Chapter 96

Marabella’s POV

After grabbing the paperwork that he needed, Luca took me back to the house. Which I am extremely grateful for. My body ached with the fierceness of a lion. By the time I began to climb the stairs, my limp was noticeable. Without uttering a word, Luca scooped me up into his arms and climbed the staircase.

“I wish you would express it to me when the pain becomes too much too bare”, Luca mumbled in my ear. “You didn’t give me time to”, I responded. “Yes I did, Marabella. You have been limping since we stepped out of the car”, he growled. I shrunk into his arms, knowing what he was saying was the truth.

“Are you hungry, bambolina?”, he asked. “Yes”, I whispered. “I’ll have someone bring some food up”, he said, as he walked through our bedroom door. “Do you have any school work to do?”, he asked. I nodded, “And I have other work to do as well. I’m sure your mother would love to have her vertical indoor garden soon.

“You make the plans, I will put them into motion, baby girl”, he said, sitting me down on the bed. “I know, daddy”, I smiled. Luca arched a playful eyebrow at me, “Is that so?”, he teased. I sighed happily as I scooted back to the headboard to lean against it. “Yes. It’s amazing, really, being able to actually rely on someone. To know that you have my back when you say you do”, I murmured, twisting the bedsheets in my hands.

Luca’s weight descended on to the bed. He placed his hands on either side of my waist, and lowered his head to mine. “I’m beyond ecstatic that you have finally begun to realize that”, he grinned. He connected his lips to mine, kissing me softly. “I’m going to deliver this file to Trey and stop by the office to file this other paperwork”, he murmured against my lips. “Do you need anything else?”, he asked.

I shook my head as I ran my fingers into his hair. “No sir. Thank you”, I said softly. “You’re welcome, piccola”, he uttered. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, before he left the room. I pulled out my school work first. I know I have a lot to catch up on. I’ll have the work to study from the class itself, then the homework they will assign.

Of course, they will assign more homework because I was not physically in the classroom today. But, that’s okay. I need the rest, and I know I am not strong enough to defend myself if needed at the moment. Being home will put Luca’s mind at rest about my safety, and in order for us to conquer the tasks at hand, he needs to be able to have a clear mind.

The last thing that I want is for Franky to win, because Luca can’t focus. It would be my fault and I would never be able to live with myself. So, if Luca can make it to where I can do online classes for now, I will take that. There is too much at risk for me to be selfish.

I was so lost inside my head with school work, and the obstacles at hand, that I didn’t hear anyone knock on the door, until it opened. “Hello, Mrs. Barello?”, a soft sweet voice called out. I snapped my head up, surprised. The door was not fully opened, only cracked so that she could call through it and get my attention.

“Yes?”, I called out. “May I come in? I have your brunch”, she asked softly. “Yes you may”, I answered, keeping my eyes on the door to see who would enter. The voice did not sound familiar to me. A cute young brunette walked in with a tray of fruit and cheese. A bright smile was painted onto her fragile features.

Fear, I could see it below the surface. “Good after morning”, I said cheerfully, trying to ease the mood. Her smile softened, “I like that. Good after morning, Mrs. Barello, Mr. Barello sent this for you”, she said, as she sat my tray on the bed next to my laptop. “Thank you so very much”, I nodded. “You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can get you?”, she asked politely. “No, thank you. This is perfect”, I said, smiling happily.

She gives off no negative energy. She only showed fear because of who my husband is, and how powerful he is, not because of betrayal. I respect her for that. She should show a bit of fear for my husband. It shows respect as well. “What is your name?”, I asked. “Stephanie, but you can call me Steph”, she said shyly.

“Well, thank you, Steph. This looks very delicious”, I said, nodding at her. Her smile was true, and calm, as if she could feel that I was not a threat to her. It allowed her to relax and do her job properly. Which is what I want. I want her to be comfortable. I don’t feel as if she is a threat to me.

If she is able to relax and do her job, then she will form a loyalty to us that we desperately need from our people. If they know we are good to them when they are good to us, then an unbreakable bond will be formed. This is what I need to start focusing on, the bond between us and our people.

Stephanie cheerfully walked out of the room, as I finished up my school work. I ate my brunch as I typed away at my computer. Time flew by, and before I knew it, Stephanie was at the door once again. “Hello, Mrs. Barello, I’ve come to pick up your plate”, she announced. “Thank you, Steph”, I said, handing my plate off to her.

“I heard that Mr. Barello has just arrived. He should be up soon”, she said softly. “Thank you. Can you please bring him a plate of lunch?”, I asked. “Yes, ma’am”, she nodded, turning and leaving the room. I jumped right back into my work, knowing it might be a little while before Luca actually made his way upstairs.

I had just finished up all of my school work and homework, when he walked in the bedroom door. “Hello piccola”, he greeted me. “Hey daddy”, I smiled. “How do you feel? Did you eat?”, he asked, back to back, as he started to strip from his clothes. “I feel pretty good. Yes I ate. And I finished all of my school work, so I can actually start working on the blueprints for ma”, I said, packing up my school work, and pulling out blank paper and canvas to work with.

“That’s amazing, bambina. I’m so proud of you”, he said, walking into the closet. It was only a few moments later that he walked back out in sweatpants. His chest was on full display, making my mouth water. “How were things on your end?”, I asked, not taking my eyes off of his chest. He chuckled as he walked towards the bed, and climbed in next to me.

“They went well. Trey is looking into the file I gave him and work has been taken care of for the day”, he answered, snuggling up next to me. A knock on the door reminded me that Stephanie was coming back with a plate for Luca. Luca went to get up but I stopped him. “No, stay”, I said, leaning in front of him slightly.

“Come in”, I called out. Stephanie walked in the room. Her eyes did a quick sweep of the room before being locked on mine. “I brought Mr. Barello’s plate as you requested”, she announced, walking up to me with his plate. “Thank you, Steph. That will be all”, I smiled softly.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Barello”, she bowed, before leaving. I turned towards Luca with his plate. He was watching me with a curious look. “What?”, I murmured, arching an eyebrow. “What was that about? She wouldn’t even look at me”, he said, confused. “It was respect for me, because you are shirtless, daddy”, I explained.

Luca nodded as he took his plate and started eating. “Then I like her all the more for it”, he said, taking a bite, then grabbing the tv remote. “She seems nice”, I said, diving into the blueprints for the garden.