P A R I S
I wake up to an ache in my chest, and tears spill over before I can stop them. I bury my face in my pillow, letting out broken, muffled sobs. I don't want to go to school. I just want to stay curled up here and pretend the world doesn't exist.
But staying home feels suffocating. School might help distract me, even if just a little. So with a shaky breath, I force myself up and start getting ready. I brush my teeth, throw on some clothes, and try to look presentable.
I apply makeup to hide my puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, hoping it'll conceal the misery beneath. Once I'm ready, I step out of the house and make my way to the bus stop. Dad used to drop me off at school every morning, but since everything happened, that's stopped.
While I walk, I spot Luciano's car parked down the street. Relief floods through me, and I quicken my steps, desperate for the comfort only he brings. I pause to collect myself and breathe deeply, fighting back tears. When I climb into the car, Luciano greets me with a warm smile, instantly lifting my spirits.
"Ciao, bella." He says, leaning in to give me a sweet kiss on the lips.
I attempt to match his energy, but it feels forced. He notices and searches my gaze for answers, but remains silent. Instead, he intertwines our fingers and starts driving. As we drive in silence, my thoughts swirl like a storm inside my head.
"He told me to choose." I blurt out, the words slipping out before I even realize what I'm saying.
Luciano's expression shifts immediately; his brow furrows as he glances at me.
"What?" He asks, concern deepening his voice.
My lips tremble, and I feel the tears welling up again.
"I talked to my dad yesterday." I manage to say, my voice shaky.
The car suddenly jolts as Luciano slams on the brakes, turning to face me with wide eyes.
"You what?"
I can't help it—the tears flow, but I hastily swipe at them, determined not to break down in front of him.
"I couldn't bear the silence between us anymore. I miss my dad." I choke out, feeling the lump in my throat swell.
Luciano exhales sharply, his frustration palpable.
"Why did you do that, dolcezza?" He questions softly, his eyes searching mine. "I thought we agreed to face him together."
"I—I couldn't wait any longer," I respond, my voice breaking. "I just wanted to see if he'd talk to me, but all he did was push me away."
Before Luciano can respond, a car behind us honks loudly, the driver pressing the horn with an impatient rage.
"Get a move on, asshole!" He yells, his voice dripping with contempt.
Luciano's face darkens. He unbuckles his seatbelt and flings open his door, his temper flaring as he steps out of the car.
"You wanna repeat that, fuckface?" He yells back, his voice full of fury, making the driver shut up instantly. "Yeah, that's fucking right! Keep your filthy-ass mouth shut and drive your piece of shit somewhere else!"
He climbs back into the car and slams the door shut. Taking a deep breath, he shifts the car into gear and maneuvers it to the side of the road. Once parked, Luciano exhales heavily, rubbing his temple as if trying to massage away the frustration, before turning his attention back to me.
"What exactly did you discuss with Richard?" He asks gently, his voice calm but laced with concern.
"I told him how much I missed him, how much I wanted us to talk and work things out. But... he said if I wanted things to go back to how they were, I had to erase you from my life." I explain, my voice cracking with emotion.
Luciano's expression changes instantly, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"What the actual fuck? That's so fucking twisted!" He bursts out, his anger flaring up like a wildfire. "That's the most selfish shit I've ever heard. He has no right to put that kind of pressure on you! If he thinks he can just force you to choose, I swear to God, I'll beat the living shit out of him!"
"I can't choose..." I cry out, tears flooding my eyes as I hide my face with my hands. "I don't know what to do, Luciano. I'm so lost..."
In an instant, his anger evaporates, replaced by an intense concern. Luciano shifts his seat back and unbuckles my seatbelt. Before I can process what's happening, he lifts me effortlessly onto his lap, enveloping me in his warmth.
As I collapse onto Luciano's lap, a torrent of emotions overwhelms me. I wrap my arms around him, clinging to him for dear life, my face buried in the curve of his neck. My sobs fill in the car, raw and uncontrolled, tears soaking the fabric of his suit.
Luciano holds me tight, one hand resting on my back while the other gently cradles the back of my head, like I'm something precious and breakable.
"Shh," he murmurs softly against my hair, his voice soothing. "It's okay, baby. Just let it out."
As I cry into his shoulder, Luciano tightens his arms around me, pulling me even closer, like he's trying to merge our hearts together to shield me from the pain. I clutch his suit, fingers trembling.
"I... I don't know what to do, Lu," I manage between sobs, my words muffled against his neck. "I can't... I can't choose. I love you both so much..."
