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Iris' Pov

I avoid Luca, all his texts, all his calls. I don't even go back to his house for two days. Well except for clothes something I needed but still I didn't step foot inside. Nope, instead I asked Rosie to place them in the car outside.

These past two days I've been rooming with Lila and over these two days I have seen and heard things I wish I hadn't seen or heard. Things that would make the devil shudder in disgust.

Things like Lila is banging her hot landlord with the door slightly ajar.

Groaning, I get off the uncomfortable and cheap ugly yellow couch and make my way into the bathroom, taking a brief shower.

I shimmy into my underwear, grabbing my basic red tee and pulling it over my head before proceeding to jump into my black leggings and slipping my white vans.

A glance into the mirror, I fix my dark hair, tying it up into a high ponytail. Putting some chapstick on, I give myself a final once over before reaching for the doorknob and tugging the door handle.

The door creaks open on it's bad hinges and I step outside, nearly colliding with a handsome half-naked man. The landlord. He's good-looking but not my type, he screams douchebag with his bleached tips, 6 pack, and motorcycle tats.

"Excuse me miss." He grins, eyes rolling over me in a creepy way before stepping past and into the bathroom.

I don't know how Lila does it.

"Isn't he so hot?" Lila calls, smiling dreamily from the sofa.

"Yeah, I guess he is," I remark giving her an easy smile, grabbing my handbag that rests on the island, I pick my car keys up into my hand.

"I think he's the one." She smiles softly, standing to her full height, the oversized tee-shirt she wore falling above her knees.

I've given up on trying to advise her in picking the right guy as all she ever wanted was the wrong guy and no amount of advice would sway her thoughts on who she wanted.

"I hope he is." I laugh slightly at my friend's infatuated face. "Bye."

Not waiting for her bye the front door is pulled open and I leave her apartment. Strolling down to the front of the First Oaks Apartments building where my car and several others are parked.

The car's doors are opened with the push of the button and I slide into the seat, putting my seatbelt on.

With a lovely purr, Quinn starts up and I switch the gear out of park and into drive. Flicking the radio on with my free hand, the overplayed hits fill my car and I bob my head along.

The drive horribly slow due to traffic. So as soon as I push the frosted glass door open of my office and Ellen rushes up to me frazzled, I'm ready to be done with the day.

"Mrs. Donario!" Ellen exclaims looking and sounding rather frantic. "I tried to stop him, he-he just walked past me and nothing I said-"

She trails off, the woman looked like she would faint at any moment from how exasperated she was.

Oh dear.

"Who?" I question but I get no answer, walking speedily to my room, the door is left open and I gasp in shock.

Sitting in my freaking seat is none other than my husband, who looks as if he owns the damn place. In fact, he looks so rather content with himself that he's kicked his fucking feet up on my desk.

I curse silently, pushing the door close with my foot and placing my handbag on the tiny table by the door.

Luca's fingers tapping on my mahogany desk is the only sound that can be heard in the silent room. His eyes narrow and roam over my body, like a predator analyzing his prey, I feel uncomfortable yet a little bit turned on.

Stop it, Iris!

"You look....nice." His eyes are dark as a void and just like a void they suck you in, in this light they even look lustful. Or that was just me.

"What are you doing here?" I inquire, leaning against the wall trying to keep a straight face.

Luca lets out a harsh bark of laugh, his eyes are dangerous and he has that sexy wicked smirk playing on his lips. Running his tongue over his lower lip, he clicks his tongue and leans back in my chair.

"What's so funny?" I frown, folding my arms over my chest in a means of trying to protect myself from the way he made me feel vulnerable.

He runs his hand through his hair and stands up from his previous seat making slow yet lengthy steps towards me, our eyes never leaving each other, his gaze daring me to back down and submit which I refuse to do.

Finally, he's reached me, placing a hand above my head. His face mere centimeters from mine, our noses slightly brushing, he cages me in. He's captured his prey.

"Well, my wife goes missing for two days. She doesn't answer my calls or texts, she doesn't even come home and when she does she won't even step foot into our home." He whispers fiercely, hazel eyes pinning me down. "Now, that my love is what is fucking funny."

I bite my tongue and say nothing, I hadn't realized until now but Luca, well, he looked like he hadn't slept much in days if the bags under his eyes were anything to go by but yet, still, the man managed to look effortlessly sexy.

He shakes his head and glares at me huffing slightly when I still say nothing.

