Mrs. Changretta

A Lovers Spat

Luca had always been overprotective. Your safety was his utmost concern. You felt like every move you made was watched. Accounted for. Supervised. Of course, you understood why. It was a dangerous life, but it still made you feel like you were being suffocated every now and then.

You spend your days at the hotel waiting for Luca to come home, constantly being watched by his men. Two of them sat in a car outside waiting to see if you leave, and when you did, you'd be followed. This wasn't Luca being controlling. He simply wanted to make sure you were safe at all times. But you had started feeling restless. Trapped, like a bird in captivity. You felt Luca had put you in a golden cage. Sure, it was a beautiful one, but it was still a cage.

One day, you'd had enough. You got into your car and sped off. His two henchmen following closely behind. You weaved in and out of the streets, making quick turns in the car and eventually losing them. You were free, no one following or watching you. You took a deep breath and relished in being alone. You met up with an old childhood friend and ended up in a pub having a liquid lunch, giggling over glasses of champagne and gossiping like teenagers.

Your fun soon ended when a group of smartly dressed men came over. They had overheard you talking, mentioning Luca's name and that you used to be a Shelby, and realised who you were. You were in the wrong part of town. A dangerous part. Enemy territory.

You heard one of the them shout 'That's her, there! Changretta's little whore!', whilst another one grabbed your wrists, yanking you up from your seat. You were trying to pull yourself away and then all hell broke loose. Your friend was screaming, the sound of shouting and beer glasses smashing forced her to cover her ears. And then you seen him, Antonio, one of Luca's henchmen. He grabbed you and your friend roughly by the arm and quickly got you both out of the pub.

'Get in the back of the car, Mrs Changretta. Leave your car here and we will have someone collect it later. Where shall we drop off your friend?' His voice was firm and blunt. You did as he said.

They dropped your friend off and drive back to the hotel in silence.

'I am sorry for driving away from you earlier, I just needed—'

'Save your apologies for your husband, miss. We don't need them, but he definitely will.'

Your stomach dropped at the thought of him. Luca. He is going to be livid.

You resumed your silence.

—————-

The hotel door crashed open with a force that made you jump. Luca stormed into the living area, his face a thunderstorm of rage and fear.

"Where is she?" He shouted furiously.

You stood there in front of the great fireplace, your heart hammering in your chest. His eyes caught yours.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he roared, his voice echoing through the room. "Do you have any idea what you just put yourself through? What you put me through?"

You took a shaky step back, trying to gather your thoughts. "Luca, I—"

"Don't you dare 'Luca' me!" he interrupted, his eyes blazing. "You almost got yourself killed today! Killed!! Do you understand that? Do you understand what those men could have done to you? Do you understand what that would do to me? Do you have any idea?"

"I'm sorry," you whispered, tears already welling up in your eyes. "I didn't mean to—"

"Sorry?" he spat, his voice rising even higher. "Sorry doesn't cut it! You were reckless and stupid! Don't you understand that?"

The sheer volume of his anger made you flinch, the tears now streaming down your face. You had never heard him shout so loud. "I didn't mean to..."

"But you did!" he snapped, cutting you off. "You put yourself in harm's way without thinking about the consequences, without thinking about how it would affect you or the people who love you. How it would affect me."

You couldn't hold back the sobs any longer, the sound of your crying cutting through the tension in the room. Luca's face twisted with a mixture of fury and anguish as he watched you break down in front of him.

"Do you have any idea how scared I was?" he demanded, his voice quieter but no less intense. "Do you know what it's like to get that call, to hear that you've been in danger and there was nothing I could do?"

You shook your head, trying to find the words, but they wouldn't come. The fear and guilt had knotted in your chest, leaving you speechless.

He took a step back, running a hand through his hair, his breaths coming fast and hard. "I can't... I can't do this," he muttered, turning away from you and walking out of the room, the door to his office slamming shut behind him.

You stood there, crying, the weight of his words sinking in. Luca's anger was rooted in fear, in love. But it still hurt. It hurt to see him so furious, to feel his disappointment. You sank onto the couch, your sobs quiet but persistent.

————

Hours passed, the hotel suite quiet and still. You had retreated to the bedroom, curling up on the bed, clutching a pillow to your chest. The tears had finally stopped, but the ache remained. You didn't hear Luca come in, didn't notice his presence until you felt the mattress dip beside you.

"My darling," he whispered, his voice soft and filled with regret. "Look at me."

You turned slowly, meeting his eyes. The anger was gone, replaced by a deep, sorrowful guilt. He reached out, gently brushing a tear from your cheek. "I'm so sorry, my love. I didn't mean to make you cry."

You searched his face, seeing the pain and regret etched into his features. "You were so angry with me," you said, your voice small and fragile.

"I know," he sighed, pulling you into his arms. "And I'm sorry. I was scared. Scared of losing you. I love you so much, and the thought of something happening to you... it terrifies me."

You buried your face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, letting his warmth envelop you. "I'm sorry too. I didn't think about what it would do to you."

"I spend my whole life worrying about you, trying to protect you from it all. I know you feel suffocated but I don't know what else to do. I can't lose you. You mean everything to me. When you put yourself in danger like that, when I get a call like that, it feels like my whole world is falling apart."

He pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly. "I need you to be safe, Amore" he whispered into your hair. "Promise me you'll be more careful. Promise me you'll let me keep you safe."

You nodded, feeling the weight of his words and his love. "I promise."

He kissed the top of your head, a soft, tender gesture that spoke volumes. "Good. Because I can't do this without you, my girl."