[Seventy-Three]

|Chapter 73|

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𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗲

𝖳𝗈 𝖼𝗎𝖽𝖽𝗅𝖾 𝗈𝗋 𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋, 𝖺𝗌 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗆 𝖿𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗈𝗋 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝖽

Since I've been home, I've taken two much-needed baths, vigorously brushed my teeth twice, slept for a few hours, and had a 5-course meal.

At the moment, I'm chilling with Elvira, Eliza, and Mads. Lorenzo had to leave earlier because Elvira kicked him out. Dramaaa.

They all thankfully understand that I do not want to talk about anything right now, so they avoid the topic at all costs.

I'm slowly sipping on my sweat-iced tea as we all chat. "You did not have to make him leave," I tell Elvira.

"He knows I need space, so it's fine. I just messaged him and let him know that I'm ok," she replies.

"So, I have two friends that are engaged, my sister is probably next, and I'm just waiting patiently."

"You have to hint it at him, Lara."

"I want to, but I don't want it to feel like I'm rushing him to do it. I know it's only been a short period since we've started dating and I don't want to scare him."

"Hun, if you know that's the man you want to spend the rest of your life with, then you shouldn't have to worry," Mads says. "I think you'll be fine."

"Yeah, I agree. I promise if a man is hesitant to propose to me after we confess our love, live together, and basically everything together, I'm gone," Elvira speaks seriously.

"Says the one who refuses to wear her wedding ring," I mumble.

We all laugh.

She throws pillows at us and says, "Stop!"

"We're sorry," I smile.

"Back to your relationship, not mine."

"Fine," I roll my eyes. "I know Seb isn't going to wait more than a year, so maybe he's waiting on me."

"Yeah, I think so too," Eliza agrees.

"Hi ladies," I hear from behind me and I stand up immediately to rush into my man's arm. I miss him so much.

He hisses and I step back. "What? Are you hurt?"

"Kinda."

I look down and there are no injuries. "Where is it?"

"I got shot in the back but don't worry," he waves me off.

"Don't worry," I mock him. "You will be explaining later."

"I'm hungry as hell right now," Lucian says loudly and everyone turns to me.

"Hell no," Seb pulls me closer to him. "We're going home and relaxing for the next few days."

"Back to New York?" Mads questions.

"Yup," he replies.

"Wait, are we really?" I ask excitedly.

"Mhm."

"Thank God," I hug him.

"Bye losers!" I pull him towards the door then I go back and say, "Jk, I love you all and you all should come to visit." I hug all of them tightly and we exchange goodbyes.

"I can't believe you are leaving so soon, ugh," Elvira complains. "You could have at least waited until tomorrow."

"I know but I miss my home and me time, so I'll see you guys later. Mwah!"

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"I've missed this," he tells me as he massages my scalp as my head lays on his chest.

"Me too," I say softly.

"I'm just glad you're ok."

"Yeah, it could have been worse and I'm thankful it wasn't. You honestly came just in time. That girl was psycho and she wanted me dead."

"Yeah, she thought she could kill me. That's where the bullet came from."

"Oh my gosh."

I shot her twice in the stomach and leg and she used the last of her strength to do this," he shrugs it off.

"Seb, your talking like it's nothing and that's scary,"  I sit up.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. I meant I can't believe she would use her last bit of strength to kill me."

I sigh, "She must have really hated us."

"It wasn't hate, it was greed. She wanted what she couldn't have; she wanted the respect, authority, and the power I have.

All of this drugging and kidnapping stuff just to get to me is insane," he chuckles lowly to himself.

"Unfortunately, some people would do anything to get what they want, even if it's kidnapping or straight-up murder," I shrug. "Where is Carson?"

"Being questioned," he looks away and retrieves his drink from the cup holder.

"And what are you going to do to him?" I grab his chin and turn his face to look at me.

"Nothing, baby. I promise."

"Mhm, you better not hurt him," I eye him down.

"What's up with Liam?" he changes the subject.

"Lorenzo," I correct him, "and he's nice. He explained everything to me and it was all a part of Zara's manipulative plan."

"I still don't like him."

"Why?" Maybe I can try to talk to him about Lorenzo and Elvira's relationship now.

