Chapter 29

A few weeks later

By the glow of the nightlight, Daisy sat on the edge of the rocking chair as she quietly hummed to her baby. Theo fussed in her arms and rubbed his nose with his tiny hands as his mother traced her finger over his face gently.

"Hush little baby, don't say a word," Daisy sang in a soft voice. "Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring..."

As she sang, a movement at the door of the nursery caught Daisy's eyes. She looked up and peered into the darkness to find Luca standing and watching her. At first she could only make out the outline of his figure. But as her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she began to notice his grim face and his bare chest. His dark hair was messy and the sleep in his eyes made him look adorable in a strange and unfamiliar way.

"Sorry," Daisy whispered, adjusting the baby in her arms. "Did we wake you?"

"No," Luca shook his head, pushing himself off the door frame and walking into the room. "And even if you did, you don't have to apologize."

"Why are you up so late?" Daisy asked, seeing the time on the clock over Luca's shoulder.

"I couldn't sleep," Luca let out a deep sigh and rubbed the spot over his heart. He looked around at the dark nursery before grabbing one of the stools and placing it in front of Daisy. "I see he's not sleeping much either."

"No," Daisy looked down at Theo who stared back at her with his big brown eyes.

"Let me hold him?" Luca asked, holding out his arms.

"You might have better luck," Daisy whispered, moving forward and carefully placing Theo into Luca's arms. "He seems to like you more."

"Well, I was the only one he saw right after birth," Luca smiled while rocking Theo and adjusting the blanket he was swaddled in.

"Thank you for that," Daisy said, her eyes glued on Luca.

Her hands itched to push his hair out of his face and touch the light stubble on his jaw. But Daisy dared not. Ever since she had woken up at the hospital after her multiple seizures and other post labor complications, Luca had been distant and strange. He hardly ever spoke to her or stayed in her presence. The only interaction seemed to be around Gia or Theo. She was surprised when he pulled the stool and took a seat.

"Carla and Gia told me you were at the hospital with him," Daisy took in a deep breath, letting it sit in her lungs for a few before settling back down.

"I wasn't going to leave him," Luca said, his eyes still on Theo as if he didn't want to look at Daisy.

"Thank you for staying with me during delivery," Daisy said.

"Mhm," Luca continued to focus on Theo.

"Did you say something?" Daisy asked. She placed her hands under her thighs to keep them from touching her hair nervously. She didn't like how being around Luca suddenly made her feel as if she was in uncharted territory. He felt so strange. The comforting and safe man Daisy knew was nowhere to be seen. If she was being honest with herself, she would say Luca was starting to scare her. He was like a rock. A silent rock.

"The day at the hospital..." Daisy cleared her throat.

Luca's arms stilled as he stopped rocking Theo. he stared at the ground for a few seconds as his jaw worked before he eventually looked up at Daisy. His eyes were hooded and impossible to read. Daisy felt a chill in her bones as their eyes locked and she found herself at the center of his attention for the first time since she came home.

"What do you remember?" Luca asked, shifting in his seat and holding Theo out.

"Not much," Daisy said, reaching out and taking her baby. Her hand touched Luca's and she swore she saw him flinch. When she looked up at him, he looked away and returned to his seat on the stool.

"I vaguely remember Dr. Khan telling me to push and then asking you to catch Theo," Daisy said. "And then holding Theo and hearing him cry."

Luca picked up one of the small stuffed animals off the floor and examined it. Daisy watched him play around with the thing and pick at the small fuzz before he decided to speak.

"What else?" He asked.

"Not much after that," Daisy said. "I know you were next to me. I remember feeling so tired and weak. I was scared I would drop Theo. But I knew you were holding him."

Luca slowly nodded, his eyes glued on the stuffed animal in his hands.

"Did you say something to me?" Daisy asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because..." Daisy shrugged. "I feel like you were talking to me. But I don't really recall..."

Luca sat quietly for a few. Daisy couldn't get a read of him as he rubbed his jaw and then tossed the stuffed animal into the toy bin.

"So?" She asked as Luca rose from his seat. She looked up at him, waiting. Her eyes shone from the yellow glow of the nightlight.

