Traded In

Chapter 13

Leilani POV

I turned my body gently, trying not to arouse my pain. I pushed myself up and I was in a different room from the one I was placed in.

This one was more bigger than mine and was buried in dark tones and shades. The black curtains still covering the windows only a single lamp illuminated the whole room.

Last night

My thoughts dauntingly wondered to last night. I literally felt a shaft of pain in my chest. I breathed out before could shed any tears. I needed to face this day head strong, no matter what.

I pushed the covers off me when the door to what I assume was the bathroom opened. My lips parted in awe, a Greek god literally stood before me, shirtless and beautiful. His wet ink-dark hair flopped over his forehead forming slight curls. His body perfectly defined, cut to perfection, I could have been drooling, maybe..

What was I doing...

What was I doing admiring him. A man that could end my life at any moment . A man that gives zero fucks about me so why should I care about him.

His eyes like moons, which I helplessly fancied stared into mine. They were brighter than usual. From dark rainy skies to being as bright as the moon.

My eyes fell onto the white covers. This was his room what was I even doing here?

"How are you?"

I stepped out of bed. His bed.

"I'm good." I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Why am I here?" I asked my voice breaking with every word.

He slipped on a black shirt, and as he answered he button up. "You fell unconscious last night so I brought you here." He was looking at me like that again, like he..

Forget it

"You could have just taken me to another room."

"I didn't want to." I arched an eyebrow, stunned. Drowning in the sweet and strong scent of his woodsy and citric aftershave and cologne.

A knock sounded at the door and I got it. It was his Butler, Reginald. He smiled at me politely. "I've brought some coffee for you as requested by the Don." Don?

I took the tray from him, and returned the smile. "Does Mr Reginald know that you're a-"

"Yes he does-" He cut me off. I took a sip of the perfect cup of coffee, that it warmed up my insides. A neatly dressed Lucciano did the same with his espresso.

"Please be ready by the time I get back." So soon, was he sending me away today?

"Formal." He added. "But I don't have any gowns." I said softly, then he turned to me, his coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, his eyes narrowing in on me. "Right." I kept my gaze on my mug, until his next line of words set me off. "Come with me-"

"What-?"

"I don't think I have to repeat myself now do I?"

I shook my head. Replying "You have work I can't..."

"I can take you shopping then go to work." My mind run a marathon. What the hell?

Why was he acting strange, as if he cared about me.

Maybe he's only being nice because it's our last time together.

"You get ready. I'll be waiting down stairs." My throat went dry. I didn't even know what to say or do or expect from all this where were we going even...

A car led the way while another followed behind with the one Lucciano and I occupied in the middle. Christoph turned remote immediately we got into the car, literally nothing was said he just kept kept his attention on his tablet. While I stared at the blur if buildings streaming by.

Over the past few days after everything that happened I kind of felt lost. Detached. Maybe even broken. I didn't know what was gonna happen today or tomorrow. My life was completely unpredictable, and sometimes I even missed my father. I missed my family.

I played with my sweater sleeve, tapping my fingers on my thighs every now and then. I was nervous. Impatient. Worried.

I turned my head to Lucciano and to my surprise his gaze was fixated on me. I gave an awkward smile then turned to my window. "Stop the car." I arched an eyebrow, glancing at him and the driver did just that. We definitely weren't near any stores.

He got out, walked to the other side opening the door just for me. I gawked at him while he stared down at me. Leaning in the door. "What are you waiting for? Come out." He ordered politely. I

I took his hand helping myself up.

He held my hand tightly but gently and led the way.

The sun warmed my skin up. We strolled around the park in an awkward silence. Some people glancing at us every now and then, I really couldn't understand.

Weren't we suppose to be shopping?

I glanced at him a few times uncertain of whether I should speak or not.

"Kaele."

"Hm." I looked up at him, squinting my eyes and his eyes fell on me. He studied me.

"I know I've said this before, but this time tell me something I don't know." We walked slowly. "Tell me about yourself." I went silent for a moment. Why did he even care. What was he even trying to know?

"Well, for starters I wasn't born here. I was born in South East Africa. My father and I moved here when I was rather young I guess. I can't really remember." I hugged myself as if I was cold. I didn't like talking about myself.

"It's always been you and Dante." He stated. "What about your mother?" I stopped. As I began to doubt everything I knew. Did Lucciano possibly know my mother. Is she really dead like my father said?

"Well, She died." I said flatly. I didn't like going there. I've never ever spoken to anyone about this so why him?

We continued our walk.

"How? And when?" He kept his gaze forward. Hands thrusted deep into his pockets.

I drew in a deep breath. Exhaling in a shudder.

She died because of me.

"Um..She died a long time ago. I... I've never actually seen her myself." I stopped taking a seat on the bench while he remained standing. I cupped my face with both hands then wiped my tears. I looked up at him and he seemed sympathetic. Sad. I didn't like being felt sorry for. I hated sympathy.

"I've only seen her pictures." I smiled up at him. A searching look on his face as he gazed down at me. He didn't ask any more questions. And even if he did I wouldn't answer. I couldn't.

I called him a bad person forgetting what I did. I'm the evil one.

He took a seat right next to me. We sat quietly.

"I just didn't know my dad was a bad man." I smiled but he didn't. He leaned forward. Seemingly contemplating. I cautiously placed my hand on his back. "what's wrong?" I whispered. He looked at me inching in closer, "Would you have left if you knew how bad he was?"