Chapter 82 YOU'LL LEARN YOUR LESSON
••Luciana••
The soft spray of water poured over me, the steady rhythm of the shower easing my mind and body. It had been a long day. An emotional roller coaster of confusion, hurt, and fear, and for a moment, standing under the warm cascade, I let myself forget everything that had happened and simply let the water wash away the weight on my shoulders.
The coolness of the bathroom’s tiles against my skin and the steam swirling around me helped me clear my thoughts for a moment.
When I stepped out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself, the cool air of the room hitting my wet skin. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection for a while, as if I could find some answer there. But the only thing staring back at me was the same unsure, fragile woman who had been swept into this world, this life, of Roman and his mafia.
I glanced at the bed. It was there, in the sheets where I had laid my head, that the emotions began to rise again. Roman’s absence lingered in the air, and I wondered where he had gone. But more than that, I wondered about Antonio.
Had I made the right choice? Had I betrayed him? Would he even care?
These thoughts whirled in my mind, and I felt the deep hurt from our earlier argument.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Matteo’s number. It rang a few times before he picked up.
“Luci, you okay?” Matteo’s voice came through the line, calm and reassuring.
“I don’t know. I feel like I’m losing everyone around me. I don’t know if Antonio will ever speak to me again, and Roman... I don’t even know how to make things right,” I confided, my voice breaking as I spoke.
“Let him be for now. He needs time,” Matteo replied. “And trust me, you’re not the only one. He’s been ghosting me too since the argument. But he’ll come around. He always does.”
I sighed, letting the words settle in my chest. I knew Matteo was right. Antonio needed time. And maybe I did too. But the hurt still felt so fresh, and I couldn’t stop replaying the look on his face when he stormed out. I had never seen him so angry, so hurt. The whole situation had spiraled out of control.
After ending the call, I let the silence settle over me, trying to quiet my racing thoughts. A knock at the door interrupted my musings. Roman had returned. He had stayed out the night before, no doubt taking care of business, but now he was back.
“Want some milkshakes?” he asked as he entered, his voice light, almost teasing.
I looked up at him, a soft smile playing on my lips despite the heavy weight in my chest. Roman always knew how to lift my spirits, even when I didn’t want them lifted.
He didn’t give me a chance to answer. “I’ll cook dinner when we get back,” he said, already moving to the door. “Let’s go out for a bit.”
We made our way to the milkshake shop, me still lost in thought, and him just trying to make me smile. As we walked through the door, I noticed a strange lady who had been eyeing us earlier. She was standing at the counter, her gaze flicking to Roman every so often.
There was something about the way she looked at him, something that made my stomach twist in knots.
She noticed us, and the smile that stretched across her lips made my heart race in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I could feel my jealousy rising like a tidal wave, ready to crash over me.
Then she approached us, “Roman,” she greeted, her voice smooth, almost seductive. "You weren’t very nice to me the last time we met, but I don’t mind."
Roman froze for a moment, recognition flickering across his face. “You,” he muttered under his breath, a slight frown on his face.
I felt the jealousy surging within me, turning my face red. What the hell was going on here?
The woman’s eyes flicked over to me, her gaze lingering a moment too long. "So, she’s the one you bought the jewelry for, huh?"
Her tone was saucy, and her words dripping with something I couldn’t quite place.
I glanced between them, my confusion turning into irritation. “Who is she?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
Roman looked at me, and I saw the familiar calm in his eyes. “She’s no one, Luci.”
But her eyes never left him, and the tension in my chest only grew. It was like she was testing me, trying to see how far she could push.
Her eyes danced with mischief as she stepped closer. "I’m not doing anything wrong, am I?" she asked, almost like a challenge.
“I don’t care,” I shot back, my voice low. “You don't have any business here.” The words came out in a rush, full of the unease that had settled in my stomach.
"And what if I do?" She challenged me.
"Well you don't, so leave this place." I declared.
Roman didn't seem to notice the underlying tension, but I could feel it building like a storm waiting to break. He turned to her and firmly said, “Leave. Now.”
Her smile didn’t falter, but I could see the irritation in her eyes as she backed away. "You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she said, her voice now colder.
After she left, I stood up to use the bathroom, hoping to escape the storm of emotions I could feel bubbling to the surface. The last thing I needed right now was another woman go share Roman with, especially one who seemed so eager to get under my skin.
Inside the restroom, I tried to steady my breathing. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake off the feeling of inadequacy that had settled in my chest.
What was it about her that made me feel so unsettled? What was her hold on Roman?
Then Antonio words came to me.
Men like him don't get satisfied with one woman. Could that be it? I shook of the feeling before I start to overthink.
Just as I was about to walk back out, the door opened. Maya, the woman from before, stepped inside, her eyes locking onto mine immediately.
“You really think you can handle him, don’t you?” Her voice was smooth, laced with threat. “If I want him, you can’t do anything.”
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. “What do you want from me?” I demanded, my voice trembling slightly.
She leaned in closer, her perfume heavy in the air. “I always get what I want, and that includes him,” she said softly, her words full of malice.
My blood ran cold, but I squared my shoulders, standing tall. “Go ahead and try. You’ll learn your lesson,” I shot back, my voice steady despite the rage boiling inside me.
She chuckled softly, her lips curling into a wicked smile. “You really don’t think you can stop me, do you?”
Without warning, she grabbed my arm, pulling me toward her. I reacted on instinct, slapping her across the face. The sound of the slap echoed in the bathroom, and for a moment, I stood there, breathless.
She grinned, unphased, before shoving me back, sending me crashing into the wall. My vision blurred for a moment as she raised her fist and punched me square in the face.
"You can't go scot-free for this," she hissed, her eyes flashing with fury.
I wiped the blood from my lip, looking up at her with cold determination. "I'll await your next step," I spat, my voice dripping with venom.
With one last glare, I turned and walked out, leaving her. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I refused to let fear consume me.
When I emerged from the restroom, I found Roman waiting outside, his expression unreadable. “What happened?” he asked, his voice calm but concerned.
“I just want to leave,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. I could feel the weight of the night pressing on me, and I needed to get away from all of it.
Roman looked confused, but he didn’t argue.