Chapter Four

Chapter Four. 

Luca 

We had been sitting in silence for a few minutes, now.

I looked over at Lila who seemed to be focused on my dad. 

“So, what do you think?” I asked dryly, already knowing her answer. I hated these gatherings, hated the way my father dominated every interaction. He had summoned me here without notice and when he called, I showed up. 

When I told her we were coming to see my dad, she didn't oppose me, which made me wonder if she had her own agendas. My father was furious that I had married her knowing our history with her family. 

But she had been great so far, only speaking when she had been spoken to. 

She shrugged slightly but didn’t turn away from watching my father who was on the phone . 

“It’s a lot,” she said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. “He seems... intense.” she added. 

I chuckled bitterly, rubbing the back of my neck. “You have no idea.” I gave a half smile, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “It’s like being a pawn in a game where you don’t know the rules.”

Lila’s gaze softened. Her eyes flicked back to me, and for the first time, I saw something like understanding in her expression. It was more than just sympathy. There was empathy there, as though she recognized the weight of what I was going through without me having to say a word. 

She glanced up at me again and leaned in slightly. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know,” she said quietly. “I can tell it’s not easy being here with him.”

My lips tightened, but I didn't look away. I never really talked about it, but it felt oddly relieving to hear someone else acknowledge the tension between me and my father. I let out a small sigh and shook my head. “It’s just... it’s always been this way. My dad never really lets me forget that I’m not enough. That I have to keep trying to prove myself, and just like any son, I have my whole life tried to impress him you know? To make him proud.”

Lila’s eyes softened further, and she leaned in even closer, her voice low. “Maybe you don’t need to prove anything to him anymore. Or to anyone.”

I didn’t respond immediately. I didn’t know what to say to that, didn’t know if I even believed it. But before I could say anything more, my father’s voice boomed across the room, cutting through the soft murmur of conversation.

“Luca!” my father called sharply, motioning for me to join him. “Come here. We need to discuss the details for the business project next month.”

My heart sank, and I felt the familiar knot in my stomach tighten. I had gone through such moments so many times in this house, especially growing up. I stood up, the weight of expectation already heavy on my shoulders, but before I could move toward my father, Lila’s hand gently touched my arm.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute.

I looked down at her hand, then up at her eyes, which were full of warmth and something like unspoken support. I hesitated, torn between the pressure from my father and the unexpected comfort that Lila offered. 

For a moment, time seemed to slow. The noise of the room faded away, and all I could hear was the faint thrum of my heartbeat, thudding in my chest. It felt like an eternity before i slowly pulled away from her touch and stood straighter, the weight of my father’s summons pulling me forward. But before I took a single step, I turned back to her.

“Thanks,” I said softly, almost too quietly for anyone to hear. “For being here, and for saying what you just said.”

She offered a small, sincere smile. “Anytime.”

I walked toward my father, who was already engaged in a conversation with his business associates, barely noticing my arrival. I had long since stopped caring about how my father would react to my silence. As I stood there, listening to my father’s authoritative tone, I felt a surprising sense of peace settle in. Lila’s words lingered in my mind, a reminder that maybe I didn't have to live up to anyone else’s expectations, least of all my father’s.

Everything went pretty quickly after that, my mind was on Lila for the entire evening. 

In one evening she had managed what no one had ever done, I had shown her my vulnerable side, and she didn't care that I was not in charge anymore. 

I looked around the room, my eyes searching for her, where was she? 

I walked outside and looked by the pool but she was nowhere to be seen, I was about to call her, when I spotted her, she was in the pool house, holding a glass of wine. 

"Looking for me I presume?" she said smiling, her demeanor welcoming. 

"I thought you left." I said truthfully. 

"And leave you in the lion's den with no backup?" she gestured for me to join her with her finger. 

"Thank you," I said, taking the empty chair next to her, "for coming here with me today." 

"I am your wife, this is literally my job, remember?" 

"Well, thanks anyway." 

"You are welcome."

She passed me the bottle of wine she was drinking from, 

"I am sorry, I couldn't find the glasses." she said smiling. 

I took the bottle from her, and our fingers touched, she looked at me and for the first time since we got married, I really saw her. 

"I should go get my bag, it's late." she said, starting to get up. 

"Not yet," I said, holding her hand and pulling her to sit on my lap. 

She was a little tipsy, I could just tell by the way she was looking at me. 

"We shouldn't do this." she said, her hands going around my neck. 

"I know." I said looking her in her eyes, "But I want you and I know you do too." I said, truthfully. 

"You are so strong." she said, touching my arms innocently. "Maybe we should go somewhere more private." she said and I could feel my harden just by the minute. 

I immediately got up with her in my arms, and she shrieked in the most sexy voice I had ever heard.