Stephanie and Christian were getting ready to leave for Italy with the rest of Christian's family who I barely minced words with. Steph pulled me into a long tearful hug.

Everyone was downstairs ready to say goodbye to Stephanie and Christian. Even Harry who Luca told me was often in his study working. Steph sniffled. "I'm going to miss you so much Liz," she squeezed me.

"I'll miss you too." I meant that. I would miss Stephanie. She was a once in a lifetime person. She moved over to hug her brother who groaned.

"You crushing my bones Stephen!" Luca groaned as Steph attempted to squeeze the life out of him and I chuckled.

Carlos Stepped in front of me. He was leaving for Madrid. "Mi Corazón, it was a pleasure meeting you," he hugged me. "If this Mamón gives you a hard time," he chuckled gesturing to Luca. "Call me and I'll kick his ass."

Luca chuckled. "Que te folle un pez!" My eyes widened. I didn't know Luca could speak Spanish. Carlos erupted into laughter and both men embraced each other in a friendly hug patting each other on the back.

"You're a good man. Take care of her okay," Carlos told Luca.

"Since when are you two best buds?" Christian asked, what everyone else including myself was thinking. 

Carlos put his one hand on his hip. "Well, Mi Hermano. Celebrations bring people together."

Everyone said their goodbyes and then James walked with all of them to the car. He was going to take them to the airport. Mia and Suzanne left for Germany early in the morning and Abigail and Madeline went back to their homes in England.

Luca helped me book a flight to Pasadena for the next day. He even went as far as to phone a taxi company in Pasadena and ensure the man be there to pick me up straight after I landed.

Sometimes I liked his protective side. Other times he just annoyed me by always wanting things done his way. We walked out of the house and to the garage. He promised me a day of sightseeing and good behavior.

"Catch princess," Luca said, tossing me the car keys. I caught them and looked up at Luca. "Let's see what you can do behind the wheel."

My palms began to sweat. "It's been a while since I drove," I admitted.

"You can never forget driving," he laughed. "Do you drive like how you play Fifa?"

"Go to hell I almost had you last night," I pointed a finger at him and he laughed.

"Sure you did," sarcasm dripped from his words as he rolled his eyes at me.

I got into the driver's seat of the car. I stared at the steering wheel and gulped feeling the hair on my neck stand. There was no need to panic. I was just going to be attempting to drive a million-dollar car. No pressure. If I smashed it I could probably pay for it to be repaired in the year twenty sixty.

Luca got into the car as I moved to put the key in the hole. "Now princess," he said and I jumped causing him to raise an eyebrow. "Remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road." I nodded frantically. I moved to put the key in the hole again and due to my sweaty palms, they fell to the floor of the car.

I smiled awkwardly as Luca watched me clearing his throat and looking in the opposite direction. I picked up the keys and put them into the ignition.

I turned the key and the car roared like a beast that was awakened from hibernation. The entire car vibrated under me. It was an entirely new terrifying feeling because this time I was behind the wheel with Luca in the passenger seat.

Luca instantly reached for his seat belt. "Now easy try not to kill us both," he chuckled and my body stilled.

"Can you please not make jokes about dying," I groaned putting my head against the steering wheel.

I felt his hand on my arm and I looked up at him to see a small smile on his face. "I trust you."

I broke eye contact with him and felt a little more confident. I put my foot on the clutch taking it all the way down to the car's floor and then I put the car in reverse. I dropped the handbrake and looked in my review mirror and side mirrors as I gently started to release the clutch allowing the car to slowly move back. "You doing great princess," Luca encouraged me. Once out of the garage. I put the car in first gear and drove to the gates that enclosed the house.

Luca was right. I never forgot all that I learned. The car was fast but I didn't have to drive it that way. I just had to remember that I was in control and not the car.

Once out of the gates and on the road I was extra focused. Looking out for red lights and stop signs. The last thing I wanted was for Luca to make fun of my driving skills.

I was both excited and petrified to be driving a sportscar in England on the opposite side of the road. I would have never imagined having this experience a year ago. "See you still got it," Luca said from beside me.

"Yeah," I smiled nervously.

Luca sighed in contentment and relaxed back in his seat putting both his hands behind his head and shutting his eyes."Ahhh, I could get used to this. I could hire you as my driver."

I chuckled. He would never. He loved his Mercedes in New York too much. "That would imply I drive your Mercedes," I said glancing at him from the corner of my eye just in time to catch the horrified look on his face as his eyes shot open.

