Chapter 4 Reily

Matteo’s arm was slung around Reilly's waist, his laughter echoing through the hallway as they entered the house like a couple of royalty. I stood frozen in the kitchen, the air thick with tension and hurt. They looked so damn happy, and it was like a dagger to my heart.

“Look who’s back!” Matteo announced, his voice dripping with pride. “Reily’s here to hang out!”

Reily flashed me a condescending smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, Gianna! You’re still here? I figured you’d be long gone by now. I mean, who could tolerate being treated like a maid?”

A part of me wanted to scream, but I swallowed hard, pushing down the pain that threatened to spill over. “What do you want, Reily?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Just wanted to see how the perfect wife is doing,” she replied, her tone laced with mockery. “Have you been cooking up some magic for Matteo? Or is that just wishful thinking?”

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “I’m doing just fine, thank you,” I shot back, trying to keep my composure.

Matteo’s laughter only fueled my anger as he pulled Reily closer. “You should really lighten up, Gianna! It’s just a joke!”

Reily turned to Matteo, a wicked grin on her face. “Let’s see what she’s made for us,” she said, glancing around the kitchen as if she was inspecting a contestant on a cooking show.

“Maybe we can make this a cooking competition!” Matteo suggested, amusement dancing in his eyes.

A knot twisted in my stomach. “I’m not in the mood for games, Matteo.”

“Aw, come on! You’re no fun,” he teased, his tone light and dismissive.

Just then, Reily moved closer to me, her smirk dripping with disdain. “What’s the matter, Gianna? Afraid you might actually lose? You should be.”

Before I could respond, she shoved me hard, sending me stumbling back against the countertop. My heart raced as I caught myself, tears threatening to spill.

“Stop it!” I shouted, feeling the weight of their laughter as they reveled in my discomfort.

“Oh, what’s wrong? Did I hurt your feelings?” Reily taunted, her voice rising in mock sweetness.

And that’s when the door swung open, and Luca walked in, drenched from the rain outside, his dark hair slicked back against his forehead. His gaze immediately fell on the scene unfolding in front of him, and something shifted in his expression anger, maybe?

“Hey, what’s going on here?” he asked, his voice low and steady, eyes narrowing at Reily.

“Oh, just some girl talk,” Reily chirped, throwing a casual arm around Matteo’s shoulder. “You know, helping Gianna find her place in the world. Right, Gianna?”

I could see the fury rising in Luca’s eyes, but it wasn’t directed at me. “What the hell are you doing to her?” he snapped, his voice turning cold.

Reily rolled her eyes, unfazed. “Relax, Luca. We’re just having a little fun. Isn’t that right, Gianna?”

“Fun?” Luca’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unforgiving. “It looks more like harassment to me.”

Matteo stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation. “C’mon, man, it’s just a joke.”

“Jokes don’t involve shoving,” Luca shot back, his tone icy. “You need to back off, Reily.”

I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me as Luca’s protectiveness ignited something in my chest. But then I remembered who I was dealing with. “Luca, it’s fine. Really.”

“No, it’s not fine,” he insisted, his eyes blazing with intensity. “You think this is okay?”

Reily huffed, crossing her arms. “What’s the matter? You jealous or something?”

Luca stepped closer, his posture rigid, radiating a raw energy that made even Matteo take a step back. “I don’t get jealous, Reily. I just can’t stand bullies.”

“Aw, look at you, all noble and stuff,” she shot back, but the confidence in her voice was faltering.

“Don’t act like you’re tough when you’re just a coward hiding behind your looks,” Luca said, his voice low and dangerous.

I could feel the tension in the room rising, thick and suffocating. “Luca, please don’t,” I whispered, wishing for this all to end.

“Don’t worry, Gianna,” he replied, glancing at me with a softness that pierced through the storm of anger. “I’m not letting her treat you like this.”

Reily glared at Luca, her facade cracking. “You think you can just come in here and play the hero?”

“You want to test that?” he shot back, and I could see the fury brewing beneath his calm exterior.

