Chapter 13

Two years ago 

"Do you smoke?" The nurse asked as she typed away at the doctor's desk.

"No," Daisy said from where she sat on the examination table.

"Do you drink?"

"Socially."

"And family history of high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes?"

No, No, and no," Daisy said.

"Okay, great. I'll leave this here for the doctors and she can come in to let you know your results."

"Thank you," Daisy tugged on the sleeves of her shirt and nodded.

Her head was beginning to hurt. She suspected it had something to do with all the overthinking she was doing regarding Luca. Every time she thought of him, her belly clenched and she felt an electric pulse run up her spine to warm her cheeks. She couldn't stop thinking about the way his mouth had felt on her skin. Warm, wet, and hungry. His hands held her so tight Daisy had feared he would rip the shirt right off of her. Maybe he wanted to. Maybe she wanted him to.

As Daisy sat replaying the moment over in her head for the hundredth time, her phone buzzed in her palms. She looked down and her heart lodged into her throat.

Luca.

Again.

He had been calling nonstop for the past hour. Daisy didn't know if she wanted to talk to him or if was ready to talk to him without saying something stupid. She ignored the calls several times but her heart still clenched whenever she saw his name pop up on her screen. Feeling like she couldn't breathe, Daisy accepted the call and brought the phone to her ear.

"What?" She asked, her words coming out weaker than she had intended to. "What do you want?"

"Do you have any idea how many times I have called you in the past hour?" Luca asked, his voice controlled yet still slipping on the anger.

"If you called to yell at me then I'm hanging up ri-"

"Don't," Luca said sternly. "Listen to me."

"What?" Daisy asked.

"Gia's in the hospital."

Daisy sat up straight as her heart dropped to her stomach, "What do you mean? Why?"

"She overheated and had a severe anxiety attack," Luca said. The hint of panic in his voice caused Daisy to grip her phone tightly in her hand and slide off the examination table. "She's asking for you."

"I'm on my way," Daisy said.

"Stay where you are," Luca ordered. "I'll come pick you up."

"No," Daisy shook her head, grabbing her bag off the chair and rushing out of the room.

"Listen to m-"

"It's going to take too long," Daisy said. "I'll just meet you at the hospital."

"It's about to storm outside."

"I'll be fine," Daisy snapped. "Just text me the hospital information."

"Fine," Luca said. Daisy could picture the scowl on his face.

"I'm on my way," Daisy said once more before hanging up the phone and walking up to the nurse in the hall. "Hi, I'm so sorry. But there's a family emergency. I can't stay."

"But your results aren't ready yet," the nurse checked her watch.

"Is there any way you can email them to me or something?" Daisy asked. "I can even come by another day."

"The doctor can give you a call later on today."

"That would be perfect!" Daisy said. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

Daisy swung her purse onto her shoulder and rushed out of the doctor's office. She impatiently pressed the elevator buttons as she scrolled through her call list to find Daniel's number. Once the elevator arrived, she stepped inside and hit the call button. With each passing ring of the call, Daisy grew more and more angry. When she got to the lobby and the call went to voicemail, Daisy hung up and dialed again.

"I said I'll call you when I find it," Daniel said, answering the call on the third ring. "Stop calling me every five mi-"

"Listen, you cunt," Daisy hissed in anger. "Gia's in the hospital."

"What?" Daniel asked. Daisy liked the level of panic and concern she sensed in his voice for Gia. But she would never tell anyone that.

"Gia is in the hospital," Daisy said once again. "I'm on my way to go see her and I know as soon as I see her, her brother is going to ask about the flash drive. So if you could go look inside your ca-"

"Why is she in the hospital?" Daniel asked. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Daisy lied to let him sweat a bit more. "Just find the flash dri-"

"Which hospital is she in?" Daniel demanded.

"I'll tell you when you send me news of the flash drive," Daisy said.

"Are you trying to bargain for information?" Daniel asked in disbelief. "Tell me where the fuck she is!"

Damn, Daisy pulled back from her phone to look at the screen. Gia got you whipped, huh? That's my girl.

"Listen, you idiot," Daisy growled, bringing the phone back. "She's probably in the hospital because of what happened last night and now the missing flash drive. Get your ass to the car and look for it. If you don't have it then we need to figure out where she lost it."

"Luca doesn't know she was with me," Daniel said.