"Ur..." he searched for words. "Okay if you don't smash this car I'll let you drive my Mercedes

I would have to take him up on his offer. "You got yourself a deal, Hendricks."

"So where are we going first?" He asked.

"How about the British Museum."

He coughed. "Nerd."

"Hey my father took me there," I said without a thought and I saw the expression on his face change. That was one of the reasons I agreed to come to England with him. I wanted to walk through all the places my father once took me.

"In that case princess. Lead the way," he smiled.

Luca typed in the location on the garment. The robotic female voice would either say turn right or left every time I came up to a turn.

After twenty minutes I stopped outside the British Museum and parallel parked. Luca got out of the car and stretched. "That was fun princess. Though my grandma drives faster. It is a sportscar you know. Have some fun."

"Nope I can't afford to drive a mustang let alone smash one," I shook my head and put my hands into my hoodie pockets as we walked. I was dressed in black sweatpants and a red hoodie. The weather didn't allow me to dress in anything fancy.

Luca was dressed the same. Black sweatpants and a grey hoodie. The sky was gray with a little hue of orange light trying to shine through the thick clouds. The wind was ice and I brought my hood over my head to cover my ears.

We walked up the steps of the museum. The grey building stood tall almost intimidatingly. I swelled in excitement as I walked through the doorway.

"Wow," I gawked looking up at the ceiling. Everything was just as I remembered it. The cream tiles. The museum's white clean theme. The yellowish walls with stained glass.

I began walking around excitedly. The feel of being back in the place made me feel as if I was a kid again. It was exhilarating and I wanted to know more and see more of everything around me at once. "Princess wait," Luca called walking after me.

I walked into a room to see the first piece of the museum I ever saw.  The Piranesi vase. Of course, I couldn't get too close to the exhibit but I admired it from a distance.

I looked at the intricate detailing on the old vase. It was as if I was seeing it for the first time. "It's a vase," Luca said, sounding unimpressed.

"Oh don't be such a killjoy. It's a beautiful piece of art." A flash went off and I looked up to see Luca taking a picture of me.

"Memories princess," was all he said with a small smile on his lips.

I dragged him around the rest of the museum. I went to the Tutankhamun exhibit next. The Egyptian exhibit. I couldn't explain the chill that ran through my body or the goosebumps that raised staring at each piece of history. Every piece was unique giving off a different wavelength of energy.

I stared at the sarcophagus through the glass cases. "Do you think there is a dead dude in there?" Luca asked and I shrugged.

"Why don't you take a peek," I laughed and he looked around as if almost tempted to.

"No, I'm just saying it would probably reek like hell if there was some ancient pharaoh in there."

"They mummified. Their bodies are wrapped in cloth and their internal organs were most probably removed."

Next, I walked over to my favorite piece in the museum. It was a simple piece but it was a fantastic carving called the metopes. They depict a battle between the centaurs and Lapiths. I guess I liked it because it was overall outright cool and was mythical.

Luca checked his watch. "It's already eleven o'clock. If you want to see anything else besides the inside of this museum. We better get a move on then."

"Fine," I sighed. I didn't want to leave. I would have rather walked the entirety of the museum but I also wanted to see more of London.

We walked back to the car and I handed Luca the car keys. "You drive I want to be able to enjoy the view of the city," he nodded and took the keys and I got into the car.

"How about I take you to my favorite place," Luca suggested.

"Is it a pub?" I laughed.

"Seriously I have some decorum. I wouldn't take you to my old hang out spots."

"Is it because it's dingy?" I questioned with a knowing smirk and he licked his pink lips.

"It's not a place for a lady and I don't feel like riding in the back of a cop car today," he sighed.

I nodded and decided to leave the topic of the kind of places he used to hang out alone. "Fine what is your favorite place in London?" I asked.

"I'll show you," he said starting the car.

After a fifteen-minute drive, Luca parked on a street corner. He had a smile on his face. "Come on," he gestured with his head as he got out of the car. I followed after him as he walked through a small alleyway between two houses.

The alleyway had two dustbins on either side facing each other and a mattress on the floor. I looked around carefully as I watched where I stepped. Once out of the alleyway I began following Luca down the street. "Where are we going?" I asked while trying to match his pace.

"Just around this corner and you'll see," he smiled. I was excited and yet a little suspicious. I knew Luca wouldn't take me to a shady place but yet I still had a bit of anxiety.

We rounded the corner and my eyes popped open. The smell of food drifted in the air causing my stomach to awaken. I didn't know I was hungry until I smelt the decadent aroma of food.

