Chapter 17: You don’t value love
Luca stepped into the room and found Sara and her grandmother sitting on the bed.
"All the rooms are locked, so I brought Grandma here," Sara said. "It’s good you returned on time. Grandma will stay here tonight." She got down from the bed, holding her phone.
"You could’ve asked Jonathan to prepare a room for her," Luca stated.
"They refused, saying Master doesn’t allow it," Sara said.
Katherine watched them bickering as they used to when they were young.
"Forgive me, Grandma. I usually don’t have anyone coming here, that’s probably why," Luca said.
"Isn’t Sara your wife? The servants shouldn’t act like that toward her," Katherine said, not in a sharp tone though. "Or are you hiding something illegal in your rooms?"
"No, Grandma," Luca said, shaking his head. "I’m sorry for causing you inconvenience. I’ll prepare a room for you," he added and excused himself.
Sara went after him and stopped him in the corridor.
"If you are troubled by my grandmother’s presence, you can tell me," Sara stated.
"It’s no trouble. The reason I keep the rooms locked is because I don’t want my parents to come here and live with me. Their constant interference in my life will annoy me. Besides, I don’t want you to live in a separate room when we are a couple," Luca explained.
"Grandma couldn’t attend my marriage, that’s why she wanted to stay the night here. She even fought with Dad to be here. And I felt I should—"
"It’s fine. You need not explain to me. Grandma can even stay for a week here if you want," Luca stated when he heard the slow footsteps behind him.
Jonathan was standing there. "From now on, listen to Sara’s command too. It’s her house as well. Also, prepare a guest room for her grandmother," he commanded.
"Sure, Sir." Jonathan bowed and went downstairs.
"I will take Grandma downstairs. You can rest for some time," Sara said.
"It will take time for the room to be ready," Luca answered.
"Then, I’ll check the dinner preparation," Sara said and went to the kitchen.
Luca returned to his room and found the old lady had sat on the sofa, leaving the bed. "Sara is checking for dinner," he murmured, lowering his blazer on the chair.
"Take a seat. The main reason I decided to come is because I wanted to talk to you," Katherine stated.
"I know you want to scold me for—"
"Thank you," Katherine said, bewildering Luca. "You somehow saved Sara from her father’s wrath. Years ago, when Sara cried her heart out in front of me, I wondered why you rejected her feelings. I think I knew the answer, but I didn’t want to accept it because you always defied others and did what you found to be right."
"Why do you think I rejected her feelings?" Luca asked.
"Your father was the reason, wasn’t he?" Katherine asked. "Our families were never on good terms with each other. And you wanted to keep Sara away from the politics brewing in your own family."
"Did you tell Sara the same?" Luca frowned.
"No. That’s what you have to tell her. She’s erased you from her heart. Seven years are enough for that to happen. She told me about Asher. I can’t believe he was such a filthy man."
"You said I saved Sara. She doesn’t think the same. She thinks I’ve ruined her relationship with her father. Though she’s the one who came asking for my help, and I made her my wife."
Katherine studied his eyes for a moment. "Adam was going to marry off Sara to his best friend’s son. They made a deal a long time ago regarding it. Because I’ve turned old, my words don’t carry much weight in my house. Sara would have been tossed to a man who would never have kept her happy."
Luca was surprised to know such a detail. "I doubt that. You threatened me in the morning to keep your granddaughter happy. You would have done the same to whoever she was married off to."
"Luca, not all men are like you. I don’t know what’s your real motive behind marrying Sara. I’ve observed you since your young age. You don’t value love. But I want you to love my daughter. She deserves to be loved. That’s all I want from you. Whatever selfish motives you have in your head, don’t let them come in between your feelings for Sara. I know you always had eyes for her. You only declined it in the past because you were scared."
Luca remained quiet. He heard the footsteps and turned his head to the door. Katherine also turned silent.
"Grandma, the room is ready!" Sara announced, walking in. She helped her grandmother stand up and glanced at Luca before walking away with her.
He shut the door behind him.
’Grandma knows a lot more than I usually express. How could this old lady know so much about me?’ Luca raked his fingers through his hair.
He went to the washroom and freshened up. Changing into a fresh pair of clothing, he stepped into the room to find Sara there.
"Wear the shirt," Sara complained, turning her back to him.
"Did you ask Grandma to scold me?" He teased, taking out a t-shirt from the cupboard.
"No, I didn’t. Did she scold you? Well, you deserve it. It’s shocking that you’re actually scared of my grandmother," Sara said, smiling.
As she turned her head, she found Luca right behind her. Flustered, she moved back. "The dinner is ready."
"Shouldn’t you reward me?" Luca moved closer to her, his arm circling around her waist as he drew her toward him.
"Let me go." Sara grasped his hand on her back, attempting to yank it away.
"I will if you tell me where we should go for our honeymoon. I am quite eager to go to a place where we will be alone for some time," Luca whispered against her lips. His gaze lingered on her mouth, then her eyes.
"Just decide yourself!" Sara snapped, leaning her head back.
"Fine. Pack your bags tonight. We will leave tomorrow," Luca stated, pulling back and grinning.