With a small frown on his lips, Luca reached out and carefully grabbed Daisy's chin. He tilted her head back and stared at her eyes. His green gaze looked darker than usual. The muscles in his jaw flexed as he rubbed his thumb over her chin.

"I didn't say anything," Luca said in the darkness. "Must have been your imagination."

_______________________

A few months later

Daisy sat patiently in the waiting area with four other women as they waited for the receptionist to call their name. The fifth one was already inside with the hiring committee. Everyone looked each other up and down to assess their competition. Daisy chewed on the inside of her cheeks. Her heart heated with anxiety because she knew she wasn't fully qualified for the job. The other women talked about their interior design degrees and experiences while Daisy sat quietly with her art degree in hand.

Why did I let Gia talk me into this? Daisy wondered as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

One of the women looked at Daisy once more and flashes her a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes. Daisy's haze narrowed, warning the girl not to try her. She was ready to ask her what she was staring at when the elevator door opened and Luca walked out with his assistant and two other men.

His eyes immediately fell on Daisy. It took her a second to realize he was staring at her since she was so busy glaring at the other woman. But when she did notice his presence, her eyes shifted towards him and she gave him a small smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Silvano," the girl glaring at Daisy earlier, stood up and extended her hand. "My name is Amy Turnbell. I'm interviewing for the position of head of design. I completed my degree from the Uni-"

"Ms. Turnbull, the hiring committee will be with you shortly," Kevin, Luca's assistant, cleared his throat.

"Right," Amy Turnbell laughed, her cheeks turning red before everyone's eyes. "I just wanted to introduce myself."

"The committee will be with you shortly," Luca said politely, his eyes constantly shifting to Daisy. "Please be patient. We'll see you shortly."

"Thank you, Mr. Silvano," Amy tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. Daisy rolled her eyes.

Luca smiled at the girl one last time before heading into his office with the men and Kevin. He didn't bother saying anything to Daisy as she switched her razor sharp glare towards him. As soon as the door shut, Amy took her seat and let out a breath that she seemed to be holding for a while.

"Oh my god," She fanned herself and looked around at the other women. "He's gorgeous. How can people concentrate around here?"

Some of the women around the lobby nodded and giggled in agreement. Daisy looked around at them as if they were all diseased. She huffed and rolled her eyes once more as the conversation about Luca's looks continued around her. A bitterness blossomed in her chest as her mouth twitched and she peered at Amy. If only the girl knew what a headache Luca really was.

"Mrs. Silvano?"

Daisy cursed under her breath as Kevin called to her from Luca's office door. All the women turned to look at her as she shifted her gaze to the man waiting for her response.

"Yes, Kevin?" Daisy flashed him a tight lip smile.

"Mr. Silvano would like to speak with you, ma'am," Kevin said, stepping aside.

"Now?" Daisy arched her brow.

"Yes, ma'am," Kevin nodded.

"Tell him I'm busy," Daisy said.

"Ma'am?"

"I'm busy, Kevin," Daisy looked away. She could feel Kevin staring at her for a few long seconds before he slipped back into the office and closed the door.

Everyone in the waiting room had their eyes glued on Daisy. Amy looked her up and down in a new light with her mouth slightly hung open.

"Are you..." the woman sitting next to Daisy leaned over and whispered. "Are you his wife?"

"What makes you think that?" Daisy asked.

"He called you Mrs. Silvano," Amy chimed in.

"Oh, I see," Daisy laughed. "No, I'm married to his dad. I'm the senior Mrs. Silvano."

"Uh," Amy's jaw hung lower.

Daisy found all their reactions hilarious as she covered her mouth and pushed her laughter down. As she tried to compose herself, the door to Luca's office opened once more and the man himself stepped out.

"Daisy," he called out her name.

"What?" Daisy snapped.

"I asked to speak with you."

"I'm busy," Daisy said.

Luca's eyes narrowed. The muscles in his jaw twitched as he bit down on his molars and stepped forward. Daisy wasn't sure what he was going to do until he stopped before her and grabbed her hand.

