/Riccardo's POV/
"Papà, I told you, I want pancakes for breakfast," Luca whined, seeing what I made for him.
"Not today," I said, still setting the table.
"I miss Nanny," he pouted to get what he wanted.
"You know that's not gonna work."
"I don't get it. I come here only on weekends, and you won't do what I ask. That's not fair," he crossed his arms as he sat on the chair.
"Luca, you will eat a healthy meal when you are with me. So stop whining, it won't get you anything," I messed his hair up and took a seat in front of him.
"I don't want to eat it," he threw the plate. "I want to eat pancakes!" he slammed the table.
"Luca, behave!"
"No, I don't want to behave! I want my Papà to make me the food I asked for!" a hiccup escaped his lips.
"Luca—"
"I hate you!" with that he stormed off to his room. I sighed loudly frustrated about him. He is not always like this. I know something is going on and I need to talk to him. As I was about to go to him, my phone rang. 'Perfect timing,' I thought and picked it up.
***O.T.P***
"Hey, babe." She said cheerfully, forgetting about what happened like we usually do.
"Hey, love," I had to go along instead of talking about it.
"How is your morning?"
"Good, how about yours?"
"Can't be better. Shall we go out today? I'm kind of in a good mood."
"I'd love to. But Luca is here so I can't," she took a long breath before speaking.
"It's fine, babe. Have fun and kiss Luca for me."
"I will. Bye,"
"Bye," she hung up. I put my phone inside my pocket and went to Luca's room.
I tried to open his door but it was locked. He must have been so sad because he rarely behaves like that and never locks the door. I didn't want to make him more disappointed so I slowly knocked on the door. There was no response meaning he doesn't want to talk to me.
"Honey, open the door. I know you're mad at me, and you have every right to that. But please, this is the only day we spend together. Let's not fight. I'm sorry," I rested my head on his door waiting for his response. Not long after, I heard him twisting the key and opening it. However, his state was not pleasuring. His eyes were red, his lashes were wet, his cheeks were red and his lips were shaking.
"I'm sorry, honey," I said as I kneeled in front of him.
"I hate boarding school Papà," he wrapped his arms around my neck and broke down into tears. I hugged him back caressing his hair.
"Why?" he removed himself away from me keeping his head low. I placed my finger on his chin making him face me. "Did something happen?"
"I just want to be with you. That's all," he looked away as he answered.
"Don't lie to me, Luca," I cupped his cheeks trying to make him comfortable.
"I'm not lying," he looked dead into my eyes.
"Are you sure?" I grabbed his hand and showed him his crossed fingers.
"You won't understand," he stamped the floor as he sat on his bed. I followed him and sat on his bed.
"What happened?" I held his hand.
"You know that there are students who don't have dorms right?" he lifted his head. I nodded and let him continue.
"Someone is constantly bullying me!" he blurted out.
"What? Who?"
"She is a no-dorm student. The one I told you about."
"The one who fought with your bullies?"
"Yes, her," he scrunched his nose.
"Why don't you tell the principal?"
"I told him. But she said she was just protecting me. She is so weird."
"And what did he say?"
"He told her to bring her parents and you should be there too," he looked at me.
"I'll be there," I fixed his hair. "Did she says mean things to you?"
"Yes. She once said 'Your forehead is so wide, it could be used as a landing strip for small planes.' and everyone laughed. But she made them silent and even hit the boy who didn't stop,"
"I don't understand. Why would she do that?"
"She said she is the only one who can make fun of me," he pouted.
"She can't do that. I will teach her a lesson tomorrow," I was in fact angry. No one can bully my son.
"I knew it. Thanks, Papà" he hugged me burying his face inside my chest.
"It's alright," I pat his back. "Anything else I should know?"
"Mom came to school last Friday," he detached himself from the hug. "She told me she is taking me to London with her," he looked at me hoping that should say something to stop him.
"And what did you say to her?" I was praying for him to say that he told her no.