I knew I needed to intervene before things escalated further. “Luca, it’s okay. Let’s just—”

But before I could finish, Matteo interjected, trying to pull Reily back. “C’mon, guys, this is ridiculous!”

“Ridiculous is letting someone bully your wife,” Luca growled, eyes never leaving Reily. “You need to grow up and find something better to do with your life.”

Reily scoffed, stepping closer to me. “You think he can save you? Look at you, crying like a baby.”

“Enough!” Luca’s voice boomed, a fierce protectiveness radiating from him. “I said back off!”

Reily stumbled back, eyes wide in disbelief. “Who do you think you are?”

“I’m someone who won’t stand by while you belittle her,” he replied, his voice low but commanding.

With that, Reily crossed her arms, her bravado fading as she glanced at Matteo, seeking backup. “Fine! I don’t need this,” she snapped, turning to storm out.

Matteo hesitated for a moment, caught between loyalty and the tension in the room. But eventually, he followed her, muttering something under his breath.

I stood there, breathless, watching as they disappeared out the door, leaving me alone with Luca. The silence hung heavy in the air, punctuated only by the sound of rain tapping against the window.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, stepping closer.

I wiped my eyes, not wanting to show how shaken I really was. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t buy it. “You’re not. You don’t have to pretend with me.”

I sighed, the weight of the evening settling on my shoulders. “It’s just hard, you know? I thought I was stronger than this.”

“You are stronger than this,” he insisted, his eyes steady on mine. “Don’t let them get to you.”

But in that moment, all the anger and hurt came crashing down on me like the rain outside. I felt trapped, suffocated by the tension between us. “What do you want from me, Luca?” I asked, my voice rising with emotion. 

“I want you to know you don’t have to put up with their shit,” he replied, a fierce protectiveness igniting in his tone. “You deserve better.”

But the words only fueled my frustration. “But what if I can’t trust you either?” I shot back, the fear spilling out. “You don’t know me.”

His expression softened, and he took a step closer. “Maybe not yet, but I want to. I’m not like them.”

I didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t want to feel anything right now, especially not something that resembled hope. Without thinking, I turned on my heel and rushed for the door, my heart pounding in my chest. 

“Gianna, wait!” Luca called after me, his voice laced with urgency. 

But I pushed through the rain-soaked night, my feet pounding against the pavement as I ran, the cold droplets stinging my skin. I didn’t look back. I didn’t want to. 

The world blurred around me as I stumbled through the downpour, my thoughts a chaotic mess. I couldn’t trust him. I couldn’t trust anyone. 

As I ran deeper into the storm, my breath came in shaky gasps. I felt lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and pain. 

And that’s when I collided with someone hard. 

“Whoa there!” a gruff voice slurred, and I looked up to find a disheveled man standing before me, swaying slightly. He smelled of alcohol, his clothes rumpled and stained. “You alright, sweetheart?”

I stumbled back, trying to regain my balance, heart racing as I took in the sight of this stranger. “Get away from me!” I shouted, pushing past him, but he caught my arm, gripping it tightly.

“Hey, hey, no need to get all feisty,” he said, a crooked grin spreading across his face. “Just trying to help.”

“I don’t need your help!” I snapped, trying to pull away, but his grip was surprisingly strong. 

He laughed, the sound hollow and harsh against the rain. “You sure about that? You look like you’re running from something.”

I shook my head, panic surging as I wriggled free from his grasp. “Just leave me alone!” 

“What’s got you all worked up, huh?” he slurred, his breath reeking of booze. “You can tell me. I’m a good listener.”

I felt the anger boiling inside me, the pain of the evening flooding back with every word he said. “I don’t have time for this,” I spat, trying to sidestep him, but he blocked my path.

“You’re in a hurry, huh? Where’s the fire?” he taunted, swaying slightly on his feet. “You look like you just lost your damn mind.”

“Just leave me alone!” I shouted again, pushing past him, but he grabbed my wrist, his grip surprisingly tight.

“What’s the rush?” he pressed, leaning in too close for comfort. “I’m just trying to help a pretty girl in distress.”

