Chapter 7

Aurora’s POV

“Luca…” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

For a moment I thought I was seeing things.

But then his lips curled into a smile, one I will recognize anywhere. His smile melted a fraction of my fear, making me suddenly feel safe.

“You’re awake,” he said softly, relief flashing across his face. The type I haven’t seen for ages. Dad was the only one that showed me that, but now he is resting above.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, fear blazing in my eyes as I stared at him. My brow furrowed as I tried to connect the Luca standing before me and the boy I knew back then.

Luca… the only guy who showed me help and care even before knowing me. My memory flashed back to that night, the very night I was returning from my shift. A motorcycle had sped past me, snatching my bag away from my arm in a blinding scream.

Luca had appeared from nowhere, chased after the guy till he collected my stuff from him.

That day he handed the bag, asked if I was injured before riding his bike away.

That day was the last day I saw him till now.

“Came to save you like always,” he joked, his smile showing off again.

“Did you…” The words got cut off by the sudden entrance of Dante.

He walked majestically in like he owned the whole place, technically he did.

My eyes lingered through the entrance door, settling on the ruthless man dressed in a tailored black suit. His shoes clicked hard on the floor, gaining everyone’s attention. His hair still looked tousled as though he had run his fingers through it.

I frowned, my brain recalling every wrong he has done to me.

What the hell was he doing here?

Is he here to remind me that I almost died by his hand?

At the mention of death, my body tensed. Cold air blew through my skin, making the hair around it stand.

I shifted backward, fear suddenly gripping me.

Dante stood at the middle of the room, staring at me predatory, with no emotions plastered on his face. His eyes settled on my bandaged arm, lingering there for so long.

For a moment I thought I saw regret, but my eyes were deceiving me.

“You seem better. Prepare to start working tomorrow. Be early. One minute past 6 a.m. and you get punished,” he spoke for the very first time since he stepped in.

My face sneered. He wanted me to just move on like he hadn’t just tried to kill me yesterday. For what it was, I deserved an apology and an atom of care.

“Luca, meet me at the study,” he instructed before walking off.

What?

So he only walked in here to remind me of my misfortune.

I screamed out of my couch and gave him a piece of my mind. And maybe grab his glory and tell him to leave the hell of my freaking life alone.

But I held back.

I know better now.

Yesterday had taught me not to ever dare him again.

I watched as his body gradually disappeared into the hallway.

Immediately, I burst into tears, releasing the breath I didn’t know I held in.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Luca consoled, hands hugging me, not too tight, making me cry my eyes out till his clothes were soaking wet with my tears.

His hands patted my back like I was some infant he was trying to put to sleep.

“You sound like a cat when crying, and you look very ugly too,” Luca mocked.

“Stop it,” I whined.

“Then stop crying if you don’t want to have wrinkles all over your face.”

My hands wiped off the tears that rolled down my cheeks. My heavy cry soon replied with a sob till it then ceased on a cheerful smile.

Luca made sure I got checked before he left the room to catch up with Dante.

Only God knows what is between them. I just hope he hasn’t got himself into trouble like me.

Later that evening, I was discharged from the clinic. Luca stepped in just when I was about getting down from the bed. He helped me up, his shoulder supporting my arm as I walked.

We both moved outside.

For the first time since I stepped here, I admired the beauty of the island. The place was such a masterpiece, only that it was controlled by a demon.

“This place looked like everyone’s dream island, but no one that has been in my situation would ever pray to be here,” I said to Luca.

“Maybe this place isn’t as bad as you think,” Luca assured. “Just try to stay out of trouble,” Luca warned.

I stared at him, disbelief written all over my face.

“And how long have you been here and around him to call this place good?”

“Long enough to be tagged as family?” he replied.

“You are just speaking in puzzles. It feels like you know him so well.”

“He is my friend,” Luca replied.

“What?” I asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“You are friends with the most feared man in the city, that mobster?”

Something suddenly clicked in.

Dante had only agreed to save me because he didn’t want to offend you.

Luca stayed quiet, his expression unreadable.

We kept walking till we got to the villa, the very first place I saw when I stepped in here.

Luca guided me inside, showing me a room to spend the night.

My eyes glanced around the room. It looked nothing like the room I lived in back home. Comparing my store-like room to it, I will call this a mansion.

The room was tidy, bed neatly arranged, with a bathroom with a shower.

“Is this my room?” I asked in a whisper, almost not believing it.

“Yes,managed to pull this up.”

“Oh, thank you, Luca.” I jumped on him, hands wrapping around his body, and my mouth planting kisses on his cheeks.

His face turned all red immediately, his hands scratched around his neck.

I jumped down, my eyes beaming with so much excitement as I jumped on the bed.

The softness of the foam graced my back, making my tensed muscles all feel relaxed.

A bright smile shone on my face.

Maybe coming here wasn’t a bad idea after all.