My Ex Husband

Episode Six

"Hey? I didn't think you'd make it." Lucca said as he stood and pulled out my chair for me.

He was in formal wear: a dark suit, a crisp white shirt, a slender navy blue tie and shiny black shoes. Only now his coat was draped on the back of his chair, his tie was loose and his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

I gulped my eyes taking him in slowly. He looked just as he always did when he'd come home from work. I was glad to see some things had not changed.

"I wouldn't miss a free meal." I joked snapping out of my thoughts as I took my seat. "Plus, I needed a break."

"That bad, huh?" He asked looking at me sincerely, missing my hesitation.

It had been a busy week. We were too late at locating Carter's brother in law who was found dead on the outskirts of Texas. Everyone was expecting me to figure out his next move and to be honest, it wasn't that easy. Not forgetting Alda's suspicion of Quinn. And the fact that the girls still knew nothing about Lucca.

"Worse." I replied burying my face in my hands.

I heard Lucca order our food then took my hand in his once the waiter left.

"Hey." He said looking me in the eye. "Everything will be okay.”

I sent him a small smile at his reassuring words. His touch only aided in calming me a little more.

"I'm sorry. I should be better company considering I insisted on us having lunch." I said with a smile.

"It's okay. I'm just glad you still let me see you even when you're....... disheveled.” He said chuckling.

"Oh no! My hair?" I asked as a pink tint spread across my cheeks.

"You've been running your hand through it too many times." He confirmed and I groaned lowly once again burying my face in my hands in embarrassment.

I heard him chuckle some more and I lifted my head glaring at him.

"What?" He asked innocently. "It's good to know some things never changed."

"Really? Like what?" I questioned amused.

"The most recent one, you still run your hand through your hair a lot when frustrated or worked up. You still hide your face in your hands when embarrassed or frustrated. You tend to bite you lip when nervous. You have this glint in your eyes when amused like right now. Should I keep going?"

I didn't even know how to respond so I just shied away from his gaze and shook my head.

The lunch carried on uneventful with light cheerful banter till we both had to go back to work. He walked me to my building and kissed me softly before leaving, a smirk on his face. I felt like a love sick teenager as I watched him walk away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I couldn't dispute Alda's suspicion anymore especially after seeing it for myself.

I had walked back to my office just as people left for lunch. Lucca and I had opted on an early lunch since he had a lunch meeting soon afterwards. Victoria passed by my office and was a little disappointed when I turned down her lunch offer.

The office had been silent till I heard someone arguing. Before I could move Quinn came bursting through my door.

"I'm sorry Ms. Giovanni. She fought her way up here." An anxious guard called from behind her.

"It's okay Chuck. I'll take care of it." I said to him with a reassuring nod. He smiled faintly before he closed the door.

I turned my attention back to a fuming Quinn.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't little miss perfect?” she spat.

"Hello Quinn." I replied, ignoring her bitter tone. "How may I help you?"

"How about you stay away from my Lucca?"

"Last I checked, you don't own him." I replied with a light chuckle.

"I do!" She yelled and I was glad no one was around.

"I do own him. He's mine. He always has been." She rattled off to herself as she paced up and down my office. I seriously needed to get her out of her as soon as possible.

"Look here Quinn..." I began, snapping her back to reality. "If Lucca is really yours, then get him to stay away from me."

"You'll be sorry Woods!" She said and I flinched. I had not heard that name in a while. "Stay away or I'll make you!"

With that she turned and left. I checked the time. I sighed in relief as it was still early. No one would be in the office yet.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My day just wasn't going well after my lunch with Lucca. Victoria kept pestering me insisting I was hiding stuff from her, and then she'd plagued me with her presence for the rest of the afternoon as I worked on trying to find Carter.

My personal assistant had then called saying she has a Mr. Woods on the phone for me.

I mean seriously, what's with my past and haunting me today?

On hearing the caller's name, Victoria stood up to leave, and squeezed my shoulder for reassurance. She told me to call if I needed anything and I simply nodded.

"Gabrielle?" His firm deep voice called through the phone when I picked it up and I closed my eyes. God, I had missed his voice!

Girl, are you crazy or is it just me?

I ignored my conscience as I took a deep breath, "Hello father?"

"Hello Angel?" He said back longingly and I winced at the nickname and the tone of his voice.

"Do you need something?" I simply asked.

"Yes, please consider it before you deny me this one thing, my child."

"What is it?"

"I need you to come see me. I...." he paused, a weary sigh left him.

"Dad? Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes my child. I'm fine. Please Angel. Please come see me. It's urgent."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was on a flight to California the next day. I can't understand why but something in my father's voice convinced me to go.

Lucca had wanted to come along but I thought it better to face my father alone first.

"Baby, you're sure you don't want me to come along?" He asked for the nth time.

We were in my bedroom as I packed my things while he was seated on my bed. He'd offered to help me pack some stuff and drive me to the airport. Now he was just being his curious self. Only happens when it’s about me.

"Lucca," I said cupping his face in my hands, "I'll be fine. He just wants to talk."

I let go of him and headed to the bathroom.

"About what exactly? Did he say what it was about?" He called from the bedroom.

"No."

"And you're going because you heard something in his voice?"

"I can't explain it but yes."

"I'm coming with you. I have a bad feeling about this." He said as I stuffed some more stuff in my bag.

I turned to him with a reassuring smile. I wedged myself between his legs and he wrapped his arms around my waist. Our foreheads touched and for a while neither of us said anything.

"I'll keep you posted from the minute I land till the minute I'm back. There's no need to panic otherwise. Okay?"

"Update, every hour on the hour." He said firmly and I laughed.

I quieted down when I noticed he was serious.

Damn! He drives a hard bargain.

"Fine." I said and he kissed me.

The flight landed in no time. I wished I could but I couldn't bring Lucca with me. I needed to face my father alone.

He'd know about Lucca and I later.

I was picked up by dad's chauffeur or at least I thought he was.

We drove silently to dad's manor. I stepped out of the car when we arrived. I walked cautiously to the door, a foreboding feeling in my heart.

The door swung open and there stood my father. He shook his head as if trying to........ Warn me?

I watched as he hangs his head just as a piece of cloth was placed roughly on my nose. It was medicated. I was just about to pass out when I heard his voice.

"Hello my love?"

“Carter!”