𝐋𝐢𝐚

When I returned to the private lounge, Luc, Matteo and Dev had already left. I did a once-over before stepping out to ensure we didn't leave anything lying around the room.

"Where is Luc?" Nic asked when I joined the others; I shrugged, then added, "I thought he would be here by now. He was with Dev and Matteo when I saw him last." Nic nodded, but Serena gave me a doubting look, narrowing her eyes while looking at me as if she knew I was lying.

"Have you agreed on anything other than Nic promising our money for this project?"

"Not much," Zion said. "But Sienna has to coordinate with Carrie to build the App as she wants it, me and Nic will work on a budget, and we will send each of you the total amount per contribution.

"I hate that dad has to sign a cheque on my behalf," Nicolo said, vacating my seat so I could sit down. "When you're old enough, you will wish for these moments."

"You really are you sixteen? Carrie asked with scepticism, looking at Nic with raised eyebrows making her face look comical.

"Nope! " he denied, " how old are you?" he asked her instead.

"Twenty-two," Carrie replied shyly, asking whether it was okay to order something since the app discussion seemed to have come to an end.

"Sure. I want a beer myself." Zion said, jumping to his feet. While Zion seemed to go out of his way to avoid looking at Serena, she appeared to seek him out with her eyes frequently.

I wondered what had happened to them especially knowing how Serena had leaned on him when they came in.

What did he do? I knew he was guilty of something; why else would he be avoiding her?

"I need a beer too?" Nic shouted, cutting off my train of thought. I turned to glare at him, and he glared back as if he was daring me to say no.

I didn't have to because Zion said there was no way in hell.

"Is this why you want to grow up quickly? To drink beer?" Carrie shouldn't have been born into the Verratti family. She seemed innocent and naive, and I knew any of those two would get her in trouble someday.

Nic looked at her for a second or so, running his gaze on her face and then back to her eyes and said, "For a twenty-two years old, you really are ingenious."

Her breath hitched when their eyes met. Although I knew nothing would happen between them, I felt sorry for Carrie. It was unfortunate to have a crush on a sixteen years old boy.

As for Nic, I knew he was just flirting. He might not forget about her, but he would never fall in love with Carrie.

*************

Luc didn't come to me that night. I was disappointed that we wouldn't have an opportunity to make love one more time before he flew back to Italy while I went back to LA.

Dragging myself off the bed, I saw a slice of cake beside my bedside table. He came to me. I thought, a smile on my lips, a swarm of butterflies swimming in my stomach. He probably did not want to wake me up.

I stared at the cake first before I picked it up. I saw it as a symbol of hundreds of emotions. It represented our teenagehood, the many times he came into my room with snacks, and we would share it while talking until early morning; it was a token of promises he made to me, a reminder that our memories live in him as much as they did with me.

I have never told him I loved him other than flippantly saying it or injecting it into a general conversation as I do with the other family members.

I loved him. I was in love with Luc. I have been since I was old enough to understand what that meant.

When he was away, I missed him.

When he was with me, I wouldn't stop touching him or looking at him. And when he probably looked at me, I felt as if I could drown in his orbs.

I took a bite of the chocolate cake, the fork scratching my tongue a little; I let the piece stay in my mouth, savouring the taste, the sweetness filling my mouth. I closed my eyes in ecstasy, almost letting out a soft moan, but I refrained.

After I finished, I went to the bathroom. I needed to shower faster if I didn't want Nicolo to burst into my room to rush me so I could join the family for breakfast.

I wore a black shift dress with a white collar. It reached slightly below my knees. It looked good for travelling as well because I did not want to change later in the day when I flew back to LA.

I shouldn't have been worried about being late. The men were conspicuously missing, even Luc wasn't at the table, and neither was Zion.

"Are you okay?" I asked Serena. She looked sad this morning; her eyes were red as if she had been crying, yet somehow she remained regal and beautiful in a white halter dress and black strappy heels.

"No, I'm not. But I don't want to talk about it right now."

Nodding, I kissed her cheeks. I respected her enough not to badger her, appreciating that she didn't lie to me by saying she was okay while clearly looking the opposite.

Our mothers entered the dining room, each carrying a dish, laughing as if sharing a private joke. Maybe they were talking about Luc and me; my eyes met Serena's, I didn't intend to, but she gave me an amused look like she had read my thoughts.

"Serena, honey. Will you please tell me what's wrong?" her mom implored, putting the dish she carried on the table, her troubled face on her daughter.

Serena told her the same thing she had told me. Her mother sighed with frustration, kissing the top of her head. One of aunt Mia's fears, as much as the rest of our moms, was to be the mothers theirs had been.

The three of them had terrible parents and worse mothers. They didn't even know whether they were dead or alive, and neither did they seem to care.

I couldn't imagine not loving my mother, but then again, I knew mine loved me. I felt sad for them; not experiencing a mother's love has to be a tragedy, especially if they were alive or chose to be crappy parents.

While we were debating whether to start eating breakfast, the men came in, bursting with energy. My eyes fell on Luc and he winked at me.

"So, everyone leaves today?" my dad asked, he sounded sad. If he were to be asked, he would probably tell us to live at home.

"Yeah," Luc answered. Taking a sip of his coffee, while he put three toast and an egg on a plate.

"Didn't you say you need to be on a diet?" Nic asked, filling his plate with ever dish available including roasted potatoes.

"Why would he go on diet, he looks lean enough to me." Aunt Ella said.

"I have to be a specific weight to race, mom."

"How much have you gained?" she gave him ance over as if she could tell by looking. His dad chuckled, filling his own cup of coffee.

"A few pounds." Luc answered in a measured tone. His mother turned to him again in a evaluating gaze. "Stop that," he said, laughing when his mother touched his waist, her tiny hand disappearing into his jacket.

While Luc was playing with his mom, I looked at Serena, but she was occupied with her dad. Uncle Rom must have been told by aunt Mia their daughter was unhappy. His intense gaze was on her face; tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he whispered something,  and she shook her head.

After breakfast, before the patriarchs were to depart for work, uncle Bruno said Luc, Zion and Serena would take the jet since they were flying outside the country, and I would fly in a chartered one. I didn't mind.

"I'm going with Lia," Serena said.

"I thought you had a meeting?" her mom said, worried. I could tell she was distressed.

"I am. Just for a few days. I won't miss any of my appointments."

Her mom nodded though she looked as if she wanted to say more.

Zion, however, appeared like a caged animal. He looked restless and dishevelled.

"Okay. Lia and Serena, Dev will charter a jet for you," my father muttered, standing, one of his hands at the back of my mom's chair. "When will you be coming home again?"

"Perhaps Easter."

He nodded. "Tell us when you land. " They said goodbye, kissed us and then left.

Xoxo