Chapter 250: Why So Green?

Before Luca could finish speaking, Arabella froze.

"What?"

Her usually calm voice rose ever so slightly.

"Franco de Santa...?"

For the first time in a long while, genuine surprise flickered across her face.

"If you hadn’t repeated that three times, I would’ve thought I’d misheard you."

She already knew Luca was wealthy.

Owning a luxury mansion in Capital City wasn’t surprising.

But Franco de Santa?

That was on an entirely different level.

Even among the city’s elite, owning a residence there was something only a handful of families could boast about.

’Just how many surprises does this man still have...?’

Fortunately, her own residence wasn’t far from the estate.

By the time Luca finished entertaining everyone, another message popped up on his phone.

<<<Arabella: I’m outside.>>>

A smile spread across his face.

"I’ll be right back."

He headed out and found Arabella waiting beside her car. The moment she saw him, her expression softened almost imperceptibly.

Without a word, he reached for her hand.

Their fingers intertwined naturally before they walked back toward the courtyard together.

Before Luca even had the chance to introduce her, Trish turned around in excitement. She hurriedly swallowed the mouthful of lamb she’d been chewing and waved enthusiastically.

"Mmm... Arabella! I missed you so much!"

Luca glanced sideways at her.

’That speech would’ve been much more convincing if your mouth wasn’t still full.’

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Arabella naturally took the seat beside Luca.

Without thinking, he slipped on a pair of gloves, tore off a tender lamb chop, and placed it neatly onto her plate.

"Here."

"Thank you."

She took a small bite.

Her eyes brightened almost instantly.

"...It’s delicious."

As she enjoyed the food, her gaze wandered across the enormous courtyard.

Her own family owned villas in Capital City’s most prestigious neighborhoods. They had luxury apartments, several traditional courtyard homes, and even properties developed by the Windsor Group itself.

She’d seen more luxury residences than most people ever would.

Yet...

Compared to this estate, every one of them somehow felt ordinary.

Luca noticed her quietly taking everything in.

"You like it?"

She nodded faintly.

"I do."

Her eyes drifted toward the pavilions and moonlit walkways.

"I can understand now why royalty lived in places like this."

What she couldn’t understand...

Was how Luca had managed to acquire it.

She didn’t ask.

If Luca wanted to tell her, he would.

If not, she respected that.

"You can stay here whenever you want," he said casually. "Honestly, I’d be happier if someone actually lived here while I’m away."

Arabella shook her head.

"It wouldn’t be the same."

She looked at him quietly.

"If you’re not here... then it doesn’t matter where I stay."

Nearby, Rachel sat silently listening while pretending to focus on her food.

A small ache settled in her chest.

’...I wish I could talk to Luca like that.’

"Hehe."

Trish’s teasing voice suddenly reached her ear.

"Jealous?"

Rachel stiffened immediately.

She instinctively looked toward Luca.

Thankfully, he was still talking with Arabella and hadn’t noticed anything.

Only then did she let out a quiet breath.

She grabbed a piece of roasted lamb and glared at Trish.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I’m only looking out for you."

Trish simply grinned.

She knew exactly what Rachel was thinking.

This silly girl liked her brother so much, yet refused to admit it.

If she didn’t give Rachel a little push...

She’d probably stay in love forever without taking a single step forward.

"I don’t need your help."

Rachel snatched the mantis shrimp Trish had just finished peeling and popped it straight into her mouth.

She chewed happily before flashing a smug smile.

"Thanks."

"It tastes amazing."

"Rachel!"

Trish stared at her in disbelief.

"I spent forever peeling that!"

Rachel giggled.

"You did."

"And now I get to enjoy it."

"You’re asking for it!"

The next second, Trish jumped to her feet.

Rachel squealed and took off running.

The two darted around the courtyard, laughing as one chased the other between the lantern-lit pathways.

Their playful bickering drew smiles from everyone present, making the lively evening feel even warmer.

...

After dinner, the four of them wandered through the gardens beneath the night sky.

The air was cool, carrying the scent of flowers drifting through the estate.

"Luca."

Arabella suddenly stopped walking.

She turned to face him.

Her hands rested behind her back as she leaned forward slightly.

Under the moonlight, a faint smile appeared on her usually composed face.

"I’m really happy today."

Over the past few weeks, life had become little more than work.

Aside from the occasional gathering with close friends, nearly every waking hour had been spent at Windsor Group helping her mother manage the company.

Even when she found time to paint...

Her brush seemed to have developed a mind of its own.

Every canvas eventually became Luca.

She had already filled her studio with portraits of him.

Each painting eased her longing a little.

But only a little.

No painting could compare to seeing the real person.

The moment Michael told her Luca had arrived in Capital City...

She’d abandoned her paperwork, rushed home, changed clothes, carefully redid her makeup, and driven straight over.

On the way, she’d been so nervous her palms wouldn’t stop sweating.

Yet the instant their hands touched...

Every trace of nervousness vanished.

Only warmth remained.

Only happiness.

She looked into his eyes.

"Luca..."

"I like you more than you probably realize."

Before he could respond, she rose onto her toes.

Making sure Trish and Rachel had wandered far enough ahead...

She wrapped her arms lightly around his neck.

Their lips met for the briefest moment.

A soft, lingering kiss.

Then she pulled away, smiling to herself.

Without another word, she slipped her hand into his arm and rested her head gently against his shoulder.

The moon hung high above them.

Their shadows stretched together across the stone path.

...

When they finally reached the front gate, Luca still hadn’t let go of her hand.

"Do you really have to leave?"

"I do."

She smiled apologetically.

"There are still a few documents waiting for me."

She’d deliberately postponed work just to come see him.

Now she had to finish everything she’d left behind.

Technically...

She could ask her mother to handle it.

But one day the Windsor Group would be hers.

She couldn’t keep relying on someone else forever.

Luca sighed softly.

"Alright."

"Drive carefully."

"And send me a message when you get home."

"I will."

After giving his hand one final squeeze, Arabella climbed into her car.

Luca remained where he was, watching until the red taillights disappeared into the distance.

Only then did he turn back toward the mansion.

The house suddenly felt much quieter.

’A little lonely...’

As soon as he stepped through the entrance, a familiar face peeked out from behind the decorative screen.

"Hehe..."

Trish grinned mischievously.

"So... has Arabella gone home?"

"Yeah."

He nodded.

"She still has work to finish."

"She’s really busy."

Trish chuckled.

"I honestly never expected someone as cool as Arabella to be the one making the first move."

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"You saw that?"

"Of course."

She wrapped herself around his arm with a playful smile.

"And Rachel saw it too."

Trish lowered her voice dramatically.

"I thought she was about to cry from heartbreak."