30: Never involve Ciro in your plans.

Bella

"You want anything else angel?" Lucca asks me as we all sit down in the living room.

I smile up at him as I pat my full stomach that would burst open if I ate anything else. "I don't think I can eat anything for a week Lucca. I am so stuffed." I say jokingly but meaning it at the same time.

The breakfast was so delicious and amazing. The way Lucca made sure I ate all my favorites ones - was simple so sweet. He is the perfect boyfriend every single girl dream of. And it was not just now, whenever we sat down to eat, he always makes sure I am right next to him. Before he fills his plate he fills mine and asks me if I need anything else. It is like he knows exactly what I like and want to eat all the time. Plus sometimes if I left some food on my plate when I am done eating he would simple pull the plate towards him and finish the rest of them for me.

He was too perfect, that sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve him.

"Oh don't say that buttercup," Ciro loud exited sound causes me to shift and look at him.

I was snuggled right next to Lucca on the couch while Ciro and sat opposite to us.

"You need to make some space for your birthday cake and..." Ciro informs me and it takes my foggy - food induced coma brain to realize what he was saying. But the moment it does I quickly spin my head and look at Lucca. As I was resting my head on his chest, I had to tilt my head a bit back to get a clear look of his face. Lucca had a look which was in between 'I am going to kill you Ciro' and 'a boy caught with his hands in cookie-jar'. He keeps staring at Ciro and it seems like they are having some silent secret conversation among themselves.

"Oh Ciro dear." I hear my mom gasp from the far end of the room. She sounded half in shock and half in disbelief. But I don't look at her or Ciro or anyone in particular. My eyes were fixed on Lucca, waiting patiently for his beautiful crystal blue eyes to meet mine.

"Oh sorry I forgot the party was a surprise." I hear Ciro say sounding apologetic but then more apologetic when he ends up revealing everything including the surprise party. "Oh shit," He adds and it was it I couldn't hold back my laughter. I burst of laughing and it takes a second before I hear everyone joining in. We all laugh for good two minutes before I say "Omg Ciro I really didn't know you were so terrible in keeping secret," I say as I wipe the happy tears that had left my eyes. "I am never involving you in any of my rendezvous." I inform him with a playful smile on my face as I ease back to Lucca.

"I told you we should never involve Ciro in our plan," I hear Francesco say and feel Lucca snort in agreement."Little brother no offense but you are the worst one among us when it comes to keeping secrets."Lucca adds and we all chime in with agreement followed by laughter.

"What?? Really??" Ciro yells in disbelief and we all laugh again,"I haven't still told her about Lucc..." But before Ciro could finish his sentence Francesco cuts him.

"CIRO." I hear they all say in unison and then we all burst out laughing again.

"So what is this surprise Ciro is talking about." I ask Lucca as I place my hand over his chest.

He sighs loudly in defeat only causing me to giggle some more. Then he reaches out and grabs my hand, wrapping his muscular fingers around mine and gives it a soft squeeze before pulling it up to his lips to kiss. "It was supposed to be a surprise birthday party dinner." He says sheepishly.

"Lucca," I say in shock, not sure if I should kiss him or jump him.

"I know, I know angel you said you didn't wanted to have any sort of celebration. But I can't imagine having a birthday without a birthday party, especially my angels. So that's why I planned one but it looks like it won't be a surprise anymore." His tone sounded deflated, disappointed and I hated that.

"Thank you so much Lucca," I say as his eyes come to meet mine."And just because you planned this party with so much love and care. I will definitely go."The moment I tell him I will go, he gives me one of his sexy as hell smile and his blue eyes light up bright.

"Really, you will attend the party?" He sounded unsure and I nod letting him know I will. I will do anything for him at this point, cause he does so much for me.

Throughout the previous week right in the middle of celebrating my birthday, Lucca once asked me if I had any particular theme in my mind for birthday party or any place I wanted to have the party. And that was when I confessed to him, that I have never had any birthday party ever since the accident with my forester parents. None.

Then I told him how I always changed the subject when my friends - more like colleagues asked me when my birthday was. Or if I was hosting a birthday party or not?? Or if I was celebrating it or not??

And every single time I either changed the subject or said I have plans.

Actually, it wasn't like I hated to celebrate my birthday. But with my forester parents dying around the same time as my birthday and me not having any family or close friends to celebrate with. I thought it was best if treated it like a normal day. But it looks like my men here have different plans.

"Thank you angel." Lucca whispers softly before kissing my forehead slowly. "I promise you it will be the best birthday party you ever had." I just relax under his touch and let him take care of the rest. If me attending a party - which I must add is meant for me, makes my man happy then why not. He does so much for and I think I can at least do this much for him.

It was thirty minutes past five when the real chaos started or should I say the real party drama started. All the ladies were getting ready in my and Lucca's bedroom - upstairs. As my mother and my sister already knew about the party, they had their dresses ready. But in my case Lucca took care of it and ordered me a beautiful evening gown. It was beautiful and simple just the way I like. And then he went an extra mile and ordered the famous makeup artist Lulu to do my makeup. And man she was talented. She dolled me up like I was heading to some met gala event and not to a birthday party.

