Lila. I feel the warmth of Luca’s lips on mine, and for a moment, everything melts away. His kiss is soft, hesitant, but there’s something there something I didn’t expect. My heart starts racing, and just as I’m about to sink deeper into the feeling, he pulls back abruptly. Confusion floods over me, and I blink, trying to make sense of what just happened. My lips still tingle with the memory of his touch. I knew he felt the same exact way I was feeling, our chemistry was undeniable, so why did he pull back and why was he looking at me like that. Like I had something wrong. “What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice shaky, unsure if I’m even speaking clearly. I could tell something was wrong I just had no clue what. He looks at me, his eyes avoiding mine for a moment before meeting my gaze with something like guilt in them. “We can’t,” he says quietly, his words hanging between us like a weight. I expected atleast more than two words, but he went back to pacing around the room like that was
Lila.I did not get any sleep at all last night, I twisted and turned the whole night replaying every single memory I had of my father. Some things made more sense now, like why Luca's dad was always at the hospital visiting my mom even though my mom claimed they had never met before. Could this be the reason Luca’s mom Elena left? I asked myself. I also remembered the last few days leading up to my father's death. They were always fighting about something with mom and I always thought it was becauseom didn't want him working for Luca's family. But maybe my father found out the truth. I quickly got dressed and rushed downstairs, I was going mad by all the scenarios forming in my head. I needed answers. "Hey, breakfast is ready." Maria said with a smile on her face the moment she saw me. "I am not really hungry Maria, thanks though." I said as I poured my myself a cup of water. I spotted Luca in the dining room which was off. In the few weeks I had spent in this house, I had ne
Lila. I sit in the sterile, cold hospital room, my fingers trembling as they grip the armrest of the plastic chair. The fluorescent lights overhead flicker like they’re unsure whether they should be on or off. The quiet beeping of the heart monitor is the only sound breaking the silence, and every time it makes its monotonous rhythm, it reminds me that my mother is still here… at least for now.I can still see Richard who is sitted across the room throwing random glances at me and every time I looked away. The possibility that he was my father was unfathomable to me and every time I looked at him it was like a reminder, and I was not ready to deal with that part of reality no matter how it looked like. A few hours later, the doctor came out and we both followed him to his office. I could just tell by the look on his face whatever he was about to say was not good. "We tried to get as much of the malignant tumor in her brain as we could, it had spread so much... Almost half of her b
Luca.I stood there, glaring at Vanessa, my fists clenched at my sides. I was sweating, the anger pulsing through my veins like a furious current. Miami’s humid air hit me hard as I stepped into the lobby of the hotel where I had been instructed to meet the “business contact” who had called me earlier. The moment I saw her Vanessa leaning casually against the polished marble counter, I could feel my blood boil. When I got the call I did not even think it through, which is how I can tell the whole Lila thing had thrown me completely off my game. I am not someone that's easily manipulated, but somehow Vanessa had managed to do it. “What the hell, Vanessa?” I demanded, trying to control my voice. The heat of the city, the sudden change in plans, the wasted time it all felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me.I would rather be back home in New York with Lila, I only came out here because I had been trying to land the account Vanessa has used to lure me in for so long. Vanessa, alw
Lila.I had spent the night at the hospital again, going home was no longer an option because all I could think of was my mom. I preferred staying at the hospital just incase she woke up I would be there. With Luca being gone too, the house felt a lot more depressing anyway. I step out of the hospital doors, the brisk morning air hitting my face like a slap. It's colder than I expected, but the chill feels good, somehow. I need something to calm my nerves; my thoughts have been a jumble of hospital noises, sterile smells, and too many unanswered questions for the past week. I head toward the small café across the street, hoping a simple cup of coffee will help me clear my head. When Luca was around he was the one who would do the coffee runs. He was in my mind a lot this morning, mostly because he had not called or texted to check in. But as I approach the door, I hear the distinct sound of cameras snapping. Flash after flash, they go off like an unholy orchestra. I freeze in place
Vanessa.I had always been the kind of woman who took control of things. I was used to getting what I wanted, bending people to my will, making sure I was never left behind. But I did not see the divorce coming.We had a system that worked over the years, as long as I stayed out of my husband's business he stayed out of mine. It was a marriage of convinience, not love. But we didn't start out like that, we were in love once. But so much had happened between us now. We tried everything, we tried opening our relationship, we tried therapy but nothing worked. My husband was in love with someone else, a man nonetheless, so we kept our little arrangement. At first I was not okay with it, until I met Luca and everything changed. I had the best time with Luca, he saw me, the real me and he loved me. Him, just like me was driven by success, which is why our situation was functional for so long. We both understood the rules. Atleast we both pretended we did. But he wanted more after a whi