"I just don't and I never will." Ugh

This is going to be harder than I thought. I straddle him, taking his hands and he slides them up to my waist. Then, I wrap my arms around his neck.

"Are you good, baby?" he asks genuinely.

"Yes but, you know how when we first met and we hid our relationship?"

"Yeah," he furrows an eyebrow.

"And I know you weren't quite fond of that."

"I definitely was not."

"Well, your sister has been in a relationship for about a year now and she's been hesitant on telling because of what you might think."

He furrows his eyebrows, "As long as she is happy and I know he is worthy of her, then it's fine. I'll call her about it," he begins to take out his phone but I stop him.

"Baby, no. Let me finish."

"Ok?" he looks confused.

"She's afraid that you won't approve of the person she's dating."

"Who is it then?"

"First, give me your phone." He passes it to me hesitantly. "And remember how frustrating hiding a relationship is," I begin to massage his tense shoulders.

"Just tell me, love."

"She's with Lorenzo... and they're engaged." I might as well kill two birds with one stone.

He begins to laugh hysterically and I fold my arms, glaring at him.

After a minute, he realizes that I'm not laughing with him. "Oh, hell no." He tries to remove me from him.

"Where are you going?" I question

"I'm getting up to tell the pilot to turn this plane around."

"Baby, no." I take his hand. "It's not that serious."

"Yes the hell it is, Elara" he raises his voice.

"First of all, lower your tone," I tell him seriously. "Because you're about to upset me."

"Elara, baby, I just can't let that happen."

"Seb, you're not even being reasonable. It's your sister and she's happy! She shouldn't be afraid to tell her brother that she's getting married to the love of her life."

"I don't care, it's not happening," he rolls his eyes and pulls away from me.

I get up and tell him, "You're being so childish right now." I grab my phone, laptop, and blanket.

"Baby, stop."

"Don't call me that and don't follow me," I walk to the back of the plane. The best thing I can do now is taking a nap because I refuse to deal with his ignorance.

About 4 hours later, I wake up in the plane's Okay bedroom, lying down with Seb beside me. I roll my eyes and carefully climb out of the bed.

"Elara," he calls me.

"Unless you're dying, leave me alone."

"Does being injured count?" He questions jokingly. I ignore him but before I can leave, he blocks the door.

I fold my arms, "Will you move?"

"Why?"

"I want to be away from you because you annoy me."

"I don't want you to be mad at me," he pleads.

"Well, I am."

"Let's talk then."

"Are you going to listen and think about it because I don't have time for your ignorance?"

"Yes, I will. I hate when you're mad at me," he speaks softly and wraps his arms around me. "This was not what I wanted or expected after being away from you for almost a week."

"Me neither but here we are," I say shrugging my shoulders.

"Come here," he sits on the edge of the bed and pulls me between his legs.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen and wasn't very open-minded about the situation."

"And?"

"I apologize for raising my voice at you."

"Apology accepted because I don't know who you thought you were talking to."

"I wasn't thinking straight, baby."

"That's not an excuse to shout at me, Emilian."

"I know."

"Ok," I sigh. "Now back to what we're speaking about. Why do you hate Lorenzo so much that you wouldn't allow your sister to be happy."

"He's hot-headed, makes a lot of stupid decisions, barely has a social life because of work, and to top it all off, he runs one of the largest mafia groups in the world. He's not good enough for my sister."

"Lovey, I think you just described yourself," I giggle.

"No, I didn't, baby," his face turns red.

"Well not you now. Maybe before you met me, and guess what?"

"What?"

"You became a person you never thought you could and someone you're proud of. Why can't he do that?"

He's quiet.

"Seb, I'm sure he will protect her as much as you do. So, stop being grumpy and call your sister," I place a kiss on his soft lips.

"I've missed these lips so damn much," he pulls me onto his lap. Me too.

I roll my eyes and smile, "You're always getting distracted."

"I'll call her later," he mumbles against my lips and I giggle, kissing him back.

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After 13 hours on a plane and a 7-hour nap in our comfortable bed, I finally get a chance to relax and do something I enjoy.

