Luke waits by the gate for Alessandra to come out. Soon enough, she walked out of the school with Mr. Haru. Alessandra ran to Luke as soon as she saw him and Luke picked him up in his arms. "Daddy, I want to see sobo Himiko," Alessandra told her dad. Haru walked over to them and gave a small wave to Luke, which he returned."Of course. We'll go see her." Luke said before facing Haru. "Do you want to come with us?" He asked Haru.Alessandra suddenly gasped in excitement. "Yes, Mr. Haru. Sobo Himiko is very nice. You should come to meet her!" Alessandra exclaimed, bouncing in her dad's arms in excitement. "Himiko? The flower shop owner? She's my grandaunt. How do you know her?" Haru asked.Luke's heart suddenly dropped when he heard what Haru had said. He suddenly had suspicions that Haru was in the mafia as well, but how could he be a teacher? Luke pondered over the thought for a moment and decided to just confirm it with Himiko later. "Yeah, I work for her," Luke replied, pushing
Alessandra ignored her dad the whole morning that they were getting ready. She wouldn't even look back at her dad as they walked to her school. Luke understands that Alessandra is unable to deal with what she's feeling at the moment. He just wanted to give her space and let her come to him when she was ready. Mr. Haru was waiting by the school gate and tried to greet Alessandra, but he was ignored as well. Haru looks dejected and Luke gives him a pat on the back."She's been ignoring me as well. I don't want to force her to talk to me when she doesn't want to." Luke said."I'm sorry about last night. I made a move too early, if I didn't this wouldn't have happened." Haru apologized."It's not your fault. Alessandra must've thought I was replacing her father. I'll talk to her later, okay? For now, try to talk to her, just don't force her." Luke said."Sure, I'll try to talk to her," Haru replied.Luke waved goodbye before making his way to work. Himiko greeted him when he entered the s
Valentino reached Luke's apartment as Luke finished packing Alessandra's bag. He wanted to go and stay with them, but ALessadnra didn't want him to. She reasoned with him that she wanted to spend some days along with Valentino as well as it has only been the two of them for the past four years. Luke begrudgingly agreed to let her stay and he'll pick her up on her birthday two days from now. Luke opened the door and handed Alessandra's bag to Valentino. Alessandra ran to her father's arms as soon as she saw him. Her excitement was visible on her face."Where's your bag?" Valentino asked Luke."Alessandra wanted to stay with you alone. She doesn't want me to come. I'll just drop her off." Luke replied, swallowing the tears that were threatening to escape. "Are you okay with it?" Valentino asked."I have no choice. I don't want her to get mad at me." Luke said."I'll take care of her, I promise," Valentino said. "Don't take her away from me, Valentino. Please." Luke said as he grabbed
Luke slowly woke up as the light glared harshly through the window. Luke stretched his arms out before sitting up from the bed. Luke then realized that he was in a different room from last night. He quickly got off the bed and looked around the room in a panic. fear settled in when he realized where he was. He was in the same exact room he was in when they were in Italy. Luke quickly ran to the door when he remembered Alessandra, but the door was locked from the outside.He ran towards the windows but tripped over a chain. Luke fell to the floor with a loud thud, making him hiss in pain. Luke pushed himself up and found his ankles tied with a chain. Luke muttered a curse under his breath as he tried to find a way to break free from the chain. The doorknob started to rattle so Luke ran back to the bed and laid down, pretending to be asleep. Footsteps neared the bed and Luke felt the side of the bed dip. He could feel fingers tucking the hair away from his face. Luke was too scared to
Luke decided to take a shower when he got back to his room. When he got out, he saw his phone ringing. He checked the caller ID and saw that it was Haru before answering it."Hey." Luke greeted."Hey, uhm, I noticed it was just Leon who sent Alessandra to school today," Haru said."Oh, uhm, yeah. We're currently staying at his house and I overslept so Leon sent her alone." Luke replied. "Oh," Haru replied and Luke sensed disappointment in his voice."Is there something wrong?" Luke asked."Uh, I think your relationship with Leon is a lot more complicated than I thought," Haru replied."What do you mean?" Luke asked, confused as to what Haru was insinuating."I think it's better that we remain friends," Haru replied and he was meant with silence. Luke felt more than disappointed. He was hurt. He had a chance to have a normal relationship, but once again, Valentino got in the way."Lex?" Haru called out."I, uhm, I understand. Yeah, I do think it's better to be friends." Luke said alt
It was the next day and Luke was anxiously waiting for Haru to come by. Himiko cleared out some space in the office to give them room to talk. Haru finally came by and they were immediately pushed by Himiko inside the office. Himiko gave them a cheeky smile before closing the door behind her. Luke didn't hesitate as he pulled Haru into a kiss. Haru kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Luke's waist.Haru slowly pulled away and rested his forehead against Luke's "Lex," Haru breathed out."Hmm." Luke hummed in response."You're really making it hard to resist you, huh?" Haru teased."Am I?" Luke asked innocently before placing his lips against Haru's once again."This is going to be hard for Alessandra." He muttered against Luke's lips."I know. I'll try my best to make her understand. I'm just asking for your patience," Luke said pulling away and looking into Haru's eyes."I'll try my best to be patient. I'm sorry for not talking to you first before deciding for the both of us." Ha
"What should we do for Alessandra's birthday tomorrow?" Luke asked Valentino after they tucked Alessandra into her bed."I already planned everything. You don't need to worry about it." Valentino replied.Luke's jaw ticked in annoyance. "And you didn't even bother to consult me about it?" He asked rather harshly. Valentino sighed. "I'm sorry. I just thought I would give you a break from all the planning. Just let me carry the burden for once." Valentino said."Did you do the invites as well?" Luke asked.Luke knew he should at least appreciate Valentino's efforts. It's just that he can't help but feel inadequate as a parent. Valentino's efforts feel as if he's trying to one-up Luke. "Yes, I invited her classmates, their parents, and teachers as well," Valentino replied."Thanks," Luke muttered in a low voice before turning his back to Valentino."Luke," Valentino called out.Luke sighed and turned to look at Valentino. "What is it?" Luke asked."Can we get along? At least for tomorr
The party was about to start. Valentino led Luke and Alessandra to her room. Valentino opened the door and Alessandra squealed in shock. There was a princess ballgown in the middle of the room a shiny tiara on a small table beside it. Luke was shocked upon seeing the dress. It looked like it cost thousands."Daddy, look! It's a princess gown!" Alessandra exclaimed as she ran to the dress."Do you like it?" Valentino asked."Yes!" Alessandra exclaimed in response."Valentino, how much did you spend on all of this?" Luke asked."Don't worry about that, please. Just let her enjoy the day. You too." Valentino replied. Valentino went over to Alessandra and helped her wear the dress. Luke stood by as he watched Valentino dress Alessandra up. It was clear how happy Alessandra was and Luke can't deny that she really did look beautiful being dressed up like a princess. Luke sighed in defeat. He knew he could never give this kind of thing to Alessandra so he felt the need to put his pride asid