"He's suspicious," Daisy clicked her tongue. "Just go find the damn thing."

Before Daniel could answer, Daisy hung up the phone and quickly typed up a long text with directions on it for him. She asked him to meet her at the hospital's parking lot with the flash drive. If he didn't show up, she would assume he didn't have it and that would open up a new set of problems.

The sky overhead rumbled with warning of the coming storm as Daisy rushed through the busy streets of ChinaTown and headed towards the subway. She ran down the stairs and barely made the train as little droplets of water began to rain down from the skies. Her heart was in her throat once again and the nauseous feeling was back. There was a strange metallic taste in the back of her throat that she couldn't seem to get rid of. Feeling exhausted, Daisy sank down into one of the empty seats and pulled her back over her belly for comfort. She hugged it tight as the train brought her closer and closer to the hospital.

As soon as she arrived at the hospital's station, Daisy pulled herself up and checked her phone. She was relieved to find a message from Daniel saying he had found the flash drive. She sighed as she pushed her hair out of her face and climbed the stairs to the street.

Stopping by the corner store to buy the largest bottle of water she could find, Daisy gulped down half the water before making her way towards the parking lot where Daniel instructed her to meet. She sat down on the ledge and continued drinking the water as his car arrived moments later.

"Thanks," Daisy said, grabbing the flash drive as Daniel handed it out through the window. When she noticed him putting the car in park and reaching for the door, she quickly spoke up. "You need to stay away."

Daniel looked up, not liking her words one bit.

"Luca flew in this morning," Daisy informed him. "He's with her right now."

"Is she okay?" Daniel asked, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

"She will be if you stay away," Daisy said sternly. "You're not good for her and I know you know that."

The muscles in Daniel's jaw clenched as he listened to Daisy's words. She could see him fighting with himself to not get out of the car and run upstairs to where Gia was. When he finally drove off in the rain, Daisy sighed and ran into the hospital.

With the flash drive in her hand, Daisy marched up to Gia's room and walked inside. She stopped immediately as she spotted her best friend on the bed wearing those hideous hospital gowns. Her glossy brown hair was messy and lifeless against the flat pillow and the angry red bumps on her skin made Daisy's arms and body itch. She took a step closer to the bed and stared down at Gia with a deep frown on her face. From the corner of her eyes, she watched Luca rise from his chair and clear his throat.

"What did you do to her?" Daisy asked, her eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?" Luca's eyes matched her tiredness.

"She was fine when she left my apartment," Daisy said. "What did you do to cause this?"

"I didn't cause this," Luca said. "She overheated too quickly."

"She does that when she's overwhelmed," Daisy cut him off. "This is your fault. Here's your damn flash drive. Obviously it means more to you than your sister's well being."

Luca caught the small silver object as Daisy tossed it towards him. She stepped around the bed and walked past him to Gia's side. Luca watched her with anger as she took Gia's hand and brushed back some of the girl's hair.

"G?" Daisy whispered gently.

Luca wanted to tell Daisy to leave his sister alone. She shouldn't be waking her up. But when he remembered the way Gia cried for Daisy in the car, he stopped himself from pulling Daisy away.

Gia's eyes slowly fluttered as if she was waking up from a deep slumber. Daisy and Luca stepped closer as she looked around with a deep frown on her face.

"Hey," Daisy smiled sweetly. "How you feelin'?"

Gia's frown deepened. She tried to push herself up to her elbows but her hand caught on the IV she was hooked up to. She hissed in pain, shutting her eyes and falling back against her pillow.

"Be careful," Luca said as he leaned over to help just as Daisy grabbed Gia. His hand fell over Daisy's and they both looked up at one another.

"I want some water," Gia whispered, her voice sore.

"Can you sit up?" Daisy asked.

Gia nodded. Daisy helped her lean back against the pillows as Luca waited with a cup of water with a crazy straw in it. Daisy stared at the straw for a few seconds before looking up at Luca.

"Carla thought you might like it," he said. "Remember when you got your tonsils removed?"

Daisy held back a small smile. She didn't know why her heart suddenly contracted and the back of her eyes began to burn. Seeing Luca hesitate with the crazy straw and speaking to Gia as if he was a real person with human emotions made Daisy's chest swell up.

"I'm not six anymore," Gia said bitterly as she pulled the straw out and handed it to Daisy.

"Do you want anything else?" Daisy asked, quickly putting the straw in her back pocket. "Soup? Did you have lunch yet?"