Chapter One. The scandal Luca. The notifications on my phone were going crazy, forcing me to wake up and actually pick up my phone. I had over ten missed calls from my father. What on earth was going on? He had sent me a link which I immediately clicked on.'MAFIA BOSS LUCA DELUCA SPOTTED LEAVING HOTEL WITH A FAMOUS POLITICIAN' S WIFE'For a second, I thought I was reading wrong when the headline popped up on my phone. I quickly scrolled through different blogs and my face was all over the blogs. "Have you looked at your phone today?" my friend Tony said walking into my room with his iPad in his hand. Tony was my personal advisor and best friend, he was the one persona that knew all my secrets, the good and the bad. Our relationship dated way back to college which is where we met, freshman year. I threw my phone at him, as I quickly got up and started dressing up. "This is bad Luca, especially with us in the middle of this acquisition." "I know, I will take care of it." "How
Chapter Two. The arrangement. Lila. I sat in the sterile hospital room, the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor the only sound that filled the space between me and the frail figure of my mother, laying unconscious in the bed. My mother needed chemo, immediately, her condition was getting worse and if they didn't do anything she was going to die. Chemo needed money, alot of money. Money that I don't have. My phone buzzed on the table beside me. My flicked over to the screen, a name I didn't want to hear, especially after last night. A chill ran through me, and for a moment, I considered ignoring it. But something gnawed at me, the promise of something that could change everything. I hesitated before answering.“Lila,” Luca’s voice came through, smooth and cold, like polished stone. “I know you have seen your mother and the doctors have explained to you her condition,"He paused, as if to give me time to process everything he had just said. "You can save your mother, all you hav
Vanessa.I had always been the kind of woman who took control of things. I was used to getting what I wanted, bending people to my will, making sure I was never left behind. But I did not see the divorce coming.We had a system that worked over the years, as long as I stayed out of my husband's business he stayed out of mine. It was a marriage of convinience, not love. But we didn't start out like that, we were in love once. But so much had happened between us now. We tried everything, we tried opening our relationship, we tried therapy but nothing worked. My husband was in love with someone else, a man nonetheless, so we kept our little arrangement. At first I was not okay with it, until I met Luca and everything changed. I had the best time with Luca, he saw me, the real me and he loved me. Him, just like me was driven by success, which is why our situation was functional for so long. We both understood the rules. Atleast we both pretended we did. But he wanted more after a whi
Lila.I had spent the night at the hospital again, going home was no longer an option because all I could think of was my mom. I preferred staying at the hospital just incase she woke up I would be there. With Luca being gone too, the house felt a lot more depressing anyway. I step out of the hospital doors, the brisk morning air hitting my face like a slap. It's colder than I expected, but the chill feels good, somehow. I need something to calm my nerves; my thoughts have been a jumble of hospital noises, sterile smells, and too many unanswered questions for the past week. I head toward the small café across the street, hoping a simple cup of coffee will help me clear my head. When Luca was around he was the one who would do the coffee runs. He was in my mind a lot this morning, mostly because he had not called or texted to check in. But as I approach the door, I hear the distinct sound of cameras snapping. Flash after flash, they go off like an unholy orchestra. I freeze in place
Luca.I stood there, glaring at Vanessa, my fists clenched at my sides. I was sweating, the anger pulsing through my veins like a furious current. Miami’s humid air hit me hard as I stepped into the lobby of the hotel where I had been instructed to meet the “business contact” who had called me earlier. The moment I saw her Vanessa leaning casually against the polished marble counter, I could feel my blood boil. When I got the call I did not even think it through, which is how I can tell the whole Lila thing had thrown me completely off my game. I am not someone that's easily manipulated, but somehow Vanessa had managed to do it. “What the hell, Vanessa?” I demanded, trying to control my voice. The heat of the city, the sudden change in plans, the wasted time it all felt like a heavy weight pressing down on me.I would rather be back home in New York with Lila, I only came out here because I had been trying to land the account Vanessa has used to lure me in for so long. Vanessa, alw
