Hey lovelies ❤ I hope you guys are doing alright. I hope you enjoy this week's episode. Dont forget to comment what you think. Love ya guys for the reads.
XOXO Ama

She carefully took Luca's hand in both of hers. Lucia was too shocked for words, she stared at Luca in disbelief afterall her brother isn't the kind of guy who walks into fights.

The atmosphere in the apartment had changed; from a jolly good evening to an evening filled with concern.

Luca immediately tried to pull his hand from Cassy's, mumbling "It's nothing"

Judging by Luca's reaction, both Cassy and Lucia knew that there was a backstory to it. Luca would have told them if it were an accident. But the way he tried to keep quiet about it raised more suspicions.

"You can say that if blood didnt seep through it" Lucia muttered under her breath, even though all the of them heard it.

It was obvious though that she knew it was not nothing. Lucia loved her brother very much and that when Luca was in trouble or harm's way, she wouldn't keep quiet. She couldn't. Even if she tried. Lucia would get involved.

Lucas's face was a mask, it was difficult to say what was on his mind. Ignoring the comment, he slipped his hand out of Cassy's hold and continued stabbing at his food, popping them in his mouth piece by piece.

As he sat quietly, his insides churned with rage and emotions. Anger boiled within him at the reminder of his encounter with Pete. He knew he could have just walked away from Pete. He knew that he could have avoided the fight. But he couldn't not intervene when Pete hurled those comments about Cassy. He had felt very protective of her.

Exchanging glances Cassy and Lucia nodded to each other, silently agreed not to poke at what is not said. Luca will tell them what happened when he's ready to talk about whatever happened.

In an attempt to lighten the mood and lift the tension of the room, Lucia inquired on a more friendly topic,

"So have you decided when you will fly home, Cassy? They will be so excited to see you in such a long time."

Cassy smiled at the mention of her upcoming journey. It was refreshing to think that she would indeed be going home soon. At first, flying back to Italy was a mere means of escape, an attempt to run away from the darkest night she had in Altadena.

But as the idea settled in, she found herself looking forward to going home, to spending time with her family, to walk the familiar roads of her country, to visiting old friends and tp finally put the Pete drama behind. She was not running away. She was merely going home.

"I know, I'm actually excited now to see them, to be home. It's been a while." There was a twinkle in her eyes, for the first time since meeting her again, Lucia noticed Cassy excited and happy.

"True, Its been ages since we last saw them, so its no surprise." Lucia said agreeing. Both Luca and Cassy had left home for work and Lucia who had followed them in later years, left home for higher studies. Now that that was finished, she was looking for work.

Somehow Luca didn't join in the conversation. He had zoned out. His thoughts had completely drained out his sister's and Cassy's voices. The events of the past few hours was heavy on his mind.

He didn't regret what had happened, or what he had done. In fact he felt good to have finally done something to vent out his anger, even though it wasn't prearranged. But the bruises on his hand was worth the unplanned meeting. He smirked. The loser deserved it.

After dinner, exhaustion from the long day caught upto Cassy. So she decided to go to bed. Bidding goodnight to her friends, she walked towards the room she shared with Lucia. Making a detour to the kitchen to pour herself some milk, Cassy paused. The silence of the night was disrupted by soft whispering.

Cassy paid no attention to it until she heard her own name being mentioned several times. Cassy strained her ears trying to catch the words being exchanged between the Santoro siblings. She was pulled between respecting their privacy and intrigued to know what they were talking about her.

Her curiosity got the best of her. With a sigh, ,she set down her glass on the counter, being careful not to make a sound. She tiptoed across the hallway towards Luca's bedroom. The door was slightly open permitting the light from Luca's room pour into the dark hallway. As it was well into the night, the café below was closed for the day, silence spread through the apartment, allowing Cassy to make out bits and pieces of words being exchanged.

"She deserves to know, Luca" she heard Lucia, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a certain annoyance in her voice. Cassy couldnt see her, Lucia was probably seated on the bed.

But she could see Luca, pacing the length of the room looking towards the bed, looking at his sister from time to time.

"I'll tell her, but not right now" Luca 0, firmly standing his ground.

"She already has too much on her plate, she doesnt need to be bothered by this"

Cassy's heart skipped a beat. What were they talking about? What did Lucia think she should know?

That was when Luca looked towards the door. When he saw Cassy in the doorway, he quickly changed the subject, "Hey Cassy, just talking about plans for tomorrow"

Cassy nodded, forcing a smile. Her curiosity about what they had talked of her had to be pushed off for later.
"Sounds good. See you in the morning" she replied, even though her mind was crowded with numerous questions.

Cassy drifted into a troubled sleep, plagued with restless thoughts of the conversation she had overheard. She had a feeling that whatever Luca and Lucia were hiding was related to whatever happened to Luca's hand.

The next morning at breakfast, Cassy inquired from Luca about her doubts.

"I overheard your conversation last night Luca. I cant help but think that there's a link between that and what happened to your hand. Is it about how you hurt your hand?

Cassy said looking at Luca's hand, which was wrapped with a clean fresh bandage. From the looks of it, Lucia must have properly attended to the wound that morning.

