Luca's POV

"It's Stephanie, she's missing," Christian said, barging into my room. He ran a hand through his hair and down his face. The worry for my sister evident on his face.

"Fuck," I mumbled.

I was angry at myself. I should have seen that there was a deeper reason than love as to why Stephanie, wanted to get married. If I had just talked to her about it and been more accepting of her choices then maybe she would have told me sooner and we wouldn't have been in this mess.

"Luca, come out here now!" my mother shouted. Christian looked in the direction from where my mother's voice came and walked away from my doorway. I followed after him with Elizabeth.

I walked into the lounge to see Harry and James seated on the couch. My mother was pacing up and down as she patted at her chin with the tip of her index finger. The sound of her heels clicking loudly in the silent room. "I have had enough," she started. "My daughter is now missing because her father and brother acted like two dunderheads!"

"Char..." Harry tried to say, but my mother turned around and glared at him, silencing him at once.

"You two are going to lose her," she said and turned to look at me. "Is that what you want? Never to be apart of your sister and her unborn child's life." I would never want that. I shouldn't have acted the way I did and if I could take it back I would in a heartbeat. "Fix this now the both of you! Find her." She stormed out of the apartment, her shoes clicking loudly as she walked away to go find Stephanie.

Harry sighed as he stood up and walked over to the door to grab his coat. James went with him and so did Christian and Elizabeth.

If I had known this was how the night would have turned out I would have never brought Elizabeth, along. I rushed out of the apartment and went straight to the stairwell. Elizabeth had asked why I didn't use the elevator and I wasn't about to tell her one of my biggest fears.

I should have told her more about my sister and Harry. I could understand if she was mad at me. I acted like a complete arse the entire night. I just hoped Steph, was okay and that the damage done was repairable.

I ran down to the first floor of the apartment building. I looked around the lobby and found the owner of the building (Harry's old friend) talking to Harry, Jameson, my mother, and Christian. Not making my presence known I went back into the stairwell. I didn't know where to start looking.

I decided to go up to the roof. It was the only other place people from the building could go to relax and get some air. Hopefully, she was still in the building. I ran up the stairs, I was starting to lose my breath after the sixth floor, but I pushed myself.

I finally made it to the top. I was out of breath. I just needed a few minutes to gather my bearings. The door leading to the roof was cracked open a little and I could hear two voices. Elizabeth's and Stephanie's. At the sound of Stephanie's voice relief washed over me. I was about to barge in on them, but Elizabeth's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"In honesty, I think maybe Luca, was just hurt that you didn't tell him sooner," Elizabeth said. It's amazing how she knew me, yet didn't know me at all. I peeped through the crack in the door to see Elizabeth, sitting on one of the sofa's next to Stephanie.

"I know you right Liz," came my sister's voice. Hearing my sister call Elizabeth, by her nickname took me by surprise. It sounded like old friends talking. She didn't know Elizabeth, for a day, and yet she spoke to her as if she was a good friend. She knew Allison, longer, and yet she still referred to her as 'that girl'.

My mother had even warmed up to Elizabeth, even though they had just met. My theory of them liking any girl that was boring and wasn't Allison was correct.

"I've noticed Luca, is tough when it comes to opening up, but he's not all that bad," Elizabeth sighed. I was surprised that she didn't think of me as a complete arse for the way I spoke to her in my bedroom.

I shouldn't have been eavesdropping on their conversation. I needed to apologize and make things right with Stephanie. I straightened my clothes and ran a hand through my hair. My face felt weird without my beard. It felt like I had a missing body part.

I pushed open the door further and walked onto the roof that was decorated with outdoor furniture. A small firepit sat in the middle of two sofas and fairy lights decorated three large pillars.

Both ladies looked up as I approached and Elizabeth moved to stand on her feet. "I think you two should talk. I'll go find the others and tell them you okay Steph," Elizabeth said and moved to walk back to the stairwell. She didn't look up at me as she walked past me but put her head down.

I shoved my hands in my pockets as I approached my sister. I sat on the opposite couch away from her giving her some space. She looked into the firepit, a solemn expression on her face. I took out my lighter in an attempt to light the coals of the pit.

