11) Lasagna

I did some catching up with my grandparents before Olga showed them to a guest room. Meanwhile I shoved Luca into his office.

"What the hell are you doing?" I groaned.

"What do you mean?"

"You're my boyfriend?" I raised my brows.

"What else was I suppose to say? I kidnapped you because you're in debt to me and now I force you to stay here?" He said sarcastically.

"Sure! That makes more sense!"

"You are delusional, yes?"

"You don't understand. My grandpa is going to kill me! When he finds out that it's all a lie, we're dead meat!"

"Can you stop freaking out?" He took his coat off and relaxed into his chair. "He's not going to find out."

"What do you mean?"

"We'll have dinner tonight and convince them we're in love. Simple as that."

"It's easier said than done," I argued. I mean, it actually wouldn't be all that hard. I'm already attracted to him, a lot. But love?

I'm just some simple ugly basic girl. Why would someone as gorgeous as him ever love a pathetic girl like me? I'm nothing compared to the type of girls he likes.

They wear short skirts. I wear t shirts.

They're cheer captains. And I'm on the bleachers.

They wear high heels. I wear sneakers.

They're cheer captains- oh wait. Did I say that already? My bad.

"Just make sure you look good for dinner. Leave everything else to me."

-

I just got out of the shower and was sitting on my bed for like an hour in nothing but my towel just staring at the wall. Anyone else do that?

I heard a knock at my door.

"Who is it?"

"Yasmine," I opened the door and Yasmine came in holding a box.

"Hey. What's up?" I smiled.

"I heard you have a dinner with Luca tonight," I noded, "So I thought I'd bring something for you to wear."

She opened the box. Inside was a dress. I'm obviously not one for dresses, you know, cause I'm not like other girls. But this one was just simply stunning. It was a pretty and sparkly champagne colour. I'd definitely wear that.

"Oh my god. It's beautiful!" I gawked at the gorgeous dress.

"It's yours." She handed it over to me.

"What? I- I can't. It must've cost a fortune."

"Please. I insist. It would make me so happy. I don't usually get a lot of company here. I'm glad I finally have someone I can share clothes with. I've always wanted to do that with a sister. You're the closest I have."

"What about Jessica and Ashley?" I teased.

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes.

I chuckled and then said, "I don't know what to say. Thank you," I hugged her tightly.

"Okay go try it on!" She pushed me into the bathroom.

Two minutes later, I came out of the bathroom wearing the dress. The dress was amazing. It looked amazing. It made me feel amazing.

It was a long mermaid style dress that fitted me perfectly. It was a strapless boob tube that pushed my breasts up, making me go from an A to a C real quick.

The straps were sort of at the side of my dress. It fell down to my arms, just below my shoulders. The top was covered in white lacey details.

It had a sexy slit that did my left leg justice. It made me feel like I came out of a James Bond movie. I loved it.

"It's perfect!" Yasmine squealed. "Next step: makeup! Oh and hair!"

Two cans of hairspray and three hours later, I was finally ready. Yasmine put my hair up in a bun that was full with curls with a few stands of hair hanging down to frame my face. The makeup was light since the dress was loud. I had a nude lip, rose gold highlight and light gold eyeshadow. I also wore a pair of champagne coloured heels Yasmine happened to have too.

Dinner was in the dining hall. It was just going to be my grandparents, Luca and I.

I walked down the ridiculously huge staircase. The stereo in the kitchen was on, playing some Italian opera song in the background- Olga's favourite to cook to.

I didn't even notice Luca standing at the bottom of the staircase leaning against the railing. He was dressed in a navy suit with a bow tie. His long black hair was neatly gelled back and he was freshly shaven. His jaw was so defined as his head was bowed down, focusing on the object on his wrist. He looked... ravishing.

He was staring at his shiny silver watch when he heard me coming down the stairs. He looked up at me. But this time, his look was different. It wasn't that bored expression he usually looked at me with. This time, there was more.

He eyed me intensely as I walked down the stairs wearing the gown with the romantic and dramatic music playing in the background.

If this wasn't all James Bond like, I don't know what is.

When I reached the bottom, he was still staring at me, his mouth was slightly agape.

Luca's POV

I need a cold shower.

Malia's POV

I smiled at him nervously, not used to the attention.

I cleared my throat, "What?"

He shook his head slowly and looked down, clearly embarrassed. "Nothing, just... didn't know you had it in you."

I looked down, blushing a little. Holy shit I blushed. What was this hot piece of lasagna doing to me?

He extended his arm for me to loop my hand through.

"Wow what a gentleman. Guess chivilary really isn't dead," I said playfully. He rolled his eyes at me and escorted me to the dining room.

