Chapter 50: New Adventures in Old Habits

It was a sunny Saturday when Antonio decided they’d go grocery shopping as a family. Luca was already in his car seat, excitedly chattering about all the snacks he hoped to sneak into the cart. Isabella looked surprised but delighted by the idea.

“You know you could have one of your men do this, right?” she said with a smile as they buckled in.

“I know,” Antonio replied, keeping his eyes on the road but smiling softly. “But I thought it might be... nice to do something together. Besides, you seem to enjoy these little tasks.”

She laughed, a sound that filled the car with warmth. “Yes, I suppose I do.”

When they arrived, Antonio pushed the cart while Luca happily perched inside, chattering to Isabella about what he wanted for dinner. Antonio was used to standing in luxury stores and conducting million-dollar deals, but as they entered the grocery store, he felt an odd sense of... unfamiliarity. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d walked through one.

As they started down the aisles, Isabella picked out items with ease, placing them gently into the cart while Luca leaned forward, pointing at colorful boxes and packages. Antonio couldn’t help but observe her, watching the way she seemed so at home in this environment, handling each item with familiarity and care.

At one point, Isabella turned to him, smiling in amusement. “Have you ever bought anything yourself before?”

Antonio’s expression shifted slightly, a mix of awkwardness and a bit of humor. “I recently bought an airline,” he said, feigning seriousness.

She laughed, her laughter bright and genuine, earning a few glances from passersby. “I meant from a grocery store, Mr. CEO.”

He raised an eyebrow, his face a picture of mock innocence. “No, can’t say that I have. I usually have... well, people who handle that for me.”

Isabella shook her head, still chuckling, as she placed a bag of pasta into the cart. “Well, now you’re learning.”

As they moved down the next aisle, Antonio started to notice the looks Isabella was receiving from other men in the store. The way their gazes lingered, their eyes taking in her gentle smile and graceful presence, stirred something protective within him. He knew those glances all too well, and they were far from innocent.

Without thinking, he reached over, putting a gentle hand on her waist as he leaned down, his voice a low murmur close to her ear. “Bellissima, will you hand me that jar?”

The Italian pet name slipped out naturally, but it had the desired effect. Isabella turned, a blush coloring her cheeks, and glanced up at him with surprised eyes. The men nearby quickly looked away, sensing his presence and the possessive, unspoken message in his gaze.

Isabella handed him the jar of tomato sauce, her smile softening as she saw the glint in his eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, amusement dancing in her voice. “I see what you did there.”

He straightened up, smiling as he placed the jar in the cart. “Just making sure everyone knows you’re mine.”

Isabella couldn’t help but laugh at his tone, even as her heart fluttered. In her old life, she had never imagined feeling so... claimed, yet treasured, in such an ordinary setting. It was as if every little moment with Antonio had become a new world she was discovering.

They continued down the aisles, gathering fresh vegetables, cheeses, and a few treats for Luca, who remained blissfully unaware of the silent exchanges between his parents. Every now and then, Antonio would give Isabella another affectionate Italian pet name, just loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.

Finally, at the checkout, Antonio fumbled awkwardly with the process. Isabella, seeing his hesitation, gently took over, guiding him through each step as if he were learning a foreign language. By the time they’d loaded the groceries into the car, Antonio had developed a new appreciation for the mundane tasks she carried out every day.

As they drove back home, Luca was happily munching on a small bag of snacks they’d picked up, while Isabella sat in the front, her expression one of quiet contentment. Antonio glanced over at her, feeling the weight of everything he had come to cherish about these moments, no matter how small they seemed.

“I could get used to this,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of the car’s hum.

Isabella turned to him, her gaze warm and understanding, as if she too felt the simple joy of being together as a family. “So could I,” she replied, her hand reaching out to rest on his arm, her touch soft yet grounding.

In that single, ordinary day, Antonio found something he hadn’t expected—contentment, the quiet peace of being with the people he loved, a feeling as strong as any thrill he’d felt in his life. As they pulled into the driveway, he knew he would remember this day as one of those moments that began to reshape his world.