"You still smoke?" She asked, in a sound of disapproval while she glared at the lighter in my hand and I shook my head. As a teenager, I smoked often. I tried to quit and I managed to control my nicotine addiction, but I found myself craving the occasional cigarette from time to time.

"Kicked the habit," I said and she looked at me as if she could tell I was lying. "So ... how far along are you?" I asked, taking my focus off the firepit.

"Two months," she said, not looking up at me.

"Steph, I'm sorry," I started. "I was hurt. I thought that we could tell each other everything." She let out a sigh and looked up at me.

"Luca, I was scared after the way you and dad acted when I mentioned marrying Christian. I knew I should have done it the right way and brought him home first, but I was just so stressed. I feel like I'm running out of time with work and the wedding. Not to mention this little guy or girl that's going show up in seven months."

I walked over to her and engulfed her in a hug. "I'm sorry. It's just hard even though you older I always have the need to protect you. I want what's best for you," I said and she placed her hand on my back.

"Your heart was in the right place. I know you and dad worry about me, but I'm a woman now. I'm not a kid anymore." she said, hugging me back. We fell silent for a while as I just hugged my sister. It had been eleven months since we last saw each other.

"I still can't believe you going to be a mum," I said and she pulled away, chuckling.

"I can't either." She placed a hand on her belly, her eyes were filled with joy. She was really happy and that's all I could ever ask for as a brother.

"Elizabeth is something else," Stephanie said, sounding impressed and I nodded along. "Her energy is unique and I can tell she cares for you. So ready to defend your actions," Stephanie chuckled.

"She is a nice girl I guess," I said, shrugging.

"A nice girl," she repeated in amusement. "Is that all you have to say about the woman you love?" She chuckled.

"What else do you want me to say?"

"Luca, a cup of tea is nice. How would you describe someone you love as nice." What was it with these women and the lovey-dovey stuff. Christian surely had a way with words. I could imagine the horse shit he fed Steph, about love.

"Well, I can't find the words to describe her. I can't find the words to tell you how amazing she truly is because there are none," I exaggerated, placing a hand on my heart.

"Oh shut up," she chuckled, smacking me on the shoulder.

The sound of the door opening caused Stephanie's, laughter to disappear almost instantly. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost. The smile on her face faded away and I turned in my seat to see what her eyes had been fixed on. Harry was standing by the door.

"I should probably leave," I said, and stood up. Her face was serious, it almost looked panicked at the sight of Harry. She didn't want to feel like she was disappointing him and I knew the fact that he was angry at her, was eating her alive because Harry, had never been angry at Stephanie, like this before.

I left the roof immediately. I didn't want to hear what he had to say to Stephanie. I took the stairs down to my apartment to go find Elizabeth.

I walked into my apartment to find James and Christian, having a chat on the couch. Christian looked up at me and I looked back at him resisting the urge to clench my jaw. We needed to have a chat of our own. I heard feminine laughter coming from the dining room and diverted my attention away from Christian.

I walked into the dining room to find Elizabeth and my mother cleaning the table while they talked. "I certainly loved Wuthering Heights. Seriously Elizabeth, I insist you come to book club when we in England," my mother said, and I ran a hand down my face.

Elizabeth was either a gem or she was just really that good at acting. I watched as Elizabeth smiled, at something my mum said. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she wiped down the table. Her eyes closed as she laughed musically at a joke my mum made.

"Luca," my mother called, and I tore my eye's away from Elizabeth."Did you apologize to your sister?"

"Yes mother," I said, and she glared at me while picking up the silverware. My mother was beyond furious with me for my behavior towards Stephanie. I was already screwing up my chances of moving back to England.

"I'm going to take Elizabeth, home now," I said, and my mother's face saddened as if Elizabeth, was her playmate. She walked over to Elizabeth and enveloped her in a hug.

"Bye, my dear. It was great meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you too Charlotte," Elizabeth said. I stared at the two women hugging each other as if they were life long friends.

Why couldn't my mother and sister be like this with Allison. I loved Allison, not Elizabeth, and I wish they would have accepted that, but now I was forced to pretend to love someone I didn't.

