Chapter 63 I WANT YOU
••Roman••
I am short of words.
I don't know whether to be angry or impressed that Luci confronted my father, Don Lorenzo, alone. The thought kept replaying in my head like a stubborn echo that refused to fade. I was shocked when she said it.
She can be very daring, bold in ways that surprise even me, but I didn't expect it to reach this extent. This time she truly let her emotions get the best of her, and with my father, emotions are gasoline near fire.
"You can't just do what you think is right, Luci." I said.
Even though it made me annoyed, I tried to control myself. My tone stayed steady, but inside my chest everything felt tight. Anger mixed with worry in a way that made it hard to breathe properly.
"Relax Roman." She said.
I studied her expression carefully. She might be trying to show that she's not bothered about it, wearing that stubborn calm like armor, yet she clearly knew it was out of line. Her shoulders were stiff. Her eyes avoided mine for a second too long. I always see through her.
"He can't hurt me, or can he?" She said again.
She said it lightly, almost like a joke, though nothing about my father belongs in the comedy category. Not even close.
"That's not it, Luci. You shouldn't just have done that." I lowered my voice hoping she'll understand the gravity of what just happened.
Then she stood up with her arms crossed. "Stop treating me like a baby, I can make my own decisions."
"No Luci, you can't fucking act the way you want without letting me know. I'm responsible for your well-being now." My voice was beginning to get stronger.
My phone rang, and I had to quickly go somewhere with Theo. The timing felt suspiciously perfect. It wasn't really urgent, yet it came at the exact moment needed to break the heat of the conversation with Luciana. It is better to leave now than continue this argument.
Father wouldn't mind putting her in her place if she begins to draw more attention, and if that means hurting her, he would not hesitate. That truth lives in my bones. I am afraid. Yes. Not for myself. For her.
The drive back was quiet. When I said I'll drive back home Theo was disturbed, but I just needed something to channel my thoughts to. The city lights passed like blurred signals while my mind stayed with Luci’s face, her stubborn chin lifted in defiance. I kept replaying the scene, rewriting my own reactions, wishing I had spoken softer, and better.
While driving back I thought of getting something for her, so I stopped the car at a jewelry store. The decision came suddenly.
"Why are we pulling up?" Theo asked.
"I want to get something." I answered.
"Oh. For her." He said.
I didn't answer him.
There were quite a variety of jewelry pieces there and I didn't even know what to choose. Gold, diamonds, sapphire, emerald. Everything glittered like trapped stars. I didn't know what she likes. Only that she likes luxury, and elegance fits her naturally.
While checking through the display, Theo decided to squeeze the hell out of me by teasing, enjoying himself far too much.
"You really do like her now, huh?" he said.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Theo." I feigned ignorance.
"Well, I think she likes you too already." He said again, grinning like a gossip columnist.
"I think you should just help me make a choice instead of bugging me with your talks."
"You should know what she likes now." He said.
"Well, I don't. Okay?"
"You are interested in her." Theo kept on, poking the truth repeatedly like a bruise.
"Yes Theo, I like Luci. She's good to me." I said out of frustration. The confession came out faster than i planned. It felt strangely relieving.
"See," he laughed at me. "That's what I'm talking about."
"So can you help me now?" I asked.
Theo can be annoying sometimes. Loyal, useful, and irritating. A complete package.
"Okay, let's see what we've got." He adjusted his shirt as if we were about to perform surgery instead of shopping.
While still checking, Theo and I picked two necklaces and we were contemplating which to choose. One was bold and loud, while the other was elegant and sharp.
"She'll like this." A strange lady who stood by our side said, pointing to the diamond necklace I was holding in my left hand.
Theo and I directed our attention to her. She smiled at us, or at me, with the kind of confidence that suggests she enjoys being noticed.
"I'm Maya." She said.
"Thank you, Maya." I replied and turned to the attendant to pack the jewelry. I have no time for some random lady who is obviously seeking attention. My mind was already elsewhere.
••Luciana••
I was on a FaceTime call with Damian and Theo when Roman entered the room. Their voices overlapped in chaotic energy, arguing about something unserious with deadly seriousness. He didn't say hello and I just minded my business.
Who knows, we could be back to our distant era after the banter we had this afternoon, and I had been having a feeling our “good friends” moment wouldn't last. Moments with Roman always feel like glass sculptures. Beautiful and fragile.
Shortly afterward, I ended the call. Antonio and Damian bickering was giving me a headache already. My ears needed peace.
Roman came out of the bath with a towel around his waist and another towel around his neck. Water still clung to his skin. He looked unfairly good for someone who stresses me out daily.
"Do we have a show to watch tonight?" He broke the silence.
"No," I answered before he could even finish the question.
He didn't say anything more. He went to sit on his side of the bed and opened his laptop.
It made me angrier that he didn't even react or pay attention to me.
"And why do you think I'll want to watch a show with you?" I said, now facing him.
He turned back and smiled. "Is my princess upset?"
Now it was my time to shine. I didn't give any more response. Silence can be a weapon when used properly.
Then he stood up and met me at the chair near my side of the bed. He sat closer and held my hands in his. His grip was warm and steady.
"Luci, you know the way things are being done in the Mafia. My father doesn't like anything being in his way and I don't want you to ever have issues being here."
He paused for a while and lifted my chin to look at his face. His touch was gentle, surprisingly gentle for someone raised in violence. "I care about you, Luci."
Why is he giving me a sweet speech. My heart began to race in confusion. I could see the raw emotion in his eyes.
"Roman..." I tried to say something.
"Please don't interrupt me, Luci." He said. "I'm sorry for the way I acted at the beginning of our relationship. It wasn't my place to take you as a wife, but I should have acted better."
"No Roman, this whole thing was forced on us both, you didn't want it too." I said.
"Why are you making excuses for me?" He smiled gently.
The smile hit straight through my defenses. Has he always smiled like this, or am I only seeing it now?
“That has changed, Luci, I want you now. I want to start acting like a proper husband."
It felt like I misheard him. My thoughts stumbled over each other. Is this real?
"What are you saying?" I tried to remove my hands from his but he held me even tighter, careful but firm.
"I want us, Luci. Let's start all over again."
My eyes were getting teary from all these emotions I was feeling. Everything inside me felt too full. He used his finger to softly wipe the tear at the corner of my eye with careful precision.
Then he stood up and went to bring something from his drawer. It was a white box with a red ribbon, neat and deliberate.
He knelt on one knee beside me. "Take this, Luci."
My breath caught. I took it from him and looked at him, searching his face for hesitation and finding none.
"Open it," he said.
I unwrapped it, and sitting inside was the most elegant diamond jewelry set I've ever seen. Light bounced off it like captured lightning.
"See this as a show of my love for you, Luci." He said.
"I love it." I said, crying already. "But I need time Roman. All this, I can't think straight."
"Time for?" He said pleadingly.
"What if you lose interest? What if you get a mistress? What if your father doesn't want me for you anymore?"
Fear finally spoke with my voice.
"All that doesn't matter, Luci. All that matters is I choose you and I'll do it again and again."
I smiled through the tears. Hope is dangerous and beautiful at the same time. "I still need the time, Roman."
"It's fine, princess." He stood up and kissed my forehead. “I’ll wait,” he whispered, resting his forehead against mine.
That promise should have comforted me. Instead, it scared me more than the confession.