HIS UNDOING— A Mafia Contract Marriage

Chapter 4- The Kitchen

Luca turned a bit his eyes meeting Elenas.

For a moment they just stood there. Elena was by the doorway in her pajamas with a bonnet on her head and her fingers were lightly curled around the edge of the counter.

The way she looked all relaxed, but still confident caught Luca off guard.

Her blue eyes held his. They were clear, unusual and sharp.

Something about her eyes drew his attention more than he thought it would. Luca realized this away and looked away before it showed. He picked up his glass. Drank the whiskey in one smooth gulp.

He put the glass on the counter and turned to leave.

"Elena stopped him."

"Are you avoiding me?"

Luca paused, irritation showing on his face. He turned slowly. "No."

"It feels like it " she said, stepping further into the kitchen. "We live in the house but you disappear."

"I'm busy."

"That's your answer for everything."

He watched her calmly. "Is there a point to this conversation?"

"Yes " she said, folding her arms. "We're married. We should least make this... Bearable."

He didn't respond.

She kept going trying to get a rise out of him. "We don't have to talk all the time.. Ignoring me? That's childish."

Luca studied her for a moment. He could see it now. She was trying to get under his skin. Testing him.

He leaned against the counter. "And what do you want?"

"Basic interaction " she replied. "We live together."

"You'll survive."

She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

". You're persistent."

Elena walked past him to the cabinet grabbing a glass. "I'm trying to make this work."

"You're trying to annoy me."

She glanced at him. "Is it working?"

"Not particularly."

She filled the glass with water. Took a sip. Luca picked up his whiskey glass and rinsed it.

Elena paused, watching him.

He washed the glass carefully dried it and put it back in the cabinet. This was a house with staff. He didn't need to do that.

"You didn't have to do that " she said.

He didn't answer.

"There are people for that."

"I know."

She looked at him slightly intrigued. He didn't say more. He just turned toward the cabinet again at the time she reached for it.

Their hands moved at the time.

He caught her wrist gently. Pulled her back a bit so he could put the glass inside first. This brought them closer than either expected.

They froze.

Elenas breath caught.

He was close. Too close. She could see the shadow of stubble on his jaw, the intensity in his dark eyes. His hand still lightly held her wrist.

For a second the air between them shifted.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Luca let her go and stepped back his expression controlled again. "Goodnight."

He. Walked out of the kitchen without another word.

Elena stayed where she was her heart beating faster. She exhaled slowly putting her glass down. Her chest. Fell rapidly the moment replaying in her mind.

She frowned slightly. "It's nothing " she murmured.

Just proximity. Just the late hour.

Nothing more.

She finished her water. Turned off the kitchen lights before heading upstairs. As she reached the hallway she heard a door close. Lucas room. Right next to hers.

She paused briefly then shook her head and entered her room.

Sleep came quickly.

The morning Elena woke early. Sunlight filtered through the curtains warm. She took her time getting ready choosing a white dress. It flowed lightly elegant but understated. She brushed her brown hair and left it down.

When she reached the dining room Luca was already there.

As always he wore a suit. Dark, fitted perfectly sleeves crisp. He sat at the head of the table reading something on his phone. A cup of coffee rested beside him.

He looked up briefly when she entered then returned to his phone.

Elena took the seat across from him.

Breakfast was served quietly. Eggs, toast, fruit, coffee. The clinking of cutlery filled the silence. Neither of them spoke.

Teresa entered moments later smiling warmly. "Good morning, Mrs. Rossi."

Elena smiled back. " Morning, Teresa."

"You slept well?"

"Yes."

Teresa beamed. "You look beautiful today."

"Thank you."

Luca didn't react.

Elena and Teresa exchanged a small comments while he continued eating. The warmth between them contrasted sharply with the quiet, from Lucas side.

When breakfast ended Luca stood first. "I have meetings."

He left without another word.

Elena watched him go then turned to Teresa, who shook her head slightly with a soft smile.