Luca’s Inferno by Karima Sa’ad Usman

Chapter 14

14 Dinner Party Luca. We finished up at the restaurant and headed to a clothing store. I had booked ahead, and they had cleared out the store so we could shop in peace. When we arrived there, my men arrived to guard the place and Emma and I went inside. “Good morning Mr Alessandro, welcome,” the store owner, who was also a designer, greeted me, and I smiled at him. His name was Luciano Russo, and he was the best in the country. “Luciano, meet my wife, Emma,” I said, and he was shocked and happy at the same time. He shook Emma’s delicate hand, and I felt a growl trying to escape my mouth, but I held it. “You are welcome. She is stunning,” he said to me, and I nodded. I already knew she was a beauty. Luciano was a human clueless about our world, so he did not know she was an Omega or what it meant. “We will do both her hair, dress and makeup. You will fall in love all over again, Mr Alessandro, “he teased, and we all laughed, but I noticed Emma blush a bit, which was cute. He urged her to come with him, and she looked at me. I nodded at her telling her it was okay. She followed him while I sat in the lounge area with my guards. Emma looked stunning. Black hair, with moonlight-grey eyes and flawless skin. She looked beautiful. I was speechless, and when she started trying on the different clothes Luciano picked for her, I felt something shift in me. The woman looked like a goddess. I prayed for the strength to not fall in love with her and let her go when the time came. She was amazing. We spent a while in the store, and after tons of clothes and spending lots of Leers there, we were finally done. I paid with my card and told them to send everything to my house. I called Miranda, the head maid, to have them arrange Emma’s things in her closet when the clothes and accessories arrive. We left the place and headed to the jewellery store. I needed to get her a wedding ring and some Jewelries. Emma touched my hand when we parked in front of the shop. The electric jolt was there again, just like in Marcelo’s club when I held her hands to steady them.

“Why are we here?” She asked, looking a bit worried. “I want to buy wedding bands and jewellery for you,” I said, and she shook her head. “Do not waste your money, Luca. Let us go for something cheap; it is just one year. I will not be able to do anything with them once it is over,” she said, and I was stunned she would turn down expensive jewellery. She was a very decent woman. “Well, you will accompany me to many places; you can’t wear cheap jewellery. It would reflect badly on me,” I explained, and she nodded. “Can we return them after a year?” She asked me, and I nodded. “We can sell it back to them after a year,” I replied, and she sighed with relief. I got her a yellow diamond ring. I went further to get her ten sets of Jewelry that she could wear with her new clothes and accessories. She was overwhelmed by the prices, but she controlled herself. We finished, and I had them send it to my house. We finished our shopping by three in the afternoon, and I felt it was only best we return home so Emma would have time to prepare for the party. I told Miranda to assign two omega maids to her so she would not feel intimidated by the kappas working for us. When we got home, I led her upstairs, but instead of her room, I asked her to join me in mine for a movie. She gladly obliged, and I was shocked. I thought she would feel awkward or suspect I wanted to touch her, but she obliged without giving it a thought. It showed her trust in me, and I was grateful for that. The moment we entered my room, she looked surprised. She admired everything in the room and sat on the couch. “Thank you for today, Luca. I had fun,” she said, and I frowned at her. “We only went shopping,” I said, and she nodded. “No one has ever taken me shopping before,” she said, and I was stunned. “Not even your ex?” I asked her, and she shook her head. “I am glad to share that experience with you,” I said, and she smiled. I took off my shirt and noticed she averted her gaze, making me smile. I put on a t-shirt and went to sit with her on the couch. We agreed to watch a comedy, and I could not help but steal a glance at her whenever she laughed. She gave me peace that I had never experienced before. I liked it. An hour later my phone rang, it was Gerald, so I stood up to answer it. “Hello,” I said. “Alpha, we have a slight issue,” he said, and I was attentive.