There were food trucks and tents where people were preparing food. The street was busy and some food trucks had lines that went on for three blocks. "If you want to experience a country's food. Street food trumps Michelin star restaurant any day," Luca said from beside me.

We walked into the food market and in a tent, I saw something catch on fire as curious onlookers watched on in amusement. "So what's the best thing to eat at the market?"

"Fish and chips for sure," he answered without a thought. "But there shepherd's pie is equally as good."

I followed him and we joined the slow-moving line at a food truck. The atmosphere was filled with excitement. People were carrying food from more than one place. Luca looked around and I could see the gears in his head turn.

"What's wrong?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Kind of reminds me of New York with how busy the place is."

I laughed. "Is the mean red-blooded Englishman missing the Big apple?" I teased and he smiled.

"I've lived there for four years already," he laughed.

"Do you think you'd be able to move back home now?" I questioned looking down at the ground unable to meet his eyes.

"I don't know. I haven't brought it up with mum as yet," he shrugged.

I nodded still not meeting his eye and looking at everyone besides him. "Well I know she would love having you back home with her."

He looked ahead at the line and then realized he was second. The guy in front of him left and he placed two orders of fish and chips. After a little wait, the guy in the truck handed Luca two polystyrene containers.

As we left the truck Luca walked over to another and I followed after him. "We just need to get shepherd's pie," he told me.

"Luca this is already a lot of food."

"Trust me princess once you start eating you won't be able to stop."

After we got the shepherd's pie Luca lead me further into an opening grassy field with wooden chairs and tables. I sat down in front of him and opened the container of food.

The fish and chips looked mouth-watering and with one look I was already salivating. I took the spray-painted silver fork and knife and immediately dug in. "Mmm," I moaned as I chewed on a piece of crispy fish. It had subtle hints of fresh herbs.

"I told you it was good," Luca smiled digging into his fish and chips. "So where do you want to go next?" Luca asked and I checked the time on my phone. It was two pm.

"Buckingham Palace," I shrugged and a smile tugged on his lips.

"What?" I laughed, knowing he was going to mock my choice of place again.

"Nothing, you such a tourist Liz," he laughed and my eyes widened. He called me Liz again and this time he wasn't drunk. His eyes widened in the realization of what he just said and he looked down at his food. I tried hard to hide my smile by taking a bite out of my French fry.

"Well ur we can't go there because we would have to make a booking in advance," he explained awkwardly.
"How about a ferry ride in the river Thames instead. It's the best way to see a lot of sights in London as well," he smiled.

"That sounds quite nice," I agreed.

After we were done eating we made our way back to the car. Luca drove for another fifteen minutes. He stopped at the tower millennium pier on the River Thames. The pier was filled with people waiting to take a boat ride even though the weather wasn't promising.

The sky was quickly darkening and the pier lights came on. A red and white ferry boat was bobbing in the water while a man in blue overalls was taking cash so that people could board it.

Luca walked up to the man and gave him some money and he let us through to the ferry. Luca got onboard first and stuck his hand out to help me up. I clasped his outstretched and he pulled me up.

"Thank you," I told him. The boat was cozy there was soft music coming from speakers and there were two other people that stood at the edge excitedly waiting for it to move.

The wind blew through my hair as I looked out into the river and the boat began to move. I sighed as hugging my hood around me as the cold wind hit me. My teeth chattered.

Luca ran his hands up and down my back as he tried to create heat. I looked up at him to see him looking out at the river as well. "Thank you for everything," I smiled looking up at him and nudging him with my shoulder.

He chuckled. "Well, Luca Hendricks doesn't do bad experiences."

I rolled my eye. "You just had to go get a big head about it," I smiled and looked back at the river.

It was getting dark and then the lights on the boat came on. They were colorful string lights. Luca cleared his throat. "It was... I mean it wasn't a total trainwreck spending time with you."

"Oh, are you saying you had fun," I teased him and he smirked?

"You just had to get a big head about it," he said and I laughed.

The boat passed S.t Paul's cathedral and I looked on in awe. I watched as it passed the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Tate modern, Covent Garden, and Trafalgar square.

The boat made a turn and started going back again. "I've been meaning to ask you something," I fiddle with my fingers awkwardly and he looked down at me.

"Go for it," he said in amusement."

"Why did your parents name you, Luca?" I asked. "The name is Italian."

Luca let out a hearty chuckle. "Tell me Elizabeth. How long have you been waiting to ask me that?"