My grandparents were already seated. My grandpa also dressed in a suit and my grandma in a long blood red dress.  This was all a little formal for dinner with my grandparents, but I guess Luca wanted to show that we really are 'in love' and care enough to dress up for each other, even though it makes no sense and this was probably just an excuse for Luca to see me all dressed up for once and then fall in love with me.

Luca pulled my chair out for me, and even though I blushed (again I know!) at his gesture, I knew it was just an act for my grandparents.

The servers served us our first course. It was brushectta. The most delicious brushectta I've ever tasted. We ate mostly in silence. There was some small talk here and there about how classes were going and unimportant stuff like that. I'm guessing they were saving the questions on Luca and I's relationship for later.

Our main course was then served. Funny enough, it was a hot piece of lasagna.

Throughout the night, I kept catching Luca sending quick glances my way. It happened over five times. He was beginning to freak me out. In a good way.

"So, Luca, Malia," my grandpa addressed us, "You guys gonna get married?"

I choked on my freakin lasagna.

"Gramps, are you serious right now?"

"What? You guys are living together in this-"

"Gorgeous, huge mansion! It's so  beautiful!" My gran gushed.

"Thank you, Mrs Nelson," Luca smiled, making his dimples visible. I'm such a sucker for those dimples. I wish he'd smile more so I could see those dimples more.

"Please call me Lily." He nodded.

"How do you afford a place like this?" My grandpa asked.

"My father left me the mansion when he passed away," he took a mouthful of lasagna.

Woah. That was the first time i heard that. Luca never spoke about his father. And I mean never. It was strange hearing him talk about his family because he never did. I don't even know if he has a mother, siblings. All I know is he has Yasmine and Enzo. Okay maybe not Enzo since he despises him, but they're still family after all.

I wonder what happened to Enzo. I never saw him after that night. What's he been up to? Seems kinda pisspicious, don't you think?

"So, uhm," my grandpa cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the topic this conversation has come to, "How'd you two meet?"

"At her cafè," Luca answered before I could even open my mouth to say anything, "I was a loyal customer that went there regularly."

"And how long have you been dating?" My grandma took a sip from her glass of red wine.

"Two weeks," I blurt.

"Six months," Luca blurts at the same time.

"Errr," I glanced at him, annoyed, "Six months and two weeks." Nice save Mal.

"Wow that long?" My gran says shocked.

"Yeah well we just love each other so much!" I force out, grabbing Luca's arm and leaning my head against his shoulder. He eyed me weirdly again. I looked up and shot him a charming smile.

"Aw well that's nice," my gran smiled happily. My grandpa, however, is not all that convinced just yet.

"We need to try harder," I whisper to Luca.

"You don't think I know that?" He seethes.

"And Luca," my grandpa says after taking a gulp from his whiskey, "How do you feel about my granddaughter?"

"How do I feel?" He focuses on nothing but my grandfather. "I am so in love with your daughter. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Say it with less emotion, why don't you?

"Oh I got one!" My grandma chirps in, "What do you like about Mal?"

Luca looked at me briefly. Great. He was going to blow it. It's over. We're done for.

"Many things," he simply stated, "I like... her hair. And... her personality?" He said it in a tone as if he were asking.

He was giving the most vague and non-meaningful answers ever. It was as if he couldn't think of anything to say. Did he really dislike me that much?

I looked down at my lap, a bit hurt. Was there really nothing he liked about me?

Luca's POV

I saw her fidgit with her fingers on her lap, frowning. Was she seriously offended right now? I mean, I know I'm not giving the best of answers, but what was I suppose to say?

That I like the way she laughs at everything? Even the most stupidest of things? That I like the way her cheeks turn as red as a tomato and her eyes constantly water as she laughs? That I like the way she twirls a strand of her hair whenever she lies? That I like the way she's not afraid to challenge me and not just take all the crap I put her through? That I like the way she ends my whole career with her sarcasm and childish roasts? That I like the way she always finds an excuse to come near me? That I like the way she doesn't care about how she looks but still manages to look pretty? Or that I like the way that she dresses up once in a while, just managing to take my breath away?

Or that I like the way she makes me feel annoyed and makes me want to strangle her everytime I see her? Or that I like the way she makes me feel cared for and makes me want to touch her everytime I see her? That I like the way she actually cares about the person I am and what hurts me? Or that I like the way she makes me feel angry like no one else does?

Or that I like the way she makes me feel things no other girl does. Bad things. Wrong things. But at the same time... good things. Or that I like the way she makes feel, period.

I couldn't just say all of that and expose myself. Or, atleast I thought I couldn't. But that was before I realised I just said all of those things out loud.

Cazzo.

❈ ❈ ❈

*in Raven Symone's voice* Ah snap! Looks like Luca just spilled the tea.

Why am I like this smh.

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Me