Chapter 31 You Want Children?
••Roman••
She returned a while later with the empty plates balanced in her hands. I did not say anything, but something settled quietly in my chest. Empty plates meant she ate. She liked it. That mattered more than it should have.
She dropped them in the kitchen and came back, taking the seat across from me. My laptop was open on my lap, files spread across the screen. I was working on our recent deals. Things that could not wait.
“Since you didn’t let me finish cleaning your hand,” she said, folding one leg over the other, “you’ll need to get an ointment.”
I looked at her, then at my screen. “I have work to do.”
“It heals fast,” she continued like she hadn’t heard me. “My mother always used it on me whenever I got hurt. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring it with me.”
“You talk about this like it’s a gunshot wound,” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. You men always blow pain out of proportion and overlook treatment. That’s a risky mix.”
I snapped my laptop shut halfway. “You can go by yourself.”
She blinked at me, then shrugged casually.
“I’m not fine with that.”
“I am,” I shot back.
With a slight tilt of her head, she replied, “That wasn’t a request.”
I studied her for a moment—she was calm and resolute, already half out the door in her mind.
“I want to go shopping,” she continued. “I can pick up the ointment and check off two things at once. This is Sicily, after all, and it has my favorite shops.”
“Seriously? With those three big boxes you brought here?” I questioned.
She didn’t respond; instead, she got to her feet.
“I’m going to get dressed,” she said, already walking away. “You can get ready too. We’re going.”
The door clicked shut behind her.
Bossy. Frustrating. Unyielding. It’s not like I could just let her go off alone—she needs protection, and I can’t trust that she can manage everything on her own.
I closed my laptop entirely and stood up.
\---
••Luciana••
The drive was loud, mostly because Roman couldn't stop complaining the whole way.
I couldn’t help but chatter away, drawing his attention away from the road. I mentioned every restaurant we passed, even when it was unnecessary. When I suggested he take a detour for pizza, he muttered something in Russian that I didn't understand, but it was definitely not kind.
Yet, I couldn't stop smiling.
We made a quick stop at the pharmacy first; that was non-negotiable for me. I watched him, tall and serious, clutching the small tube as if it had offended him.
Next, we headed to my favourite store.
As soon as I stepped inside, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The familiar scents, the well-known aisles—pure comfort.
I couldn’t resist grabbing bags, shoes, accessories—things I didn’t really need, but desired all the same. Roman followed behind me like a bored bodyguard..
“Red or black?” I asked, holding up two bags.
“There is no difference,” he replied flatly. “Choose one or take both, Princess.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Did you just call me Princess?”
He did not answer.
At the counter, the attendant smiled brightly at us. “You look very good together.”
That was when we noticed it.
We both were wearing black tops with white patterns. His shirt had stripes, while my top had dots.
I stared at him.
“Next time,” Roman said calmly, “you do not embarrass me like this, bitch.”
I grinned. “Like it’s my fault you dressed to match me.”
“You went to change clothes,” he argued.
“You followed me,” I shot back.
The attendant laughed and gestured to a display. “We just got matching outfits. Even comes in a family set. Includes a child size.”
“Absolutely not,” I said without hesitation, laughing. “I certainly don’t want my kids to be as short-tempered as he is.”
Roman went completely still.
“You want kids?” he inquired, his tone serious.
The answer slipped out of my mouth before I could reel it back in.
“Of course, yes I—”
I suddenly froze, the gravity of my words hitting me like a ton of bricks. My hands shot up as if I were being arrested. “That’s not what I meant.”
He leaned back against the counter, his eyes steady on me, unreadable.
I swallowed.
Too late. The damage was already done.