Never letting go
Luca's POV
I wasn't like this.
I'm not like this.
But, I didn't know why anytime it concerned Aria, my brain just seizes to work and the only thing I could think about was making her happy.
I had left Aria's door yesterday and returned to my study.
Thinking of her face, I remembered my medicine and took it. But being alone like that created room for me to reminisce about the event of today.
Speaking with Aria, being with her... It made me feel whole. I forgot about everything her father had done.
I felt... Happy.
Deciding not to dwell on the thoughts for too long, I left the study only to meet up with Fiona.
She said she was going to call Aria down as she hadn't eaten anything all day.
It was then that I remembered that she didn't eat breakfast or lunch either. I told Fiona to leave, that I would inform Aria myself.
It was just an excuse to see her again.
When I arrived at the room, I didn't expect to hear those noises.
She was crying.
I didn't know why my heart began to hurt so much just from hearing those sounds.
Everything else disappeared from my head, I only knew if she was okay.
The second she opened the door, I froze.
Her face was filled with tears.
I did a quick search around her body.
She wasn't hurt.
I wouldn't know what I would have done if she were.
Then, without thinking, I pulled her in to a hug.
Seeing her hurt like that felt extremely painful. I wished to take the pain away, so she would be free.
I didn't even know what was hurting her, but seeing those years in her eyes...
I hated it.
I hated seeing her cry.
It would seem as though I couldn't protect her.
But who had hurt her?
When I asked, she said it was me.
I felt a stab in my chest.
Yes.
I had indeed hurt her.
But apart from the first few days she was taken, Aria didn't again. She had always been so strong, facing everything head-on.
She didn't even try to escape again and was obedient. So then why? Why was she suddenly in tears because of me?
Was it because she remembered all the bad things I had done to her and she suddenly felt overwhelmed?
I didn't know.
All I knew was, I didn't like how it felt.
I wasn't a man who was ruled by emotions. Up until Aria arrived, I thought I didn't have them... That they didn't exist.
But she...
She changed that. She changed me.
I couldn't even pinpoint the exact moment I had started to fall for her.
I was still dealing with my jumbled feelings when Aria asked a favor.
Something I would have never agreed to if it were a different captive... Would I even talk to a different captive?
She asked to go out.
Out of the mansion, and indirectly out of my life.
Aria's hate for me wasn't secretive. She used every opportunity to tell me about me, so I wasn't too shocked that she wanted to leave.
What surprised me was my answer.
I had told her yes.
Why did I tell her yes?
Why couldn't I control how I felt even if it was just for that moment?
But I did.
I told her she could leave.
She was so excited that she hugged me.
Did she hug me because she was excited to leave my side? Or was it because I said yes?
The first thought made me feel a bit down.
She was so happy to leave me.
It was crazy.
And the second thought...
It would mean that she was using my feelings for her, testing them to see whether I would agree to her absurd request.
Despite the two thoughts that appeared in my head, I still agreed, giving in to her.
Why?
Because of how happy she was.
This was the first time I was seeing her so happy, and it was because of me.
It felt... Nice.
...
NEXT MORNING
"Boss, we've taken care of the matter, but Mr. Kings still insists on meeting you again. He urges you to reconsider his offer." Payson reported.
I was stuck, trying to decide between the two ties I held in my hand on which to wear.
His news wasn't a surprise. Donatello Kings wasn't a man to accept defeat.
But I wasn't letting go of Aria. Never.
"Which do you think would fit better on me?" I suddenly asked Payson why still looking in the mirror.
Payson blinked his surprise at my question, his eyes growing a bit wide. "Boss?"
I ignored his surprise, still staring at the mirror while holding up both ties. "Which would match the suit better?"
The one on my left hand was a pure black tie, while the one on my right was a dark blue one with black stripes.
Payson, although still shocked, pointed at one of the ties. "That one"
He picked the dark blue one.
I nodded, dropping the other and putting on the tie Payson had picked.
Now my dressing was complete.
It was a good choice.
I stared at myself in the mirror with content.
The person staring back at me had on a dark blue shirt and a tie with a black suit jacket and pants.
A side of my lips hooked up into a small smile as I checked myself out, putting a hand into my pocket.
Payson cleared his throat and I turned away the mirror. "Boss, if I may ask, where are you going?"
"Date."I replied causally, picking up my phone and wallet from the table. "I'm going on a date."
Payson blinked again, as though still surprised. Then as though a through came into his head, he nodded and smiled. "With Ms Viola? I doubt the guards are..."
"No. Not her." I interrupted him almost immediately.
He frowned, and then I continued. "With Aria."