Chapter 16: Baking

There wasn’t much to do at Luca’s house, and a bored Amelia began checking the pantry. She found some flour and other ingredients that seemed perfect for baking a cake.

“Hmm, maybe making muffins would be nice,” she murmured.

She put on a plain white apron and started mixing the ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, milk, melted butter, and baking powder. Once the batter was smooth, she divided it into two bowls—one with shredded cheddar cheese, and the other with chunks of dark chocolate.

Amelia whipped the mixtures using a hand mixer, the soft hum of the machine echoing throughout the kitchen. Then she poured the batter into a muffin tray and placed it into the preheated oven. It didn’t take long before the sweet aroma of baked goods began to waft through the air, filling every corner of the house.

Right at that moment, the front door opened.

“What’s that delicious smell?” Alfonso muttered as he sniffed the air.

Luca raised an eyebrow and took a subtle whiff.

“Looks like Amelia’s experimenting again... Let’s see if it’s edible this time,” Luca said, half-joking.

Alfonso chuckled. “You go ahead. I promised Isabella I’d help her carry stuff from the market today.”

“Alright, off you go,” Luca replied, casually heading toward the kitchen.

When he got there, he paused at the doorway, taking in an unusual scene: Amelia standing in front of the oven, her face full of excitement, her hair a little messy, and flour dusting her cheeks.

Luca held back a laugh. For some reason, the sight warmed his chest.

“You’ve messed up the kitchen again,” Luca said, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Amelia turned around quickly, not expecting him home so soon.

“You said I could cook in your kitchen. Besides, there are so many ingredients here—it’d be a waste not to use them. No matter how rich you are, buying stuff and not using it is still wasteful. Did you know that?” she rambled.

Luca chuckled softly. “Yeah, yeah, so naggy. I don’t mind... even if you use the flour as face powder.”

He pointed at her cheek, which still had a dusting of white. Amelia quickly wiped her face and turned away, annoyed.

“What matters is the taste of the cake!” she said confidently.

“Oh yeah? Got proof?”

“Five more minutes until it’s done,” Amelia replied, checking the oven timer.

“Okay, I’ll wait,” said Luca, pulling out a chair and sitting down casually, crossing his legs and folding his arms like he was watching a show.

Amelia glanced at him. “Wait, aren’t you working? Why are you here like it’s a holiday?”

“Well, I finished early today. Not all mafia guys are busy all the time, Miss Muffin.”

Amelia snorted. “Miss Muffin?”

“Why not? I think it suits you. You look like a home chef entering a cooking competition,” Luca said, eyeing her from head to toe.

“I’ll shut you up once you taste my muffins!” Amelia shot back with a smug, confident smile.

“Alright, I’ll be the judge... But if it tastes weird, I’ll have my men use it as rat poison,” Luca teased.

“Oh my God, not only are you ruthless, but your tongue’s sharp too!”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

Luca laughed, and Amelia looked even more annoyed.

“By the way, weren’t you supposed to have a date today? That was quick!”

“I told you—I was going to dump her today.”

“Why? Did she betray you?” Amelia guessed.

“Something like that,” Luca replied calmly.

Amelia turned to him, surprised and curious.

“So... you actually killed her today? If you did, you’re not getting any muffins from me!” she declared in mock protest.

“Hey, I’m not that cruel!” Luca protested.

“Really?”

Amelia looked Luca up and down, but from her expression, it was clear she didn’t fully believe him.

“Stop talking so much. Where are the muffins? Aren’t they done already?” Luca pointed at the oven.

Amelia carefully opened the oven door and took out a tray full of golden, bite-sized muffins. A sweet, tempting aroma filled the air—a mix of melted cheese and rich chocolate at the center.

She placed the tray on the cooling rack and began transferring the muffins onto a large plate. There were about twelve of them—half filled with gooey chocolate, the other half giving off a delicious cheesy scent.

Luca raised an eyebrow, surprised. “This many? Are you planning to open a bakery?”

Amelia simply smiled proudly. “I thought you had a lot of men around... I’m going to share these with them!”

Without waiting another second, Luca stood up and snatched a still-steaming chocolate muffin.

“Ow!” he yelped as the heat burned his fingertips.

Reflexively, Amelia rushed over, grabbing Luca’s hand and inspecting it with concern.

“The muffin’s still hot! Why are you so impatient?! You’ve burned your hand!” she scolded, pulling his hand closer.

“Hold still, let me see...”

Amelia brought his hand under the faucet, rinsing the burned area with cool water. Then she grabbed a small towel and gently patted it dry, before softly blowing on his palm—a gesture that suddenly made the air between them feel still and strange.

Luca, usually unfazed, suddenly felt nervous. His eyes locked on Amelia, who was now focused and standing so close. Something stirred oddly in his chest, but he quickly brushed it off with a crooked grin.

“So this is how you flirt with a man?” Luca teased.

“Flirt? You’re insane! Don’t you know the difference between flirting and genuine concern? Even if you were a woman, I’d do the same!” Amelia snapped, letting go of his hand.

She glared at him. “You’re seriously annoying!”

She stepped away quickly, but before she got far, Luca grabbed a fork and began stabbing at the muffin that had burned him.

“Hey! If you don’t want to eat it, don’t mutilate it like that!” Amelia complained, rushing back and trying to snatch the muffin away.

But Luca swiftly took it back and shoved a piece into his mouth.

“Don’t take what’s mine!” he said with his mouth full.

Amelia scoffed. “Whatever... At least you’re eating it!”

“So, how is it?” she asked curiously once he finished chewing.

“Good,” Luca replied shortly—but the plain tone in his voice somehow sounded like the most sincere compliment.

Amelia smiled faintly, pleased, then gestured to the plate full of muffins. “I made a lot. I’m going to give some to the guards outside. I’m sure they’ll love it.”

But Luca stood up straight immediately.

“No!” he said quickly.

Amelia looked confused. “Why not?”

“All of them... are mine!”

“You’ll get a stomachache if you eat them all! I’ll leave some for you if you like them,” Amelia said reasonably.

“I said... don’t give them away!” Luca snapped lightly, his expression like a kid who didn’t want to share his toys.

“What’s wrong with you? So stingy!” Amelia grumbled, raising both eyebrows.

“Fine, share half. But the other half is mine!”

“Okay-okay!” Amelia replied with a sigh, putting half of the muffins on a tray.

She walked out of the kitchen casually, heading toward the security room outside.

“Don’t go! Stay here!” Luca shouted behind her.

Amelia glanced back briefly, looking at him with a mixture of confusion and amusement. But she kept walking.

“Crazy man...” she muttered under her breath, not noticing the small smile curling on Luca’s lips as he watched her retreating figure.