Just a little sip

Just a Touch of Trouble

Luca picked up the phone, his expression serious as he spoke to his mother. "You should go, darling; it's your fiancé's father hosting everything. It wouldn't look nice if you were invited and didn't come."

His mom's name is Giovanna Lacara, a woman with icy blue eyes and a demeanor that could freeze fire.

"I know, Giovanna. But I have business to attend to. Simon Lacara has been playing games with me. We gave him a huge amount of drugs, and he's only paid half of it. He's been running his mouth, and it's time I show him who I am." Luca's voice was low, each word laced with a dangerous edge.

"Okay, darling. Do what you have to do, but don't get caught. No one in the U.S. needs to know about our affari (business)," she warned, her tone sharp as a knife.

As he hung up, his phone buzzed with a call from Lara Cove, his fiancée.

"Hope you're coming tonight, Luca! I promise you, it's going to be a fun night! There will be so many important people to network with!" she gushed, her excitement palpable.

"I'll be there," Luca replied coldly, his disinterest clear.

"Oh, wonderful! I'll be waiting for you!" Lara chirped, not sensing the chill in his voice.

"Don't get too excited. I'm not there to play house," he shot back, his words sharper than a dagger.

"What do you mean? This is our chance to shine together! We need to show everyone that we're the perfect couple!" she insisted, trying to pry a reaction from him.

"Perfect couples are fairy tales, Lara. I'm not looking for a fairy tale." His eyes narrowed, a hint of frustration creeping in.

"But we have to keep up appearances! My father is counting on this union! You can't keep pushing me away, Luca!" Her voice was a mix of pleading and annoyance.

Luca sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm not pushing you away. I just have my priorities. Focus on what's in front of us, not on fairy tales."

"Just remember," Lara pressed, "this engagement isn't just for us. It's for our families, our businesses. You can't back out now!"

"I'm not backing out, but I won't pretend to be something I'm not," he replied, the coldness returning to his voice.

After ending the call, Lara flopped back onto her bed, frustration etched across her face. She pulled out her phone and dialed her best friend, Isabella, who answered almost immediately.

"Lara! Hey, what's up?" Isabella's cheerful voice filled the room, but Lara could barely muster a smile.

"Ugh, you won't believe the conversation I just had with Luca. It was... painful." Lara rolled her eyes, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Isabella chuckled, "Painful? How so? Did he get all moody again?"

"More like emotionally unavailable. I swear, it's like talking to a brick wall!" Lara huffed, pacing her room. "I told him how important this gala is for us, and he just... doesn't get it! He acts like he's too good for this life."

"Typical Luca. It's like he's allergic to commitment," Isabella teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Right? I mean, I get that he's got his mafia business to worry about, but come on! We're engaged! It should mean something!" Lara flopped back on her bed dramatically.

"Engaged in a mafia world, not exactly a fairytale, babe," Isabella replied, a smirk evident in her voice. "But seriously, have you thought about what you want? It sounds like you're doing all the emotional heavy lifting here."