Chapter 245 EPILOGUE II.

Chapter 245 EPILOGUE II.
Luca. 

I had been restless since morning.

Restless in a way that made everything else feel irrelevant, like the only thing that mattered was the moment I would finally see her walk out of that airport and into my arms again. One week. Just one week without her and I had nearly lost my mind, and I was not even going to pretend otherwise.

The moment the car stopped in front of the house and I stepped out to open her door, my chest already felt tight with anticipation.

I reached for the handle and pulled it open. 

There she was.

My girl.

“Welcome home,” I said quietly, my voice softer than I expected.

She smiled, that same smile that always did something dangerous to my head, and stepped out, her hand brushing against mine. Before I could even say anything else, she tiptoed slightly and pressed her lips against mine.

That was it.

All restraint gone.

My arms wrapped around her instantly, pulling her closer, pressing her against me as I kissed her properly this time, deeper, slower, like I was making up for every second I had missed her. I could feel her melt into me, her fingers gripping my shirt, and when my hand moved instinctively to her waist and then to her ass, she let out a soft sound that went straight through me.

God, I missed her.

A voice cut through the moment.

“Really? In public? You two have no shame.”

Jun.

Of course.

Bella pulled back immediately, laughing softly, completely unbothered.

“Jun! Come here, let me hug you.”

“Hell no,” I replied instantly.

She tried to move toward him anyway, but I caught her by the waist before she could take two steps, pulling her right back against me.

“Absolutely not,” I muttered against her ear, my tone low and possessive. “You hug only me.”

She giggled like it was a joke.

It was not.

“You are so dramatic,” she said, shaking her head. “Let’s go inside. You said Vivian is here?”

“Yeah,” I replied, still not letting go of her as I guided her toward the house.

The moment we stepped in, she slipped out of my hold before I could stop her.

“Mom!”

I watched her run toward Vivian, her voice filled with so much excitement that it made something settle quietly inside me.

They hugged tightly, and Bella pulled back slightly, her hands still holding Vivian’s arms.

“How are you? Are you okay? And Mara, how is she?”

Vivian smiled softly, brushing Bella’s hair back.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Mara is doing well too. How was your trip?”

Bella sighed, a small smile on her lips.

“It was okay,” she said. “But I really missed home.”

I cleared my throat from where I stood behind them.

“Home?” I repeated. “Or me?”

She turned to look at me, her eyes lighting up as she walked back over and kissed me again, softer this time.

“Yeah,” she said, smiling against my lips. “I missed you.”

“That’s right,” I muttered, satisfied. “Want to go upstairs?”

“Luca,” Vivian’s voice cut in calmly. “I brought food. How about you both eat first before disappearing upstairs?”

I inhaled slowly.

If not for Bella, things between me and Vivian would not even look like this. I would not allow this level of closeness, this normalcy. But Bella wanted it. Bella believed in it.

So I tolerated it.

Bella clapped her hands softly.

“Thank you so much, Vivian!”

Of course she would say that.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the dining room before I could even argue. I sat beside her, close enough that our thighs touched, while Jun took a seat across from us next to Vivian.

Vivian began serving the food, and without thinking, I reached for Bella’s plate, fixing it the way I knew she liked before handing it to her.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

We started eating, and for a moment, it was quiet.

Normal.

Then Vivian spoke.

“So Bella, when are you planning your fashion show?”

Bella almost choked on her drink, laughing softly.

“Vivian, please. I’m not that good yet.”

I scoffed immediately.

“Not that good?” I repeated. “Baby, have you seen your own designs? You’re talented as hell.”

Jun nodded in agreement.

“I have to agree with Luca on this one. Your work is impressive.”

Bella’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “Maybe soon. I’m still working on it.”

Vivian looked at her with something close to pride.

“I’m really proud of you,” she said. “It’s not easy to realize something is not meant for you and then find the courage to start over. You’ve done that beautifully.”

Bella’s smile softened.

“Thank you so much.”

