Chapter Three. Moving In With The Enemy.

Elena raised an eyebrow at Luca, unsure of how to react. This wasn't part of the plan and she never expected any of this. "Are you playing with me, Mr. Luca?" she asked.

"No," Luca replied curtly. "I need you, Miss Elena."

Elena eyed him warily. "How?" she asked.

Luca sighed, realizing there was no use in hiding the truth. "I need to get married in order to access my rights as the heir to my father's wealth and the company I've worked so hard for," he explained.

Elena chuckled. "There are other women, Mr. Luca. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other things to do..."

But Luca wasn't finished. "Name it. Anything you want, Miss Elena. I'll do it for you to accept this marriage."

Elena stared at him for a moment before sitting back down. What was he scheming behind this proposal? If he had ulterior motives, it was bad news. But if it was truly about his inheritance, then it could be a catch for her. If she became his wife, one year would be enough time to execute her plan. She would be closer with the Romanos and her plan would go more smoothly.

"Why me?" Elena asked.

Luca paused for a second before responding. "It so happens that I am allergic to women's touch but yours."

"What is that? A disease or something?" Elena asked, sarcastically. She didn't believe this story. She knew everything about this man, how come she didn't find out about this before?

"I'm not sure what to call it, Miss Elena. That's not the point. What I want is your cooperation."

Elena bit her lip, considering the offer. So she was the first person the man ever laid with. Maybe Luca Romano was more mysterious than she thought. "Give me a day," she said. "I need to think about it."

"Sure," Luca said with a satisfied smile. "Let's exchange contacts. I'll call to know what you've decided."

As they sat in silence, sipping their coffee, they studied each other. "So..." Elena started.

"The night we spent together made you think you're immune to my touch?" She completed.

“Now you remember, Miss Elena.” Luca lips curved into a smile.

"I didn't forget," Elena rolled her eyes. "I just wasn't willing to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"I am not obligated to answer you, Mr. Luca. And about your marriage proposal, I hope we don't have to fulfill any marital roles since you are so intent on being immune to my touch. I find it uncomfortable," Elena said, her tone firm.

"That...we'd figure it out," Luca replied, rubbing his chin.

Elena raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he meant. But she decided not to push the issue any further.

*

*

Luca Romano quickly sorted through the remaining files on his large oak desk, mentally ticking off each item on his to-do list. It had been a long day, starting with a meeting with Elena and ending with discussions with some investors. He was exhausted, and all he wanted to do was head home and rest.

As he made his way to the parking lot, his driver was waiting with the car. "Good evening, Mr. Romano," the bald man in his late forties greeted him with a bow.

"Take me home," Luca said as he entered the car, ready to leave the day behind.

The driver started the engine and drove off, navigating through the busy streets of Venice. Luca leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes as he tried to relax. The journey was short, and soon enough, they arrived at the mansion where he grew up.

Luca entered the house and walked into the living room, where he found his father reading a magazine. Mr. Romano was a handsome Italian, and he looked younger than his age. Luca greeted him curtly, not waiting for a reply, as he headed towards the stairs. Their relationship had been strained since his father had given him an ultimatum.

"Still angry at me, son?" Mr. Romano asked, breaking the silence.

Luca turned to him, staring into his father's eyes. "Do I have the right to be angry?"

Mr. Romano chuckled. "This is for your own good, Luca."

If only he knew about his allergy. But for some reason, Luca wasn’t willing to tell him.

Luca scoffed sarcastically. "Yeah, right, I guess."

His father leaned forward, an intrigued expression on his face. "So, have you found a woman?"

Luca started to answer, but his father interrupted him, "Not a fake bride."

He was stunned. Luca knew his father was smart, but he didn't see this coming. "What do you take me for? A desperate person?"

Mr. Romano gave him a bemused smile. "You've been avoiding me, and you rarely come home. It explains how frustrated you are, and I know what you do when you feel this way."

Luca rolled his eyes. "You're overthinking. And I've got a bride. A real bride," he spat, not wanting to engage in the conversation any longer.

Without another word, he ascended the stairs, leaving his father behind. He was ready to forget about the day and start anew tomorrow, but the conversation with his father had left him feeling uneasy.

*

*

It had been exactly three days since Elena and Luca had met. She had given him her answer on the fourth day, which was not the agreement they had initially made. The past three days had been tough for Elena as she had thought long and hard about Luca's proposal. However, she had come to a decision - she had to marry him.

As Elena packed her things, her best friend Lucia was helping her out. She was moving into the Romano Mansion, which was part of a crazy arrangement by Luca. Although Elena didn't agree with it, Luca had insisted that they needed to fool his father into thinking that they were madly in love and couldn't do without each other.

The sound of the doorbell broke Elena's thoughts. Lucia went to answer it and soon returned to tell Elena that the driver Luca had sent was there to get her. Lucia couldn't believe that her best friend was marrying Luca, the country's most eligible bachelor.

"You should follow him instead, you're way happier than me," Elena grumbled as she zipped up the last bag.

"I wish," Lucia replied with a sad expression.

Elena nudged her softly. "Don't be naughty," she said with a smile.

Lucia burst into laughter and then turned serious. "I still can't understand why you suddenly decided to settle down, Elena," Lucia said, not really asking her directly.

"Let's not keep the man waiting," Elena replied, and they said their goodbyes before she made her way to the waiting car with her bags.

As the car drove past the streets of Venice, Elena muttered to herself, "You can do this, Elena." She was nervous, but she knew she had made the right decision.

*

*

Elena clutched her handbag tightly as Luca’s driver led her through the mansion's grand entrance. A trail of house staff waited at the corridor, ready to assist her.

"Welcome, ma'am," greeted one of the maids as she approached Elena to collect her bags. "This way," she said politely, leading Elena to the mansion while the others followed closely behind.

The sight of the mansion's beauty left Elena stunned. The bright chandeliers illuminated the living room as they entered. "I'll take you to your room now," said the maid, and Elena nodded in agreement. She had guessed that they had been anticipating her arrival.

"Excuse me, do you know where Luca is?" Elena inquired as they made their way to her prepared room.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted her. "Are you supposed to be asking the maid? Don't you even know where your man is?" It was Andrea Romano, her worst enemy, standing atop the stairs.