"You know what, I'll see you for dinner tonight, Iris." Luca cracks a smirk, moving back. "And if you don't come, sweetheart, I'll find you, throw you over my shoulder and fuck you till you submit. I'm talking about ravishing you all night, amore." He brushes a few strands from my face, flicking his eyes down to my lips.

Oh, God.

"Have a great day, dolcezza." He leans in and whispers breathily in my ear. Pressing a kiss to my cheek, he steps back leaving me flustered and horny.

With that, pleased, he walks away, out the room, hands in his pockets and whistling a soft tune.

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and close my eyes tightly, a certain emotion washing over me.

Damn, Luca was like a bad dream that wouldn't go away.

"And dress sexy, tesoro." He calls from outside.

Yup, definitely like a bad dream.

✨

I stand outside the house, dread filling me. I so, do not want to go back into that house but I know I don't really stand a chance, his threat still ringing clear in my head.

A bit of me wondered if he would really go through with it. I mean would it really be that bad.

"Oh cara. Why are you standing outside in the cold, honey?" Rosie gasps pulling the door open and tugging me inside.

"I missed you dearly sweetheart. It's been so quiet and lonely here." Rosie gushes, pulling me into an embrace. "Luca was so worried."

"Sure he was," I mumble sarcastically after she let me go.

"Just because he's a grumpy old fart doesn't mean he doesn't love you dearly. The poor boy was going out of his mind when he couldn't find you." She giggles walking into the kitchen with me behind her.

A smile crosses my face as I think of Luca going crazy over me being gone, serves him right. I sit on the bar stool and rest my head on my arms.

"Why is he like that?" I question with a soft sigh. "Was he always this angry?"

She too sighs, her shoulders slumping "Life, my dear. Luca isn't that bad, trust me. He's the level-headed one between himself and his brother."

"Brother?" I raise a brow quizzically.

Luca has a brother. Well, I'll be damned that pig-headed ass has a brother, it was quite puzzling since I've never heard him say anything about siblings. Then again we haven't really talked much so...

"Oh yes, Arsenio, his younger brother by 2 years." She smiles hands on her hips.

"I've never heard him talk of a brother before...." I mumble trailing off when the familiar sound of the front door opening captures my attention. Footsteps can be heard echoing through the spacey home and I silently pray Luca won't come into the kitchen.

The footsteps gradually become fainter signifying that Luca has gone off to God knows where.

Sending a quiet goodbye to Rosie and a thank you up to the big guy, I enter the foyer trying to climb up the stairs as silently as possible.

"Your ninja skills suck," Luca mumbles walking into the foyer, a smirk playing idly on his face.

"I personally think they are awesome." I tsk, folding my arms over my chest.

"Stop lying to yourself, amore." His hazel eyes roaming over me, making me fidget. "Relax, Iris. We're only talking."

Am I that obvious?

"I am relaxed, it's you who's not." I retort weakly like a child.

"Sure, Iris." He chuckles, walking up the staircase as he makes his way past I gasp as he slaps my ass.

Dick.

My face flushing, I wait for him to go up the stairs which takes forever, following not too long after. I enter the hallway, strolling past the closed door of Luca's bedroom, memories of the night we spent together flashing in my mind.

My train of dirty thoughts is however interrupted by the sound of me slamming my door by accident.

Oops.

Shaking my head, I stroll to the bathroom and take a shower, the warmth of the water slowly pushing the dread out of my body.

I grab a towel and secure it around my torso before entering my room, squeaking loudly when I see Luca sitting on my bed, head raised to the ceiling.

"What are you doing in here?" I question tightening my hold on the towel.

"You know I've never been in here before." He says randomly. "Amo il tuo aroma dolce, è celeste."

"Yes, well you can leave now," I mutter, completely ignoring whatever he's said in Italian and pointing towards the door.

Luca sits up, lips pulling up into a smirk, standing up he strolls over to me in two long strides.

"Why so tense, my love?" He grins amused, his outstretched hand, pushing a lock of my hair from my face.

Holy cow.

"You're drunk." I accuse with narrowed eyes.

That's it, he must be drunk as this man right here was simply not Luca Donario in his right mind.

"I'm not drunk, Iris." He rolls his eyes, pursing his soft pink lips into a thin line.

"You sure, you look drunk." I mumble softly.

Luca sends me an irritated look before he strolls out leaving me alone in my room.

Bipolar asshole.

Closing the door and going to my closet, I skim through the mass of clothing.

Finally, I settle on a low cut dress that's dull red in color and of a satin material, it's figure hugging and ends somewhere above my knees with a sexy slit at the side.

