DeLuca's Sin

Alyssa Hart

(Third-person Limited POV)

The Phantom wasn't merely a luxury sedan; it was Luciano's favorite and most protected possession, a custom-engineered fortress. The windows were bulletproof. Its undercarriage was blast-shielded against external explosions, and the engine compartment was reinforced with high-grade ballistic steel.

The most prominent difference an average person would experience is the profound silence inside; it was intentionally designed to eliminate all external noise.

By asking to borrow it, Alyssa was taking control of his most impenetrable possession. It was the one part of his mobility he never compromised.

"The Phantom?" he asked, voice flat as he was calculating the logistical change this would force on his day.

"Just for the morning," she pleaded, her hazel eyes wide. "I need to make an impression at the charity event, and that car does the trick. Please?" she started blinking and pouting when he didn't respond.

"Fine, I will leave in the SUV then," he finally gave in, the word a reluctant resignation. "Just be careful with it."

He knew he had no resolve when she gave him the puppy face, and she knew that as well; it always worked like magic.

"Ohhh, thank you so much, Lu," she said, throwing herself into his arms, devouring his lips with a kiss, her happiness so evident he totally forgot about the car.

'I will give you my life if you ask for it. I already gave it to you 5 years ago, anyway. What's a car compared to your love?' Luciano thought.

"You're the best," she said, ending the kiss. He instantly felt the loss of her lips.

He didn't want the kiss to end just yet, if at all; he wanted to drag her to the room and go all the way. But he had a meeting to attend, 'we will definitely continue where we left off tonight'. And with that thought, he stood up and adjusted his clothes.

"Anything for you, Amore," he said.

"Alright, Lu, you should get going, have a great day," she said, walking him to the door.

" You too, have fun, Mrs DeLuca," with a kiss on her forehead, he reluctantly left the house.

As she closed the door, the smile on her face instantly fell; she couldn't believe she was already missing him. She slowly raised her hand and touched the locket on her neck with the name Lila Hart engraved in fine print on it.

"Lila, I'm really sorry. I think I have really fallen for him. I hope you forgive me," she said in a whisper, heaving a sigh as she walked to the bedroom.

After a whole hour and a half, she was finally standing in front of the full-length mirror, all dolled up. She was in a knee-length, off-shoulder red dress that complemented her fair skin perfectly. Her hair tied up in a slick ponytail, showing off her beautiful fair neck adorned with a golden necklace that matched her bracelet. She had a black Chanel handbag and shoes to complete the look. She looked elegant and luxurious.

Taking her phone from the bedside table, she took a mirror picture and sent it to Luciano. Her phone rang with a new message almost immediately with his reply.

Uuuuh, hot. I might as well leave these people here to join you. You look breathtaking, wife.

I hope you are not smiling in the meeting. She replied, stepping out of the house with a huge smile on her face.

I wouldn't want it any other way. When my wife is looking this pretty. I was already waiting for the OOTD, and you never disappoint. He replied.

My Ano has to see me first before I leave for the day. I will text you again when I get to the event. Love you, Lu.

He sent her a huge heart as a reply.

Getting into the car, she drove straight to the Rose hotel, where the event would be taking place.

Upon parking, she could hear someone shouting from a distance.

"You have to pay for it. Do you know how much this shoe costs? Your salary for half a year won't afford it," a woman who looked to be in her mid-thirties shouted.

"I'm really sorry, ma'am. I didn't see you coming. I'm truly sorry." An older woman in her late 50s was standing in front of the younger lady with her head lowered. Fear was written all over her.

"You have to pay for it," the woman said with a final resolve. The commotion was already attracting onlookers.

The woman's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at the lady, realization dawning on her. The young lady was dead serious.

"But ma'am, I cannot afford such an..."

"Next time you be more careful, you'd better do as I say, or I will have you fired," the young lady snapped back, cutting the woman off. "I bet you know who my father is, so don't even think I'm not serious."

"Who doesn't know Hillary Smith? They own a lot of big and luxurious hotels in the city, including this one," one of the onlookers said. "This hotel cleaner is really in big trouble."

"And Mia Smith never lets anyone who offends her walk free," her partner replied.

"Miss Mia Smith," Alyssa said when she finally reached them, dragging the 'miss' intentionally. "Now that's not a way to treat an elderly woman, don't you think?" Without letting her say a word, she continued. "As a lady of class from such a respectable home, you should treat everyone equally, right?"

"And who are you?" Mia asked, obviously annoyed.

" Oh my gosh!" Another onlooker exclaimed, "Someone actually stood up to Mia Smith."

"The lady is so beautiful, she looks like someone of influence. Did you see the phantom?" Another chimed in. The murmurings continued.

Leaning towards Mia, Alyssa whispered lazily into her right ear, "A lot of us know that you're Hillary Smith's bastard child, and just because his legitimate daughter keeps a low profile doesn't give you the right to oppress others using the family name whenever and however you like."

Mia's face turned pale. This was a secret she had kept for so long. Just who was this woman?

"Who..." She started, but Alyssa cut her off.

"Just accept the older lady's apologies, and we will all be on our way. After all, from what I can see, she did not cause any real damage."

Mia had always been arrogant, but she wasn't stupid. This lady knew her secret, her Chanel bag and shoes were the latest edition. She had tried so hard to get her hands on one, but it got sold out in minutes, even though its prices were ridiculously high.

She didn't miss the 2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom as it turned into the parking lot as well. This lady had to be someone powerful or the wife of one. Turning her gaze to the older woman, she said with a straight face.

"Count yourself lucky today, next time you might not be."

Saying that, she turned and left, the crowd started to disperse. Some were a bit surprised at the turn of events, while the rest had fallen faces, their disappointment visible.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Alyssa, you saved me again. How do I repay you?" The older woman said with relief.

"It's nothing, Mrs Grace. I believe it's good to put these rude ladies in their place sometimes, and call me Alyssa. I've told you to see me as a daughter."

"Alyssa, thank you," Grace said, her voice still a bit shaky.

"See you around, Mrs Grace," Alyssa said with a smile as she walked into the elevator. She pressed the button for the last floor, then took out her phone, and sent a text to Luciano.

Lu, I'm at the hotel now. Are you guys done yet?

A moment later, her phone beeped.

No, from the look on their faces, I don't think they have a clue what to do. I wonder what Dante was thinking when he hired them.

Everyone won't be as perfect as you, and you cannot blame Dante; he is doing the best he can, I suppose.

I know, but still.

She let out a small laugh; she could literally visualize him facepalming right now.

Ding!

The sound of the elevator brought her back to the present. Stepping into the grand hall where the Charity was supposed to be held, she sent a final text to Luciano.

The event will begin in a few, I can't wait to be done and get back to you.

Have been counting down the minutes since I arrived here. I can't wait to have you in my arms, Amore. I love you.

I love you too, Lu. Alyssa replied and, after some seconds, decided to add a cute cat with two huge hearts popping out of its eyes.

Somewhere across town, on the last floor of the Saneside Group building, Luciano was smiling foolishly at his phone when suddenly there was a bang on the table, and someone loudly said;

"We can't afford this design!"