Chapter 13
1298 Words
LUCA
I was standing outside my apartment, using my phone, when I heard the sound of the gate. I turned to see Aria walking in with slow steps, looking tired but still composed. The sight of her hit me harder than I expected. She looked like someone who had pushed through a long day, yet she still held herself together. I stood there watching her, wondering if she had seen the headlines about me and Karen. The thought made my chest tighten.
She paused when she saw me. Her eyes held a brief hesitation, and I stepped forward without thinking. The two of us stood there in an awkward silence, neither of us sure of what to say or how to act. I wanted to ask about her day. I wanted to explain the headlines before she formed an impression of them. I wanted to tell her I had not planned any of it.
Before either of us spoke, the front door behind me opened, and Darrel stepped out, holding my small travel bag.
“Alright, Luca,” he said. “I packed everything you’ll need. We can go now.”
He turned to his right, where one of my cars had been packed, and finally noticed Aria. His eyes widened with surprise.
“Oh. Hi,” he said. “Can we help you?” Then he looked back at me. “Do you know her? Is she here to see you?”
Aria answered before I could. “I live here.”
Darrel blinked. “You live here?”
She nodded once.
He turned back to me with a confused stare. “You didn’t tell me anyone else lived here.”
“I thought it wasn’t important,” I whispered.
He leaned closer. “It is important. It won’t look good if people find out you live with a girl.”
“I don’t live with her,” I whispered back. “We’re neighbors, not roommates. Different apartments.”
“To your fans, it is the same thing,” he insisted. “The headlines with you and Karen are already everywhere. If people see another girl around you, they’ll make a story out of it. They'd call you a cheat and say you're playing with the nation's princess.”
He forced a polite smile at Aria, then whispered to me again, “We need to be careful.”
Aria stepped forward slightly. “I’ll go in now.”
“Wait,” I said quickly.
Darrel sighed. “Luca, we are running late. The flight won’t wait.”
“It’s just five minutes,” I said.
Darrel shook his head but did not argue further. I walked toward Aria, trying not to show how restless I felt.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly. “How are you doing?”
She looked at me for a moment. “I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t brought back the water,” I added. “I meant to, but everything became rushed, and now I have to leave for the airport.”
It was a weak excuse, and we both knew it. I did not come to talk about water. I came because I needed to see her after the headlines. I wanted her to know that none of it meant anything. But I could not find the right words.
Before I could try again, Darrel’s phone rang. He stepped aside and answered it, speaking for a few seconds before returning.
“Luca,” he said, “it’s an important call.”
“I’ll call them back,” I replied without looking away from Aria.
Darrel came closer. “You need to take it now.”
Aria looked between us. “You can go. We can talk when you return.”
I turned to Darrel, irritated. “What is so important that they can’t wait?”
Darrel spoke loud enough for Aria to hear. “It’s Karen.”
My heart dropped. I knew Aria heard it. I saw it in the way her eyes shifted briefly. Before I could explain, Darrel continued,
“She wants you two to go on another date. She said the first dinner went well and the public loved it.”
“I already said the first time was the last time,” I told him sharply. “I don’t want another one.”
But Aria was already walking away, and the door closed behind her before I could stop her.
I stood there, unable to move. The guilt hit me with full force. I never wanted her to see me in a way that reminded her of the past. I never wanted her to think I was playing around or enjoying the attention. I wanted her to know the truth, but the moment slipped before I could reach it.
Darrel stared at me. “What is going on with you? Who is she? And why are you so worked up about this?”
“That’s not important,” I said, trying to steady myself. “What’s important is that I don’t want anything to do with Karen. I’m not interested, and I’m not pretending for anyone.”
Darrel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Your fans will be disappointed.”
“I don’t care.”
He held his breath for a moment before shaking his head. “Fine. Let’s go.”
We drove to the airport, and I kept my eyes on the window the entire time. My thoughts refused to settle. I kept replaying the moment Aria walked away. I kept imagining what she must think. I kept worrying the dinner at her house would now feel meaningless to her, even though it had felt important to me.
When we reached the airport, the noise hit us immediately. Crowds of fans were waiting outside the entrance, holding placards, shouting my name, and reaching out with their hands. Some girls screamed and blew kisses. Some guys asked for autographs. Reporters hurried forward and asked questions about Karen.
“Is Karen meeting you here?”
“Is it true she will join you in Morca?”
“Are you two official now?”
I ignored all of them. I smiled politely, made a heart with my hands toward the fans, and walked inside the airport with security guiding the way.
I could feel Darrel watching me with concern, but I did not speak. My mind was too busy fighting thoughts I did not want to have. I kept seeing Aria’s expression after hearing Karen’s name. It bothered me more than it should have. It made me feel like I had done something wrong, even though I knew I had not agreed to anything. Still, the situation was enough to create misunderstandings, and that alone felt heavy.
After waiting for some minutes, we were allowed to board. We found our seats, and I settled near the window. The lights of Aveline shone outside as the plane prepared for takeoff, but none of it eased the tension inside me. I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes for a moment. I wished I had explained everything before leaving. I wished I had not given her a reason to doubt me again.
“Luca,” Darrel said.
I didn’t respond.
“Luca,” he said again, more firmly.
I opened my eyes halfway, but I did not turn.
“I need you to look at something.”
“Later,” I replied.
“No. Now.”
I sighed and finally looked over, only to see his tablet in front of my face.
“Have you seen this?” he asked.
I frowned. “Seen what?”
Then he turned the screen toward me.
The picture stared back at me.
And everything inside me went still.
- Writer
