Chapter 166 166
My hands immediately moved to push him away from me. "W-What the hell are you doing, Luca?! I thought you changed," I snapped.
Luca grinned and held the back of his neck. "Just kidding," he said and let out a manly chuckle.
"That's not funny," I just mumbled, then drank some water.
Luca just shrugged and took my plate when I finished eating. He went to the sink and washed it. I just watched him in silence... I still have no idea what's running in his mind right now.
We were both silent. I wanted to say goodbye to him so I could go home, but I also didn't have the courage to speak. I just sighed and played with my fingers.
"To be honest... I'm nervous, Crescent."
I was stunned and looked at Luca. He remained with his back to me and was facing the sink. It's as if he doesn't want me to see his face right now. "Why are you nervous?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.
"I'm scared that my child won't like me."
I felt a deeper pang in my chest because of what he said. I want to tell him that everything will be okay and that Vanna will accept him, but I don't want to tell him something I'm not sure of... Vanna is too attached to Aiden... I can't help but feel hurt for Luca... It will surely be painful for him.
I stood up. I went to him, then looked at his face. He's still not looking at me, but I can see the nervousness... and fear on his face now.
"Luca... You just have to show her how much you love her... I-I will help you. Vanna will listen to me. I know it will take time, but just show Vanna that you love her, she'll recognize you as her father... I promise to help you with that," I muttered.
Luca looked at me. "Vanna?"
I smiled faintly and nodded. "Her name's Eve Havannah, that's our child's name."
He was silent for a moment, just staring at me. I can't tell if he's happy to hear that or not... But I was stunned when the corner of his lips slightly went up. He sighed and looked away again.
"It sounds like the female version of my name," he mumbled, still smiling.
I smiled too. "Hmm... her name came from yours."
Luca was silent for a moment. He sighed, then brushed his long hair. "Thank you... knowing that is enough to energize me." He looked at me. "I'll do my best to be the best father for her."
I smiled and nodded. "Of course... I know you can do that, Vincenzo Luca... I'll help you."
I KNOW I shouldn't be saying things I can't stand by, but I really want to help Luca get closer to Vanna... but it looks like it's not that easy.
"Are you really going to introduce Luca to Vanna?" Aiden asked on the other line.
"Yes, Aiden... That's Luca's right. He suffered too much already. I should respect him as the father of my child as he respects me... I feel so guilty; Luca didn't even get mad at me even though he has the right to be. Maybe... I was really cruel to him. I only thought about myself," I whispered, then sighed.
"But we can't deny the fact that you almost lost Vanna because of him. You have a fault, I have a fault... but he also has a fault. Don't take all the blame, Cres."
I just rubbed my temple. At least the burden on my chest was lessened when I told Luca the truth... but Vanna is my biggest problem now.
"Baby, please listen to Mommy, hmm?" I asked and caressed her hair. "Daddy Aiden is not your real Daddy... Didn't I already explain it to you before? It's true, baby... He's not your father."
Vanna looked at me; she seems confused. "He's my Daddy, Mommy. What are you saying?"
I sighed. I don't want to confuse her any longer, but she needs to know the truth. "Baby, he's not your real Daddy... You're not related by blood. Don't you believe what Mommy is saying?" I asked in a gentle voice.
Vanna bit her lower lip. "Is that important, Mommy? Blood is not important, but the bond is. I want Daddy Aiden to be my Daddy..." she whispered, then looked away from me.
I bit my lower lip... I looked at my watch, and Luca is on his way soon. I don't want Luca to hear what Vanna is saying now because he'll surely get hurt... I already expected that it won't be easy for Vanna to accept that Aiden is not her father.
"Baby, don't be like that. Your real Daddy is coming soon... Please be good to him, hmm, baby? I didn't raise you to be bad, right?" I asked and stroked her cheek.
Vanna didn't answer and just looked away. I was about to speak again, but I was stunned when my phone rang. I was stunned and immediately stood up when I read the text from Luca.
Luca: I'm here outside. Can I see her now?
I looked at Vanna and held her shoulder. "Baby, he's here now. Please be good to him, hmm?"
Vanna just pouted. I rushed out of the house and went to the gate to open it for Luca. I was stunned when he was the first thing I saw when I opened the gate. He's wearing a fitted white t-shirt and a leather jacket, which seems to be his style. His facial hair is now shaved, so his face is very visible, but his hair is still long; it's tied... He held the back of his neck and lifted the pile of paper bags he was holding.
"W-Will these be enough? I was in a hurry, so I only bought a few things for my child... I also wasn't able to get a haircut," he just said, then looked away from me.
I just smiled at what he said and opened the gate wider so he could enter. "That's more than enough, Luca... So, come in," I just said.
Luca was behind me as we went inside the house. I can tell he's nervous now that he's going to face Vanna properly. I looked at him, then tapped his shoulder before we finally got inside the house. Vanna was there, standing while hugging her teddy bear.
I took a deep breath and smiled at my daughter. "Baby, he's the one I'm telling you about... His name is Luca, he's your real Dad. We met him yesterday, right? Do you remember him?" I asked, then held Luca's arm and pulled him away from behind me because it's like he was hiding there.
Vanna's forehead creased and stared at Luca. "I thought he's a Grandpa," my daughter even whispered. "You're handsome, after all, when you don't have a beard. And why is your hair long? It looks like a Grandpa's hair in movies," Vanna said, then scoffed.