Gia shook her head. She handed Daisy the empty glass and pulled the blanket into her lap, "It's cold in here."

"That's good," Daisy said. "We don't want you to cook like a turkey."

"Did you find the flash drive?" Gia looked up at Daisy.

"I did," Daisy said, her angry eyes fluttering up towards Luca. "It was in the Uber. Right where you said it would be."

Gia nodded once more. She slowly turned towards Luca and spoke to him directly for the first time, "You can probably still get to your meeting."

"No," Luca disagreed. "I'm not leaving you here al-"

"I don't want you here," Gia said, surprising both Luca and Daisy.

"Gia, I know you're upset with me," Luca began slowly. "But I'm not goin-"

"Daisy," Gia turned away from her brother and pulled the blanket up. "Tell him to leave."

"This is ridiculous," Luca's brows furrowed. "I understand you're ma-"

"I don't think you do," Daisy said slowly as shook her head. "Look, I don't know what happened but clearly she wants some space from you right now. The least you can do is give her some space."

Luca wanted to argue with the stubborn girl before him. He disliked her presence in their lives so much that it made him mad beyond reason sometimes. Who was this reckless girl with no filter or any ounce of responsibility? A total train wreck his sister seemed to be obsessed with.

And her obsession was becoming contagious. Luca was angry with himself for how he had behaved with Daisy earlier in the day. He was not raised to sneak around with someone else's girl. He could still see the hickey he left on her neck despite the effort she made with the concealer. It was a constant reminder that he was getting in the way of two people who made the conscious decision to be in a relationship with one another. It didn't matter how he felt about her. Daisy had been right when she told him she wasn't going to give up on her relationship with Eric if Luca couldn't even admit to himself how he felt about her.

But why did nothing make sense when she was in front of him?

Why did he not care about the unspoken rules of keeping his hands to himself? Why did he not care that she was seeing someone else? Why did he not care that he could never give Daisy what she wanted from him?

Why couldn't he shake off the feeling that he should pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless? Like nothing else in the world mattered because she was supposed to be his.

As Daisy continued to stare at Luca with those addicting eyes, Gia pulled her hands over her ears and whimpered.

"If you're going to argue, please leave," she said.

"Yes, please leave," Daisy said to Luca.

"You too," Gia spoke up. "I love you but I really don't want to be around any of you right now if you're going to fight."

"G," the arrogant look in Daisy's eyes fell as she looked down at her friend. Luca snorted as she realized she got the boot too.

"I want to be left alone," Gia said once more. "Leave....please."

Daisy pulled back. She couldn't take her eyes off of Gia as the girl hid under the blanket and pulled the pillow over her head. She stood around staring for a long moment before her eyes lifted towards Luca.

Once again Luca found himself wanting to comfort her. He rarely got to see those sharp knives like eyes soften to that degree. Luca held himself back from pulling Daisy to his side and kissing her cheeks until the frown on her face turned upside down.

"I'll call you later," Gia's voice was muffled from under the sheets.

Daisy nodded before slowly walking to the door. Her hands played with the straps of her bag nervously. Her heart was the size of a green pea as Luca followed her out the room, his eyes locked on the back of her head. He closed the door behind himself as Daisy turned to face the door.

"Will she be okay all by herself?" She asked, watching Gia through the small glass panel on the door.

"Manny is downstairs," Luca said. "I'll have him sit outside her door."

"She needs family with her right now," Daisy rolled her eyes. "Not some monotone flying monkey her brother keeps around."

"You heard what she said," Luca scowled even though he found her worries for Gia endearing. "And weren't you just giving me a grand lecture about not overwhelming her and giving her space?"

"That lecture doesn't apply to me," Daisy said.

"Apparently it does," Luca pulled out his phone and quickly texted Manny to come upstairs. "Come on."

Daisy arched her brow and looked over her shoulder to see who he was talking to.

"Do you want a ride home?" Luca asked, putting his phone away.

Please say yes, Luca thought in his head.

"No, thank you," Daisy declined.

Luca didn't reply. He knew she was going to be difficult. There was no surprise there. He was just happy she didn't storm off and leave him standing alone in the hospital.

They waited around quietly for Manny to make his way upstairs before silently walking to the elevator and riding down to the lobby of the hospital. As they both neared the sliding doors, a gust of wind blew into the lobby with cold harsh rain. Daisy crushed under her breath as Luca held up a hand to cover his eyes.