"I said I will talk to you about it," after saying that there was an awkward silence between us. I don't understand why she wants to take him with her after five years. She was the one who gave up on him when he lost his dad. She was the one who decided to go after her dreams instead of taking care of him. He was just two when she left and he needed her more than anyone. God, she is driving me crazy. I need to talk to her, this has to stop.
"I'm going to make the pancakes for you. Stay here, okay?" I said getting up from the bed. He gave me a nod and took the book that was on the bedside table. I closed the door behind me and went downstairs dialing her, number. After a few rings, she picked up.
***O.T.P***
"Well, hello the father of my child," she said in a mocking tone.
"Why did you ask Luca to go to London with you?!"
"He is my son. And I have the right,"
"You left him when he was two. And now all of a sudden, he is your son?!," I scoffed "Unbelievable."
"Look, Riccardo, I asked you to move with me but you said no,"
"You asked me to marry you, Tessa!" I tightened my fist on the kitchen sink.
"So,"
"Are you out of your mind?! You are my brother's wife!"
"I was."
"I don't care! And let me give you a last warning. Stay. Away. From. Luca!" I could feel my blood boil.
"You haven't changed a bit. Same old rage towards me. But remember, Luca is my son. I won't —" I hung up the phone because I had enough. She was getting on the last nerve I have. Anyways, I need to make the pancakes for my son. I don't want any bad energy on the only day we spend together.
After baking, I set the table beautifully and called him. He didn't waste any time as he rushed to the dining room almost tripping on the stairs.
"It smells amazing here," he sniffed while sitting down.
"I tried my best," I smiled, seeing his excited face.
"I'm sure it's delicious," he took a bite "And I'm not wrong," he clapped surely.
"Good," I sat in front of him when he enjoyed his meal. A sudden feeling of fear rushed through my body as I remembered his mom's intentions. I don't want to lose him. He is the only thing that my brother left. He has everything that my brother had. I can't witness losing someone so precious to me again. That thought took me back to the time when my whole life became a mess.
***Flashback***
March 20-2012
The weather is kind of gloomy today. Clouds covering the sun that wanted to provide some light and warmth. I hate these kinds of days. They bring nothing but coldness and darkness. Today I am feeling uneasy for some reason. Something was bothering me Out of nowhere and I don't like this feeling.
I'm currently in my house trying my best to sleep due to the heavy rain which is not working. So, I'm just watching a movie to distract myself although it is not helping either. I wanted to call my brother so much, but he was at work and I didn't want to disturb him. Suddenly, my phone rang and it was my brother. Seeing his name on the caller ID made me more frightened and I didn't know why. However,
I gathered all my strength and picked it up.
***O.T.P***
"Hey, b—"
"Riccardo, listen to me very carefully. I don't have much time!" he was whispering and I could hear gun gunshots
"What's going on?" I started panicking
"If anything happens to me, I want you to take care of Luca," his breath hitched.
"What are you talking about? Where are you?"
"Please, just promise me you will take care of him like your own child," this time, all the noise became quiet
"Just tell me where you are, Damn it!" I almost yelled while wearing my shoes.
"Don't tell him about me. I don't want him to know that his father was killed by ruthless Mafias." His voice became lower.
"What is going on? Where—" I heard the phone being dropped. "Alfredo, can you hear me? Hello," he wasn't responding, but I could hear a conversation.
"You!" it was Alfredo.
"Yeah, me!" and then a gun was shot. My heart sank, for a moment I was hoping that it was the thunder. I wanted to scream, cry and even run. But my whole body betrayed me. I couldn't move any muscle.
***Flashback end***
"Papà," Luca shouted making me flinch.
"Yes, sweetie," I said wiping the drop of tear that escaped from my eye.
"Why are you crying?" he looked at me with his puppy eyes that I adore.
"Just some memories," I chuckled.
"Did Mom say no?"
"What?"
"I know you called her." His eyes started getting watery. "Am I staying with you?" he slowly let out. I went beside him and kneeled at his level.
"Listen to me, Luca. No one and I mean no one, can take you from me. Understand? I'm not letting that happen. So don't worry," saying that I pulled him into a hug.