My heart raced as I felt panic setting in. I didn’t want to get tangled up with a drunkard in the middle of this storm. “Let go of me!” I cried, pulling away, but his grip only tightened.

That’s when I heard the familiar sound of footsteps splashing through the rain. I glanced over my shoulder, hoping it was Luca coming to my rescue, but my heart sank as I recognized the figure.

“Gianna!” Luca’s voice broke through the chaos, full of urgency. “Get away from him!”

The drunkard turned at the sound, a sneer forming on his lips. “Who the hell are you?” he asked, stepping in front of me as if to shield me from Luca.

“Let her go!” Luca shouted, his tone sharp and commanding, eyes blazing with protective fury.

The man laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “And what if I don’t?”

Luca stepped closer, the rain pouring down around him as he locked eyes with the drunkard. “Then you’re going to regret it,” he said, voice low and threatening.

I felt the tension building between them, the air thick with unspoken challenges. “Luca, please,” I said, my voice trembling. “Just let it go.”

“Hell no,” he replied, eyes never leaving the man in front of me. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

The drunkard scoffed, taking a step forward. “You think you can take me?” 

In a flash, Luca surged forward, grabbing the man’s collar and yanking him away from me. “I said let her go,” he growled, his grip firm.

The man tried to shove Luca away, but he didn’t budge, his determination unyielding. “You’re not in control here, pretty boy,” the drunkard sneered, trying to regain his balance.

“I’m in control of this situation,” Luca said, voice steady. “And I’m telling you to back off.”

The man’s bravado faltered for a moment as he realized he was outmatched. But then he threw a punch, wild and uncoordinated. Luca dodged it effortlessly, stepping aside and countering with a hard jab to the man’s gut.

“Get the hell out of here!” Luca growled, and the man stumbled back, momentarily stunned.

I watched in disbelief as the situation escalated, my heart racing with fear and admiration for Luca. I wanted to shout at him to stop, but a part of me was relieved he was here, taking control.

The drunkard turned and stumbled away, cursing under his breath as he disappeared into the rain-soaked night.

“Are you okay?” Luca turned to me, his expression shifting from anger to concern as he took in my wide eyes and trembling hands.

“I—I’m fine,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “But what are you doing here?”

“I came to find you,” he said, stepping closer, the rain soaking his clothes as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” I shot back, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

“I know you didn’t,” he replied, his voice steady. “But I couldn’t just let you walk away. Not like that.”

I shook my head, the frustration bubbling back to the surface. “You don’t get it, Luca. I don’t want to be saved. I don’t want anything from you.”

His eyes darkened, a flicker of hurt crossing his face. “Then what do you want, Gianna?”

“I want to be left alone!” I yelled, feeling the rain soaking into my skin, mixing with the tears I refused to shed. 

Luca stepped back, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, I’ll give you space. But you can’t keep running away every time things get tough.”

“I can do whatever I want!” I shot back, feeling my heart race with frustration. “You don’t know me!”

He closed the distance between us again, his expression softening. “Then let me get to know you,” he urged, his voice almost pleading. “I don’t want you to face this alone.”

The vulnerability in his eyes shook me, but I couldn’t allow myself to feel anything. “You don’t understand. I don’t trust you. I can’t.”

“Trust takes time,” he said quietly, rain dripping from his hair onto his face. “But I want to earn it. Just let me try.”

I felt my resolve wavering as I looked into his eyes, a storm of emotions swirling within me. But before I could answer, the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance, pulling my thoughts back into focus.

“I need to go,” I murmured, taking a step back, my heart racing.

“Gianna, wait!” he called, but I turned and sprinted away, leaving him standing there, drenched and frustrated.

As I ran, the rain battered against my skin, each droplet a reminder of my turmoil. I didn’t know where I was headed, only that I needed to escape. My thoughts spiraled, wrestling with confusion and anger.

What was I supposed to believe? That Luca was different? That I could trust him when everyone else had let me down?

I didn’t have the answers, but one thing was clear: I couldn’t stay.