"Which way are you going?" Daisy turned towards Luca once the doors closed.

"Downtown," Luca said.

"Shit," Daisy looked back at the rainstorm. "Never mind. I'll take the train."

"Don't be ridiculous," Luca shook his head. "My car is in the parking lot. Wait here."

But of course, Daisy didn't listen. She followed Luca out into the rain despite him asking her to stay in the lobby. Luca stared at her in confusion and frustration as she pushed her wet hair out of her face and marched on ahead towards the parking lot.

"Are you always this problematic?" Luca asked as he yanked the passenger door open for her.

"Only with people I can't stand," Daisy said.

"Oh, lucky me," Luca rolled his eyes as he walked around to the driver's side and quickly got into the car. He was instantly greeted by the scent of rain and Daisy's perfume. It made him feel lighter as he took a second to fill his lungs.

"She's going to be fine, right?" Daisy pulled on her sleeves and used them to wipe off the water on her face.

"Doctors said we can bring her home in a day or two," Luca announced.

"What caused this?"

"I did," Luca admitted to himself and to her.

"I know that part," Daisy huffed. "But what did you do?"

"Why are you putting your nose into matters that do not involve you?" Luca asked. "That's not being very polite. Did no one ever tell you to mind your own business?"

"She's my best friend!" Daisy protested.

"And my sister," Luca pointed out. "You are not our family. Keep out of it, please."

"I don't really care about you or your family," Daisy said. "All I care about is Gia and her well being. She's sensitive and emotional and sometimes I feel like you forget that. Especially your father."

"Do not talk about my father," Luca's voice hardened.

He didn't like the way the guilt bubbled up inside of himself. Angelo was cruel and heartless. Luca hated the man for the years of torment he had caused his mother. The memories of his mother crying as she iced her twisted ankle or bruised ribs would forever haunt Luca's memory.

He remembered telling his mother she should run away and get married to someone else when he was younger. Gianna had slapped him across the face and told him Angelo was a good father and that Luca should always respect him. Gianna always tried to hide Angelo's demons from his son. Luca couldn't never understand why she would do such a thing for a man like Angelo. He was torn between the father Gianna made Angelo out to be and the husband from hell he really was.

Gia had been right. Luca never stopped their dad whenever he had hurt Gia. He had failed to protect her and only now was he seeing how greatly Gia had been hurt by his actions. Luca should have known better. He had seen what Angelo did to his mother. Letting his fears get in the way caused Gia so much harm. He could never forgive himself for that. She needed to be safe and Luca failed. Just like he had failed to keep Stella safe or protect his mother.

"You know nothing about our family or about our father," Luca said sternly to Daisy as he looked at her. "You don't even know your own father."

Daisy immediately flinched from Luca's words. She didn't mean to gasp as his eyes widened slightly when he realized what he had just said.

The silence in the car was frightening. Luca couldn't breath as he watched Daisy's eyes water. By some twisted irony, he suddenly felt like his father. And Daisy was Gianna...sitting wide eyed in the car, too shocked by his words to move or to think.

But Luca couldn't be more wrong.

Daisy was nothing like Gianna.

The tears in her eyes evaporated from the heat in her stare. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth twitched with anger.

"Fuck you, you asshole," She said, grabbed her purse and pushed the door open.

"Daisy-" Luca jumped forward, trying to stop her as she jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut with all her might.

Daisy turned towards the parking lot exit and marched off. Within the seconds it took Luca to get out of the car, she was nothing but a hazy figure in the pouring rain as she disappeared around the corner.

"Daisy!" Luca called as he shut the door and ran after her.

The heavy rain fell like stones from the clouds. Luca was drenched in seconds. He pushed his hair back and out of his face as he spotted Daisy running past the parking lot of the hospital with her arms tightly wrapped around herself and her clothes sticking to her like his shirt was.

"Daisy!" Luca called again. "Stop!"

Thunder struck across the sky as if to answer for her. The storm was worsening by the minute as water rushed past their feet and over their shoes. There was no one in the streets as Luca ran up and caught Daisy's arm.

"I'm sorry," he said, swinging her around to face him. "I'm so sorry."

"Fuck you!" Daisy shoved. Her eyes were red and her tears mixed with the rainwater.

