Chapter 166: Cecelia’s Dedication!
Her hands were unbelievably soft.
As their fingers intertwined, Luca found himself quietly marveling at the sensation.
He had held plenty of women’s hands before, yet Cecelia’s felt different.
They were cool, silky, and so delicate they almost seemed boneless, like holding a piece of soft jelly.
Vivienne’s hands were elegant, with long fingers and graceful knuckles.
Naomi’s were slightly fuller, her palms softer, though her skin had a healthy firmness to it.
Sophie...
He couldn’t help smiling.
Her hands were so tiny they looked like a child’s, always carrying that faint milky fragrance that somehow never disappeared.
Amelia’s hands were soft and graceful, with short, slender fingers and almost perfect skin that carried a quiet warmth.
As for Arabella...
He frowned thoughtfully.
’It’s been too long.’
’I honestly can’t remember.’
’Next time...’
’Definitely next time.’
Still holding hands, the two wandered out of the residential complex together.
The evening air was cool, and the streets were filled with neighbors enjoying after-dinner walks.
Quite a few middle-aged women recognized Cecelia immediately.
They smiled warmly before their attention shifted toward the handsome young man walking beside her.
"My goodness, Little Cece, your boyfriend is so handsome!"
Another woman couldn’t stop staring at Luca.
"Young man, do you have any brothers?"
"I’ve got a daughter around your age."
"I could introduce you!"
Luca smiled politely through the barrage of questions.
By the time the enthusiastic aunties finally let them go, he quietly let out a long sigh.
"...The ladies in your neighborhood are really passionate."
Cecelia couldn’t help laughing.
Taking out a wet wipe from her handbag, she stood on her tiptoes and gently wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead.
"Who’s to blame?"
She smiled teasingly.
"If you weren’t so handsome, they wouldn’t have surrounded you."
She wasn’t exaggerating.
Luca already had the kind of face that would make him the center of attention on any university campus.
On top of that, his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs gave him the proportions of a runway model.
He didn’t even have to speak.
Just standing there drew people’s eyes.
Even the older women couldn’t stop praising him.
As for the younger girls...
She doubted many of them could resist someone like him.
And then there was everything else.
His clothes.
His watch.
His calm confidence.
Every detail practically screamed that he came from extraordinary wealth.
To the aunties, he was the perfect son-in-law.
The phrase "tall, rich, and handsome" barely scratched the surface.
Thinking about it...
Cecelia suddenly felt incredibly fortunate.
Out of all the women around him...
He’d chosen her.
Yet that happiness didn’t last long.
Instead, another emotion quietly crept into her heart.
There were simply too many women who would fall for someone like him.
Would he eventually grow tired of her too?
Would she become just another passing novelty?
Her expression unconsciously dimmed.
Luca noticed almost immediately.
Without saying anything, he tightened his grip around her hand.
"Celia?"
She slowly looked up.
Her beautiful eyes shimmered under the streetlights.
"Luca..."
"Hm?"
She took a deep breath before finally speaking.
"I’ve been married before."
"I’m also quite a bit older than you."
"But..."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"When you told me you liked me..."
"I was happier than I’ve been in years."
She hesitated.
There was another question trapped in her heart.
One she’d wanted to ask ever since he confessed.
She bit her lower lip.
"I know you already have someone wonderful by your side."
"But..."
"Can you answer me honestly?"
His expression softened.
"Of course."
She looked straight into his eyes.
Her palms had begun sweating.
Even her lips trembled slightly.
"Will you... always care about me?"
The words came out so softly they were almost carried away by the breeze.
Her heartbeat became uncontrollable.
Part of her was terrified.
She was afraid this relationship would become just another beautiful illusion.
She feared he might eventually grow bored and leave, just like countless men she’d seen over the years.
At the same time...
She could no longer deny her own feelings.
She liked him.
She couldn’t resist him.
Those conflicting emotions twisted together until even she couldn’t tell whether she felt excited, nervous, or anxious.