"Perfetta." The make artist, Lulu says as she glances all over me and clasps her hand together in front of her chest in an amazed reaction.

"Oh Lulu she looks bellissima, just like her name." Her assistant/friend says from beside her and I blush a little at their complement and thank them.

Then I glanced at the full-length mirror in front of me and admire all the hard work Lulu put on. I looked so dolled up, and I wondered what Lucca would think about it.

I was wearing a beautiful full-length satin dress in the shade burgundy. And the dress size was just perfect, just like it was made for me. For hair I straighten them up and left them open. Lucca knew I hated anyone touching my hair and that was the reason he didn't get me hairstylist.

"You look beautiful, Bella." I hear my mom's emotional voice from behind me and I turn around to face her. She was dressed in a soft pastel peach color dress with similar color shawl thrown over her shoulder. She looked elegant and beautiful.

"Mom you beautiful." I replied honestly as I looked her over.

"I agree maa, Bella you look so beautiful." Eleanore chimed in and my eyes moved in her direction. She was dressed in a cobalt shade of maxi dress with lacy long sleeves. She had her beautiful thick golden brown hair in waves loosely arranged around one side of face and shoulder. Her face had a thin layer of makeup and lip tint. She was rocking the color and looking super sexy. I wonder what Francesco will say when he looks at her.

Though I wasn't sure what was going on in between both of them. A- because they knew each-other way before I found out she was my sister and Francesco was my boyfriend brother. And B- I didn't like to pry in others personal life. Whenever she will comfortable she will tell us about it.

"Omg, Eleanore you look gorgeous in that dress." I compliment her after gawking at her for an entire minute. Her cheeks turn a shade of pink. And I wonder if Francesco picked that dress for her or she did. But before i could ask her that a soft knock on the door stops me.

"That must be my queue to leave." I hear Lulu announce as she gathers her bags and her assistant follows her.

"May I come in?" Ciro asks politely while he waits for permission.

My mom rushes towards the door as she glances at the wrist watch on her hand "Oh it's already seven forty." She says it softly, but we all could hear it. Then she unlocks the door and pulls it open.

"You beautiful ladies are ready?" I hear Ciro ask my mother, but I don't see him, as he remains outside the room like a gentleman.

My mom glances back at the room "Yes we all are ready. Are you boys ready?"

"Yes, ma'am." Ciro replies respectfully.

"Okay, Bella dear why don't you wait here while Ciro and I help Lulu with her stuff." My mom informs me as she guides Lulu and her assistant out the room. And then pull the door close behind her but I hear some murmurs outside the room.

I look at Eleanore, who tries her best to look anywhere except at me. Ookaay.. that's strange. But before I could ask her what's happening there is another knock on the door. I wonder if it was Ciro or maybe Lucca but Francesco voices booms from the other side -asking for permission to enter. As I am about to tell him he can, Eleanore moves across the room the door and swings it open.

"Hey" She says sounding shy all of sudden as she dips her face down and then back up again.

Was my sister blushing??

I don't see Francesco reaction as he was on the other side of the door and away from my site. But I could clearly feel the sparkling in between them.

"You look beautiful, love." Francesco says, his words sounding pure and sincere.

They both remain quite as they keep exchanging looks, that is what I think was going on. I wanted to peek and see what was going on, but I didn't want to spoil their moment. So that's why I remain in the side and wait patiently for either one of them to say something.

After two whole minutes of silence, I hear a throat clearing from the outside followed by Ciro's voice whispering "Francesco, bro now is not the time."

"Oh yeah," Francesco says abruptly as coming to his senses. "Shall we?" He politely asks my sister as he stretches his hand out for her to take. She hesitated for a second but then grabs it. "See you soon sister," She informs me as she glances at me one last time over her shoulder and walks out with Francesco, leaving me whole alone in the room.

"Huh??" I ask out loud to no one in particular as I glance around the room for no idea what.

I had no idea why all of sudden everyone was acting weird. And where was Lucca?? Why didn't he come?? But before I could ask myself more questions my phone pings with a message. I move around slowly, cause I wasn't used to heels but they looked so good with the dress that I opted to wear them.

Lucca : I am waiting for you downstairs angel?? Please put me out of my misery and hurry down to me.

I don't reply him but smile sheepishly at his sweet text. I also feel butterflies flutter in the stomach. I quickly grab my black velvet clutch and put my phone it. Then I turn around to face the full-length mirror, wanting to make sure everything was okay.

I notice my cheeks were flushed, and I had a huge smile on my face. God I was so excited and nervous at the same time. It was my first ever birthday party after... I stop my thoughts. Not wanting to think about anything right now. I wipe my sweaty palm over my dress and then run my fingers through my hair one last time before turning around and heading out.