"I'm so sorry," Luca said again, grabbing her arms and pulling her closer.

"I don't want to hear it," Daisy placed her hands over his chest and pushed away.

"No, no," Luca pulled her back. "Listen to me. Listen."

"Luca, let go of m-"

Luca didn't think. He pushed his hand to the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. He kissed her to get her to stop fighting him and he will keep telling himself that. But he knew why he was kissing her.

He knew why he shuddered at the taste of her lips against his. He knew why when she gasped and gripped his shirt, he kissed her harder. He knew why when she parted her mouth and let his tongue slip inside, his hand gripped her hair to hold onto reality.

Luca crushed Daisy to his mouth like his life depended on it. He sucked on her lips and drank up all the rainwater as her breathing labored and she looped her arm around his neck. He scooped down and picked her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled herself closer. Their wet clothes clung to their bodies and to each other as Luca pushed Daisy's damp hair out of her face and held her mouth steady to his.

An ear shattering and ground shaking thunder struck the sky, followed by lightning warnings of another approaching soon. Daisy and Luca pulled apart to catch their breath as the wind picked up and the trees on the sidewalk began to wipe back and forth. Their forehead rested against one another as Daisy slid off of Luca's and landed on her feet in a puddle of rainwater.

"I'm driving you home," Luca said.

Daisy nodded as he took her hand and turned towards the dark parking lot. She began to shiver as her free hand raised to touch her swollen lips. They left a trail of water as Luca held the passenger door for her and waited until she climbed in to walk around to the other side.

More thunder boomed overhead as Luca shut his door and placed his trembling hands on the steering wheel. They sat staring straight ahead at the gray concrete wall and listening to each other breathing. The water from Daisy's hair traveled down her neck and in between her breasts as she darted her tongue out to wet her lips. She slowly turned to look at Luca, her heart beating out of her chest. Sensing her eyes, Luca turned towards her in the darkness of the car.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Daisy shook her head, "I'm wet."

A grin the side of a comet broke across Luca's face. He unbuckled Daisy's seatbelt and grabbed her arm as he pushed his own seat back and pulled her onto his lap. Daisy's hands fell against Luca's chest as he raised up to capture her lips once more.

Luca couldn't get enough of how incredible Daisy felt against his body. She was soft in all the right places his hands wandered to. Her hips slid over his crotch, earning a hiss from his mouth as he bit down on her lip and grabbed her ass.

With their wet clothes between them, it felt as if they barely wore anything. Luca let his mouth travel down Daisy's neck as his hands pushed up her shirt. He grew harder at the sight of her full breasts in her black bra. He palmed them as Daisy began to move her hips back and forth, seeking pleasure from the bulge in his pants.

Grabbing her hair, Luca pulled her head back until Daisy's neck was exposed. He left a trail of wet and sloppy kisses along her skin before returning to her lips. He couldn't get enough of how she tasted. He wanted more. He craved more. And that was all brand new to Luca.

Since Stella, Luca had never looked at or been with another woman. He couldn't even think about being with someone who wasn't her. They had promised to wait for one another until marriage and Luca wasn't one to break promises. Anyone's touch besides Stella's was like poison to him. He was content with taking care of himself after Stella died. He didn't need anyone else. He didn't want anyone else.

But that was all before he met Daisy...

Luca pushed his hand under Daisy's bra as his other hand unhooked the back. He tossed the garment aside as she fell back against him after giving him room to explore. Her cold hands raked up and down his chest as she pulled off all the buttons on his shirt one by one. Luca let Daisy's hands wander as she lowered her mouth and kissed his chest and then his hard stomach. With one hand, she unbuckled his belt while the other hand slipped inside to grab his length. Luca watched as Daisy gasped and her eyes widened from his size.

The tips of her cheeks darkened as Daisy wrapped her hand around Luca's cock and realized her fingers barely touched. She took in a deep breath to steady herself as she began to move her hand up and down, feeling his muscles flex under her touch. He pushed his hips up to press against her arch between her legs, needing her more than he should. Daisy pulled her hand back and moved them to the buttons on her jeans. She began to undo them as Luca grabbed her hands and stopped her.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"You know what I'm doing," Daisy said.

Luca swallowed the groan as she rocked her hips against him. He pulled her mouth to his and let their tongues slide over one another before pulling back and pinning Daisy's hands to her side.

"Not in a car," Luca said, shaking his head. "You deserve more than that."

