Chapter 7: let's go shopping

 As Luca left the hotel and slid into the back seat of his car, he let out a low sigh, his mind racing with worry. The usually smooth ride felt unbearably slow, and he found himself tapping his foot incessantly against the car floor, a nervous habit he couldn’t shake. The thought that something bad might have happened to his sister gnawed at him, making every second feel like an eternity.

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror, sensing his unease but wisely kept silent. Luca’s jaw was clenched tight, his thoughts spiraling as he tried to anticipate what might be wrong. He had always been protective of his sister, and the idea that she might be in trouble was enough to make his blood run cold.

"Just a few more minutes," he muttered under his breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions brewing inside him. But it was no use. The closer they got to his home, the more his anxiety grew.

Finally, the car pulled up to his house, and Luca wasted no time. He stepped out swiftly, his heart pounding as he made his way inside. He barely registered the familiar surroundings as he headed straight for his sister’s room, his mind focused solely on her.

When he reached the door, he hesitated for just a moment before pushing it open. The sight that greeted him made his heart ache. His sister, Elena, was seated by the window, her delicate frame bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon light. She was rubbing her hands on her cold skin, her movements slow and nervous, as if she were trying to warm herself from the inside out.

Her usually vibrant eyes were downcast, filled with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Luca’s chest tightened at the sight of her like this, and he quietly stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He wanted to reach out to her, to hold her and tell her everything would be alright, but the look on her face stopped him in his tracks.

He could see that she was struggling, caught in a battle with her own thoughts. The room was thick with unspoken tension, and Luca knew that whatever she had to tell him, it wouldn’t be easy to hear.

 But he was there now, and he wasn’t going to leave her side.

“Elena?” he called softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Brother…” she sighed, turning to face him. Her eyes met his, a mix of emotions dancing in them, and he furrowed his brows in concern.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She took a deep breath before speaking.

“Where have you been? Where did you spend the night?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.

He rolled his eyes, a hint of frustration creeping in. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

Elena mirrored his eye roll. “Not exactly, but can’t I be concerned? If Dad finds out you spent the night with another one of your hookups, you know how he’ll react, don’t you?”

Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, yes, I know. But that’s not the point. You didn’t sound good on the phone. What’s really going on?”

She pulled him toward the bed, urging him to sit beside her. Once they were both seated, she finally spoke up. “So, here’s the thing… Patricia is hosting a birthday party in Paris, and I need to be there.”

Luca’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want to fly alone to Paris for a birthday party?” he asked, incredulous.

Elena nodded, determination etched on her face. “Yeah, I do… But I need you to talk to Dad and Mom. I know they’ll listen to you.”

She tugged on his arm, pleading with him through her gaze. Luca shook his head, a mix of disbelief and concern washing over him. “You’re serious about this? They’re not home right now, are they?”

She shook her head. “No, they’re at Mr. Carlo’s for a meeting. But please, talk to them when they get back.”

He sighed, knowing he couldn’t say no to her. “Okay, fine. Anything for you, pookie,” he finally relented, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Elena leaned into her brother as he gently caressed her arm. “I’m always here for you,” he said softly.

“Can we go out later today? It’s been a while since we went shopping together,” she suggested, looking up at him with hopeful eyes.

Luca nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. “Sure, dearie,” he replied.

“What mall should we go to?” he asked, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he gazed at the wall.

“How about Royal Crescent Mall? I heard they’ve got some new stores,” Elena suggested, her voice filled with excitement.

“Royal Crescent it is,” Luca agreed, giving her a gentle squeeze.

They both lay back on the bed, comfortable in each other’s presence. The room was filled with a quiet understanding, their bond unspoken but deeply felt. As they rested side by side, Luca couldn’t help but think about how much Elena meant to him. She was more than just his sister—she was his confidante, his anchor in a world that often felt chaotic.

Elena, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief wash over her. With Luca by her side, everything seemed more manageable. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment of peace before the day ahead.

                Meanwhile

Isabella had just stepped out of her walk-in closet, adjusting the belt of her robe when the door to her room flew open. Gina barged in with a burst of excitement, her energy filling the space.

“Welcome back again, babe!” Gina exclaimed, rushing over to hug Isabella tightly.

Isabella laughed, a bit startled by Gina’s enthusiasm. “Thanks, Gina. You’ve already welcomed me about a dozen times.”

“Well, it’s not every day my best friend comes back from Paris,” Gina teased, pulling back to look at Isabella. “And now that you’re finally home, it’s time to catch up!”

“Catch up?” Isabella raised an eyebrow, curious. “What do you have in mind?”

“Shopping, of course! You can’t come back from Paris without showing off your new style. So hurry up and get dressed!” Gina urged, practically bouncing with excitement.

Isabella chuckled, walking over to her vanity. “Where are we going?” she asked, reaching for her hairbrush.

“You’ll know when we get there,” Gina replied with a mischievous grin, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe.

Isabella sighed with a smile, knowing there was no arguing with Gina when she was in one of her playful moods. “Alright, give me a minute. I’ll be ready soon,” she said, heading back to her closet to find something suitable for the day out.

Gina clapped her hands together, thrilled that Isabella was playing along. “Perfect! I’ll wait for you downstairs. Don’t keep me waiting too long!” she called out, already heading out the door.

As Isabella started picking out her outfit, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of excitement herself. A day out with Gina was just what she needed to shake off the remnants of last night’s drama.