I walked out of the dining area. Elizabeth, following after me. She didn't say anything to me and I didn't say anything to her. We walked out of the apartment and even though she knew the elevator was working she still followed me to the door that led to the steps.

I had wondered how she had been the one to find Stephanie. "How did you find Stephanie?" I asked when we entered the stairwell.

"I had asked the cleaning lady if she had seen anyone run by. Everyone was in a rush to find Stephanie, that they didn't stop to ask the only other person on this floor that could have seen her. She told me Stephanie took the elevator up so she must have been on the roof lounge."

An awe kind of expression formed on my face. "Aren't you perceptive," I said and it sounded more sarcastic than I intended. She let out a sigh and began walking faster as a means to get away from me.

She remained silent the entire walk down to the car. Not even turning around to look at me. She walked over to the car and waited for me to unlock the passenger's side door. I pressed the button on my keys and the car door unlocked. She yanked my door open and got into the car, slamming my car door for good measure.

Fuck. If she hated me she should have bashed my head in with a fucking brick, not take it out in my car. Fuck, She drove me crazy. I had to cool it. I had to calm my shit.

I couldn't be an arse to her again or she might just decide to not help me anymore. Biting my tongue about the car door I got in and buckled my seat belt. She turned to her passenger's side window and ignored me.

She remained silent as I drove out of the apartment complex and thanks to my fucking luck the traffic was barely moving. The silence was thick. I could feel the emotions of anger and frustration rolling off her.

"Elizabeth," I said breaking the tension-filled silence. I cleared my throat. I had to sound sincere and not stern. I needed to apologize for bringing her into this without warning her and also for being a complete jerk when she didn't deserve it. "You seem to be fooling my mother and sister well," I said, instead. I couldn't bring myself to apologize. I just had to say sorry, but my mouth refused to form the simple words.

"I was just being myself," she said, turning away from me and looking out the passenger's side window.

Great I offended her.

This is why there is always silence between us because I can never say the right thing. "I'm sure you were princess," I said and I heard her sigh again. We fell into silence again and I felt even more awkward.

"You know Luca," she started and I turned my eyes away from the road to look at her." I agreed to help you but I don't know anything about you, yet you expect me to go along with this...this," she paused looking for the right word. "Charade of yours!" She shouted. "You could have at least told me there was some tension between you and Stephanie."

"I'm sorry," I blurted and she turned around to look at me. Finally, the words came out. "I'm sorry, for dragging you into my mess and I'm sorry I'm a jerk sometimes." Her face softened as I apologized and a small smile tugged on her lips.

"Sometimes," she scoffed and I reciprocated her smile.

"I'm trying to apologize here princess," I said, smiling along with her. I thought back to the time in my apartment when she said she wanted to be my friend. I was taken aback by her offer of friendship because I thought she despises me. I thought she would never want anything to do with me. "About what you said earlier," I started, awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. I'd like to be your friend too."

"Oh that," she said recalling what she had said earlier. Don't flatter yourself, Hendricks. I only wanted to be your friend so that I could learn more about you. I didn't want to draw blanks whenever I was with your family."

She was something else. She was just like me. She didn't want anyone to know her. She hid parts of herself away and avoided talking about herself. She wanted me to open up to her but she was just as closed off as I was.

"What about you," I said and she looked away.

"What about me?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You want to know thing's about me, but in return, I'd like to know things about you," I said, and she looked concerned. It made me wonder what kind of secrets she had.

I was still waiting for her to answer my question, but she remained silent. "So?" I asked and she nodded uncertainly. I didn't want to get close to Elizabeth, I didn't find the need to be that close to her when this arrangement between us was only for a short period.

"Friends it is," she said, shakily.

"What do you have something against having guys as friends?" I asked.

"No," was her simple one-worded answer.

"You very straight forward sometimes. Especially when it comes to your personal life. You seem to shut down the conversation fast," I said and she looked at me speechless.

"I don't know what you talking about," she said looking away from me again.

