Chapter 133 CLOSE CALLS

Chapter 133 CLOSE CALLS
MAYA’S POV

I opened the door and my heart jumped when I saw Luca standing there with flowers in his hand. He looked tired but handsome, the kind of tired that came from carrying too much weight. The white roses smelled fresh and sweet.

“Luca. You’re here,” I said, trying to sound happy. “You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Surprise!” he replied with an excited smile. “I wanted to surprise you. So can I come in? See the new space?”

I gave him an uneasy smile but stepped aside to let him in. My mind was racing. Damon was not in at the moment and Mom was about to leave to pick him up from a playdate. But my heart was in my throat. This was too close. Too dangerous.

Luca stepped inside the apartment. His eyes moved around the living room, taking in the space, the unpacked boxes, and the warm touches Mom and I had added. It really did feel like a real home now.

“You look tired,” I said gently, closing the door behind him.

“It was a long day,” he replied. He handed me the flowers. “But seeing you makes it better.”

I took the roses and smelled them, buying myself a few seconds to think. Before I could say anything else, I heard footsteps from the hallway. Mom walked into the living room, car keys in her hand. She was clearly getting ready to leave.

Luca turned around at the sound. He smiled politely and nodded.

“Good day, ma’am,” he said in his calm, respectful voice.

Mom greeted him back with a warm but surprised smile. “Good day to you too, Luca. Nice to see you again.”

She looked like she was about to head out the door. My stomach dropped. She was going to pick up Damon. If she left now, Luca might ask where she was going. Or worse, he might offer to come along. I felt panic rise in my chest. My hands started to feel cold.

“Oh,” I said quickly, my voice a little too loud. “Me and my mom are going shopping. I didn’t know you were coming over.”

Luca looked at me, a little confused but still smiling. “Okay. I could drop you at the supermarket if you want. It’s no trouble.”

“No,” I said, almost too fast. I tried to soften it with a smile. “No, that’s okay. We have some things to pick up that are better done just the two of us. Girl stuff, you know?”

Mom raised an eyebrow slightly but didn’t say anything. She was clearly amused. I could see it in the way her lips twitched.

Luca nodded slowly. “Alright. I understand.” He stepped closer and kissed my cheek gently. The touch was warm and loving. “I’ll see you soon then. Call me later?”

“Yes,” I promised. “I will.”

He gave Mom a polite nod. “Have a good shopping trip, ma’am.”

Then he left. The door closed softly behind him. I let out a long breath and leaned against the wall for a second. My heart was still racing.

When I turned around, Mom was shaking her head in amusement. Her arms were crossed, and she had that knowing look mothers always have.

“Well?” she said. “Are you coming?”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

We left the apartment together. As we walked toward the elevator, Mom glanced at me sideways.

“You can’t keep doing this forever, Maya,” she said quietly. “That man cares about you. He deserves the truth. And Damon deserves to know his father.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I’m scared. What if it changes everything?”

Mom squeezed my arm. “Love worth having is usually scary. But hiding the truth is heavier than telling it.”

We picked up Damon from his playdate. He ran to us with a big smile, talking nonstop about the toys he played with. On the way back to the apartment, he fell asleep in his car seat. I watched him in the mirror, my heart full of love and guilt.

Back home, we made dinner together. Damon helped set the table with his small hands. The new apartment felt warm with the three of us. But Luca’s visit kept playing in my mind. What if he keeps coming unannounced and meets Damon one day?

After dinner, I put Damon to bed. He asked for a story about a brave prince. I told him one, changing the details so the prince had a strong mother and grandmother. When he fell asleep, I sat on the edge of his bed for a long time, watching him breathe.

Mom found me there later. She sat next to me and put her arm around my shoulders.

“You did well today,” she said. “But the longer you wait, the harder it gets.”

I nodded. “Luca had a really hard day. He learned the full reason why his brother was killed. I didn’t want to add more pain today.”

Mom was quiet for a moment. “That man has been through a lot. But so have you. Don’t carry this alone forever.”

We talked late into the night. She helped me see things more clearly. By the time I went to bed, I had made a quiet promise to myself. Soon. I would tell Luca soon.

The next morning, I woke up early. The new apartment was quiet except for the sound of the city waking up outside. I made coffee and sat on the balcony with my laptop, working on consultancy plans. Luca texted me good morning. I smiled at the message and replied with a heart.

The day passed normally. Damon went to school again. Mom ran errands. I had a meeting at Hale Empire about my partnership. Luca was professional and supportive in the meeting, but I could see the tiredness from yesterday still in his eyes.

After the meeting, he walked me to the elevator.

“Everything okay at home?” he asked gently.

“Yes,” I said. “The new place is coming together nicely.”

He kissed my cheek again. “Good. I’m here if you need anything. Always.”

His words made the guilt heavier. I wanted to tell him right there. But the elevator doors opened, and the moment passed.

That evening, back at the apartment, Damon drew pictures of our family. He drew three people again,  me, Grandma, and himself. I looked at the drawing and felt tears in my eyes.

“One day there will be four,” I whispered to myself.

Mom saw the drawing too. She gave me a gentle look but didn’t say anything.