CHAPTER 71: LOST IN HER BEAUTY

Sara softened upon hearing that statement, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Her heart again raced, but this time with a flutter of confusion and cautious hope. Luca sensed her silence and offered reassurance. "I told you I never wanted to pursue you while the family feud was raging. You will find out slowly that what I’ve been telling you is true. But don’t worry. Things are much better now."

Sara paused, processing the implied darkness of his world. "So, all of you use guns?" she questioned. "And whenever you all fight, does bloodshed occur?" Her curiosity was tinged with apprehension.

Luca’s gaze became distant, shadowed by memory. "The last bloodshed occurred seven years ago," he answered. "Right after my grandfather passed away."

"But you never let it show on your face," Sara stated despite the violent history he carried. "I mean, you were so calm in the college days that no one actually knew what you were going through."

"Some matters are not to be shown, Sara," Luca stated simply, the phrase sounding like a personal creed. "Leave it. We are now close to the dress showroom."

He slowly pulled the car into the spacious driveway of a sleek building and turned off the engine, the sudden silence inside the car signaling an abrupt end to the heavy conversation.

Sara stepped down from the car first, adjusting her coat, and tilted her head, taking in the store’s facade.

"Let’s go in," Luca said, closing his door.

Once inside, the manager greeted them immediately. He was clearly an acquaintance of Luca.

"Please show some nice dresses to my wife," Luca instructed, cutting straight to business. "Elegant ones."

The manager formally greeted Sara, offering a quick, professional smile, and instructed one of the staff ladies to help her. Sara glanced back at Luca, giving him a look before turning and walking ahead with the assistant.

"How have you been? You married so suddenly that it shocked everyone," said Nacho, walking up to Luca. "People were saying weird stuff about Sara. But you handled everything well. How did your parents respond to this? You were supposed to marry my cousin, after all."

"You knew I would never marry a woman chosen for me," Luca remarked.

"Of course, I knew. But Sara was not someone I had ever thought you would get married to. I have heard a lot about her. Her stepsister had signed a deal with us not long ago," Nacho explained.

"Then, you must end that deal. I am sure you will do that given our friendship," Luca stated, his eyes fixed on Nacho, making it clear this wasn’t a request but an expectation.

"What? Why?" Nacho arched his brow in amusement. "It is a profitable deal."

"Well, Frida is not someone with whom you should do any business," Luca muttered.

"If it is because of some personal grudge, then I’m afraid I can’t do that," Nacho asserted, his tone turning serious. "You know well I follow work ethics. Everything is going well with the business, so it would be wrong to end the business just because you want me to."

"I get it," Luca replied, his jaw tightening as he accepted the refusal.

"Here, drink some cold drink and cool off your head. It’s lemon juice," Nacho stated as the staff lady brought a tray with two glasses on it.

Luca sat down on a nearby chair and slowly sipped the drink while Nacho settled across from him.

A few seconds later, the staff member returned to where Luca and Nacho were sitting and said, "Madam Sara wants Sir to check her outfit once."

Luca immediately left his seat, his conversation with Nacho instantly forgotten, and followed the staff lady inside. As he stepped into the changing area, he saw Sara standing there. She was dressed in a stunning, white satin, cowl-neck dress that draped elegantly over her figure. A lady was carefully helping to straighten her hair when another staff member discreetly informed Sara about Luca’s presence.

Sara turned around completely and said with a soft smile, "How does this dress look on me? I think for tonight’s event it will be good."

Luca was utterly lost in her beauty, not even registering the question. He loved seeing her in such elegant dresses, but she would hardly ever wear them.

"Luca!" Sara raised her voice a bit, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Huh?" Luca blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "The dress looks perfect on you. You should try some more dresses, though. For our future dates, you can wear them," he suggested, eager to see her in more attire.

"No, I will only wear this dress for now," Sara affirmed, shutting down the suggestion with a determined shake of her head.

"Alright. Then, we are buying this dress." Luca swept his gaze quickly around the display area and spotted a black bodycon dress. He found it immediately appealing and, without consulting Sara, instructed the staff lady to pack that one as well.

Sara went back to the changing room and quickly got changed into her original attire. As she stepped out, she saw Luca waiting for her. The staff lady took the white dress and the spontaneously chosen black one from her, and the two walked outside to pay the bills.

"Come again to shop here," Nacho told them, giving a polite nod.

"Of course! The dresses here are pretty and unique," Sara replied warmly, returning the compliment before stepping past him.

"Thank you for that compliment."

"Then, we take our leave," Luca said, holding the two bags containing the dresses. The two of them stepped out of the boutique and went straight to the car.

Once they were settled inside, Sara turned to him. "Why did you buy the second dress? You know I already have many," she complained, gesturing to the bag with the black bodycon.

"Because I liked it," he replied simply, starting the engine. "And you will wear it on our next date," he proclaimed with a hopeful smile.