Chapter 241: You Can Tell Me Everything

Two days later...

The late afternoon sun bathed Elvis Muskov Villa in warm golden light, stretching long shadows across the manicured gardens. After several eventful days, the excitement had finally settled, and the villa had returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.

Trish had been dragged back to driving school once again, this time with Father Hale personally supervising her lesson.

Mother Hale, meanwhile, was enjoying a quiet afternoon downstairs. A bowl of freshly cut fruit rested on her lap as she sat comfortably on the sofa, completely absorbed in one of her favorite telenovelas. Every now and then she would mutter at the television whenever a character made another questionable decision.

Upstairs, Luca was enjoying the rare silence when his phone suddenly vibrated on the bedside table.

Buzz.

He reached over and glanced at the screen.

A familiar name appeared.

Amelia Grant.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Before leaving for New Orleans, he’d promised they would meet as soon as he returned.

Truthfully...

He should have contacted her yesterday.

Unfortunately, between bringing Cecelia back, introducing her to everyone, settling family matters, and spending time with his parents, every hour of the past two days had disappeared before he even noticed.

Unlocking his phone, he opened the message.

<<< Hey, Luca. Are you back yet? You said you’d let me know once you got home. >>>

He rubbed the back of his neck guiltily before typing a reply.

<<< Yeah. I’ve actually been back for two days. I wanted to text you yesterday, but things have been a little... hectic. >>>

After a brief pause, he added another message.

<<< My parents are still staying at the villa, and everything’s been pretty chaotic since I got back. Sorry for making you wait. >>>

The typing indicator appeared almost instantly.

A second later...

<<< [Puffed cheeks] >>>

Just one emoji.

Even through the screen, Luca could practically picture Amelia standing with her cheeks puffed out, pretending to be angry.

He couldn’t help chuckling.

Another message arrived.

<<< Are you free this evening? I’m off the night shift today. Can we finally meet? >>>

Compared to their earlier conversation a few days ago, her tone seemed much lighter.

Still...

That only made him more curious.

Ever since she’d insisted they talk face to face, his mind had wandered through countless possibilities.

’What could she possibly want to say?’

He quickly replied.

<<< Of course. Want me to pick you up after work? >>>

A few moments later...

<<< I’m still at the office. Why don’t we just meet at SeDevilles Terrace? >>>

Luca had already stood up and picked up his car keys before replying.

<<< I’ll come get you anyway. Your office is practically on my way. >>>

This time...

Her reply took noticeably longer.

Nearly a full minute passed before another notification popped up.

<<< Do your sisters know you’re coming to meet me? >>>

Luca laughed the moment he saw it.

She was still worried.

Still nervous about officially becoming part of his complicated life.

Unable to resist teasing her, he typed,

<<< What? Is Amelia scared they’ll gang up and bully her? >>>

The typing bubble appeared almost immediately.

<<< You’re impossible, Luca. >>>

A second message followed.

<<< Fine. I’ll wait outside the building. [kiss] >>>

That was the end of the conversation.

Luca slipped his phone back into his pocket and headed downstairs.

’Maybe I worried too much.’

For the past few days he’d secretly convinced himself something serious had happened.

Judging by her messages...

Whatever she wanted to discuss didn’t seem nearly as frightening as he’d imagined.

Still...

A small knot of curiosity remained in his chest.

...

About forty minutes later...

The black G-Class rolled smoothly to a stop outside the San Fierro News Agency building.

Employees were beginning to leave work, filling the sidewalks with people chatting as they made their way home.

Almost the instant the vehicle parked...

A familiar figure stepped through the revolving glass doors.

The evening sunlight caught her golden hair, making it glow softly.

Still dressed in her professional office attire, Amelia looked around until her eyes landed on the G-class.

The moment she spotted Luca...

Her entire face brightened.

"Luca!"

She waved enthusiastically before hurrying across the pavement.

It had been well over a month since they’d last seen each other.

The last time...

Had been that unforgettable evening at the villa.

All the longing she’d quietly buried over those weeks suddenly surfaced.

Before Luca had even finished stepping out of the driver’s seat...

She rushed straight into his arms.

Her sudden embrace caught him completely off guard.

Nearby pedestrians instinctively slowed their pace.

"Isn’t that Amelia’s boyfriend?"

One woman stared openly.

"...He’s ridiculously handsome."

The young man walking beside her rolled his eyes.

"Seriously?"

"You’re complimenting another guy while I’m standing right here?"

Neither Luca nor Amelia noticed the curious looks surrounding them.

Or perhaps...

They simply didn’t care.

Whenever Amelia was with him, the rest of the world seemed to disappear.

Looking down at the girl still clinging to him, Luca smiled.

"You missed me that much?"

Only then did Amelia realize what she’d done.

Her face immediately turned bright red.

"I... I didn’t!"

She quickly let go and took two hurried steps backward.

Crossing her arms, she puffed out her cheeks in a hopeless attempt to recover her dignity.

Several seconds passed.

Finally...

She lowered her head.

"...Okay."

"I lied."

She peeked up at him before quickly looking away again.

"Maybe..."

"...just a little."

Her voice was so soft it was almost swallowed by the evening breeze.

Luca couldn’t help laughing.

He stepped forward, wrapped an arm around her waist, and gently brushed a kiss against the side of her neck.

"Luca..."

She instinctively glanced around.

Several people were still walking nearby.

Her cheeks instantly became even redder.

"We’re still outside..."

She lightly pushed against his chest.

It sounded like a complaint.

Her body...

Didn’t seem nearly as eager to stop him.

A faint blush spread from her cheeks down to her neck as she unconsciously leaned closer.

Only after teasing her enough did Luca finally stop.

"So..."

He looked into her eyes.

"What was it you wanted to tell me?"

The smile on Amelia’s face faltered.

Only for a brief moment.

But Luca caught it immediately.

Almost unconsciously, she gripped the hem of her blouse.

"...Not here."

She shook her head gently.

"Let’s go somewhere private first."

The cheerful atmosphere from moments ago faded slightly.

Sensing the sudden tension, Amelia hurriedly forced another smile.

"And..."

She rubbed her stomach sheepishly.

"I’m starving."

"I always think better after I’ve eaten."

She laughed awkwardly, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Unfortunately...

It only made Luca even more suspicious.

The reassurance he’d felt after reading her messages disappeared once again.

As he quietly looked at her, countless possibilities flashed through his mind.

’She’s nervous...’

’More nervous than before.’

’Whatever she wants to tell me...’

’It definitely isn’t something small.’

Without asking any more questions, he simply smiled, opened the passenger door for her, and gestured inside.

"Alright."

"We’ll eat first."

"Then..."

He closed the door gently after she climbed in.

"You can tell me everything."