Valentino reached Luke's apartment as Luke finished packing Alessandra's bag. He wanted to go and stay with them, but ALessadnra didn't want him to. She reasoned with him that she wanted to spend some days along with Valentino as well as it has only been the two of them for the past four years. Luke begrudgingly agreed to let her stay and he'll pick her up on her birthday two days from now. Luke opened the door and handed Alessandra's bag to Valentino. Alessandra ran to her father's arms as soon as she saw him. Her excitement was visible on her face."Where's your bag?" Valentino asked Luke."Alessandra wanted to stay with you alone. She doesn't want me to come. I'll just drop her off." Luke replied, swallowing the tears that were threatening to escape. "Are you okay with it?" Valentino asked."I have no choice. I don't want her to get mad at me." Luke said."I'll take care of her, I promise," Valentino said. "Don't take her away from me, Valentino. Please." Luke said as he grabbed
Luke slowly woke up as the light glared harshly through the window. Luke stretched his arms out before sitting up from the bed. Luke then realized that he was in a different room from last night. He quickly got off the bed and looked around the room in a panic. fear settled in when he realized where he was. He was in the same exact room he was in when they were in Italy. Luke quickly ran to the door when he remembered Alessandra, but the door was locked from the outside.He ran towards the windows but tripped over a chain. Luke fell to the floor with a loud thud, making him hiss in pain. Luke pushed himself up and found his ankles tied with a chain. Luke muttered a curse under his breath as he tried to find a way to break free from the chain. The doorknob started to rattle so Luke ran back to the bed and laid down, pretending to be asleep. Footsteps neared the bed and Luke felt the side of the bed dip. He could feel fingers tucking the hair away from his face. Luke was too scared to
Luke decided to take a shower when he got back to his room. When he got out, he saw his phone ringing. He checked the caller ID and saw that it was Haru before answering it."Hey." Luke greeted."Hey, uhm, I noticed it was just Leon who sent Alessandra to school today," Haru said."Oh, uhm, yeah. We're currently staying at his house and I overslept so Leon sent her alone." Luke replied. "Oh," Haru replied and Luke sensed disappointment in his voice."Is there something wrong?" Luke asked."Uh, I think your relationship with Leon is a lot more complicated than I thought," Haru replied."What do you mean?" Luke asked, confused as to what Haru was insinuating."I think it's better that we remain friends," Haru replied and he was meant with silence. Luke felt more than disappointed. He was hurt. He had a chance to have a normal relationship, but once again, Valentino got in the way."Lex?" Haru called out."I, uhm, I understand. Yeah, I do think it's better to be friends." Luke said alt
It was the next day and Luke was anxiously waiting for Haru to come by. Himiko cleared out some space in the office to give them room to talk. Haru finally came by and they were immediately pushed by Himiko inside the office. Himiko gave them a cheeky smile before closing the door behind her. Luke didn't hesitate as he pulled Haru into a kiss. Haru kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Luke's waist.Haru slowly pulled away and rested his forehead against Luke's "Lex," Haru breathed out."Hmm." Luke hummed in response."You're really making it hard to resist you, huh?" Haru teased."Am I?" Luke asked innocently before placing his lips against Haru's once again."This is going to be hard for Alessandra." He muttered against Luke's lips."I know. I'll try my best to make her understand. I'm just asking for your patience," Luke said pulling away and looking into Haru's eyes."I'll try my best to be patient. I'm sorry for not talking to you first before deciding for the both of us." Ha
"What should we do for Alessandra's birthday tomorrow?" Luke asked Valentino after they tucked Alessandra into her bed."I already planned everything. You don't need to worry about it." Valentino replied.Luke's jaw ticked in annoyance. "And you didn't even bother to consult me about it?" He asked rather harshly. Valentino sighed. "I'm sorry. I just thought I would give you a break from all the planning. Just let me carry the burden for once." Valentino said."Did you do the invites as well?" Luke asked.Luke knew he should at least appreciate Valentino's efforts. It's just that he can't help but feel inadequate as a parent. Valentino's efforts feel as if he's trying to one-up Luke. "Yes, I invited her classmates, their parents, and teachers as well," Valentino replied."Thanks," Luke muttered in a low voice before turning his back to Valentino."Luke," Valentino called out.Luke sighed and turned to look at Valentino. "What is it?" Luke asked."Can we get along? At least for tomorr
The party was about to start. Valentino led Luke and Alessandra to her room. Valentino opened the door and Alessandra squealed in shock. There was a princess ballgown in the middle of the room a shiny tiara on a small table beside it. Luke was shocked upon seeing the dress. It looked like it cost thousands."Daddy, look! It's a princess gown!" Alessandra exclaimed as she ran to the dress."Do you like it?" Valentino asked."Yes!" Alessandra exclaimed in response."Valentino, how much did you spend on all of this?" Luke asked."Don't worry about that, please. Just let her enjoy the day. You too." Valentino replied. Valentino went over to Alessandra and helped her wear the dress. Luke stood by as he watched Valentino dress Alessandra up. It was clear how happy Alessandra was and Luke can't deny that she really did look beautiful being dressed up like a princess. Luke sighed in defeat. He knew he could never give this kind of thing to Alessandra so he felt the need to put his pride asid
Luke fell asleep on the floor after spending the rest of the day riddled with stress and worry. He was only awoken by the sound of the phone ringing. Luke slowly sat up from the floor, his body feeling incredibly sore. Luke answered the call and Haru greeted him from the other line."Hey, how are you?" Haru asked."I should be asking you that." Luke chuckled."I'm fine. The fork was in pretty deep, but I should be fine. It really doesn't hurt that much." Haru said."I'm really sorry about what happened. I couldn't believe Alessandra could do that." Luke sighed in disbelief. "I know, I couldn't believe it too. She never exhibited any violent behavior at school and got along with everyone." Haru said."I feel like Leon must've had something to do with her behavior, but I don't know. Maybe I'm just pointing fingers at this point." Luke said."Maybe just try talking to her first. I'm already home anyway so I can come to you if you want." Haru suggested."No. Just stay at home and rest. I
Luke was in the shower as instructed. He quickly rinsed off his body and dried himself off with a towel. He grabbed the clothes that were given to him. It was an ivory long silk slip dress and a beige cashmere knit sweater. Luke never wanted to wear dresses again, but now he is presented with no choice. Luke sighed and put on his underwear and clothes. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw the same Luke he was years ago. The same Luke he never wanted to be again. Luke put on his shoes before walking back into the cabin and taking a seat. He could feel one of the men eyeing him through his shades and it felt like deja vu. Luke took deep breaths to calm himself down. The flight seemed longer than it actually was. The attendant brought food and snacks throughout the flight, but Luke couldn't seem to find the appetite to eat despite his stomach growling in hunger. He hasn't eaten ever since he woke up and got on the plane. All he could think about was Alessandra. After a while, Luk