I'd bought it when I went shopping the other day.

Pairing it with black strappy stilettos and a cute diamond choker, I curl my hair into loose waves and did just some light makeup.

Whilst applying my mascara, my phone vibrates loudly on my vanity catching my attention, sighing I reach for it and scan the message from Lila.

👯‍♀️✨💕

What's wrong?

👯‍♀️✨💕

So sorry Lila,

I wish I could be there with you

right now but tonight

I'm a little too busy.

I wait for a reply but I'm not granted one, placing my phone into my clutch and walking out the bedroom, down the hall and then the stairs, a troubled sigh leaves me.

I can't help but feel shitty that I can't be there to console my best friend. I mean I could just tell Luca I wasn't feeling well and ditch, right?

I step into the main foyer, yanking myself out my thoughts when I see standing in the middle of the room looking devilishly handsome is Luca.

His regular slicked back formal hair is messy and it looks like he's run his fingers through it a thousand times. As per usual, he's dressed in a suit which is tailored to perfection and makes him look rather dashing.

Hazel orbs drink my body in stripping it bare with their piercing gaze, staring deep into my very soul. A smirk slips on to his lips and he licks his lips suggestively.

"So....are we going to go now?" I mumble awkwardly, biting my lip as my mind wanders to unspeakable things.

Nodding, he outstretches his hand for me to take which I do with much reluctance, pushing the grand doors open. My eyes are trained on his face as I try to figure out what the hell he's up to.

"You look beautiful, amore." He leans over and whispers in my ear making me glare at him.

Luca Donario is never nice and when he is, you certainly have to be wary.

The car is parked outside waiting for us, being a 'gentleman ', Luca opens the door for me and I get in, waiting for him to get in on the other side.

He is so close.

The driver starts the car and Luca glances over at me. "Don't think about it too much, belle." He teases, to which I roll my eyes a small smile gracing my face.

"Please, I'm not overthinking anything." I rebut crossing my arms over my chest.

Chuckling low, Luca shakes his head, the drive to the restaurant is rather comfortable believe it or not. We both make cheeky remarks to each other and smiles are shared, no usual tedious tension.

We pull up to restaurant 'Crimson Velvet' of course another fine establishment of Luca which is hella fancy.

Opening the door, Luca helps me out of the car, both of us walking side by side, into the beautiful restaurant.

It's beautiful, genuinely beautiful, the place filled to the brim with people of a rather high caliber, eating fancy food and drinking expensive wine.

Smooth classical music thumps in my veins and sweet aromatic foods waft through the air.

A red carpet has been rolled out and high crystal chandeliers light a person's step. Guests sit at the bar on stools made of black leather while visually attractive bartenders pour them exotic drinks.

A host stands at the entrance, a beautiful girl with hair black as a winter's night and a smile to die for, dressed in a halter top skin tight black dress that emphasizes her curves and expensive pointy mouth red louies. Her skin is flawless and fair and in this lighting, she looks like something ripped straight off the catwalk.

"Mr. Donario....we've been expecting you." She speaks with an air of professionalism.

"Ciao." He acknowledges her.

"Follow me, sir." She says politely, turning on her heel.

As we follow behind her, customers turn to stare at us, whispering and pointing 'discreetly' at us. Luca places his hand on my waist which further intensifies the looks we get.

Kill me.

Soon I notice we are being led away from the main area in which all the other customers sit and up to a more secluded area.

Of course, Luca Donario can't possibly eat with the commoners.

"Here we are sir, the king's table." She announces with a smile as we get to the roof of the building.

Downstairs was nothing compared to the upstairs, a single table sat underneath a triangular skylight, fairy lights wrapped around the beams which support it.

Beautiful flora went all around, sweet smelling roses and hydrangeas were just some to name a few. The view was impeccable, with its glittering lights and fluttering people, it was as if we were on top of the world.

"This is....nice." I mumble though inside I wanted to squeal about its beauty.

"I knew you'd like it." He grins looking down at me. "Sit with me?"

I nod hesitantly. Pulling my seat out for me, I sit down and glance once again back up the view.

"Do you want to play a game?" Luca asks after a few seconds of silence, he's sitting down now, across from me and he looks sexy, too sexy.

"A game?" I question confused with a raised brow.

"Yes, it's a game where we're not constantly conspiring against each other... a game in which I'm not Luca Donario the man you hate and you're not Iris Donario, the woman who wants to screw me over."

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