Chapter 167: Would You Come To San Fierro With Me?
"Luca, can you speak normally for once?"
Cecelia’s cheeks flushed crimson. Whether it was from embarrassment or annoyance, even she wasn’t sure.
"I am speaking normally." Luca looked at her with an innocent expression. "Everything I said was true."
She shot him a helpless glare before letting out a quiet sigh.
The two continued strolling hand in hand along the riverside, the cool evening breeze brushing gently against them.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
About two minutes later, Cecelia suddenly broke the silence.
"Luca..."
"Hm?"
She slowed her pace and looked at him seriously.
"In your eyes... am I a frivolous woman?"
"Of course not."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
There wasn’t even a moment of consideration.
"If you really treated relationships so casually, you wouldn’t still be working as a secretary."
He smiled faintly.
"With your looks alone, you could have lived comfortably a long time ago."
"Plenty of wealthy men have pursued you over the years."
"There were people like Anthony, and there were plenty worse."
"If money were all you cared about, you would’ve accepted one of them."
Instead, she’d rejected every single one.
Luca already knew almost everything about her life from the reports Rico had gathered.
He understood exactly what kind of woman she was.
Cecelia kept staring into his eyes.
She searched carefully for even the tiniest sign of dishonesty.
’If he’s lying...’
’I’ll ignore him.’
’At least for one whole day.’
After watching him for several seconds, she finally relaxed.
There wasn’t the slightest hint of hesitation in his gaze.
It was steady.
Honest.
A smile gradually bloomed across her face.
"...That’s good."
She lifted her chin proudly, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and walked ahead with light, graceful steps.
After holding hands for so long, her palm had become slightly damp.
She couldn’t tell whether it was because she felt warm...
Or because she was nervous.
Luca, on the other hand, remained perfectly composed.
Holding a beautiful woman’s hand didn’t make him nervous in the slightest.
Perhaps...
Only certain situations would make his palms sweat.
When they reached the bridge, countless colorful lights reflected across the river, creating rippling waves of red, blue, and gold.
The night breeze carried away the lingering summer heat.
Cecelia rested both elbows against the stone railing.
A gust of wind swept past, gently scattering her long black hair.
Instead of looking messy, it only made her appear even more captivating.
"Luca..."
"Hm?"
"Will you eventually leave New Orleans?"
"Yes."
His answer was straightforward.
"My main business is in San Fierro."
"I spend most of my time there."
"...I see."
Even though she’d already expected that answer, hearing it aloud still left a small ache in her heart.
After a brief silence, he asked,
"Celia."
"Would you come to San Fierro with me?"
She blinked in surprise.
"Me too?"
"Aren’t you afraid Miss Vivienne will get jealous?"
In Cecelia’s eyes, Vivienne was unquestionably the woman standing beside him openly.
She herself...
At most...
Could only remain quietly in the background.
Besides...
For some reason...
Vivienne intimidated her.
Just remembering that confident, commanding presence made her feel pressured.
Luca was different.
At first glance, he looked every bit the imposing CEO.
But after spending time with him...
She discovered he rarely acted like one.
Outside of dealing with major company matters or handling enemies like the Luiz family, he spent most of his time eating, joking around, and teasing people.
Thinking about that...
She couldn’t help laughing.
"What are you laughing at?"
Luca looked genuinely confused.
"You think I’m scared of my own woman?"
"No."
She quickly shook her head while trying to suppress another smile.
"I just remembered something funny."
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Your husband had a baby?"
Cecelia rolled her eyes.
"No, do you have one?."
"Oh..."
"So..."
He leaned slightly closer.
"You want to have my child?"
She rubbed her forehead helplessly.
’How did every conversation somehow end up here?’
Then another thought suddenly occurred to her.
’Wait...’
’Since when did I become his wife?’
The two continued wandering through the riverside park.
They joked.
Teased each other.
Occasionally stopped to admire the scenery.
Before they knew it, they’d made their way back toward the residential complex.
At the entrance stood a lively barbecue stall, the smoky aroma drifting through the evening air.
Luca stopped walking.
"Want to grab some barbecue and beer?"
"We don’t have work tomorrow anyway."
Cecelia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Trying to get me drunk so you can do something?"
"Impossible."
He placed a hand over his chest with complete seriousness.
"I am very chivalrous."
"How could I possibly have such crooked thoughts?"
She couldn’t help laughing.
"Fine."
"I’ve been craving barbecue anyway."
Together they picked out skewers while chatting.
Watching him casually choosing ingredients made her smile.
For some reason...
It pleased her.
She’d always assumed someone as wealthy as Luca spent every meal dining in luxurious restaurants.
Yet here he was, happily buying roadside barbecue without the slightest concern.
The invisible distance she’d once felt between them quietly shrank again.
They returned to her apartment carrying bags filled with food and drinks.
The television played quietly in the background while the two leaned against the sofa, eating, drinking, and chatting about everything and nothing.
After another bottle of beer...
Cecelia noticed his arm around her waist tightening slightly.
She glanced sideways at him.
"Why are you holding me so tightly?"
"Aren’t you hot?"
"The air conditioner is too cold."
He answered with complete seriousness.
"...Fine."
She didn’t move his hand away.
Instead, she naturally rested her head against his shoulder.
The alcohol had left her cheeks slightly pink.
Her thoughts were still clear...
Just a little slower than usual.
The movie eventually reached its ending.
The credits rolled across the television screen.
Cecelia smiled gently.
"It’s getting late."
"You should head home."
"Alright."
Luca stood up.
"I’ll take the trash downstairs first."
"Okay."
He packed the empty bottles and takeaway boxes into a large trash bag before walking toward the entrance.
After changing into his shoes, he stepped outside.
The apartment suddenly became much quieter.
Less than three seconds later...
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
She smiled before opening the door.
"Mr. Hale."
"Did you forget something?"
"No."
He lifted the trash bag with one hand.
"I can throw this away tomorrow."
"But..."
"There are some things I’d rather do tonight."
She folded her arms.
"Oh?"
"And what exactly would that be?"
She already knew the answer.
Perhaps it was the alcohol...
Or perhaps it was because she’d finally accepted her feelings.
Tonight, she felt much bolder than usual.
He stepped closer.
"Spend a little more time with you."
Before she could respond, he slipped an arm around her waist and gently kissed her.
She stiffened for a moment.
Then slowly melted into the embrace.
After the kiss ended, her breathing had become noticeably uneven.
She looked away first.
"...Close the door."
The apartment door clicked shut behind them.
He smiled.
"What now?"
She rested her forehead lightly against his chest, her voice barely above a whisper.
"...Take a shower."
"And then..."
"We’ll rest."
He laughed softly before lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
She instinctively wrapped an arm around his neck.
A shy smile appeared despite herself.
Soon, the bathroom door closed behind them, leaving only the steady sound of running water echoing through the quiet apartment.