"What are you doing?" She demanded as he pulled her to her feet and walked her into his office. "Luca!"

"We'll pick this up tomorrow, gentleman," he said to Kevin and the other two men in his office. "If you'll excuse me, I need to speak to my wife."

The men all nodded and quickly made their way out of the office. Daisy rubbed her wrist and waited until they were alone to turn and face Luca.

"Hi," she smiled widely, mocking Amy Turnbell's sugary voice. "I'm Daisy Clements. I'm interviewing for the position of head of design. I completed my degree from the University of Go Fuck Yourself and I believe in world peace and the American dream and apple pies and the fourth of July."

Luca tilted his head as his brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed. He sat leaned back on the edge of his desk with his arms crossed over his chest and his ankles resting one over the other. Daisy tried not to notice how incredibly long his legs were in his dark suit.

"Why are you staring at me?" She snapped, standing up straight.

"Are you trying to imitate the poor girl outside?" Luca asked.

"Poor girl?" Daisy laughed. "Another second longer and she would have barbecued me with her glare."

"You're top tier competition," Luca said. "But I'm very confused as to what you're doing here in my office."

"I'm here to sing and dance the new company jingle," Daisy rolled her eyes. "Obviously, I'm here to interview for the position of head of design."

"With your degree from the University of Go Fuck Yourself?"

"Yes."

Luca nodded, trying his best to keep his face straight. "If you wanted the position, why didn't you just say so?"

"That wouldn't be right," Daisy said. "I'm not even qualified for the position. Gia talked me into trying just to get some interview practice."

"Do you want the position?"

"Well, yeah," Daisy said. "Theo is with the nanny, whom you so graciously agreed to hire, thank you for that by the way-"

"You're welcome," Luca smiled.

"I figured it's time I start looking for a job," Daisy continued. "I have a degree. I need to use it. I don't want to be your housewife."

"So you want the job?"

"Yes!" Daisy said.

"Okay," Luca said. "It's yours."

"What?" Daisy frowned.

"The job is yours."

"You can't do that."

Luca rolled his eyes as he picked up the phone on his desk and pressed a button. Daisy watched him as he smiled at her with that annoying grin on his face that made every muscle in her body stand on high alert.

"It's me," Luca said into the receiver. "Send all the other applicants home. We're keeping it in-house. My wife's the head of design."

There was a small pause as Daisy gasped. Her eyes widened as she stared at Luca in shock. The grin on his face grew as he listened to his hiring committee.

"Alright," he said. "Send me the paperwork. I'll have her sign it at home tonight."

"You-" Daisy marched up to Luca's desk as he hung up the phone and turned back towards her. "You can't do that! I didn't interview and I'm not really qualified!"

"You're my wife," Luca said.

"That's not a qualification!"

"You decorated our new place," Luca reminded her. "And I really like it. I trust you."

"Luca, this is your business," Daisy said. "You're presenting these buildings and offices to investors and other shareholders. What if I me-"

"I trust you," Luca said once more, catching Daisy's eyes to make sure she heard his words.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," Luca smiled.

"Not even an interview?"

"Do you want to interview?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," Luca took the folder from Daisy's hand and began to flip through the papers inside. "Why do you want to work for me, Mrs. Silvano?"

"Well, I-"

"You?"

Daisy's eyes narrowed, "I'm-"

"You're?"

"Luca!"

"Daisy!"

"You-"

"Me?"

"Stop!"

"Why?"

"Because-"

"Go on."

Daisy groaned, "Will you stop! You're like a child!"

"Don't yell," Luca laughed. "People around here won't take me seriously if they hear my wife yelling at me."

"I was hoping to use my own surname."

"Why?"

"Because you shouldn't mix business with pleasure."

"Pleasure?" Luca arched his brow.

"Not like that," Daisy stopped him. "I don't like how people treat me when they hear your last name."

"But you are a Silvano now," Luca reminded her. "That name has weight."

"And lots of added complications."

"You have no idea," Luca laughed, shaking his head. "But there's a reason I worked so hard to keep the name for us. Gia, you, Theo....I did it all for you guys. Use the name."   

Get ready for a longer time jump!