Arianna POV:
I woke up the next morning excited to have the weekend to prepare for my new job. It was exciting until I remembered my hastily packed wardrobe and how I hadn't figured to pack any work clothes. I got up inspecting my clothes and sure enough, there wasn't anything I would wear to the office insight. My panic had made me pack the most random things from sweaters to swimsuits, to my penguin slippers.
I jumped down the stairs, deciding to bother Luca when I saw him, not really thinking after the last week I'd see Gio in the kitchen but there he was Luca lounging at the table scrolling on his phone.
"Oh! Morning," I greeted them, Gio was making pancakes and I walked past him smiling, ignoring the slight blush on my cheeks.
"Good morning," Gio gave me a bright smile.
"Morning," Luca looked between us, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Luca, I need clothes for the office can I go shopping today or tomorrow?" I asked him.
He nodded to me as he scrolled and I smiled getting up to pour myself a coffee.
"You know I could take you as well," Gio held out his hands in offense as if to say what about me?
I chuckled to myself and turned around pouring my coffee and fixing it up. "Well I can't go anywhere without Luca, so I didn't think I had to bother you with boring stuff like shopping," I tried not to giggle.
"I have no issue spending the day with you though," He met my teasing with flirting and I knew he had me, refusing to meet his eyes for the blush that crept across my face.
"Well then looks like you're taking me shopping," I announced.
He walked over setting down a plate of pancakes in front of me with a strawberry syrup drizzled on top. It was heavenly and I noted all the meals I made for him, not knowing he cooked like this. "I think I might demand you make me breakfast more often,"
"I wouldn't hate that," He grinned his eyebrow quirking up and I picked up my coffee hiding behind a sip.
"Just get a room already," Luca sighed grabbing his coffee and leaving us alone, we both laughed at his uncomfortable third wheeling and I pitied what he was no doubt going to endure as we spent the day together.
I finished my scrumptious breakfast with some wonderful conversation before heading upstairs to get ready. I didn't overdress or anything it was just simple shopping, but I may have made sure to curl my hair. I always felt I looked better that way and this unspoken agreement between us made me want to put in that extra effort.
I felt that rush of excitement I hadn't felt in ages, like a high school crush. The way your heart races when you see them wondering if they'll notice that extra step you put in to getting ready if they'll lose themself at the sight of you. I was only in jeans and a black v-neck, but I felt confident, the way a crush makes you feel. I wanted to laugh at myself the way I was primping and preening, but I knew it was real. We both respected each other enough to not cross the line we had drawn. Our situation was precarious and though there was admiration and desire, we knew what would happen if we let ourselves go there. This comfortable grey zone we had found ourselves in was the best we could hope for right now.
We hopped into one of his many cars with Luca behind us and the SUVs that followed my every move. He took me to some fancy galleria and I wanted to explain to him that I only needed clothes for the office and JC-Penny or Khols would do, but I was starting to realize that just going along was better.
We got into the shop and there were silk blouses, cashmere sweaters, channel handbags, and briefcases. Beautiful dresses that I wouldn't have even dared to look at before.
"How can I help you," The woman came over to us addressing Gio first. I found that prick of jealousy stings me, but when a man looks like that who can blame them?
"My business associate needs a new work wardrobe, if you'll mind helping her out," He nodded to me watching me instead of her the whole time.
"Of course," The woman got to work pulling shirts and skirts, pants and shoes for me. They were much more chic than what I used to wear to the office. Above my former pay grade the clothes I was now trying on now equaled my car payment in one top alone.
She had me in an emerald top and grey pencil skirt I turned a little examining it in the mirror he stared at me from behind and I looked away. He shouldn't be staring at me like that, not if I wanted my resolve to hold.
Still, I loved I could get that reaction from him in clothes like this to see I could turn his head in a tweed skirt, made me feel like I was an otherworldly beauty. We left the store with many bags in tow. I started to head out when he grabbed my arm and spun me towards more shops.
"Wha-" I looked up at him confused.
"I have behaved horribly, doting on you for the day seems like a fun way," He leaned down. "Besides you look amazing in everything, seeing in more is a treat to myself as well,"
I leaned away from him not looking at him so he couldn't see the reaction he got. I put my sunglasses down hiding my face. "Okay come on then, hopefully, your wallet can handle it,"
I found myself in another shop looking up at a beautiful purple sundress. Seeing as it was getting colder out I walked away but then I noticed a pair of hands grab the dress. "It's too cold for that," I shook my head at Luca now holding the dress.
"So I'll take you to Italy," Gio shrugged. "You can wear it then,"
I rolled my eyes at his bravado if this was what he did to woo a woman, he'd have to do something much more for me. I wasn't going to be blinded by clothes and jewels. I continued looking around not picking out much else, but it seemed if I lingered too long on an item Luca would be asked to pick it up and Gio would buy it anyway.
"Luca," I eventually asked the man who was our shadow. "Are you hungry?" I asked him.
Luca surprised I had acknowledged him and invited him into the conversation nodded. "I could eat,"
"I'm starving do we want sushi?" I asked him. I see he caught on quick to my purposeful exclusion of Giovanni.
"Sushi sounds good," Luca agreed Gio rolling his eyes and following along. He walked after us as I continued to talk to Luca about what I had gotten and which place had the best sushi. He looked back and Gio who was slightly grumpy as I talked with his business partner.
We got into the restaurant and I moved from Luca's side to Gio holding onto his arm. He grinned and looked down at me "You know you'll make a man jealous spending so much time with his friends,"
"I find conversation to be far more important than gifts and false promises," I squinted at him hiding a smirk. We were seated at a table near the back Luca and another bodyguard guard sitting beside us and the others sitting at a different table behind me. I noticed the shift in their body language first, Gio standing and turning to face whoever came our way.
"What a coincidence!" Guilia's voice rang out behind me.
My good mood boiled out of me blowing out in a hot breath I huffed as I stood to greet my sister. "Gules, how are you," I gave her the fakest smile I could create. Not giving her any idea there was warmth to me.
She had lied and helped our father manipulate me. I went through hell for her sake, all along she was aware and was doing his dirty work too.
"Look at this we're both getting lunch," She yanked on Marco's arm who nodded to Gio something passed between them for a second. Did Gio not trust Marco? I would be surprised to find he was blinded by my sister with his very quiet demeanor.
"Well since we're all here," She grinned snapping her fingers for a waitress.
I cringed and looked away over to Gio begging him to refuse, but when I did I saw him size her up readying himself for battle. There was no getting of this, he wanted to see what she was up to.