that she is THAT Tricia Barone. That Patricia Arquette is just a cover-up for her to do things freely and out of trouble.

"When are we getting married?"

"Now. Call one of your trusted friends so they could be our witness."

"I only have one."

"Call her. I'll call my partners over."

And then it happens, they are married that night. Now, Patricia and her Nana are moving to Luca's house. It was simple, yet you can easily tell that the materials they used were expensive. After having dinner outside, they finally arrived at Luca's abode.

"Isn't this our dream house, Patti?" Her nana asked when they were welcomed by Luca with a smile on his face.

When they are together, Luca's always grumpy and would glower at her as if she had done something bad against him when in fact, it was the other way around. He tricked her to marry him. She still doesn't understand why it happened, she needs to have a talk with Luca or her head will be about to explode.

"I hope you like this house. Uh you can change the design and interiors if you like." He offered to her Nana.

Nana just smiled and held his arms, "Are you sure? I have so much in mind."

"Yes, Nana."

Luca leads the way to their rooms, her Nana's room actually. Now that they are married, they are both expected to sleep in the same room.

"I'm good here, thank you, son. I'll just rest a little bit."

"It's okay nana, call us if you need anything."

Patricia just stared at the two, waiting for them to finish their conversation before she talks to Luca. Once everything was settled, they made their way to the living room.

"Let's make this clear, Silvestri. I will do my thing on my own and you are not allowed to intervene in my decisions."

"We are married, Patricia."

"I know, but this marriage is nothing like a business agreement. We can act like we are in love when we are in front of many people, especially my grandma. But, we are nothing but mere strangers when we are together. Understood?"

Luca smirked at her, "You can set boundaries all you want, but as long as I have your secret, you are mine as well."

She glares at him, she really hated his guts and will do everything for this to end.

"We need to discuss a lot of things, our situation is messed up. This marriage? It happens so fast!"

"I suggest lowering your voice if you don't want your grandmother to find out."

"Luca!"

"Duck, I don't have time for this-"

She stepped forward towards him, "Luca. We are so messed up."

Backing away to give them some space, he sighed in irritation. "You are making everything a big deal."

"Marriage isn't a big deal?" She scoffed, it's unbelievable how this ahole thought that it is not a big deal.

"I married you to save my company, you married me to keep your secret. That's all."

"I need to talk to you tomorrow morning."

Luca started walking away, "I'm tired, let's go to our room."

Patricia don't have a choice but to obey, she followed him from behind. Now that her mind is kind of clear, she has the chance to inspect Luca. The last time she saw him was at the ball. She didn't even recognize him when they met at the office. For Patricia, Luca was just the boy she used to adore. When she finds out that he is unlike everyone else at the ball, she looked up at him. But it changes throughout the years, she had already forgotten about him. So why does he need to come back now?

She comes back to her senses when she bumped into someone. They have already arrived at their room.

Luca stared at her with bewilderment, "What are you thinking?"

"None of your business actually," she walked passed him.

Patricia's things are already settled in his room. Luca asked Kelsey to do the job and Patricia is thankful because of that. She doesn't think she will be able to settle her things when she was exhausted as hell.

"Do you want to talk?" Luca asked once again when she made her way to the bathroom door.

She turned to see him, "Now you want to talk?" Patricia tauntingly asked.

"You seem bothered." Is all he said.

"I'm going to take a bath and have my peace. Do you need to shower?"

"I'll just shower downstairs."

Patricia nods and step inside. She stripped all her clothes before she ready a bubble bath for herself. She was thinking of having a wine and a slow music, but she's not comfortable knowing that Luca is just on the another side of this thin wall. She heard the door opened and closes as she dropped her body to the warm water.

Minutes later, the door opened again but she didn't mind it. Her eyes are still close as she is forcing her hayhire brain to be in order.

"How long will you soaked yourself?" Luca's voice boomed inside the bathroom, making Patricia jumped out of surprise.

"What the heck, Luca?!"

"You really need to get out here or you will catch a cold."

"I'm trying to relax."

"Someone sent you a text."

"Did you look through my phone?!" She immediately stands up, not caring if Luca could see her nakedness.

She's confident of her body and she is sure that Luca has seen different bodies a hundred times. This isn't new to him.

"What are you doing?" He asked, his voice dropping down low.

Patricia didn't answer him, instead, she reached for the towel to wrap herself.

"Get out."

"That can do, duck."

"What do you need for Pete's sake? I have enough of you Silvestri."

"Are you really trying to seduce me?" He eyed her accusingly.

Patricia burst into a peal of loud laughter, "Me? Seducing you? Now, why would I do that?"

"Are you sure?"

She teasingly went to his side so their bodies would touch each other. Patricia saw how Luca's expression changes.

"I don't have a plan on seducing you, Luca. If I want to sleep with you, then I will tell you."

The bluntness of her words made Luca's lips slightly parted, and she can't help but drop her gaze to his luscious lips.

"Get out 'cause I'm cleaning myself."

"If you are confident enough to show yourself naked to me, why do I need to go out? Can't I watch my wife?"

"I did not give you permission to do so. Get out Luca, I thought you are smart. I've been repeating myself three times and you still haven't understood?"

Just when she thought he will get out, Luca wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. It was just a quick kiss and Patricia's eyes were still closed when he pulled away.

"That's all I need."  He said before moving away completely.

Patricia was left stunned, she took a deep breath before deciding to cast away what has happened and let herself get cleaned. After washing herself and changing, she can't find Luca in their room so she sent him a text asking where he was.

Not long enough, he texted back saying that he is in the house's small office.

Patricia checked her messages since Luca has told her someone sent a text. She didn't hear anything when she was in the bathroom, but maybe it was because of how tired she was and how relaxing the bath is.

"You need to be very careful from now on, Bambina."