Lila. I sit in the sterile, cold hospital room, my fingers trembling as they grip the armrest of the plastic chair. The fluorescent lights overhead flicker like they’re unsure whether they should be on or off. The quiet beeping of the heart monitor is the only sound breaking the silence, and every time it makes its monotonous rhythm, it reminds me that my mother is still here… at least for now.I can still see Richard who is sitted across the room throwing random glances at me and every time I looked away. The possibility that he was my father was unfathomable to me and every time I looked at him it was like a reminder, and I was not ready to deal with that part of reality no matter how it looked like. A few hours later, the doctor came out and we both followed him to his office. I could just tell by the look on his face whatever he was about to say was not good. "We tried to get as much of the malignant tumor in her brain as we could, it had spread so much... Almost half of her b
Lila.I did not get any sleep at all last night, I twisted and turned the whole night replaying every single memory I had of my father. Some things made more sense now, like why Luca's dad was always at the hospital visiting my mom even though my mom claimed they had never met before. Could this be the reason Luca’s mom Elena left? I asked myself. I also remembered the last few days leading up to my father's death. They were always fighting about something with mom and I always thought it was becauseom didn't want him working for Luca's family. But maybe my father found out the truth. I quickly got dressed and rushed downstairs, I was going mad by all the scenarios forming in my head. I needed answers. "Hey, breakfast is ready." Maria said with a smile on her face the moment she saw me. "I am not really hungry Maria, thanks though." I said as I poured my myself a cup of water. I spotted Luca in the dining room which was off. In the few weeks I had spent in this house, I had ne
Lila. I feel the warmth of Luca’s lips on mine, and for a moment, everything melts away. His kiss is soft, hesitant, but there’s something there something I didn’t expect. My heart starts racing, and just as I’m about to sink deeper into the feeling, he pulls back abruptly. Confusion floods over me, and I blink, trying to make sense of what just happened. My lips still tingle with the memory of his touch. I knew he felt the same exact way I was feeling, our chemistry was undeniable, so why did he pull back and why was he looking at me like that. Like I had something wrong. “What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice shaky, unsure if I’m even speaking clearly. I could tell something was wrong I just had no clue what. He looks at me, his eyes avoiding mine for a moment before meeting my gaze with something like guilt in them. “We can’t,” he says quietly, his words hanging between us like a weight. I expected atleast more than two words, but he went back to pacing around the room like that was
Lila. It has been a few hours since I last spoke with Luca, I had decided to give him some space to process everything that was going on. But he also needed to eat something since he was still taking medication. I quickly fixed him a plate of some food and put it on a tray with some water and headed up to his room. I knew he was not going to get out of that room so I did not even bother calling him to come down. Once at his door, I could hear some of soft music coming from his room, I knock lightly on his door, holding the tray full of food in my hands, hoping it will help ease whatever storm was brewing inside of him. I just wanted to do something for him, anything, to make him feel better.“Luca?” I call softly as I push the door open. He is sitting by the window, staring out into the dark. It’s like he is miles away, even though he is right in front of me. I hesitate for a moment, but then walk in, setting the food down on the bedside table. "I brought you something to eat...
Vanessa.I had tried to get in touch with Luca but his phone was off or busy or went straight to voicemail and it was bugging me. In the three years we had been together, he never even once sent me to voice mail and no matter what was going on in our personal lives, we always talked to each other which is why this was bugging me so much and it had Lila written all over it. Normally I wouldn’t be worried by a girl like Lila, but I could tell she was different, she was not a city girl like the ones Luca was used to and that's what scared me the most. "I have to ran an errand for a few hours, cancel all my meetings and if my husband calls tell him I am at my wax appointment." I said to my personal assistant as I picked up my bag. "Do you need me to organize for a driver?" "No, I will just drive myself, I need to clear my mind anyways." In a few minutes I was pulling up to Luca's house."Is he in?" I asked one of the security men, as I got out of the car while tossing him the car ke
Luca.I knew my father was lying, having worked in my line of work for so long, it was so easy for me to tell when someone was lying. "Why are you protecting her?" I finally asked after a moment of silence, "don't you think I deserve to know if she is the one that saved my life?" "What does it matter son? Why can't you leave it alone, you are supposed to be taking it easy, resting not stressing yourself." "Where is she?" "I don't know Luca." "You know it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out, I will use whatever resources I have to find out the truth." "She just wanted to help Luca, that's all" he finally said when I got up. I sat back down looking at him"So she is the one that gave me a kidney?" I asked feeling my blood boiling with anger. "Yes, she was the quickest solution." "How did she even know I was sick, you said you haven't heard from her since she left." "I haven't, but a few years back had someone look into her, just to make sure she was okay. 8 neve