Successful operation

Successful operation
~GEMMA~
Luca and I got close to them. It was then I noticed they're holding guns and my heartbeat skipped a million times and I didn't know when I placed my hand in Luca's hands.
Luca was also with two guns in his pocket and here is me, who stupidly came out of the van without a gun to protect myself or even Luca.

I must be so stupid and foolish to allow myself to be so vulnerable like this. I held on to Luca's hand.

He squeezed my hand tightly but quickly let go of it.

"You don't have to show them that you're nervous and scared," he told me.

"Take a deep breath and relax. Remember I'm here with you"

I nodded my head, took a deep breath and I was able to relax a bit. I summoned courage and soon we're standing in front of the men.

"Luca" one of them called and they exchanged pleasantries. The men were three in number.

"Is everything complete?" Luca asked them in Italian. I could hear him because I now understand most of the Italian language.

"Yes, it's all in the truck" one of the men replied in Italy too.

"Let me see them. When I confirm that the drugs are complete, I'll bring the money from my car and your guys will transload it from the truck to the car" Luca said. This time he spoke English.

The man Luca was talking to looked at me for the first time.

"Is this Antonio's new wife?" He asked.

"Yes, she is. Treat her with respect" Luca said.

The man bowed to me.

"But before we carry out any transaction, we must see her face to confirm she's really the one," he said.

"Is that necessary?" Luca asked.

"Yes, it is," the man replied.

"Well, that wouldn't happen," Luca replied. He sounded and looked tense.

"Then this transaction won't work"

Luca raised his gun and my eyes flew open.

"You want to break a deal because of this?"

"Boss Antonio told me his wife would be representing him in tonight's operation. I need to see her face to be sure" the man replied.

Luca still wanted to insist but I stopped him.

"It's fine Luca. I'll remove my mask, it's no big deal"

He looked at me, then nodded.

I slowly removed my shades and mask. The man opened his phone, stared at something in it and nodded. It must be my picture he's staring at, trying to confirm if I was really the one.

"I'm sorry for the inconveniences, Pink butterfly" he apologized.

"It's fine" I replied and wore my shades and mask back. Luca was still scowling at them.

The man signaled on the other two to go and open the truck. Luca went to the back of the truck to inspect things and I went with him.

The truck was loaded with hard drugs I've never seen before in my life. I was shocked but quickly hid my shock.

"Intact and complete," Luca said.

"Now, the money," the man said.

"I'll go and get it now" Luca said and made to leave but the man stopped him.

"Let her go and get it," he said.

"Why??" Luca asked. He's really furious now.

"She'll be the one to hand over the money to us and it's a signed deal"

"But….."

"I'll go and get it," I interrupted Luca.

Before he could protest, I walked quickly to the car to get the money. I didn't want anything to spoil this Operation and I won't allow Luca's stubbornness ruin things.

I came back with the briefcase of money and handed it to the man. He took it from me, opened it and checked if it's complete.

He smiled, then nodded his head and closed the briefcase.

"Deal. Take them to the car" he instructed the other men. He seems to be their leader.

They transloaded the drugs to the van and soon they're done.

"It's nice doing business with you. See you again, Pink butterfly" the man drawled, then laughed and walked to the truck. The other men followed him and they entered the truck and drove off.

Luca was still fuming with anger when we walked back to our van.

We entered the van. He was about to start the van when I placed my hands on his to calm him down.

"It's okay now, darling. The operation went well. Ease up" I said, staring directly into his eyes.

That seemed to do the trick as he suddenly eased up, then he smiled at me and held my cheeks in his palms.

"You did well Gemma, you did extremely great"

"I did nothing. You're the one that carried out the whole transaction" I said.

"No, you're the one that made this Operation successful. Your courage and boldness made this Operation a success"he replied.

"I only did what needed to be done" I said, still refusing to take all the glory of the successful operation and exchange of drugs.

"You're bold and courageous when you take off those masks. You're bold and courageous when you walked back to the van to get the money. I saw the fear in you, but you're bold enough to conquer it. You made this Operation a success" he said.

"You played your own part too. I wouldn't have done this without you" I said. "Thank you Luca"

He nodded, but he still held my cheeks in his palms, staring at me lovingly and gently.

"Why were you so angry when I was asked to take off my mask?" I asked.

"Because I don't like seeing or hearing anyone command you or make you do something against your will. I don't like anyone treating you with disrespect. I'll always want to hurt the person" he said and I blushed hard.

"But Antonio makes me do things against my will," I said.

"I can't do anything because he's my boss and your husband. But no one else is allowed to disrespect you. I swear with my life that nothing of such would happen"

"You care about me that much?" I asked. I was surprised.

"Yes, I do, Gemma" and my name rolled off sweetly out of his tongue and with those cute eyes staring at me.
At that moment, it took all the self control in me not to lean in and kiss the hell out of him.

"Thank you" I managed to reply and quickly looked away before I give in and kissed him.

"Let's go now" I said, still not facing him. I know he must be surprised that I quickly turned away from him but he didn't show it.

"Okay" he replied and started the van. And we drove off and all the way back to Antonio's house in total silence, stealing secret glances at each other and looking away immediately when we're about to get caught.