The moment I stepped inside, I spotted Luca sprawled on the couch. He looked up at me, phone in hand, pout clear on his lips.
"Where the hell were you? I called you, like, a million times!" he complained in that annoyingly cute tone only he could pull off.
I blinked at him, then raised an eyebrow, and sighed. "Really? You were counting it? Really, Luc? A million?"
He ran his hand through his hair, sitting up straighter, the picture of a dramatic older brother.
I dropped my bag onto the chair. "Handsome jerk," I muttered under my breath.
He froze, then his mouth twitched into a grin. "Oh? Handsome jerk?".
"Shut up," I snapped.
That made him pause for a second, a smile tugging at his lips before he continued.
"I called you like ten times. Do you know how worried I was?"
"Relax, I'm not a baby," I teased.
"Well, you're still my little sister. And from now on, you don't leave school without telling me, capito?" He extended his pinky finger with a mock-serious face. "Pinky promise, Isa."
I stared at him, amused. "Really? You think pinky promises work at our age?"
"They work if you mean them," he shot back.
Rolling my eyes, I hooked my finger with his. "Fine. I promise I won't leave without informing you."
"Good," he said proudly, leaning back like he just won an award.
I tilted her head. "You think this makes you eligible for the Best Brother Award? Nahh… you're still the most annoying jerk I know."
Luca's brows shot up. "Do you remember I'm your older brother?"
I gave an exaggerated eye roll. "Oh please…"
He leaned closer, raising his hand like he wanted to pluck out my eyes.
"Keep rolling them, and I'll pluck them out for you. Sei una pazza psicopatica."
I gasped dramatically and smacked his arm. "Excuse me?! Did you just call me a crazy psycho?"
Luca grinned, unapologetic. "Well… am I wrong?"
I folded her arms, tilting my head. "You're my elder brother after all. Same bloodline, same madness."
That made the both of us burst into laughter.
When the laughter faded, Luca leaned back. "By the way… I met Elly today."
I narrowed my eyes. "Hmmm. What were you doing with my friend?"
"Just asking about you," he shrugged, "but she couldn't even breathe properly with me around."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't tell me you're enjoying this attention."
"Maybe," Luca said with a playful shrug, clearly entertained by her reaction. What a jerk.
But he wasn't done. "You know… I had no idea Elly liked me that much."
Eisshhh I feel sorry for Elle. "Oh, shut up, Luc. You know she's been crushing on you like forever."
He smirked, leaning back. "Yeah, I knew. But watching her almost trip over herself just because I walked by? That's a new level."
"Don't get cocky," I warned, pointing a finger at him. "Elle's my best friend. Don't you dare mess with her feelings."
"Mess with her?" He put a hand on his chest like I'd stabbed him. "Isa, that hurts. Deeply."
"Good. Stay hurt."
He laughed and grabbed a cushion, tossing it at me. I caught it and hurled it back. We both laughed too loudly, trading playful insults until ….
"What's going on here?" Mom's voice cut in from the doorway.
We both froze. Luca straightened like a soldier. I clenched the cushion against my chest.
"Nothing, Mom," Luc said quickly, not meeting her eyes. "Just go back to what you were doing."
Her stare lingered a beat too long before she left. The air changed immediately.
I dropped the cushion and muttered, "Great. Now I'm not even in the mood anymore."
I walked past Luca who looked sad and I went into my room, shutting the door behind me.
pulled out my phone. It had been on silent the whole time. Dozens of missed calls and notifications filled the screen, but I ignored them.
I was scrolling mindlessly when my phone buzzed again. Unknown Caller.
I hesitated, then swiped. "Hello?"
"Piccola."
The voice made my whole body freeze.
I knew that voice. The only bastardo who's brave enough to call me that.
My throat tightened. "How did you get my number?"
"That's the simplest thing, for someone like me. Don't you think?" His tone was smooth, I knew for sure that he was smirking like an idiot wherever he was, like he was enjoying my reaction.
My chest squeezed.
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me. "You're unbelievable."
"And yet," he hummed, "you answered. Which means you were waiting for me."
"I was not!" I snapped, heat rushing to my cheeks.
"In fact…" he continued, each word slower than the last, "we should be closer now—since you proposed to me."
I gasped, biting my lip, hating the heat rising in my cheeks even though he couldn't see me.
"I didn't—" I started, but my voice cracked.
"You did," he cut in, low and certain. "And, piccola…" a pause, "I'm not the kind of man who forgets words like that. My little piccola asking me to marry her… how could I forget?"
I buried my face in my pillow, groaning. "I regret it already."
"No, you don't," he said immediately, sharp but certain. "You're just embarrassed. And that makes you even cuter."
I kicked my legs against the bed, torn between screaming and smiling. "You're impossible."
"And you," he drawled, "are mine. Whether you admit it or not.… cause I guess I'll accept your proposal."