I leaned back slightly, watching her as she spoke, as she smiled, as she existed so effortlessly in my world.

Amazing.

That was the word.

These past two years had been the best time of my life, and I did not care how insane that sounded considering everything around me. She changed things. She changed me in ways I still did not fully understand. I haven’t zoned out in two years. Though, I still slipped into madness whenever she was stubborn with me or we argued. 

I was still obsessed with her.

Still completely consumed by her.

I still kill for her. 

If it were up to me, she would already be my wife, my name tied to hers permanently, but she was not ready for that, and for once in my life, I chose to wait.

For her.

Jun cleared his throat, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“So....I will be leaving for two weeks.”

Bella looked up immediately.

“What? Why? Did Luca do something to you?”

I scoffed. “Why is that always the first assumption?”

Jun shook his head.

“No, it has nothing to do with Luca. I just need some time.”

Bella turned to me, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“You know something.”

Jun cut in quickly. “Luca.”

I raised my hands in surrender.

“Sorry, brother,” I said, smirking. “I can’t keep secrets from my Queen.”

Bella’s brows lifted.

“What is it?”

I leaned back, clearly enjoying this.

“Jun here,” I began, gesturing toward him, “fell in love.”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“What?”

“Oh, it gets better,” I continued. “He says it was love at first sight. With Kai and Koa’s older sister. And now she invited him to a wedding in Italy.”

Bella gasped.

“Jun! You fell in love?” she exclaimed. “Oh my God, I’m so happy for you. You have no idea how much this means to me. After everything that happened with 'the forbidden name’, I was really worried about you.”

Jun smiled slightly, softer than usual.

“I was going to tell you,” he admitted. “I just didn’t want to disappoint you again.”

Bella shook her head.

“It’s fine. I’m just excited now. I want to meet her.”

I chuckled. “You don’t want to hear how it started.”

“Yes, I do,” she insisted. “Tell me.”

Jun sighed.

“We were on a mission,” he began. “At a clubhouse. She was bartending. I saw her and told Kai. He nearly shot me and told me to stay away from her.”

Bella’s mouth dropped open.

“And you didn’t listen?”

Jun smirked. “Of course I didn’t.”

“And?”

“And we....got involved. Kinda hooked up.”

Bella laughed loudly.

“You guys are insane. That was fast. But I wish you both the best.”

After a while, dinner ended, and Jun and Vivian left, leaving the house quieter again.

Finally.

I turned to her without saying a word, lifting her effortlessly and placing her on the table, stepping between her legs as her arms wrapped around my neck.

She kissed me gently. 

“I missed you so much,” I whispered against her lips.

“I missed you too,” she replied, her voice warm and full.

I pulled back just enough to look at her, really look at her.

“I love you,” I said. “More than anything. You are the only important person in my life.”

She smiled, that same smile that always got to me.

“I love you too. But I think Jun is important to you now.”

I chuckled darkly. “Yeah whatever.” 

I held her closer, my forehead resting lightly against hers.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,” I continued quietly. “Only you. No one else. You’re everything to me. I will always choose you. Always.”

Her arms tightened around me.

“Forever,” she whispered.

I kissed her again, slower this time, deeper in meaning than anything else.

“Forever,” I repeated. “It’s us against the world.”

THE END. 

Author’s note: My heart is aching lol. If you reached the end of this story, I just want to say a big thank you to you. Thank you so much for following Luca and Bella’s story from the beginning to the end. I have always been the biggest lover of toxicity and obsession stories and I am glad I was able to express those feelings with Luca and Bella. 

There were times I took breaks from writing this story but checking back at some of your comments, I felt the need to continue. Thank you so much. I apologize if it felt a little draggy at any point, I was making sure to not rush the ending. 

I just want to mention that I once started Salvatore and Kaylani’s story (Age gap x contract dating), and if I ever decide to continue their story, I will bring it on here for you all to read. 

Thank you once again! Let me know your thoughts and your favorite friendship duo—Luca x Jun OR Bella x Jun. 

See you again❤️🫶