"Why are you buying this?" Luca asked, looking at Sara. "We have plenty of wine at home," he whispered.
"It’s for your father. I can’t show up empty-handed," Sara replied. "Please pack this Rosado wine," she instructed the salesman.
"But Dad is allergic to Rosado wine," Luca whispered back.
"What?" Sara exclaimed in shock, turning to the salesman, who had already begun packing.
"I love it," Luca murmured near her ear. "It wouldn’t be a nice gesture to stop him from packing it. Since it’s a gift, you must pay with your own money."
Sara hummed and lifted her phone to scan. But her bank didn’t respond. A message flashed: her account had been suspended. She realized, from the unseen notifications, that her father had set up an inquiry against her. Unease occupied her chest as Luca’s hand moved to her waist.
"You’ve got a billionaire husband," Luca remarked, showing his black card to her. "I was going to cover it anyway. I can’t let my wife pay for anything today."
Sara felt frustrated; the least she had expected from her father was to hear her out once. Luca completed the payment and took the carefully packed bottle from the salesman.
As they made their way back to the car, Sara dialed her secretary’s number, only to hear it was switched off.
Luca noticed the tension etched on her face.
"My father has set up an inquiry against me. I have to appear before the committee tomorrow," Sara confided.
"Your father must be under pressure. Who will be the next CEO? If it’s Diego, the Falcone will surely collapse," Luca said thoughtfully. He noticed Sara’s fingers trembling, so he reached out to hold her hand.
"You’ve me. Unlike you, I keep my promises. Because you accepted to be my secretary, in return, I’ll help you find out how and when the scheming against you started," Luca stated.
Sara felt strange as she looked into his eyes. "Why are you even helping me? I’ve nothing to give you. My father took the company back, which I ended up using in the deal we signed. Even the money in the bank is frozen. Shouldn’t you laugh at my situation? I lost everything."
Her eyes, her voice carried a heaviness which was never present before.
"Because we are officially registered as a couple in the court," Luca stated. Then, letting go of her hand, he gently brought it to his face. The pad of his finger brushed against her eyelash, catching a single teardrop. "Now, you’re my wife. I must protect you. No one can make you cry, Sara. Only I have that right."
A soft smile spread across her lips. "You’re still not telling me the truth about this contract marriage. You could have the woman you’ve always desired. Then why me? I’m not even your type." She tilted her head to look at him again, but sensing the intensity of his gaze, she quickly averted her eyes.
"But I am your type," Luca replied, withdrawing his hand and resting it on the steering wheel.
She frowned in confusion. "No, you’re not. You were once, but not anymore," she clarified.
Luca chuckled, a sound that hinted he didn’t believe her.
"Wait! Do you think I’m lying?" Sara asked, her gaze unwavering.
"Of course you’re lying. You do love me. You still want me to look after you. It’s just... I refused your feelings, so now you’re upset," Luca replied, grinning.
"I’m not that 21-year-old girl anymore. What I felt for you in the past has nothing to do with my present. You were my past, Luca." She pointed her finger at him. "Besides, I don’t trust any guy anymore after that bastard... He took advantage of me and my kindness," she muttered.
Luca caught her finger between his, a subtle tug pulling her closer. Sara stumbled forward with a startled gasp, her forehead nearly brushing against his chest. When she tilted her face up, his lips hovered dangerously close.
Instinctively, she tried to retreat, but his hold kept her in place. "What are your intentions?" she demanded.
A slow, mischievous smile curved his mouth. "Wicked ones, perhaps."
He lowered his head, closing the distance, when she lifted her hand and pressed her palm against his cheek, pushing him back.
His touch loosened, releasing her finger, and she slipped free in an instant. With a sharp breath, she retreated to her seat by the window, pressing herself against it as if it could shield her from the heat still lingering between them.
"It’s fun to tease you, Sara," Luca murmured, laughing amusedly. "Look at your cheeks. They are blushing for me."
"That’s not true," Sara stated.
Before Luca could speak, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and found it was Fabio. Lifting it to his ear, he listened in silence.
"Who did it?" he asked.
"Your father," Fabio answered.
Luca’s jaw clenched, and he cut the call without another word.
Sara’s brow furrowed. "You look troubled. Is everything all right?"
He turned to her, eyes dark with thought. "Sara, what do you think of my parents? You must have seen them when you were younger, haven’t you?"
Her lips parted, puzzled by the sudden question, but she kept her composure. "I don’t really have an opinion about them." She checked her watch, seizing the moment to redirect. "We should head to the mall. It’ll take some time there. And I don’t want to be late this evening. If we are, they’ll only say I don’t respect their time."
"We’re not going to my parents’ house," Luca said.
Sara blinked, her eyes widening. "What? Why not?"
"Because if we go, and I lose my temper, which I will, then the entire evening will be ruined," he replied.
Her brows drew together. "Why are you acting like this? Luca, you know your parents expect us. I’m your wife. Even if this marriage is nothing more than a deal between us, showing up is still a matter of respect. You might be harsh with them, but I can’t. I respect my elders."
His gaze flicked to her. "Even if those elders trample over your dignity?"
She faltered, lips parting. "No, but—"
"I’m hungry," Luca cut her off, starting the engine briskly. "We’ll eat first, then we will shop for you."