"Mira," I jumped slightly at the voice that interrupted my thoughts. Luca. I am so thankful that he saved me from my thoughts. They were killing me but I couldn't go near knowing that I could hurt him like before. The bruises on his face did not make me feel better.

"No. I don't want to hurt you," I stretched my hand toward him in a motion to avoid him.

"You won't, tesoro," he shook his head, proceeding to step forward.

"How do you know that?" It would be okay if I knew he was lying but he seemed to have confidence in me.

"Because I know you. I know you won't do anything to intentionally hurt someone. Earlier was out of your control," he was now towering over me. He took my hand in his, using his thumb to caress my hand. It felt nice.

"To take your mind off it. I brought ice cream and snack," he brought them between us to show me. I smiled gratefully.

"I'm sorry, Luca. I didn't mean to hurt you," I apologized and he nodded his head.

"I know. Forget about it. I know what it feels like to be in your place. I just wish I could avoid it from happening so I wouldn't have to see you in pain like this," he said. His words warmed my heart.

Did he care about me so much? Did he like me? I don't even know if I like him. I like having him around. I laughed freely around him, forgetting about the world around us.

I don't have time to be sorting out feelings. I need to avenge my mom's killer. Speaking of I need to ask dad if Antonio called back about the bodies. That would have to do later.

He put on a movie I didn't recognize while I started stuffing my face with ice cream. Half way through the movie, we found ourselves cuddling together. I was in front of him, while he had his hands wrapped around my shoulders from behind. Some time I found myself falling asleep. It felt good to actually sleep and not hear or see her face.

Then I was shaken awake. "Let me sleep in peace please,"

"I wish I could and I'm sorry Mira but we need to get ready," I heard Luca say.

"For what?" I asked, wrapping myself more in the duvet. I heard him chuckle before he replied.

"The annual peace treaty ball is in two hours," he told me. I remembered mom telling me she went to a ball with dad. How they danced and it was beautiful. I wonder if it was this exact ball. It would be funny how history repeat itself.

"I don't have a dress," I said, finally getting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Your dad bought one, don't worry," he assured me and I sighed. What time is it anyway?

6:33pm. Oh well. Time to get ready.

After slowly getting out of the bed and making my way to the bathroom to bathe, brush my teeth, fix my hair and apply makeup, I was in awe by the dress on my bed. Luca stood with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. He looked really good in the tux.

"What do you think?" he sounded like he actually cared for my answer to know whether or not I liked it or not.

"I love it. It's beautiful," I gushed and he sighed in relief.

"So, annual peace treaty ball. The name is pretty explanatory," I stated the obvious.

"Yeah, well it hardly does anything. It's just an excuse to kiss ass or send threats but it's prohibited to start war there. It's actually my second time going to one of these," he explained and I looked at him curiously.

"I was recruited a year and a half ago," he told me. I had a feeling there was more to the story but I didn't press it. He would tell me when it's time.

"Can you zip me up please?" I asked turning my back to him. I felt him approach me and just like the cliché in the books and movies, his hand brushed against my spine, having me almost shiver by the touch.

"There you go," he said, stepping back to the door post.

"Thank you. Let's go?" he nodded, holding out his hand for me to take which I did. We walked down and at the bottom of the staircase, dad looked up at me. His expression almost had me bursting in laughter. Dad looked handsome in his suit. Thank God, my friends won't him or they would've jumped his bones.

"You look just like your mother. You look beautiful, Bella," Dad complimented and I smiled and hugged him.

"Thank you for the dress dad," I said and he looked at me with furrowed eyebrows then looked behind me at Luca and laughed softly like what I said was funny.

He leaned down to whisper in my ear. "It was Luca who had picked the dress not me." My jaw dropped in surprise. But he told me- He lied to cover up that he was the one who bought. That's really nice of him.

"He's a good boy but if he hurts you, I will kill him," Dad threatened. I laughed and pat him on the shoulder, nodding my head.

"Alright, let's roll out," Dad announced.

******

The ballroom was huge and it was filled with people from different parts of the world. It was absolutely beautiful. Some were laughing, others looked like they would prefer be anywhere else.

"When we were fighting earlier today, I remember you speaking in another language, what was it?" Luca suddenly asked.

"German. I am from Austria," I told him and he hummed a response.

"Did I ever tell you that you look beautiful tonight. Yellow suits you," he complimented and I bit my cheek to stop the blush forming on my cheeks but it was in vain.

"Thank you. You look dashing in your suit," I retorted, bringing up my hand to brush the invisible dirt off his shoulder.

"You should dance with your dad. I think it will help heal his mind from your mom," Damn this guy is good with changing topics.

He was right, I guess I could do that. For Dad's sake. I looked around and saw him, Jasper and Uncle Nik by a table sipping champagne. I walked over to them.

"Are you okay Bella? What's wrong?" Dad asked, searching my face then looking around the room for any threat.

"I'm okay Dad. I just wanted to know if you wanted to dance with me. To make up for the 17 years you missed," his face lit up at my invitation. I looped my arms around his, as he lead me toward the center.

"You can stand on my toes if you want to," he joked.

"Dad, I've been dancing since I could walk. But I have a feeling you still want me to stand on your toes, don't you?" I said, arching an eyebrow.

He chuckled and I nodded, going on his feet. He flashed a genuine smile with a sparkle in his eyes. Dad really did miss us. I didn't want to think how it was for him while we were just hours away and he didn't know. It was a simple four step slow dance.

"Dance?" he asked referring to what I said a minute ago.

"Oh yeah. It was something I just took on for myself that I ended up liking and I stuck by it. Mom supported me and it actually helped with the training we were doing. Agility and stuff," he held a smile on his face but I could see the pain hidden in his eyes.

"She missed you so much dad. Always talked about you. Always saying that if things were different, she would stay. I didn't understand at the time and thought it was something you did but she only said, it was wrong timing for the both of you," he frowned.

"It was actually a bit of both the wrong timing and good timing. You know, I think this was what made me and your mother grow closer," I smiled.

"I have no doubt. You know, I'm glad I got to meet you, dad. You have no idea how many times I wished for this day," I told him, wrapping my hands around his waist for a hug. He returned it, rubbing my hair.

During the touching father-daughter moment, I felt a hard stare in my back. I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice, so I subtly looked around.

"Hey dad, are all Mafia leaders required to come to the ball?" I asked.

"They don't have to but most times they do anyway," he replied. There was a middle aged 40 year old man that was wickedly smiling at me. He winked.

"I see him too. Don't worry, he can't do anything," Dad assured.

"Mind if I cut in Boss?" my head turned at the voice. Luca. Dad subtly winked at me and walked back to the side.

"Seriously. I thought you were supposed to be scared of my dad," I pondered and he laughed.

"Yeah, well I thought I probably should take a risk and have a dance with the most beautiful girl in the room," I blushed and turned my head away.

"You are good. Is that how you get the girls?" I teased and it was his time to blush.

"I have never really had a girlfriend or one night stands," his confession had me shocked.

"Well then ...." I didn't know what to say. He then had a mischievous glint in his eyes that had me narrowing my eyes at him.

He smirked and I was suddenly pulled to his chest. He spun me out and in back. My back to his chest. He held my waist and spun me around. Then lifted me up in the air. I was in awe as we moved in sync together around the room. It felt like it was the two of us. Our eyes never leaving each other. It made me wonder if this was how mom felt. If it was, then I hope our ending won't be like theirs.

7/12/20

Au revoir.....