Chapter 13

"You have nothing to worry about, your friend is fine" he assured her, watching as her shoulders relaxed at his words.

He released a deep chuckle before he added, "Now the table is turned. You're at my house this time"

Alexandra raised her head to look at him before saying, " I guess we are even now" She said in a soft voice. " I really think it's time for me to go"

" Sure, I understand," Luca replied with a nod. " But we'll have to get you something presentable to wear before heading home. How about we go buy some clothes and then you go"

Alexandra immediately shook her head in protest. " That's very generous of you but I…"

Luca held up a hand stopping her mid sentence. "I'm not taking no for an answer" He said in a firm tone as he stared at her. "Just a dress,this one you're wearing right now looks like it was made in the late 1800s"

Alexandra's face heated up at his words. She knew that the clothes were too big on her but he didn't have to point it out like that. Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat,she said in a shaky voice.

"Em…I..I left my stuff upstairs" She said, her voice betraying her nervousness. "I need to get them. My clothes… and my…"

She noticed him signaling for the old lady and then she returned later with Alexandra's clothes and shoe in a small bag. Alexandra felt kind of embarrassed at how she looked compared to Luca.

Luca made his way to the garage, with Alexandra trailing behind him. As they got to the garage, Alexandra's widened in wonder at the sight before her. The garage was filled with fleets of beautiful and expensive cars, each shining under the soft light.

"You're so f-ing rich,who needs this much car?" She blurted before she could stop herself. "I mean your cars are all beautiful"

Luca suppressed a smile at her reaction. He turned to her with an amused expression on his face. " Yes,Now that I think about it" he said with a smirk playing on his lips. " I am rich"

Alexandra rolled her eyes at his words. "What a modest man you are" she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

They stopped in front of a sleek black sports car. Luca opened the passenger door. "After you" he gestured,his eyes shining with humor.

———

The old lady watched as Luca drove out from the penthouse,her gaze fixed on the sports car until it was out of sight. Her face was scrunched in a sinister frown making the wrinkles on her face more noticeable. Picking up her phone,she dialed a number.

"Hello Mariah" A deep voice answered on the other end.

Mariah let out a shrill laughter. "He brought a woman home last night" She said,her voice devoid of any emotion.

"Who's she? Did you get her name? He asked. " Luca have never brought a woman to his penthouse"

" I didn't get her name but she's young and has a pretty face," Mariah replied.

"Okay Mariah, thank you for the update" The man said before hanging up.

———

Alexandra walked among the sea of beautiful and expensive clothes with an overwhelming feeling taking over her. The only time she had ever been to an expensive boutique was when her father won a bet when she was ten and it wasn't as expensive as this one. The price tags were too much that she felt like looking at them would cost her.

Luca stared at her with amusement swimming in his eyes as he walked behind her with his hands in his pocket. The workers stared at them in surprise as they had hushed conversation amongst themselves. They didn't expect someone like Mr Luca Giorgi to end up with the tiny lady in old clothes.

"Are the clothes not to your liking?" Luca asked after she still hadn't picked any since they got into the store. "Should we go somewhere else?"

Alexandra shook her head quickly, feeling self conscious about the eyes following them as they walked. "The clothes are beautiful" She said as her hand moved through the rack before picking a beautiful green dress, without looking at the price tag. The soft fabric felt comfortable against her fingers.

"He's rich,so these clothes won't make him bankrupt" She thought to herself as she held up the clothes.

Luca signaled for a helper to lead her to the dressing room. "Why don't you change so that I can drop you off?"

Alexandra followed the helper to the dressing room and changed into the new clothes. "Wow, this dress looks amazing" She said to herself in the dressing as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

She came out of the dressing room and was surprised to see Luca waiting for her directly in front of the room. "You look lovely" he said loud enough for the people around to hear.

"Thank you and thank you for the dress" She said, coming to his side as he walked to the cashier to pay.

Once the dress was paid for, Luca led her to the car before driving away from the store. As he drove Alexandra couldn't help but steal quick glances at him. She watched as his hands gripped the wheel steering it with ease, his muscles flexing as he changed gears. His dark hair fell over his face and his lips were set in a firm line as he trained his eyes on the road.

Alexandra was so busy staring at him that she didn't notice that she was staring for too long. Luca's lip pulled up in a smile as he drove.

"I can give you a camera so that you can take a picture, you know" he teased, still focused on the road.

Alexandra felt her cheeks heat up from embarrassment as she didn't realize that she wasn't being subtle. "I…I…" She stuttered, turning to look outside the window.

Luca let out an amused chuckle, enjoying her embarrassment. "Don't be ashamed. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, "he said. "But I might start charging you for looking at me though"

Alexandra turned to him, still fluttered. " Stop being ridiculous, I wasn't staring at you" she mumbled,her cheeks still flaming.

Luca shook his head in surrender as a wide smile played on his lips. "Okay, blushing fairy" He teased, making her more flustered. "Don't worry, you look cute either way"

Deciding to stay silent to avoid saying anything embarrassing, Alexandra stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. When her house was getting closer to view,she turned to him in surprise.

"How?... You remember where I live?"

Luca chuckled as he spoke in a nonchalant tone, " I have a really photographic memory" He replied with a smile.

He pulled into an empty spot close to her apartment and Alexandra got out of the car. Turning to Luca, She spoke in a soft voice, " Thank you for the ride and the dress too"She said gratefully,not meeting his gaze.

Luca watched her fidgeting form, a smile playing on his lips. "You're welcome," he replied. He watched her walk into her Apartment and once she was out of sight ,his experience became serious