"Just ever since I learned your name," I chuckled and he smiled.

"Well, I was named by my grandmother after her father. My grandmother's father was an Italian man. His name was Giuseppe De Luca. She loved her father more than anything. It broke her heart when he passed on and then I was born. I have my father's eyes and my father has his grandfather's eyes."

"How long has it been since you've seen your grandmother?" I asked.

"The last time I was in England. She and my grandfather live in Wales," he explained.

The boat jerked and I stumbled forward. Luca instinctively put his arms around me and I looked up at him. My hair falling in my face. "Are you alright princess," he chuckled, moving my hair back.

Our eyes locked and the color of the fairy lights gave Luca's face a warm glow. He leaned into me blinking slowly as his nose brushed mine. His tongue jutted out as he sucked and bit his bottom lip.

His breath tickled my lips, sending warmth throughout my body as he inched closer to me. His eyes fell on my lips before he looked into my eyes again. His arms went lower around my waist and I felt his fingertips press against my waist. His lips almost brushed mine when my brain quickly registered what was going to happen. I put both my hands on his chest stopping him.

"We can't," I said softly and he looked away from my lips. "You have a girlfriend."

He looked down and then he looked back up at me. "I... we broke up," he whispered.

My eyes widened and I pulled away from him taking a step back in disbelief as I ran a hand through my hair. My back hit the pole in the center of the boat and I just stared at Luca unable to say anything.

"Princess," Luca said taking a step towards me and I shook my head furiously.

I gulped hard a million questions going through my head. Questions I didn't even want the answers to. "Why did you break up?" I asked, knowing the possible answer but hoping I was delirious in thinking such things.

Luca remained silent he just stared at me and then I asked the main question that was bothering me.
"Did you break up with her because of me?" I stuttered and the expression on his face changed before he slowly nodded.

The boat suddenly stopped and from the corner of my eye, I noticed the other couple walk off. I rushed towards the exit of the boat, my heart beating faster with each step I took. I jumped the gap between the pier and the boat with how my adrenaline was pumping.

"Liz," Luca called and I hugged my hoodie around my body. I felt horrible. He was with Allison for five years. They even made a long-distance relationship work and then I ruined it. I ruined someone else's happiness. "Elizabeth," he said more sternly. He ran up to me and whirled me around to face him. "What did you want me to do?" he asked running the back of his hand over the side of my face. "I tried and I suppressed everything I felt for you but there comes a time when the pretending has to stop."

I pushed him away from me. "That's exactly what this is," I told him and he ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at the night sky. "We were just pretending!"

"Oh well you may have been but I stopped after a while and let me say you one hell of a damn actor Elizabeth."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I yelled at him and he dropped his head so that we were eye level.

"Then tell me you didn't feel anything for me, or that every touch meant nothing to you," he grabbed my hand and entwined our fingers. He placed our entwined hands on his chest as he looked at me. "Tell me you didn't listen to my heartbeat every time we danced."

I pulled my hand away from him and turned around as tears began to burn my eyes. Everything he said was true and I felt a pain in the back of my throat. "I didn't," I choked out.

We stood in silence for a while and then I turned to face him. "Very well then," he said and turned around. He began walking to the car and the tears I was trying so hard to hold back fell.

I walked slowly behind him trying to compose myself. I sat in the passenger seat of the car and looked out the car window unable to face Luca. I couldn't believe it.

I knew I didn't make him break up with her or act on the feelings I had but I didn't expect him to reciprocate those feelings when he wanted to be with Allison from the beginning.

He drove us back to the house without offering me a glance. He glared at the road ahead of him and I tried to control myself and not burst out into tears in front of him. He drove through the gates of the house and opened the garage with the remote.

He parked the car in the garage and switched off the ignition. "Liz-" he sighed.

I stared ahead, refusing to look at him because I didn't trust myself not to break down. "When did you two break up?" I asked.

"Yesterday, when I disappeared before Stephanie's wedding."

*********************************************
A/N

Readers: what the fraaak just happened???

Me: *sighs* If you understand can you please explain it to me.

I hope you guys enjoyed chapter 40. Yes, chapter 40!!!!! That's a big milestone for me. I've never written a book with more than 30 chapters.

Didn't think I'd make it this far but you guys proved me wrong. Your support encouraged me to continue writing this story.

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. The next one will be out soon. Don't forget to demolish your star buttons (don't break your phone screen) comment and recommend.

*mic drop.*

PurpleAlien out💜