Luca gently lifted her chin.
His eyes met hers.
Warm.
Patient.
Without hesitation, he answered.
"Of course."
The simple reply loosened the knot in her heart.
She smiled.
A genuine, relieved smile.
"Then..."
She gathered every ounce of courage she had.
"I’m willing."
"I’m willing to be your woman."
"I’ll try my best to like you..."
"No."
She corrected herself with a small laugh.
"I already like you."
"I’ll do my best to fall in love with you even more."
"You don’t have to stay with me every day."
"When you’re free..."
"When you have time..."
"Just come see me."
Saying those words felt like gambling everything.
She didn’t know whether Luca was telling the truth.
She couldn’t see what their future would become.
Maybe she’d find happiness.
Maybe she’d end up heartbroken.
But if she never tried...
She’d never know.
If she lost...
She’d simply return to the lonely life she’d already grown used to.
But if she won...
Perhaps she’d finally find the happiness she’d stopped believing in years ago.
She looked at him with gentle, watery eyes.
"If you’re lying to me..."
Her voice became even softer.
"Then..."
"Please keep lying."
"Lie to me until I’m old."
"Until I’m no longer beautiful."
After saying that, she slowly stepped closer.
Both hands rested lightly on his shoulders.
Standing on her tiptoes, she closed her eyes.
Then...
She kissed him first.
Her lips were soft and slightly cool.
The kiss was timid at first.
Then, as their breaths intertwined, it gradually became deeper.
Neither of them spoke.
Time itself seemed to slow.
Only after a long while did they finally separate.
The moment their lips parted, all of Cecelia’s courage disappeared.
She immediately buried her burning face against his chest.
She wrapped both arms tightly around his waist, refusing to look up again.
Seeing her ears turn bright red, Luca couldn’t help smiling.
Carefully, he rubbed her back through her clothes.
"You were the one who kissed me first."
"So why are you the one hiding now?"
She immediately lifted her head.
"You..."
Her phoenix-like eyes glared at him.
The blush on her cheeks hadn’t faded in the slightest.
"If you keep teasing me..."
"I..."
She searched desperately for something threatening enough.
Finally she puffed out her cheeks.
"I’ll never kiss you again!"
Luca grinned shamelessly.
"That’s alright."
"I’ll kiss you instead."
Before she could react, he leaned forward and quickly stole another kiss.
"You!"
Cecelia covered her lips with the back of her hand, her face filled with embarrassment and mock anger.
She looked exactly like a little cat trying very hard to appear fierce.
Only then did she notice something.
People...
Lots of people...
The elderly couples taking their evening walks.
Young couples strolling hand in hand.
Even children riding scooters nearby.
Almost everyone had stopped to look.
Some smiled knowingly.
Others whispered to their companions while laughing quietly.
Only then did she realize...
Their kiss had become tonight’s entertainment.
"Luca!"
She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him away.
Unlike him, who looked completely relaxed, she wished she could disappear on the spot.
Even while running, though...
She never let go of his hand.
They didn’t stop until they reached the riverside.
The evening breeze drifted across the water, cooling her flushed face.
She finally caught her breath.
Looking up...
She saw the smug smile on Luca’s face.
Immediately, she crossed her arms.
"So..."
"You’re feeling pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?"
His expression instantly became serious.
"No."
A second later...
He failed to hold it in.
A grin spread across his face again as he slipped an arm around her soft waist.
"I really am."
"I’m proud that you chose me."
"Hmph."
She snorted.
"Then you can find your own way home tonight."
"I’m not taking you back."
He blinked innocently.
"So..."
"You’re kicking me out?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
"Were you planning to stay over?"
He answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Of course."
After all...
Why had he suggested taking a walk in the first place?
Naturally, it wasn’t just for fresh air.
He’d been planning this from the beginning.
Surely...
She didn’t think he came all this way just to enjoy the scenery by the river.