JADE
The sun was saying its goodbyes, giving our mansion a warm glow after Valerie left. I felt this weird kind of happiness, like a weight lifted off my chest. Valerie finally let go of her thing for Luciano.
But what if she was playing with my head? She did sound extremely genuine about it.
Or maybe this was one of her tricks to make me let down my guard so that she could have my husband?
Well whatever the case, I would always hold my husband tight and fight for my marriage.
Nothing would change that.
Man I am so happy! I sat like a dog with two tails, eagerly awaiting Luciano’s arrival.
I have to inform him of everything. Time really moved so slow, it felt like night time would never come.
I watched some television, ate, slept and yet still no sign of Luciano.
“Ma’am dinner is ready” a maid informed me as I read a novel in my room.
I did not even realise when she walked into my room.
“Is Luciano back yet?” I asked.
She shook her head in response, “I do not know Ma’am. I have been in the kitchen all day” she replied, waning off the little spark of hope in my eyes.
I sighed deeply and nodded my head. “You may go. I will be there in a few minute”
She left me alone to my worrisome thoughts. The once happy look that had been etched on my face since Valerie’s departure was now replaced by a worried look.
God where is my husband for crying out loud? I did not even want to eat as I had lost appetite but food helped in clearing off my thoughts.
Reluctantly, I slid into my footwear and walked out the door.
As I walked and neared the edge of the stairs, I heard a distinct masculine tone which made my heart skip multiple beats.
I increased my pace, running through the hallways until I had gotten to the stairs and there he was.
Luciano. He was talking to some of his guards, giving out orders of some sort and they all bowed their heads like he was a king.
“Luciano!” I happily called out to him, sprinting down the stairs, a wide smile grew on his face.
I hugged him tightly the moment our bodies touched and he hugged me back as well. “Someone seems so happy. I did not realise you would miss me this much” he chuckled.
I couldn’t wait to spill the beans. “Guess what Luciano?” I grinned, “Valerie’s moved on. She’s done with all that! She is no longer clamouring on getting married to you!”
Luciano seemed shocked, shock itself was an understatement. His brows pulled together and he gazed at me with a puzzled expression, ” Are you being serious? Who told you?”
“She did. She came here herself and said so to me!” I giggled, my hands holding onto Luciano even tighter.
“Valerie said that? This is so strange”
“Believe me I still find it hard to believe but she said so with her own mouth and I’ll take it for what it is but I would still not let down my guard for her. I am just so ecstatic Luciano” I said with tears in my eyes.
Luciano’s eyes softened with relief, “You know Jade, I actually spoke to her brother about not marrying her. I was adamant on it. I was not going to be controlled into doing something against my will and something that would hurt you too just because of my thirst for allies. Maybe he spoke sense into her who knows”
“Well whatever you said and he did, it worked! She is finally out of our lives”, our place felt like a safe bubble again, far from the drama.
Feeling the good vibes, Luciano suggested we go out, “why don’t we go out to celebrate this? Just me and you. Besides it’s been literally forever since we went out as a couple”
“That is actually true. We have been so immensed in fighting the issues that threatened the foundation of our marriage that we barely had time to go out together” I concurred.
Luciano pulled me towards himself, a husky smile curling up his smile, “well when should we go?”
“Right now seems great” I giggled, wrapping my hands around his neck.
In the blink of an eye Luciano carried me bridal style.
“Drop me. I can walk” I laughed out like a child. It was such a silly laugh and I snorted while at it.
“Well I can carry you and I want to” he refused and headed towards the door.
A red hue formed around my cheeks, causing me to bury my head in his chest.
“Get the car ready Julio” Luciano ordered and the guard he had earlier been speaking to scurried ahead of us.
* * * *
We ended up in a cozy little italian themed restaurant, the city lights flickering around us. The ambience was perfect accompanied by the soft chairs, wooden tables and scented candles that decorated the entire restaurant.
Soft classical music played at the background.
Luciano ordered us spaghetti and meat balls, well I wanted it. For desert, I’d get something sweet.
Between bites and laughs, Luciano then brought up something on his mind. “Jade”
I looked at him with a mouthful of spaghetti which earned me a chuckle from him.
“Do you love me?”
Wow that was sudden. Of course I loved him. I gulped down the food and took a tissue to clean my mouth. “Why do you ask?”
“Jade look..” Luciano held my hands from across the little spherical table. “I know this was not what you planned for your life and for your marriage. I was never in the picture and you never planned on getting married to me. It was something that happened so fast.
Even for me. But honestly, I have never cared for anyone the way I’ve cared for you Jade…”
“You only care Luciano. That is the bare minimum you can do, a husband can do for his wife. But you don’t love me” I cut him short, trying to retreat my hands from his but he maintained his grip.
“Jade yes that is the bare minimum and that is why I’d never stop caring for you. I value you more than my own life. But still, I have tried to deny what I truly feel for you but I can’t deny it any longer Jade. I honestly can not. I love you Jade. It took me time to actually realise what I felt was beyond mere care and concern. I deeply love you and I couldn’t have asked for a better wife”
He actually said he loved me! It felt like sparks went off in my head! “You love me? You really love me?” I asked, unable to hide the excitement all wrapped up in my face.
“I do. That is why I couldn’t see myself getting married to Valerie. I love you always and forever Jade” Luciano said, his voice was low and filled with longing and sincerity.
“I love you too Luciano. I love you so much. I did not realise how or when I fell so deeply inlove with you but I did and I love you” I confessed, tear drops rolling down my cheeks.
Luciano wiped them away with his thumb, “tears do not fit you my love”
He kissed my knuckles, his lips soft and pressed upon my skin causing me to tingle.
I smiled, everything was going so perfect. How I wish it can remain like this.
A brief silence settled in, our stare not faltering. It was like we understood each other without saying much.
“What next Luciano? Valerie is out of our lives and we’ve confessed our love for each other. So what next?” I asked breaking the silence.
“I have been thinking, Jade,” Luciano said, looking kind of excited, “maybe it’s time for a change. What do you say we head back to America? We head back home”
I looked at him, feeling the seriousness in his words. We head back to the Greco mansion where it all started.
Well we can’t run away from the enemies that posed as our allies. It is better we go back and face them all.
Luciano is the capo and he will face off all the threats that challenges his reign.
I nodded, sharing the anticipation. “Sure, let’s do it. I am anxious to see what awaits us back home. A new phase in our lives perhaps” I laughed as we clinked our glasses, ready for whatever came next in our story together.