Chapter 157

If Luca thought his threat would stop me from throwing a tantrum, he was sorely mistaken.

“Why should I wear your shirt?” I demanded, struggling to remove the flimsy t-shirt. It was black, slightly worn, with a graphic design on the back. “It’s itchy.”

“It’s my favorite shirt. I just washed it,” Luca said sternly, holding my hand to stop me. I let the material fall back into place, covering me to my mid-thigh.

I turned on the kitchen stool he’d ordered me to sit on while he made me a lemon juice I didn’t want. I sighed dramatically. “I could be having so much fun right now if you hadn’t interrupted.”

“You looked like you’d pay good money to get out of that club,” Luca said pointedly. “I did you a favor.”

“You did not, old man.” I pouted, avoiding his biceps as he squeezed the lemon. His shirt clung to them.

He could squeeze my— No. Bad girl, Aurora.

“Being an old man is better than being a big baby, which is how you’re acting,” he countered.

“I’m the baby?” I scoffed, nearly falling off the stool as the room spun.

“A big one,” Luca said, his gaze unwavering. “You’re being bratty and immature.”

I glared at him, but his unwavering stare only fueled my frustration. Soon, tears blurred my vision. A small sniff escaped me, making Luca look up. His stern expression softened instantly.

“Aurora…” he sighed, his voice filled with concern.

I shook my head and stumbled off the stool, heading for the living room despite the dizziness.

“Aurora,” Luca called, following with the juice. “Drink this. It’ll help with your hangover tomorrow.”

“No,” I sniffed, sinking onto the couch and crossing my legs, trying to suppress my tears. “Just call me an Uber. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Have you seen the time?” He sat beside me, keeping a respectful distance. “I’m not letting you Uber anywhere.”

“No. Let me go. You don’t have to take care of this big baby,” I said, taking a sip to stem my tears.

“That’s not what I meant,” Luca said softly. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

“I’m pampered,” I admitted, “and I can be a brat sometimes, but I’m not immature.”

“I know,” he replied quietly.

“I don’t need saving. I don’t need someone to actively take care of me.”

“I know,” he echoed, even softer.

I glanced at him, and he offered me the juice. Accepting it, I took a sip. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Are you nauseous?”

I shook my head. “Alex babied me all my life,” I said, my voice breaking. “He’s my twin.”

“Hm.” Luca hummed.

“And today,” I looked at him, tears welling up, “he got married without telling me.”

Luca blinked in surprise. “Your brother got married?”

I nodded, my sniffles intensifying. “He made sure he was the most important part of my world all my life, and then he built a world without me.”

“Fiorellina, I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “Everyone’s saying it’s weird how hurt I am. But how can I not be?”

“It’s not weird,” Luca said. “You wanted to be a part of his special day, probably one of the most important days of his life. He would have wanted to be a part of yours. It’s only fair.”

“Right?” I asked, my tears finally falling.

I clutched the glass tightly, leaning my head on his shoulder. He stiffened slightly, then relaxed, pulling me closer.

“Thank you for being so nice to me,” I whispered. “Despite what you told my dad the other night, managing my social life is not your job.”

This earned me a soft laugh. “I like it,” he said, smiling slightly. “I like being a part of your social life.”

My cheeks warmed. “How…how was Spain?”

“You mean the hot girl you accused me of sleeping with?” Luca smirked, and I playfully slapped his bicep.

“No,” I grinned, “I meant work-wise.”

“It went well,” he replied, a touch monotonously. “I found a new sponsor for expansion. She’s an old friend, a bit annoying. She made me take her to dinner a couple of times, but she agreed—without requiring me to sleep with her.”

I eyed him skeptically. “Seriously?”

“I don’t lie, fiorellina.”

“Okay,” I said, smiling.

“Okay,” he echoed. “Am I to assume you heard about this from Edward?”

I nodded sheepishly.

“Give me one good reason not to fire him.”

“He’d sue you for wrongful termination.”

“I could win that easily.”

I smiled. “I’d lose a friend.”

“All the more reason to fire him,” Luca said, grinning.

I yawned. “Bottoms up,” Luca said, gently pushing the glass to my lips. He held it until I finished the juice.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “For being so nice to me.”

He nodded, a genuine smile on his lips. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

I took his hand, and he led me to his room. Pushing away memories of the night we’d spent there, I got into his bed. He dimmed the lights and covered me with a blanket.

“Where are you going?” I asked, feeling anxious.

“The guest room,” he replied. “Get comfortable.”

I didn’t mention the guest room. Instead, I said softly, “Can you stay here too? I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

“Of course,” he said, getting into bed beside me. His arms wrapped around me, and I felt safe and relaxed. I fell asleep instantly, comforted by his warmth.