Chapter 32: Cunning in my demands
"You look happy," Katherine remarked, gesturing for the maid to take away her empty teacup. She picked up the folded newspaper from the table and smiled faintly. "Your husband handled everything beautifully. The public announcement about your marriage went perfectly. So, tell me, how’s the honeymoon? Did you like the surprise I planned for you?"
Sara blinked, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Grandma... you planned the honeymoon?"
"Of course, I did," Katherine said, setting the paper aside with a small, amused smile. "Didn’t Luca tell you?"
Sara shook her head. "No, he didn’t mention a thing."
Katherine’s eyes softened, her tone shifting. "Tell me something, dear. If it had been any man other than Luca... would you still have agreed to the marriage?"
"Grandma," Sara said, lowering her gaze, "no one else would’ve asked me to marry them. They might have asked for the company’s shares, though." Her voice dropped even lower. "How’s Dad?"
"He’s not doing well, of course," Katherine replied with a sigh. "I tried talking to him, but he’s still hurt and even resentful toward me. It’s difficult for him to accept that his role has become mostly ceremonial now. But, Sara, I still believe you made the right decision. Adam would have pushed you out of the company sooner or later, and Diego would have taken over that position without hesitation."
Sara lowered her gaze. "Either way, I would’ve ended up disappointing Father. But... this decision—" she paused, her voice thinning, "—it’s been haunting me. I keep thinking about our last argument. He didn’t throw me out of the house, even after Mom left me and I repaid him badly."
Katherine’s expression softened. "You’re his daughter, Sara. No matter how angry he gets, he’d never cast you out. Don’t let guilt or fear cloud your mind." She understood from where such thoughts came into Sara’s head.
Ever since her mother had left, Sara’s father had grown distant. For two long years, he barely looked her way. That was when she began pushing herself, excelling in her academics, winning competitions, doing everything she could just to earn a glance of pride from him. And eventually, Adam began to see her worth, recognizing her as his rightful heir.
"Grandma," Sara said softly, breaking the silence, "why don’t you come live with me? Marcella and the kids... They aren’t kind. I worry about you."
Before she could say more, Katherine gently interrupted. "Dear, we’ve talked about this before. I can’t leave this house. Don’t trouble your heart over me."
"Grandma—"
"Enough, my dear," Katherine said. "Now, I’ll hang up. Luca must be wanting to take you out."
And the next second, the call ended.
Sara sighed and set her phone down on the table, her thoughts still circling around the conversation with her grandmother. The soft rhythm of approaching footsteps drew her attention, and when she looked up, she found Luca standing there, dressed casually in a white shirt and matching trousers, his hair tousled just enough to look effortlessly perfect.
"Why didn’t you tell me this trip was planned by my grandmother?" she asked in amusement.
Luca chuckled and lowered himself into the sofa chair beside her. "Because, technically, it was supposed to be a surprise," he said.
Sara narrowed her eyes slightly. "I remember asking why you chose this place. You said it was romantic."
He leaned back, amusement glinting in his eyes. "And I wasn’t wrong. It is romantic. Don’t you think?" He gestured toward the wide glass doors where the sea shimmered under the afternoon light. "We’ll ride bicycles to the old town later. But first, let’s have some snacks. What do you say?"
"Sure," she said with a faint smile. Her gaze shifted to his outfit, then to her own, their matching whites catching her attention. "You matched with me," she noted. "Why?"
"I thought it would look better. We will be the hot couple in the town," he said, a teasing warmth in his tone. She chuckled at his statement when found him shifted moving to her side, his hand brushing hers before curling gently around it.
Sara instinctively moved back a little, though not far enough to break the touch.
Luca smirked and shifted closer again, slipping his arm around her shoulders and drawing her toward him.
His face was hovering right above hers, causing her heart to thunder in ways she wouldn’t speak about yet.
Then, leaning down, Luca pressed a soft kiss right in the middle of her collarbone. He leaned back and peered into her eyes with a teasing grin, "Tomorrow, we’re going to the couple’s spa. You and me, side by side in the same pool. Let’s see how long you’ll manage to keep your composure."
Sara blinked rapidly, trying to ignore the way her pulse was hammering. "I’m not going to any spa with you," she protested. "You can go alone."
Her voice wavered slightly, and she quickly added, "Don’t you want to eat snacks?"
She started to rise, but Luca gently caught her wrist, guiding her back down, not roughly, but with gentle insistence that left her breathless.
"Sara," he said softly, his expression changing. The teasing faded from his eyes, replaced by something warmer. "Why do you keep running away from me?"
Her lips parted, but no words came.
"The moment you signed those contract marriage papers with me," Luca said, "you must’ve known I’d ask for more. You knew I’m not the kind of man who settles for less. I’ve always been cunning in my demands, Sara. And yet..." his lips curved faintly, "you still chose to fall right into my arms. Now you expect me to act like a saint? Pretend I don’t want anything? Don’t you think that’s a little odd?"
Sara bit her lower lip, her pulse quickening under his gaze. "Just... Give me time," she whispered. "I had a terrible breakup, Luca. Just because I don’t wear the sorrow on my face doesn’t mean I’ve moved on."
Luca’s face contorted with fury. He stood up and turned to the door.