𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓪 𝓓𝓮 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓪 | Age-gap romance

Chapter three

Delilah's pov

I'm sitting in the passenger seat of Emilio's car and for some reason, my hands are shaking.

"Are you coming?" Em asks and I quickly nod.

I don't know why I'm so nervous to see Mister de Rosa again.

Maybe because you acted like a complete idiot and were practically fucking him with your eyes.

I groan in my head, and mentally slap myself for reminding me of the unfortunate events of this morning.

I've been thinking about nothing else the whole day.
And I can't believe Emilio is now forcing me to go meet him again.

Not that he knows about our encounter.

I pull on my big girl panties and get out of the car only to stop short when I look at the massive building in front of me.

There are beautiful high-arched windows strayed over the whole front side.
The entry is especially distinguishable with the two marble columns holding up a small patio, for the window above.

"This is where your dad lives?" I ask astounded.

"Yeah, come on," Emilio replies and takes my hand in his, ushering me inside, through the massive double door.

As can be expected from the exterior, the entryway looks just as beautiful, continuing the marble pattern on the floor.

On the walls are fancy pictures, and I'm kinda scared of accidentally breathing on something and ruining it.

We continue, walking through door after door and while I'm busy admiring the pure art that this place is, Em is trying to figure out the way to his dad's study.

"Emilio, do you ever visit your dad?"

"We normally meet at a restaurant or something. I don't really like this house."

"But it's so beautiful."

"Just not my thing."

Finally, he stops in front of a dark wooden door and knocks shortly before opening it and letting himself inside.

I reluctantly follow him.

"Emilio." His father's voice sounds.

"Hey, Luca."

"How are- oh, you brought Delilah?" I don't know why his disappointed voice hurts me. He probably just wanted some alone time with his son.

"Yeah, hey again Mister de Rosa," I say, avoiding eye contact and rather looking around.
Very nice walls, a nice floor as well.

"Please call me Luca."

"Sure...Luca." I smile and nod.

Why am I here again?

Oh yes. Because my best friend doesn't like his dad but still wants his money.

I shouldn't have agreed to accompany Emilio.

I finally cave and look at Mister de Rosa. I groan, of course, he has to look just as handsome as this morning, with a tight black shirt and black dress pants.

Couldn't it be that I just had an eyesight problem earlier?

While I'm still contemplating how someone can look this good, Emilio and Mister de Rosa are trying and failing at their attempt at a conversation.

It physically hurts to watch his father desperately try with his son. But like so often Emilio doesn't care.

I just stand there awkwardly until I notice Emilio's father is asking me a question.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Would you like to have a look at the library?" He asks and I nod eagerly.

"That would be great, yes."

This house has a library? It just got a million times more beautiful.

"I'll just take you there." He says and starts walking, with me following close behind.

I try not to stare at his ass or the back muscles visible through his tight shirt.

We walk inside a large room and I can't believe my eyes.
This library is breathtaking.

The marble from before continues through the floors to the shelves and the railing of the second floor.

Books after books line the beautiful shelves and I can't believe my luck.

"Don't be shy to look around, and you can borrow as many books as you'd like." Mister de Rosa says and I smile at him gratefully.

"That is very nice thank you Mister-" I stop myself, "thanks, Luca."

"Don't mention it." He smiles.

~

This library has so many special editions and first copies I wonder what it's all worth.

Definitely a whole fortune.

I'm sitting on the spiraling stairway, looking through the books I picked out, and am in absolute awe of them.

Suddenly I feel something wet against my leg and I'm startled.

I look at the brown lab standing in front of me, wagging his or her tail like crazy.

I take a quick look and can definitely say it's not a boy.

She's got some white fur around her face which makes it obvious, she's not the youngest.

"Hey, sweet girl what's your name huh?"

"That's Daisy." A now familiar voice sounds behind me and I wonder when it became my favorite sound in the span of a day?

I look up at Mister de Rosa and smile.

"She's a very friendly dog. How old is she?"

"13, almost 14 years. She's an old lady, but still a fit one."

I return to petting Daisy. Grinning when she tries licking my hand.

"You're good with dogs. Do you have your own?"

"No, I'd love to though. But I'm helping at the local dog shelter and wouldn't have enough time."

"That's great. You know when I was about your age, I helped my uncle, who worked closely with the police to get dogs out of abusing households. Didn't matter if they were treating their dogs like their personal punching bags, didn't feed them enough, or even engaged in dog fights.
We always got the dogs out."

He sounds so passionate it melts my heart.
"I love that, are you still helping?"

"No. I'd love to, but I grew up on the other side of the country, so I had to give it up when I moved."

"Oh," I pause for a second, "do you miss it?"

"Actually I do," it looks like he wants to say more.
"Anyways, I came to tell you that Emilio drove off."

Wait what?

"Huh?"

"Yeah, we had an um fight and he just got into his car and drove off. I'm sorry, but I can of course drive you wherever you need to go."

I cannot fucking believe this. Is he fucking kidding me?

First, he forces me to come with him and then he abandons me?!

"What a jerk." I snap, immediately hoping it wasn't loud enough for his dad to hear.

But I know he heard me when he chuckles "yeah, I guess he sometimes really acts like one... So where do you need to go?"

"I'd go home but if I'm being honest I don't wanna see him right now, so I'd appreciate it if you took me to the shelter."

His face doesn't give anything away. I have no idea what he's thinking.

"Sure, come on."