CHAPTER 23

ANALISE’S POV

Luciano takes his phone out and starts calling someone. I look towards the sky and I am mesmerized by the beauty.
It is so beautiful and peaceful. The stars are shining so bright and the sky is so clear. Normally these many stars are not visible in the sky.
After so many days I am seeing this wonderful scene. With the noises of people and little laughers of children, this is the perfect and most calming environment.
I can see people getting in and out of small shops. Everyone is busy spreading happiness.

Indeed, this is a beautiful city.
“Porta la machine.” Luciano’s voice makes me look at him. He puts the phone back in his pocket and looks towards me. (Bring the car)
“What are you thinking Tesoro?” He asks holding my hand in his big one as we start walking on this busy street.
“The environment is peaceful here. I am so much happy today.” I say to him holding his arm with my other hand.
“It is always like this here. Seeing you happy is enough for me. Now let’s go.” He says and motions me towards the car.

I sit in the front seat and he sits beside me. He starts driving and I look outside the window towards the hustle and bustle of the city.
He stops the car in front of an expensive restaurant and I look at myself and then at him.
“Any problem, Ana?” He asks when he notices me not getting out of the car.
“I think my clothes are not appropriate for this expensive restaurant. People will make fun of me.” I say to him honestly.
Let’s see who dares to make fun of my wife. About your clothes, it doesn’t matter. You look beautiful in everything you wear and besides this, I think there is nothing
wrong with your dress. Now let’s have dinner.”

He says getting out and coming towards my side. He opens the door and I also get out.
We get inside the restaurant and waiters greet him bowing their heads. Women are just staring at me with hatred and as if I am someone out of the world.
We sit in a private place near the glass wall from where we can see the city. Everything is beautiful and is screaming money. Of course, Luciano will always choose the most expensive restaurant.
“Cosa ordinerà, signore, signora?” The waiter asks us and I look at Luciano waiting for him to order because I don’t know anything about Italian dishes. (What will you order Sir, madam?)

Luciano orders and the waiter leaves. Now I and Luciano are alone here.
Out of nowhere, he takes my hand in his on the table. I look at him confused.
“Today I want to ask something from you Tesoro.” He says and for a second, he looked hesitant.
“W-What is it?” I ask him.

“I have told you hundred times already that I love you more than anything in this world. I would even give my life for you.
But it is so painful to know that the person you love doesn’t love you back. I know you don’t want to be with me but it is not in me to let you go.
You are my world. I want to give you every happiness in this world. Please Ana can you not give me a chance?
I promise you that I will treat you and our child good but can you promise me that someday you will be willing to give your heart to me?”
His words left me confused and shocked. Does he want my love? I never imagined him saying these words.

I look at him patiently waiting for my answer. I know what my answer is as that is really what my heart wants.
“Yes.” I say to him and he smiles brightly and kisses me on the lips. A sweet and loving kiss.
I know the feelings I have shouldn’t be in my heart. But you really can’t choose with whom you want to fall in love.
I love him and there is no denying these feelings. I am tired of it. But I will not tell him what my heart feels. I am just not ready right now.
Then we ate dinner and reached home after a long and tiring day full of happiness.

Today while going to sleep my heart is not unsure that what will happen next because I know whatever it will be it will be good.
Next Day
There is an uncomfortable silence. Not a word is being said by anyone.
There is so much silence that if you drop a needle, its voice will be resonated after falling on clean floors.
Everyone is probably thinking about what to say. I am in Niccolo’s home and sitting in the living room.

Luciano left me here not more than five minutes ago. I am here for the first time and Niccolo’s home is as beautiful as his family.
It is cozy and comfortable. From colorful walls to beautiful decor everything is perfect.
Antonio’s toys are arranged everywhere in a neat way. I look towards my side to see Niccolo looking at the wall as it is the most interesting thing. I don’t know why but he is looking so funny right now.
I look at my parents in front of me. They look sad and uncomfortable. Aria is in the kitchen preparing lunch. I wanted to help but she declined immediately.

“If no one wants to talk then I am going back home,” I say loudly and jokingly. I forgave my parents after thinking the whole night.
I think what they did was good in some way as they did it for my safety and now finally when I have them back, I should not act rude.
Rather I should be happy and celebrating. I should cherish my time with my brother and parents.
“We are wondering if perhaps you have forgiven us.” My dad says.
“Ummm-" I pretend to think for a second. They are looking at me with hopes.

“Yes, I have forgiven. I want everything from the past to be forgotten.” I say finally with a big smile. My mom gets up and hugs me tightly and dad does the same.
Niccolo comes towards to hug me but I stop him.
“I haven’t forgiven you. Why you didn’t tell me that I am your sister. You know we could have enjoyed.” I tell him in a fake angry tone.
“Don’t be like that. You know I love you and that’s why I tried to spend my most of time with you whenever I visited the mansion. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to hurt you.” He says crushing me into him but carefully because of my baby.