"Why does it matter?" Daisy couldn't think past the haze in her mind. "Just....touch me, please."

"I will, baby," Luca finished the rest of the buttons on her jeans and pushed his hand inside.

He chuckled as he realized how wet she really was. He used his two fingers to part her folds as she dripped onto his knuckles. She was warm and slippery, her pussy ready for whatever Luca wanted to do. With each stroke of his hand, Luca watched Daisy's mouth widen in pleasure. She whimpered, looking him directly in the eyes to let him see what he was doing to her. When she fell back against the steering wheel of the car and her back arched up, Luca darted his tongue out and licked her stomach from the buttons of her jeans all the way up to the base of her throat.

"The back seat is fine," Daisy said, sitting back up and resting her head against Luca's shoulder.

Luca chuckled, "No."

"If you're not gong to fuck me, then stop touching me, Luca," Daisy spoke into his ear as she sucked on his ear lobe and his nails dug into her ass.

"I love hearing you say my name," Luca moved his fingers inside of Daisy and began to rub her with his thumb.

"Luca," Daisy gasped, breathlessly. "Luca....."

"Say it again," Luca kissed her to keep her quiet as the car began to rock.

"Luca!" Daisy panted. "Luca, Luca, Luca!"

"Again," Luca pressed his thumb down and Daisy's tights tightened around his hands.

"Luca!" Daisy screamed into his mouth.

Her hands gripped his hair as she rocked her hips on his hands and fingers. Luca let her do whatever she wanted as she screamed his name some more and told him she was seconds from cumming.

"Do it," Luca said. "On my hand. Now."

Daisy's legs tensed and her stomach clenched. She began to see stars as her body exploded and she yelled out Luca's name. He swallowed her sounds as he held her head to his mouth and pressed her lips to his as if he could melt them into one.

As Daisy's body and mind began to return to Earth, Luca pulled his hands out and kissed her with a tenderness that made Daisy's eyes suddenly water.

"What's wrong?" He asked in alarm as Daisy began to sob. "Baby, hey, hey. What's wrong?"

Daisy shook her head and covered her face with her hands. She could feel Luca's heart breathing wildly beneath her as she laid against his chest in the warmth of his embrace.

"Daisy," Luca tried to pull her hands back to look at her face. "Amore, are you hurt?"

Daisy shook her head, "No."

"Then what's wrong?" Luca asked, his panic rising.

"I don't know," Daisy said, her tears covering her face. "I'm angry with you."

"For what I said?" Luca's heart began to beat faster under Daisy's touch. "I'm so sorry, mio fiore."

"God, you sound so hot when you speak Italian," Daisy sobbed, making Luca chuckle.

"Smettila di piangere amore mio," (Stop crying, my love) Luca said, kissing the side of her head.

"Non dirmi cosa fare," (Don't tell me what to do) Daisy snapped, pushing at Luca's chest.

Luca's eyes widened as he grabbed Daisy's wrist and ducked his head to look at her, "You speak Italian?"

"Si..." Daisy nodded. "Ma molto poco." (Yes, but very little) 

"Molto poco," Luca laughed, bringing her hand closer to kiss her fingers. "La mia bella ragazza." (Very little.......my beautiful girl) 

"Can you take me home now?" Daisy asked. "I don't like wearing wet jeans."

"I can't really drive with you on my lap, sunshine," Luca said.

Daisy laughed as she wiped her face and climbed back into her seat. She picked up her bra off the floor and put it back on as Luca redid the hook on the back and then slipped his shirt back on. Daisy helped him with the buttons before he ran a hand through his messy hair and started the engine.

They pulled out of the parking garage and entered the empty road in the downpour. Luca turned the heat on to make Daisy comfortable as she pulled out her water bottle and began to chug all the water. He watched her from the corner of his eyes as he held her hand and drove with one hand.

"Can you please tell me why you were crying?" Luca asked as she finished her water.

Daisies hook her head, "I don't know."

"Does that happen often?"

"Only the past few weeks."

"Have you been sleeping enough?"

"I think so?"

"Are you eating on time?"

"Probably not."

"Why?"

"I don't want to," Daisy said. "I don't have an appetite."

"But you have to eat."

"Luca!" Daisy sucked her teeth. "Stop. It's cute when you do this to Gia. But not with me."

"Cute?" Luca arched his brow.