Luca sighed, he looked at his hand hesitating, his emotions guarded, and then at Cassy, his eyes softened as he looked at her, he knew that Cassy wouldn't back off and that he would have to talk about it anyway.

"If you must know, I met Pete yesterday. He said some things he shouldn't have, and I just couldn't let him get away with it" he said slowly watching Cassy's face intently.

Cassy's eyes widened with surprise.

"Pete? What did he say?" She suddenly felt uneasy. What had Pete said that ended up with Luca's bloody hand?

"Did he beat you Luca? But how does he even know you?" Cassy's hands flew in front of her mouth. Various questions and thoughts flooding her mind.

Luca chuckled, "This is nothing, you should have seen Pete."

Seeing Cassy's troubled face, he continued, "It really doesnt matter now anyway. Let's just say he's dealt with, Cassy. You don't have to worry about that guy again."

Cassy knew that there was more to the story that what Luca told her but she couldn't press on it. She was relieved that he was okay now.

"Okay, on a less tense note, I heard Pete moved out." Luca looked relaxed.

This time Cassy sighed, "Yeah, I was hesitating whether I should sell it or just keep it the way it is. It holds.. memories." Cassy said the last words with a pause.

"But then, I probably am not going to be here for quite a while so I really have no idea whay I should do."

Luca nodded understanding. It was good to have someone who just listened sometimes.

After a moment's silence, Luca began to speak scratching his head,
"So, listen, I decided that I'm going to join you"

Cassy was confused, she was looking at him, tilting her head to a side. She didn't quite understand what Luca was trying to say. What did he mean by join?

Noticing Cassy's confusion Luca continued, "to Italy. I think i need a change of place and a change of heart too. I've been here for quite a long time and I feel that my muse is more along the streets of Italy rather than here.

She didn't know how she was supposed to react. It was quite a surprise. It didn't occur to her that Luca would be struggling in his career. He was an accomplished artist as far as she knew.

She blinked several times, processing the information she had just heard. Was he joining her to fly back to Italy? Realisation dawned on her like the first rays of sun.

"But Luca," she began her voice tinged with uncertainty. " What will happen to your career here? You have worked so hard on it. Are you sure about this decision?"

Luca shrugged, a gentle smile playing on his lips. " I could get used to some inspiration. I think it woild be better to step out of my comfort zone. You know, explore the world. Chase your dreams" he said with a little laugh.

Cassy felt energized at the thought of travelling with her childhood bestfriend, she could feel a smile drawing on her lips.

"In that case, you're much welcome to be my travel buddy, buddy" she laughed feeling giddy.

"We could explore the world together, just like old times" Luca exclaimed laughing.

Excitement of old times bubbled within them in the days that followed. Cassy was excited to go home and that too with Luca by her side, just like in their childhood.

As the day of the flight finally approached, Cassy found herself feeling a little sad to leave Lucia. Lucia had other plans. As she was just looking into work, she decided to stay behind and take up internships and interviews.

With their lightly packed luggage, Cassy, Luca and Lucia headed out to the airport for their night flight. Lucia had insisted on driving them there since it was late evening .

"I'm gonna miss you both" she mumbled, her hands on the wheel, eyes on the road ahead. She hadn't expected to be emotional but she was holding back tears now. She was grateful for the darkness that was quickly conquering for anybody to notice any tears that escaped.

The past few weeks had been a roller coaster, but the time spent with Luca and Cassy was incomparable. It had been so long since she spent time with both of them. She wasn't sure if she would ever meet Cassy again which made her heart break.

Fixating her gaze on the passing street lights, Cassy murmered back "We'll miss you too Lu."

She felt her chest tighten. As excited as she was to go back home, she would miss Altadena dearly. It had been her home for nearly a decade and she had experienced so many things here, both good and bad, happy and sad. She would also miss Regal and Lucia too. But this step was a necessity and had to be taken, and they drove in silence, each staring at the falling night.

###
Cassy and Luca, excited for new beginnings, settled into their seats comfortably. Cassy sighed as a warm feeling of bubbling tingliness spread inside her, feeling grateful for the company Luca offered. It was good to have someone who used to be with her in the best parts of her childhood and now as someone who had seen her at her absolute worst.

The engines roared to life and as the plane started gradually rising up into the seamless night sky, Cassy leaned her head against the cool glass window, peering outside at the great big city shrinking visibly from beneath them. The lights of the city below turning into a starry night. The quiet hum of the engines lulled her into a peaceful slumber.

It was dawn when Cassy woke up again. They were still mid air and everybody was fast asleep. The cabin was bathed in the soft golden hues of the early morning sun. Cassy stood up to stretch her legs. Strangely even though her body seemed stiff, she slept well. Beside her, Luca was sleeping peacefully.

Cassy quietly slipped out of her seat, careful as to not wake Luca and walked down the aisle, to freshen up. The cool water splashed on her face made her feel rejuvenated.

Back on her seat, she slid the window shade a little. The view below was breathtaking. The first rays of sun bouncing off the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea they were flying over was mesmerising. The golden hues falling through the clouds looked heavenly illuminating them.

She knew she was home.

Today's chapter is a bit longer. I hope you enjoy it. ❤ Do tell me what you feel. All criticism is appreciated with open arms. Dont forget to vote and comment. .