I'm In.

Chapter 4: Why me?

***That guy is Lucca's father, Americo.***

- Yes, she is. We're... dating, I guess... - Luca stated hesitantly and stood by my side.

- Never thought this day would come! Well, congratulations. – Congratulated his mother kindly, who looked very young to be his mom. I smiled forcedly, like what the f*ck.

Let's analyze the situation: I insulted him and then hit him, he flipped out and took me unwillingly to his house. Then he sort of calmed down and promised to not do anything to me, but it was too late to let me go. So I had to stay at his place for the night and now I was being presented to his parents as his girlfriend.

- Well, it was really nice meeting you; I hope to see you again soon. But I am not presentable and I'd rather leave you to your family day. Plus, Luca was taking me home. – I dodged the meeting-the-parents moment.

- Oh, nonsense. How about we go out to eat something to the restaurant and we get to know each other better? – Karen, his mom, suggested. As I started rejecting the offer, she insisted again.

- No, really. I have no clothes and I have to go home. – I justified my rejection.

- Clement will drop you off and we will meet at the restaurant. – Lucca's father spoke up with finality. Then took his phone out and called Clement.

Americo and Karen left through the back door, heading for the building at the back of the garden. As soon as they left Lucca sighed loudly and scratched his head repeatedly.

- He always does what mom wants. Even if it's something he despises to death. - Commented Lucca's little brother.

- It's called love, Nicolai. - The sister said.

- Ok, let's get going. – Lucca sighed again defeated and opened the back door, letting us all out. I let them go ahead as I didn't really know the way. As Lucca was walking ahead of us all, his little brother approached and took his hand. That took him out of his thoughts and he started playing with him. By the time we arrived to the gates, Nicolai was sitting on Lucca's shoulders and Helia was side-hugging him, with his arm around her thin but tall frame. It was so odd watching him act this way, as I'd seen him mostly as a cold-hearted and haughty person.

We headed straight for the garage, where his parents were talking with Clement and another bulky man.

- Clement will be driving you both to her apartment, Luke. Your dad, the kids, and I will head straight to the restaurant and wait for you there. – Karen explained with her soft voice.

- But I want to go with Luke! – Nicolai complained, to which Helia agreed.

- We'll take the van and meet you two there. I'll drive, and two men will take the Audi to cover me. I want Clement to drive you in the armored Jeep and another two men to follow in the Mercedes close behind. – Lucca stated, mostly directing to Clement and the bulky man.

- Lucca, honey, we are going for lunch. This is not a battle field, you should relax. – His mom joked to lighten up the mood.

We proceeded as Lucca planned and headed in a black sleek Mercedes minivan to my apartment. Lucca and I on the front (as comfortable as ever, note the sarcasm) and the kids at the back, playing in the vast space they had. Once in the garage, we all got out and headed for the elevator.

- I'll go change, you can wait in here. – I suggested once we entered, and started walking to my room.

- Can I join you? – asked Helia, to which I nodded.

Once in my room she fired at me:

- You are the first girl ever he introduces as his girlfriend, you know. He was never even seen with a friend or a fling. You must be special or something. – I opened my wardrobe, not really knowing what to answer.

- Yeah, well, we are barely getting to know each other... - I kept myself busy with my clothes.

- I really like your taste in clothes, though. You have a lot of beautiful items.

- Feel free to borrow anything you want whenever. – I offered, she seemed like a really nice girl, so why not?

- For real? Like, right now? – She asked surprised. I really don't understand how she doesn't have all these clothes, with the far much bigger amount of money her family possesses.

- Yes, of course. Though your outfit is fine for lunch, I was planning on wearing something similar. You can maybe take something for another occasion, a night out maybe... - I suggested, showing her a little black dress.

- Dad doesn't let me go out yet as I'm only sixteen. But there is this guy I like at the restaurant... He's the owner's son: Tyler. Dad helped his father with the restaurant's opening, financially I mean. So we always get invited to events and stuff. I see him often and text every few weeks. – She explained.

- Ohh, I get it. Let's see... My jeans will be too long on you, how about a skirt? – We searched in my wardrobe for a bit and finally decided on a bright green short skirt, with a white blouse and the shoes she had on previously. I put on a sky blue sundress and a pair of cream colored flats.

- We are done, should we go? – Helia asked once we entered the living room, only to find Lucca and Nicolai struggling on the couch. I closed the apartment and we all got in the car.

We arrived at the restaurant's parking lot, but instead proceeded for a secluded area behind a big wooden gate. A few cars were there, including the Jeep and the Mercedes. Lucca parked the minivan and the Audi was parked right next to the gate.

- Stay and watch the gate. Every few minutes go out and watch around the block. – With that being said to the guys from the car, we headed inside. We entered straight for the main dining room, where a dark-skinned guy that looked a few years younger than me that was at the bar, greeted us.

- Luke, Helia, hey! What's up Nico? How are you? I'm Tyler. – He welcomed them and introduced himself to me.

After the introductions and small talk, he took us up some stairs, to where Lucca's parents where with another man, I'm guessing Tyler's father. I was introduced again, and then we sat at a big table in a room next to a huge window.

Lunch was uneventful: Lucca, Americo, Karen, and Tyler's father talked about whatever they were talking about, Nicolai played with his food, and eventually intervened in Helia's and Tyler's conversation. I was next to Lucca and Nicolai, rather silent, unless someone spoke directly to me.

That afternoon Helia went with Tyler and his father to their place, as her and Tyler were gathering with some friends. Americo, Karen and Nicolai left to their house. I don't know where exactly that is; I just know they live in a big house in a private village somewhere outside the city about 3 hours far by car. Lucca took me back to my apartment.

- So... Thank you for lending Helia your clothes, I'll drop them off tomorrow. Also, my parents invited us to a dinner gala this Friday. You are coming too. After that I will explain we are not longer together and we can part ways. – He stated coldly. I nodded and started getting out of the car.

- By the way, I arranged your day off today from work with a doctor's certificate. You have tomorrow off too. I'll see you tomorrow. – And with that he left.

That night as I went to bed exhausted, I was so confused. He had this amazing warm and soft side for his family, but then this cold, hard one with me. He one second affirmed he wanted to have nothing to do with me, but then cared to justify my missing day at work. He was kind enough to feed me and give me warm clothes when he kind of kidnapped me. I'm not saying that's super nice, but for someone who just kidnapped you, it is.

He's so difficult to understand, it gives me a headache. But trying to decipher this man, trying to discern his actual feelings towards me from his attitudes, is that I fall in a dreamless sleep.