“I just got information that Marino is planning an attack on us. They are angry that we took over their territory, and Castelo Ricci might be helping them.” He said, and I walked away · from where Emma was. “Is it from a trusted source?” I asked him, and I heard him sigh. “It is a rumour for now, but if we do not deal with the mess, it will be serious.” He said. “Do some more research; let us be sure it is Castelo so we do not strike the wrong person. I was the one that installed him as the head of that family. I need to be sure someone isn’t trying to frame him because the Ricci family is important to me.” I told him, and he agreed to do some more investigation. The news that Gerald just gave me was disturbing. If Castelo betrays me, it will weaken my hold. I would need to seek a stronger alliance should that happen. The call had irritated me, and I began to pace in my bedroom, thinking of my next move. While I moved, I noticed the sound from the television was disturbing me, so I told Emma to turn it down as nicely as I could manage. “You seem upset. I will excuse you,” she said and stood up. I wanted to ask her to stay, but I decided against it last minute. “Are we still going to the party?” She asked, and I nodded: “Be ready by seven,” I said, and she left the room. I heard her enter hers, and I turned off the television and began to make calls. I called my brother Roberto to give him a heads up about the attack, and then I called My sister Catalina to warn her. I called my father to warn him, and then I called some of my closest business associates to check on them. After making several phone calls, I decided to catch an hour’s sleep before getting ready for the event. SEVEN IN THE EVENING. I stood downstairs with my parents, waiting for Emma to come out. I linked her to let her know it was time to leave. “Did y ell your contract wife that we aren’t at her beck and call, and we can’t wait for her?” My mother said, and I ignored her. “You two can go ahead of me; Emma and I will join you at the party,” I said. We waited five more minutes, and Emma’s sweet scent filled my senses. I looked up, and she was in the red dress I had asked her tonovelbin

wear. She looked beautiful. “I see she has managed to dip her hands in your pocket,” my mother said, and my father cautioned her. I was too smitten by Emma to pay attention to what my mother was saying. I met Emma and the foot of the staircase and looped her hand with mine. “You look stunning,” I said, and she smiled at me. “Thank you,” She said, and I could see she was a bit bold, just the way I had requested. “Good evening,” Emma greeted my parents. My father replied, but my mother refused to respond. My parents left, and I could feel my mother’s anger. I did not care. I walked my wife proudly to the car. I knew she was a show stopper, and many men would be jealous. We arrived at the party, and when Emma and I walked in, the place went silent. People began to murmur, and all they wanted to know was who she was. After greeting and mingling with some of the guests, the hosts finally graced us with their · presence, and I took Emma with me to greet them. Mathias Banchi and Lora Banchi. “Luca,” Mathias said, and I greeted him. He was my father’s age but was still head of the family because he refused to step down for his daughter to take over. Mathias was hoping I would marry her and we could combine our families and businesses. Emma gracefully greeted them too, and they did not seem to like or pay attention to her. His wife turned up her nose and did not greet Emma in return. “Mathias, meet my wife, Emma,” I said so they would know her stance and pay her the same respect they paid me. “Oh, we know; your mother told us about her. I did not know people could get contract wives now. Is it a new thing?” Lora asked me, and I balled my fist. My mother had run her mouth. I noticed Emma’s countenance changed, and all her confidence dissipated. I was angry. “Who told you that, Lora? Emma is my wife, and I will not appreciate her disrespected.” “Let us be real, Luca; she is an omega. Terresa is a better match for you. We hope to see you making the moves once this ridiculousness is over,” Mathais said, and I was angry at my mother. I knew they wanted us to have the support of the Bianchis, but did they have to humiliate me like this? If getting to the top was so easy, my father should have done it on his own without my help. Now they think they could run my life as they saw fit. I did not want to have any issues with Mathais, so I excused us and went to greet others.

“I do not think it was wise bringing me here, Luca. They all seem to know we have a contract. I guess your mother told them,” Emma said, picking up on the gossip around us. I was mad, so I did the only thing I knew how. I took her to the dance floor. I held her to my chest and moved to the music. I was at peace, and the world around us faded. It was just her and me. I was mad at what my mother did, so I lifted Emma’s face to look at me while we danced. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her gentle nature helped too. I prayed to the goddess that I would be able to survive the year without falling for her. I leaned in and kissed her. She returned the kiss this time, sweet with passion. Did she want me?