"Yes," Daisy leaned her head back and looked at the man beside her. "Cute. Very cute."

"I thought I annoyed you."

"You do," Daisy said. "But most of the time I find you absolutely irresistible."

"Good to know," Luca laughed.

"You can drop me off here, by the curve," Daisy pointed as they approached her building.

"Are you going to invite me upstairs?" Luca asked, parking the car.

"Depends," Daisy said. "Are you going to cum upstairs?"

"Well....." Luca pretended to think. "It's not the car."

Daisy dropped his hand and pushed him playfully as she giggled. She could feel her cheeks warm as Luca grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles once again.

"I'm going upstairs," she said. "If you want t-"

Luca looked up as Daisy stilled beside him and gasped. The warm blush on her face drained instantly as she stared at the figure standing in the lobby of the building looking directly at them.

"Oh my god," Daisy's hand trembled as she brought it up to her mouth in disbelief.

Luca watched reality sink into her thoughts as they both began to see past the rain and come face to face with what they had just done.

Eric glared back at Daisy from the lobby as he waited for her to get out of the car. Daisy felt her knees grow weak and her stomach churn.

"Luca..." she looked at the person sitting beside her.

Luca turned his head and stared at Daisy. His thoughts raced as he watched her and the tears at the corner of her eyes.

It wasn't just Daisy who was suddenly facing her actions. Luca felt his chest tighten as thoughts of Stella came pouring into his mind as if he had somehow successfully managed to lock all that way. The icy guilt that always came with her memories froze Luca as Daisy turned towards him.

"He knows..." Daisy said, her face pale and her voice a whisper.

Luca stayed silent. He stared at Eric, feeling like he was back in Del mare sitting in the car with Stella as she told him she didn't love him. Somehow Eric didn't look as broken as Luca had felt.

"Tell me not to go," Daisy said.

Luca tore his eyes away from Eric and looked at Daisy.

"Tell me not to go to him," Daisy said once more.

Luca couldn't speak. He was frozen by the guilt he felt over Stella. He sat staring at Daisy as her face crumbled and she began to panic.

"Luca!" Daisy grabbed his hand and shook him. "Tell me not to go!"

Luca stared. His jaw clenched as Daisy's fingers gripped his arm desperately.

"If I walk out of this car right now, that's it," she said. Her eyes watering as Luca looked down at her hand on his arm. "Say something!"

Outside, Eric stepped out of the lobby and into the pouring rain. He stopped in front of the car and stared directly at Daisy as she waited for Luca to speak.

"Daisy," Eric called to her.

"Luca?" Daisy's panic rose. "Please...tell me not to go."

"Daisy," Eric called again.

"Luca...." Daisy's voice was barely a whisper. She felt all the strength leave her body as she realized he wasn't going to stop her.

She was a fool. A great fool for thinking a man wouldn't disappoint her....again.

Pulling her hand back, Daisy pushed open the car door and climbed out. Her head spun as she stepped onto the sidewalk and let the door close as Eric walked up to her in rage.

"What the fuck?" He yelled. "What the actual fuck is wrong with you?"

Daisy couldn't pay attention to anything Eric was saying or asking. She was still watching Luca as he put the car in drive and drove away, leaving her standing in the rain.

"I knew there was something going on!" Eric yelled as Daisy turned and headed into the lobby. The doorman looked up with concern as Eric followed Daisy onto the elevator cursing up a storm.

"Will you say something?" Eric yelled. "What the hell were you doing with him?"

Daisy unlocked their apartment door and stepped inside.

"Why was he kissing your hand?" Eric followed her around. "Say something, damn it! Speak! What the fuck? Is this what you do when I leave? You go around cheating on me?"

Daisy heard the landline ringing in the kitchen and she turned towards it. Eric was baffled by her silence as he followed her, watching what she did.

"Hello," Daisy cleared her throat as she picked up the phone.

"Hi, is this Daisy Clements?"

"Yes," Daisy said. "Who's this?"

"Hi, Daisy. This is Dr. Shi. I have your results. Is now a good time?"

"Yes," Daisy nodded.

"Okay, good," Dr. Shi said. "Well, we ran a bunch of different tests and only one test came back positive."

"Which one?" Daisy asked, her mind barely focusing on the conversation.

"The pregnancy test," Dr. Shi said. "You're pregnant."   

Damn he fucked up.... :/