I turned up the radio a little. I gave her time to relax and think. Music filled the silence as she leaned against the window, looking out into the night. I wondered what went on in her head sometimes.

She was unlike the girls her age. She didn't dress, act, or speak like she was nineteen. She put her life on hold to help me. Someone who was a jerk to her without reason. When I had asked why she had agreed to help me, her simple answer was that she would like to see England again, but I had a feeling there was so much more to why she agreed to come to England.

"So what's in England?" I asked, trying to make light conversation and she bit down on her bottom lip.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Why would you like to see England again?"

"Does it matter?" She asked.

"Yes, it does because I want to know. So if you could answer my question without another question that would be great love," I said and she looked down at her lap.

"I wanted to go back to all the places my dad took me too when he was alive," she said, screwing her eyes shut and I looked at her grief-stricken face. Wrinkles formed on her forehead as she closed her eyes tightly and a small smile appeared on her face. It's like she was trying to recall a good memory again.

"How did he pass?" I asked and she looked up at me. She released a breath. A stoic expression on her face as she spoke again. "He had a history of heart disease. One day I came home from school to find him in my mother's arms. He had another heart attack," she looked away again and I knew saying sorry was no good but what else would someone say in a situation like this.

"I'm sorry for your loss," I said softly and she nodded. "I've never even met my father," I said and she looked up at me. Tears started to form in her eyes. "He passed when I was still a baby."

"I'm so sorry you didn't get a chance to know him," she said softly. She didn't dare let her tears fall but looked away again. She was so strong. "I think your father would be proud of you. You're an amazing woman Elizabeth." She gave me a sad smile. I guess I've never given her a genuine or sincere sounding comment before.

I drove into her campus housing. The lights were all off again. "Why are the lights always off here?" I asked looking around, making sure I stop at her house.

"I don't know but my friends seem to have a few theories," she said, humorously.

I finally found her house and let the car come to a rolling stop. I shut off the car's engine and opened my door. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm walking you to the door," I said and moved to get out of the car. The last time I didn't walk her to her door because there was already somebody outside with a flashlight. I put on my phone light and walked over to her passenger's side door, but she had already opened the door and let herself out. She closed my door carefully this time and I smiled at how stressful she looked about it. She knew I'd freak out if she slammed my door again. She was already getting to know me and I didn't know how I felt about that. I placed my hand on the small of her back and she looked up at me from the sudden contact but remained silent.

We walked up to the house and I found Callum's car parked in the driveway. "You know Callum?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yeah," she started. "He is my friend's boyfriend."

"He's my best mate," I said and she smiled. "I know," she said and I looked at her cautiously. I flashed my phone light in her face as if it were a police interrogation light.

"How do you know?" I asked and she looked away from the bright light.

"It's a long story," she said, chuckling and trying to grab my hand so that she can lower the light.

"Are you sure you not one of those stalker chicks?" I asked, humorously and she clicked her tongue, glaring at me.

"If I was a stalker why would I want to stalk you?" She said and a cocky smile formed on my face.

"Why don't you tell me, princess," I said and she rolled her eyes. I felt tiny droplets of rain fall on me at that moment and I lowered my phone's light and faced it to the house instead.

"Do you want to come inside then? To see Callum," She asked and I shook my head. "No maybe some other time but thank you."

"Alright then. I guess I'll see you around Hendricks," she said and shrugged.

"Good night Elizabeth," I smiled and she turned around and started to walk up to her door. The rain came down more furiously and she shrieked as she ran up to the front door and fidgeted with the door handle for it to open. I chuckled as I kept my phone light on her, watching her. She opened the door and went into the house. I rushed back to my car and got in. I was already soaked with rainwater.

This friendship that we tried to establish was either going to be a life long one or go up in flames and I wasn't anticipating the ending. I looked up at her house one more time before I finally started my car and made my way back home.

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A/N

Chapter 20. I can't believe that I completed twenty chapters.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. If you did please vote. I love reading the comments and I read every comment. They make my day.

Oh, and I hope you guys enjoyed the song. I first heard it while I was writing this chapter and fell in love with it almost immediately. I love Sam Smith.

💜💜💜