While fastening the cufflink on his left wrist, Luca’s phone suddenly vibrated on the dressing table. He glanced at the screen. It was a call from his father. He quickly swiped the call to dismiss it.
Before he could lower his hand, the device immediately flashed and blared again.
Luca licked his lips before answering. He brought the phone to his ear, his fingers gripping the edge a little too tightly.
"Why are you cutting the call?" Michael’s voice, already tinged with the impatience, crackled through the receiver.
Luca didn’t offer a greeting. He remained perfectly silent.
"Are you there, Luca?" Michael questioned, the sound sharper now.
"Yes," Luca finally replied. He lowered the phone onto the dressing table, activating the speaker. He resumed tucking the silk of his tie beneath the collar of his white shirt.
"Your mother and I have decided to organize a small family function regarding your marriage with Sara," Michael stated, bypassing pleasantries entirely. "Come home this evening, and we will talk further about the arrangements."
Luca paused, his fingers freezing on the knot of his tie. He stared at his own reflected image in the mirror.
"No," Luca denied. "I won’t come home."
On the other end, Michael sighed heavily. He rubbing the side of his temple with his thumb and index finger.
"Must you keep refuting every single demand I have from you, Luca?"
"Yes," Luca replied. "You were not acknowledging my marriage with Sara. Then, what’s with this sudden function?"
"Luca, I understand your anger toward me and your mother. But Sara being the daughter-in-law of Re Augustino family must be introduced with everyone. You rushed the wedding and forced us to attend it. I said nothing to you that time. And as for accepting Sara, I have told you she’s perfect for this family. I don’t have any problem with her. If your grandfather were alive, would you have done the same to me?" Michael brought his late father in the conversation, knowing Luca had a soft spot only for the grandfather in the family.
"Alright. I’ll be there in the evening," Luca answered.
"Good," Michael finally breathed an air of relief. "Also, did you give the shares to Sara in the company? She is now a De Augustino and I want you to include her in the board."
"Hmm. I have already put her name," Luca replied.
"Great. Then, I’ll see you both in the evening," Michael said. After a moment, the call disconnected. He put on the blazer and walked out of the room after tucking the phone inside the pocket of his trousers.
Descending the grand staircase, he noticed Sara was on a call with someone. A mischievous thought cross his mind as he walked to her.
"No, Mr. Clapton. The project will bring a profound change to our operational workflow through the new artificial intelligence module," Sara explained with a confident tone. "Since our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, you will be highly impressed to see the comprehensive proposal we have for you on the table."
She jolted when Luca’s arm slid around her and his weight leaned over her. The rich cologne enveloped her and she tilted her head, glaring at him before turning her face to the front.
"Sure, Mr. Clapton. I don’t mind. Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow." Sara ended the call.
"Luca, what is wrong with you? Can’t you see I was on an important call?" Sara scolded him in a low, furious whisper. A sharp, involuntary cry escaped her lips as his mouth found the top of her delicate earlobe, giving it a quick nip.
"At home, you’re not supposed to pick up the work calls," Luca stated, his nose nuzzled deep into the fragrant, sensitive crook of her neck.
"It was important. Besides, Fabio specifically wanted me to talk with Vlad Clapton about the AI proposal," Sara argued, trying to maintain her professional stance despite the warmth spreading through her body.
"I see." His hand, warm and heavy, began to move slowly up her side in a sensual, exploring path.
Sara’s control snapped. She caught his hand mid-ascent, stopping its progress, and turned fully to peer directly into his eyes that were currently dark with mischief.
"Will you stop?" Sara demanded, though the firmness in her voice was slightly undercut by her quickened breathing. "It’s breakfast time. I’m hungry."
"I’m hungry too, but—"
He couldn’t finish the provocative sentence. Sara pressed a silencing finger firmly against his lips, her eyes widening slightly in a warning.
"No dirty talks," she pronounced, her voice barely above a whisper. "The servants are around, Luca. You already embarrassed me yesterday. Jonathan saw us making out in the kitchen, and now I’m genuinely unable to meet his eyes."
Luca chuckled, the sound vibrating against her fingertip. "Come on, Sara. We are newly weds. Don’t be embarrassed about a little affection." He captured her finger and kissed its tip.
Sara averted her gaze, a small, genuine flush rising on her cheeks. "You were talking so gentlemanly last night, Luca. What happened to that man?" she muttered, arching her eyebrow.
"Well, that man is here only, in front of you," Luca answered. Then, holding her hand, he walked her to the dining room.
After having a hearty breakfast meal, they both readied to head to the company.
"Aren’t we taking the driver?" asked Sara, holding the office bag and tablet in her hands.
"Nope. I’ll drive," Luca answered. He then opened the door from her, gesturing to her to get in. Once Sara settled in, he slipped in from the other side. Adjusting the front mirror, he drove car out.
"By the way, this evening we have to go to my parents’ house," Luca replied. "I can’t believe I agreed to go there for the second time this year."
"You spent great days of your childhood in that house. So, don’t let those memories be overpowered by the bad ones. At the end of the day, you made memorable memories with your grandfather, so try to remember them instead of the painful ones," Sara advised him.
Luca’s heart skipped a beat to hear those words. He simply hummed while his hand tightened on the steering wheel.