Chapter 235 Hold Something Precious

Chapter 235 Hold Something Precious
As Rico and Calla stepped out of the mansion through the back door near the conservatory, Calla instinctively glanced around. Her brows pulled together slightly.

This wasn’t the direction of the front driveway. Which meant, they weren’t taking the car?

She looked at Rico walking beside her. He looked normal, with one hand staying in his pocket while the other loosely held hers as he led her down the stone path.

Calla opened her mouth, then closed it, not finding the right words to say. Maybe she should wait.

But when he continued walking past the garden and toward the darker path behind the mansion where the trees began, she couldn’t hold it anymore.

“Uhm…” she called softly, and Rico looked at her. She pointed ahead. “Don’t you think this is the wrong way?”

He stopped, turned toward her, and smiled. The kind she had started seeing more often recently. “It isn’t," he replied.

Before she could ask more, he gently adjusted the coat around her shoulders and reached for her hand again.

“We’re going to our date.”

That only confused her more. She blinked and her eyes moved around. Date? In this direction? She looked down at the coat wrapped securely around her.

Now she understood why he had insisted she wear it and fastened the belt himself. Not because of fashion, but because it would get colder. And because there would definitely be mosquitoes.

Her lips twitched and she exhaled, letting him lead her.

The farther they walked, the more familiar the trees and paths started becoming. Her steps became slower.

Then realization hit. Her eyes widened slightly, and her stomach tightened. She knew this place. This was the path that led to the dock. It was the same place she had secretly followed him to that night.

The same place she had found him alone, where she had learned there was a side of Rico nobody else saw.

Her feet slowed to a halt. Immediately Rico stopped too, he turned fully toward her, and his brows drew together instantly.

“What?” He asked as his eyes dropped briefly to her feet, worry taking over. “Do your feet hurt?”

The concern in his voice made her chest tighten. Calla shook her head slowly and looked at him. Not at his face, but like she was trying to understand something.

“Rico…?” She called out, her voice calm.

His expression softened. Somehow, he knew what she was thinking, and he smiled warmly this time. “I wanted to properly introduce you to my brother.”

Calla stared at him, she couldn’t speak. She listened to his soft breathing in that quiet night, and something in her expression softened too.

Without another word, she smiled back at him and they continued walking.

Soon the trees began opening, and the dock came into view. Calla froze at the spot, her eyes widening. It looked nothing like before.

The tall grasses had been cut down, dry branches and old leaves that once covered parts of the area had been cleared away. Everything looked cleaner, like someone had carefully prepared it.

Her eyes slowly moved around, then she saw a warm glow shining softly ahead. Calla’s breath caught. Rico quietly let go of her hand and shoved both hands into his pockets as he watched her reaction.

Her mouth parted slightly, fingers tightening around the fabric of her coat. The place looked... breathtaking.

Near the edge of the dock sat a small tent-like canopy made from soft cream net curtains that moved gently with the night breeze.

Inside it, thick mats and layered blankets had been spread across the floor with soft cushions arranged around them.

Nothing too extravagant or formal. It was just... comfortable.

Dozens of short lanterns lined both sides of the path leading toward it, their warm lights glowing against the night and reflecting softly on the nearby water.

Thin strands of tiny wire lights had been hung around the canopy, making the whole place glow softly like stars had been pulled down and wrapped around it.

There were small baskets, candles, and food. And near the edge, a second place had been prepared. It was simple, quiet, facing the water.

Calla stared at everything. The cool night breeze brushed against her skin. She slowly turned to Rico, suddenly understanding that this wasn’t really a date.

This was something else.

Rico held out his hand toward her. Her eyes dropped to his hand, then slowly lifted back to his face.

She looked at him for a second, the way his eyes gleamed with assurance. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, and his fingers closed around hers gently.

Rico turned and began walking and Calla followed quietly beside him, her other hand touching the belt of the coat nervously.

They walked down the candlelit path together while the soft glow from the lanterns lit their steps. The small lights stretched ahead of them in warm lines and the breeze carried the faint smell of water and night air.

Calla looked around slowly, taking in the view. Her sandals brushed softly against the ground. The tiny wire lights overhead reflected faintly in her eyes.

Everything looked peaceful, making her stomach flutter. She glanced sideways at Rico and his expression was calm. But she noticed something she hadn’t expected. He looked… nervous?

It wasn't obvious enough for someone else to notice, but she noticed. She raised a brow, slightly surprised that a man like Rico would be nervous about a date. Or was it because of his brother?

His grip around her hand would tighten slightly every few steps before relaxing again. His shoulders looked a little more rigid.

Calla stared at him, then smiled to herself. This was interesting.

As they got closer, she noticed more details. Inside the net canopy sat a low table arranged with food and drinks. Soft cushions had been placed carelessly around the mat as though whoever prepared it wanted comfort instead of perfection.

A few candles burned inside glass holders. Near one side, there was a wooden frame. Calla squinted her eyes, trying to make out what it was. 

She slowed when she discovered it was a photograph. Her eyes widened slightly as she knew immediately who it was.

Luciano.

He looked younger there, probably in his early teens. He was laughing, like whoever took it caught him mid-conversation.

The picture sat quietly among the lights, not far from the table, as if he was included.

Calla turned slowly, and Rico had stopped walking. His hands slipped back into his pockets, with eyes resting on the photograph for a moment before moving away.

He looked at her, his expression softened, voice came quieter this time. “This was his place." Calla looked around again, then back at him. “He used to come here... He would say the mansion was too loud," he said, giving a small smile. His eyes drifted briefly toward the water.

Calla looked at him quietly.

Rico's mouth curved slightly. "So I thought…" he swallowed, his eyes moved around once. “…it would be nice if you finally saw it properly.”

Calla looked at him, then everything around her, eyes glancing towards the water too. She looked back at him, and she saw all those pent-up emotions—sadness, guilt, fear, loneliness—clearly in his eyes.

And suddenly, her chest hurt a little. Not sadness, just that strange ache that comes when somebody lets you hold something precious to them.

She stepped closer and wrapped both arms around him. Rico looked surprised but didn't react. 

Calla pressed her cheek against his chest, and her voice came quietly. “Thank you for bringing me here.”