I clearly remember mentioning about it but still some people have forgotten. So let me announce it once more: Kian's Book Is Next.

Of course he is getting a book, I wouldn't have added a glimpse of his character and especially that 'soft toy' if he didn't have a story. His will be an arranged marriage one.
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ARMANO

"Your parents are not home at the moment." The security guard at the main gate told me.

What the fuck? I came all the way over here to talk to Dad and he's not home.

Maybe I should have called him first.

I dialled his number anyway and he picked up on the third ring. "Yes?"

"When will you be home?" I asked.

"An hour I guess. Why?"

"I need to talk to you about something. Well, I am going to wait at Uncle Silvio's."

"Okay."

Hanging up the call, I went over to Uncle's house and thankfully they were at home and I rang the bell.

Aunty opened the door a couple of seconds later, smiling when she saw me. "Armano!"

"Hey, aunty." I smiled back at her and went inside.

Uncle was walking down the stairs and he spoke on seeing me, "What are you doing here?"

It was fair to say he was still kinda pissed about the last time where I took so much of Aunty's time.

"Silvio", Aunty scolded him. "Be nice."

"I am nice." He rolled his eyes, coming to stand by her side.

"Yes, very nice", I said sarcastically.

"Anyway", I said, "I came to meet Dad but he is not home at the moment so I am going to wait here for him." Then I grinned at Uncle. "You don't mind, right?"

"I mind it very much", he replied, narrowing his eyes at me.

I chuckled when Aunty smacked him hard on the chest, glaring at him.

"You didn't bring Mea along?" She asked me, ignoring how Uncle stared at her.

"Nope. She is having a beauty salon day or something like that with Ada and Lenore. Plus, I wanted to talk to Dad alone."

"Oh, okay. Now that you are here, have lunch with us. I am making lasagna."

Aunty's lasagna were the best. She was the best cook among everyone in the family.

"He is not hungry", Uncle answered for me.

"In fact, I am very hungry. I will wait." I smiled at her sweetly.

Then just to fuck with Uncle, I leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks for inviting me."

She patted me on the arm, smiling and then turned to glare at Uncle when he growled at me.

Before leaving for the kitchen, she pulled him down by clutching the front of his t-shirt and kissed his lips. "Be nice, okay?"

His eyes softened and he nodded like a puppy, licking his lips.

I had to stifle my smile as he turned to me, his cheeks were flushed and without a word, he went into the living room and sat down on the couch.

I followed after him and took a seat beside him as he got busy with his phone.

I checked the time and waited for Dad to come home so that I could talk to him about my decision to make Kian the leader.

He will support me, that I know but I still felt slightly nervous to have this conversation.

I tapped my feet impatiently against the floor, fiddling with my fingers.

"Why are you nervous?" Uncle asked suddenly.

"Huh?"

"You are nervous." He pointed out. "What is it?"

"I just want to talk to Dad about something..."

"And you can't talk to me about it?"

I sighed, running my hand through the hair. "I suppose I can..."

He might be possessive over Aunty but he did love me, I knew it.

"I am giving up my position." I told him.

"Sorry?" He frowned in confusion.

"I don't wanna be a leader anymore. I can't handle this."

"Who the fuck said that?" Uncle snapped, ready to kill anyone who said it.

I chuckled. "No one. There's too much pressure, I am unable to handle it. Whenever I am working, I feel fucking depressed I swear. I can't go on like this any longer."

"And who's going to replace you?"

"Kian. I talked to him and he said yes."

"It's your birthright. Not Kian's."

"I don't care. Kian is a part of the family. So what if it's my birthright? He's a Ludovica too, he would be so much better as a leader, he has a potential. I will step down and assume his position."

"Just because it's my birthright doesn't mean I am happy doing this." I added.

Uncle was silent for a long moment before nodding slowly. "It's your decision. Whatever you do, we will support you."

"Thank you." I blew out a breath, leaning back. "I hope Dad feels the same."

"He will." Uncle assured me, squeezing my shoulder.

I gave him a small smile. "Also, if Kian becomes the leader, he has to get married by thirty-five, so, you know..." I trailed off.

Uncle chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, that thought did come to my mind."

