Lucius arrived ho after getting stuck in the traffic for almost an hour. He slowed down to see Roderick in the living room while Layla couldn’t be seen around.
"Uncle!" Roderick exclaid in surprise as he left his seat.
"Why didn’t you inform when those were tailing you? You knew soone was after you. The first person you should have inford was . What if you were injured? Can you for a while not stay angry with and confide in ?" Lucius spoke out his frustrating thoughts as he walked to his nephew.
"I thought they were paparazzi," he answered. "I didn’t know it was serious. You didn’t do anything to Max, did you?" Roderick asked.
"I have sent him ho in one piece. And you will never hide anything like this from . Promise ," Lucius demanded.
"I promise," Roderick replied.
"Have dinner with us, and then you can leave for ho," Lucius opined.
"I have prior plans," Roderick replied.
"With whom?" Lucius furrowed his brows together.
"Ivy," Roderick replied.
"Hmm. Then, I won’t stop you. Also, from now onward one of my n will follow you or be around you all the ti. Last ti, I withdrew it after your complaints. You can’t argue about it," Lucius stated with a protective edge.
Roderick easily agreed for it. "I should leave then," he said.
"Go safely," Layla told him.
"I will," Roderick replied. "Thank you for the tea earlier," he told Layla and left.
"Boss, I’ll inform Chase to stay close to Roderick from now on," Aiden said.
"Sure," Lucius replied.
"I’ll also leave, Boss. Have a great evening ahead," Roger asserted humbly and left with Aiden.
Layla walked to Lucius and caressed his arm. "Freshen up. Then, we will have dinner together," she said softly. As she turned to walk away to the kitchen, Lucius hugged her from behind, thus halting her. His arm wrapped around her neck as his face lowered.
"Aren’t you upset with ?" Lucius inquired.
"Why would I be upset?" she tilted her head to look at him.
"I am using violence these days. I never felt bad about it before. I don’t know why I feel differently now," Lucius murmured.
"Well, you claim yourself as a mafia, so I hope you to be violent in certain situations," Layla remarked, a small smile playing on her lips. She turned to face him while his hand now was on her back.
"Aren’t you tired? Have a hot water bath and wash away your worries too. Roderick is fine now," Layla assured him.
"Hmm. You are right," Lucius replied. Pressing a kiss on her lips, he went upstairs while Layla shook her head with a smile.
~~~~
Roderick gazed out of the expansive window of the upscale restaurant, his expression shadowed with lancholy as the rain cascaded outside. The rhythmic pattering against the glass deepened the somberness that had settled over him.
Ivy approached their reserved table with a quiet grace, not disturbing his brooding thoughts. Sliding into the seat opposite him, she studied his distant deanor for a mont before leaning forward slightly.
"It seems the esteed Mr. Roderick De Salvo is lost in rather profound musings," she murmured in a low voice, bringing him to the present.
Roderick turned his head, his sharp gaze softening as it landed on Ivy. "How’s your mother?" he asked with genuine concern.
"She’s much better now. Recovering well," Ivy replied with a small smile, taking the nu from the waiter’s hands. She ordered their dishes before shifting her attention back to Roderick.
"That’s good to hear," he said simply.
Ivy hesitated for a mont, then lowered her voice. "I’m sorry about what Elliot said this morning. Please don’t take his words to heart."
Roderick leaned back slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in faint dismissal. "I didn’t. He doesn’t matter to . Whatever he said, I’ve already forgotten it." He paused, his sharp eyes studying her face. "But what about you? It must’ve hurt. You love him, after all."
A flicker of pain crossed Ivy’s expression, but she quickly masked it with composure. "I shouldn’t have hidden the fact that our families are hoping for us to build a relationship. I didn’t tell him—not even on the day he broke up with . That was my mistake," she admitted with regret and sadness.
Roderick exhaled quietly, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile. "And we’ve been pretending all along. We still are." He lifted his water glass, taking a slow sip before setting it down with care. "I used to be the kind of jerk who blad everyone else for my mistakes. Today, Elliot acted no differently."
Their conversation was interrupted by the soft voice of the waiter. "Here’s your order." He began placing the dishes on the table, and Ivy nodded her thanks, waiting until the waiter walked away before turning her attention back to Roderick.
"You are no longer that jerk. I didn’t know you were this understanding," Ivy said, eting his gaze.
"We shall eat before the food gets cold," Roderick suggested and dug into the food. After eating with his heart’s content, he pulled out his wallet, but Ivy stopped him.
"I have already paid," Ivy answered.
"I see. Let’s go then," he opined.
"You ca on a bike. It’s raining outside. I’ll drop you ho," Ivy stated.
"I’m not heading ho," Roderick said.
"Then?" She raised her brow.
"To a hotel," Roderick answered.
"Why?"
"To sleep, of course," he chuckled. Then, as if to tease her, Roderick asked, "Want to spend the night with ?"
Ivy should have answered ’No’ imdiately, but she didn’t.
"I need to go for a eting tomorrow," Ivy replied.
"Wait! Shouldn’t you refuse?" Roderick cocked his brow in amusent.
"I did," Ivy replied and walked past him, fanning her hand near her face, feeling the heat rising to her cheek. "I should have said no," she mumbled to herself while feeling embarrassed and rushing toward the elevator.
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