He stays silent for a moment, letting me cry against his shoulder while his hand rubs slow, comforting circles against my back.
"You don't have to choose right now. Just breathe. Focus on me." He whispers softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple, his warmth surrounding me.
But every breath feels heavy with confusion.
"It hurts, Lu. Dad is so angry. I can't stand the thought of losing him... but I can't imagine my life without you, either."
Luciano pulls back slightly, enough for me to see his face.
"Your dad loves you. He wants what he thinks is best for you, but you have to live your life for yourself, not him," he says, his expression serious. "Love shouldn't feel like a battlefield. You deserve to be happy and your happiness matters. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
A new wave of tears floods my eyes, and I bury my face deeper in the crook of his neck. He starts brushing my hair gently, his fingers moving in slow, soothing strokes.
"Do you have any idea how much it tears me apart to see you like this?" He murmurs, his voice breaking just a bit, betraying his own pain.
His thumb wipes away a tear that slips down my cheek, and he leans back, cradling my face with such tenderness it nearly shatters me all over again.
"Paris," he says, voice thick with emotion. "Look at me."
I force myself to meet his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes makes my heart ache.
"You're my everything," he whispers, his words steady and soft, like he's trying to make each one sink deep into my soul. "You have no idea what I would do to take this pain from you. I'd walk through fire if it meant you didn't have to feel this way."
The sincerity in his words takes my breath away, and I choke back another sob.
"Luciano... I don't know how to fix this. I feel like I'm losing everything."
He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, lingering there, his lips warm and reassuring against my skin.
"You're not losing me," he says firmly, his voice resolute. "I'm right here. I'll always be right here. Even if the world tries to tear us apart, I'll fight to be by your side."
I can't hold back the tears as I wrap my arms around him, clinging to him like he's my lifeline. He starts humming a song he knows I love, the familiar melody soothing my broken heart bit by bit.
When my sobs finally start to fade, I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek. Luciano's hand slips under my chin, gently tilting my face up to meet his eyes.
"I need to see that smile," he implores softly, his eyes searching mine with a warmth that feels like home. "Even if it's a tiny one, please... just for me."
I manage a shaky smile, and his face lights up, pride and affection spilling from his expression.
"There she is," he says, his voice warm, brushing a thumb over my cheek as if to keep that smile there. "That's my girl. My brave, beautiful girl."
He presses a soft kiss to my lips, so tender and sweet that it feels like he's trying to erase every sad thought lingering in my mind. I melt into him and bury my face in the curve of his neck. I close my eyes to breathe him in and feel the warmth of his skin and the beat of his heart beneath my palm.
"So... school?" He asks gently, but I shake my head and press my face against his chest.
"No... I don't want to go. I just want to be with you."
Luciano's gaze softens and he cups my face, looking at me with a mixture of tenderness and relief.
"Then we'll spend the day together. Just you and me, vita mia." He concludes, and I hesitate, glancing up at him.
"But... don't you have work?"
He just smiles, shaking his head.
"Work can wait. Right now, you're my only priority."
Before I can protest, he slides his seat forward, shifts the car into gear and pulls onto the road. My eyes widen in surprise, and I panic.
"Wait—Luciano, let me get back to my seat! It's not safe to drive like this!"
He only chuckles, and leans down to kiss me softly, his hand cupping the back of my head.
"Relax, principessa. You're tiny enough to fit here perfectly," he murmurs against my lips while steadying the car. "Besides, I love having you right here."
I bite my lip and shift a little to make it easier for him to drive, even though I know this isn't exactly responsible.
"But... what if we get caught?" I mumble, making myself as small as possible on his lap.
He gives me a playful, mischievous look, his eyes shining.
"Then let's make sure we don't get caught."
He leans in, his nose brushing mine as he plants another soft, lingering kiss on my lips. I blush and snuggle closer, feeling his hand rub my thigh while he steers with the other.
He hums softly, almost like he's composing a little melody just for me, and I relax, allowing the rhythm of his heartbeat to soothe me.
Every now and then, he squeezes my thigh, rubs soothing circles on my back, and leans down to place gentle kisses on the top of my head. I catch him stealing glances at me, his warm, adoring gaze making my heart flutter.
"You comfy down there?" He asks, smiling as he gently nudges my nose with his.
I nod, smiling up at him.
"I am."
"Good, because I'm not letting you go anywhere today." He says, giving my ass a playful squeeze that makes me giggle quietly.