“Ok. Now leave me you big bear. Let’s forget everything and celebrate.” I say to him laughing.
He leaves me and pats my head like I am his pet. I stuck my tongue out.
Now it is Lunch time and all of us are sitting at the dining table. It is a six-chair dining table. Niccolo is sitting on one head seat while dad on the other.
Mom is sitting in a chair on dad’s right. Besides mom’s chair, a seat is spare for Aria as she is setting everything.
I am sitting in front of Aria's and besides Niccolo. One seat in front of mom is empty because Nio is still not here yet.

Voice of steady feet echoes and we see the cute little Nio entering the room with his cute smile.
He stops in shock and squeals happily while looking at me.
“Wow! Aunt is here too.” He comes and hugs me tightly. I help him to sit in a chair and he is speaking continuously.
“When did you arrive? I want to show you my room full of cars. You know I have a superman......” And he continues to speak.
Aria also comes bringing everything and sitting in front of me. Everyone is having wine as a celebration.

Only me and Nio are having juice. I can’t drink alcohol because of pregnancy. Niccolo is teasing me with it before taking every sip.
I am so happy to see my family together at one table. Only if Luciano was here too.
This is how a family dinner full of laughers came to an end with me missing Luciano and wondering what is he doing right now.
Is he busy? Why didn’t he come here?
It is dark now and still, he is not here. Niccolo offered to drop me back home but Luciano refused. He said that he is coming to pick me up.

Ten minutes have passed and he is not here. “Hey! Don’t worry. He said he is coming so he will be here any second.”
Niccolo says to me sitting beside me on the couch. As if on cue we hear the voice of the horn.
I immediately get up eager to meet Luciano after a whole day. I pick up my bag which has nothing but credit cards and some cash.
Luciano gave me cards and cash today so that I have money with me in case we go shopping.
I start walking towards the front door but Niccolo stops me grabbing my wrist.
“Slow down sis. Let me first check if he is Luciano. Don’t want you to get in trouble.” He says moving past me.

I also walk behind him and smile brightly after seeing Luciano. Luciano gets out and hugs me tightly.
He then pecks me on the lips. “You are late.” I say to him frowning.
“I was busy Tesoro.” Luciano looks behind me and nods. Niccolo hugs me one last time and now we are going towards our home.
As it is only eight at night so markets are filled with people. Luciano is completely focused on driving.
Suddenly something catches my eye. “Stop. Stop the car.” I say loudly looking towards Luciano.

He immediately stops the car on side of the road. “Are you fine? What happened?” He asks worriedly.
“Yes, I am fine. I saw an ice cream shop and I want to eat ice cream.” I say to him with a sweet smile. I was not craving it before but after seeing the shop I just want to eat it.
Ice cream is so delicious. I want it. Cold and tasty ice cream.
“You made me stop the car just because you want to eat ice cream.” He says chuckling and not believing that it happened.
“Yes. A-Aren’t you going to buy me one?” I ask him on the verge of tears. I don’t know why I am even crying about something so small.

I just know that I want one. He sighs looking at me. “Ana. Stop crying.” He says and parks the car near the store.
We get out and walk towards the store. “Gelato” is written on it with cursive writing. I have started learning Italian that’s why I know it means Ice cream.
We enter the store and a bell ring. We reach the counter and I am amazed by the variety they have.
Water starts to come into my mouth. “Quale vuoi comprare, signore?” The young lady asks in a flirtatious voice. (Which one do you want to buy, Sir?)
I don’t answer because she didn’t ask me. Luciano gives her a hard glare.

“Tesoro. Which one do you want to eat?” Luciano asks putting his hand on my waist.
I think for a second after looking at so many different flavors and then look at him with a sheepish smile.
“I want chocolate, strawberry, chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla, and mango.” I say in one go.
“Ok. Whatever you want baby.” Luciano says kissing my forehead.
“Confettaci questi sapori.” He says rudely. (Pack us these flavors)

We leave the shop after paying with Luciano grabbing the plastic boxes. We get inside the car and I open the first box. I am so eager to eat it.
The first one is going to be vanilla. I take one scoop and moan in delight. It is so tasty and creamy.
“I don’t think you should eat all of them today.” Luciano says making me look at him.
“Why?” I ask in between eating.
“You will get cold. You know it is almost the start of winter.” He speaks. Well, he does have a point but who cares.

I continue to eat. From the corner of my eye, I peek at him to see him driving. “You want some?” I ask him holding the spoon in my mouth.
“No, I don’t. Perhaps I want something else which is more delicious and sweeter.” He looks at me and then speaks in his husky voice which makes wetness appear between my legs.
I look away from him blushing hard. We reach the mansion and Luciano without giving a second gets out of the car.
He takes the boxes and we both enter the mansion.
We reach our room and when I was going towards the bathroom two arms out of nowhere wraps around my body.
Luciano kisses me on the lips quickly taking my dress off. He pushes me on the bed with him on top of me.
.................................