"See, it's a win-win situation for both of us. You get to find a bride for Kian and I get to live peacefully."

Uncle nodded, the smile lingering on his face before he turned serious. "But just because you are unable to handle this position doesn't mean you are any less capable than anyone. Everyone has their parameters. I am sure you will be an excellent second-in-command."

His words made me slightly emotional and I leaned towards him and hugged him. "Thank you, Uncle. I didn't know you love me so much."

He patted me awkwardly on my back. "Whatever."

I pulled away just as Aunty came into the room to call us for lunch.

.
.
.

I walked towards Alamea, on the top floor of our headquarters where she stood, ditching out orders to other men making me smile proudly when they all listened to her carefully.

I sneaked up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist and whispering in her ear, "How's my devil?"

"Better now." She leaned back against me.

She dismissed the others and turned around in my arms and kissed me.

I didn't care if we were in the middle of the floor and everyone was walking around, I just cared that the love of my life was in my arms and I was kissing her.

"How did it go?" She whispered, pulling back.

"Better than I expected."

She stroked my cheek. "What did Uncle say?"

"Let's talk about that after a while."

Taking her hand in mine, I dragged her into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

As the doors started to close, I pushed her against the wall and kissed her again, this time sliding my tongue inside her mouth.

Our kiss turned heated as we touched each other everywhere. I removed my lips from hers to kiss her neck but she grabbed my face and pulled it up, kissing me hard.

I cursed the elevator for being so fast when it dinged and opened onto the ground floor.

A group of five, consisting of men and women stared at us with wide eyes.

They quickly lowered their heads and pretended to be engaged in a conversation when they realised who we were.

Holding Mea's hand, we both walked out of the elevator.

"That was embarrassing!" She whispered-yelled at me as we both went out to the garden.

I chuckled and pulled her into the private area of the garden which was only accessible to Kian, Alamea and I.

I sat down on a bench, pulling her on my lap making her straddle me and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "That was hot."

She shot me a glare. "What must they be thinking?"

"Who cares? You are my girlfriend, I can kiss you whenever and wherever I want."

Smiling, she shook her head and pecked my lips. "Okay. Now, tell me what Uncle said."

So I narrated to her everything. Starting from where Dad wasn't home and I had lunch with Uncle and Aunty.

By the time I finished my food, Dad was home and then I talked to him. I repeated the same thing I told Uncle and he had a similar reaction.

Overall, it went good.

"That's good." Mea carassed my cheek. "You must be feeling better now."

"I am. I don't want to assume a position that feels like a burden to me. This way, I feel so much better. Other details will be finalized later but for now...everyone knows about my decision."

She smiled at me and kissed my cheek. "I am proud of you, Mano."

I tightened my arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck.

A big droplet landed on top of my hair making me lift up my head and look at the sky.

It was suddenly cloudy and grey and another few drops fell down on us.

"We should go..." Mea started to get off me just as it started to drizzle.

I caught her wrist, pulling her back. "Dance with me, amore."

It started to pour making us drench but Mea didn't object to my request.

I pulled her close, our fingers intertwining, her other hand around the back of my neck while I wrapped mine around her waist.

I grinned at her as we started to sway to an imaginary music.

"This is romantic", she whispered with a smile against my lips.

"Mhmm..." I swayed her gently before stepping back slightly and spinning her around.

She chuckled as I did and then pulled her back into my arms, our faces an inch apart. "Hi", I whispered huskily, our eyes locked together.

"Hi." She smiled widely.

Around us the rain poured but we were caught in our bubble of love.

Time slowed down as I looked into her eyes, my heart beating loudly and I couldn't take it anymore as I whispered, "I love you."

Her smile dropped and she stared at me unblinkly.

And just when I thought I had messed up everything, the widest of smiles formed on her face, her eyes twinkled and she blushed, capturing my lips in a kiss.

"I love you too", she mumbled into the kiss.

Grabbing the back of her neck, I pulled her face away. "Say that again."

"I love you", she stated clearly, grinning at me.

Chuckling softly, I bent down and grabbing the back of her thighs picked her up and twirled her around in the air.

Laughing, she bent her head down, kissing me.

It was the best day ever.