Built For Failure

Chapter 8

VERA

I'm in Luca's bedroom when I hear a knock on the door, so I fold all of my items and sit them on the bed before walking to the door. Opening it, I see my mom standing there with a couple bags in her arms. She smiles and gives me a hug.


"Hi sweetheart, how are you doing? Where's Luca? Is he treating you okay? You haven't...done it... have you? Details!" She asks all at once and I just stand there with my mouth opening and closing. I hear his voice before I see him.


"Hi Ms. Ashe, I believe I'm treating your daughter very well, and no we haven't stepped into that territory, yet." Mom looks behind me and darts her eyes back and forth between us.


"Are you sure? Oh, and Luca. Liz, just call me Liz." I step aside and let her walk in, she stands in the middle of the apartment and is in awe. "This is absolutely so beautiful, I love the colors and the decorations. They go together so well."


I walk over to mom and take the bags she brought, thanking her and walking to his bedroom to sit the bags down. Glancing around the room, I walk to the kitchen and begin prepping the brownies to go into the oven.


I preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grab everything I'll need to make the brownies, placing them on the counter. Following the directions on the box, I add the correct amount of ingredients in and mix it together with a whisk while I hear mom talking to Luca.


Grabbing the pan I plan to use, I decide to wipe it down with butter instead of spray, as this gives the brownies a sweet and salty taste - which I must say is delicious! Hearing the oven beep, I pour the brownie mix into the pan and place it into the oven, setting a timer for about 20 minutes to come in and check on things.


Walking into the living room, I walk past Luca as he heads into the kitchen, probably getting drinks. Sitting on the couch, mom makes herself comfy beside me.


"So, how is everything?"


I glance over at her. "Alex cheated on me, so I left and blocked him from all communication with me. Then Luca comforted me while my mind reeled over the fact I was cheated on. I have been faithful. I haven't held anything back from him. I told him the truth. He failed to respect me as a person and as his girlfriend, so I figured I'd just say 'fuck you' and block him."


Mom rubs my back as I lean on her shoulder, watching Luca as he walks over carefully with three full glasses of tea. Placing those on the table, he makes his way over to my other side and sits beside me, looking at me with a hint of worry shining in his eyes.


"Luca, what are your intentions with my daughter? Is she just a game, or are you going to treat her like the beautiful woman and queen that she is? Are you planning for no strings attached or is it something more?" I look at my mom wide-eyed. "MOM!"


Luca chuckles. "Liz, my intentions with Vera is all love, not lust or just around for a quick fuck. I don't want that, and I know she doesn't want that. I respect your daughter with every inch and centimeter of my heart, and I would not play with her feelings like that. She deserves only the best treatment, and I plan to treat her like the queen she deserves to be treated as. I'm looking for something, not just a game." He makes eye contact with me and smiles as my cheeks grow warm.


"Beautifully said, Luca. I'll be keeping an eye on you to make sure you're being truthful. Is that brownies I smell?"


"Yep, Vera decided to make some earlier, so we had to run to the store to get any ingredients we may need. We're planning homemade pizza for dinner, if you'd like some of that. I'll probably go start to prep it so it'll be ready." He stands and walks to the kitchen, preparing himself to begin with this pizza.


"Are you happy? Does he treat you okay?" I nod. "Yes, mom, I am happy - even if I just left a relationship, I know that I deserve better treatment than what I received from Alex."


"What about homecoming? You've already bought everything you need. Don't think that you don't have to go just because you don't have anyone to go with. I went with friends back in the day." I shrug my shoulders.


"I may just not go, at this point. We can return everything. I literally have until next Saturday to figure out what I want to do. Didn't know so much time could pass by." Mom glares at me."No." She gets up and walks to the kitchen, leaving me in silence while I wait for the brownies to finish up.


LUCA