I decided that we should attempt a new recipe together that I've been eying for a while now. Seb is in his office at the moment so, I'll be starting without him.

Before going downstairs, I change into a short black, loose dress.

When I get to the kitchen, I begin to take all of the ingredients out of the fridge.

"Hi, baby," Seb walks into the kitchen and places his phone on the counter.

"Hey," I smile and peck his lips. "Stressful phone call?"

"Yeah, there's been an influx of phone calls complaining about the number of people that are allowed at the event. I've never wanted to shoot someone through the phone so bad, until today."

"Did you shoot your phone?" I place my hands on my hips.

"Maybe," he looks away from me and scratches the back of his head.

"Really, baby?"

"I can buy another one."

"That's the fifth one this month and they're $1,000 each."

"I know."

"When we're married, you're not going to be able to do that."

"And why is that?"

"Because I won't let you."

"Will that be soon?"

"I hope so," I say, hoping he catches my drift.

"How soon?" I watch as a smirk form on his face.

"It can be next week, next month, or maybe in six months," I shrug.

"Noted," he kisses my forehead.

"Will you change and cook with me? Please," I pout.

"I don't feel like changing but I'll help."

I sigh, "I don't know why you insist on wearing your work clothes at home."

"I have to look sexy at all times. You always outdress me."

"Or, is it because your sweats didn't get washed."

"Both."

"We're going shopping tomorrow because all you have is work clothes and I'm almost tired of it. It's time to expand your wardrobe."

"Yeah, alright." He pulls me to him. "Do want to move date night to tonight?"

"At home?"

"That's fine. I haven't bought anything though."

"That's ok, just buy me whatever you want for our next one."

"Mhm, I'll do that. May you slice those cucumbers please?"

He immediately groans, "Baby, I'm all about eating healthy, but on date night?"

"Yes on date night."

"Do I at least get dessert?"

"It depends on what you want," I reply and walk to the fridge.

"Something sweet."

"You know I can't bake, baby."

"I'll help you. And we can try one of my mom's recipes."

"Ooooo, yes I would love that," I smile.

"Where are we eating?" he asks.

"Outside," I respond then suddenly remember something, "Oh! I bought a box of things a few weeks ago to make our dates more romantic because I'm just extra."

"Oh really? Where?"

"The garage."

"I'll get them," he says suspiciously quick.

"Spill."

"Dammit," he mumbles.

"What's in the garage?"

"Well, I might have a few guns in there."

"Ok," I fold my arms. "How much?"

"Does that matter?" he asks innocently and places his arms around me.

"Baby, I'm serious."

"Maybe a hundred," he scratches the back of his neck.

I close my eyes slowly and take a deep breath in. I want to shout at him but I'm not going to. "Emilian."

"Yes, love?" I can see the fright in his eyes.

"Please remove them from our home."

"I'm sorry but that's the only place where I can store them for now."

"Will you please try to remove them soon?"

"Yes, I promise, baby."

"Seb, I know it's your work and business but please don't bring it home."

"I can see that this bothers you, so I'll try to have them shipped by the end of the week." He lifts my chin and presses his lips onto mine.

"Thank you."

"I didn't know it bothered you that much," he tells me truthfully.

"Baby, I don't think anyone would sleep peacefully knowing there are piles of guns in their garage."

"Well, I'm not everybody and you know that," he smiles. "Will you tell me what else you wouldn't want, so there are no surprises?"

"Any weapons, bloody clothes, employees, and drugs are not allowed in this home."

"That will be hard, but I will try."

"That's all I want," I peck his cheek and place the seasoned fish on the cutting board. "Now let's change the topic because I don't want to talk about illegal stuff."

"What are we making?" he grabs his keys to head to the garage.

"Fish burgers but the fish is going to be grilled."

"Do you want me to get the grill out of the garage?"

"You have a grill, baby?" I ask excitedly.

"Yes, we have a grill."

"Aww, but I bought this cute little indoor grill."

"And you say I waste money," he chuckles.

"Baby, stop. I didn't know," I pout. "This thing was $100 and now I'm sad."

"Love, it's fine. You can use it another time," he slaps my butt. "I'll be back."

"Make sure you get candles please!" I shout.

"Will do."

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