CHAPTER EIGHT - She is the devil!

Luca looks at the lifeless figure lying next to him. After being completely fucked, Kate is out cold. All that Luca wants from Kate is sex, something to divert his attention from the reality that Eddie isn't his. He should have claimed her sooner. If only he had expressed his feelings to her. Without awakening Kate, Luca cautiously rolls out of bed while muttering a few Italian expletives. He locates his clothing and silently dons his garments. He hastily takes his phone out of his pocket and glances at it to discover three texts from Eddie and a missed call.

EDDISON

10.36 am: What a disappearing act. To where did you elope?

10.37 am: I want to talk about last night.

10.37 am: I'd like to discuss last night.

11.49 a.m.: Get the hell home. Your mum is here.

Here is your mother.

LUCIANO:

12.12 pm: K.

EDDISON: 12.13 pm: "K*?" LUCIANO: 12.12pm: "K*?" What in the name of God is that message?

12.14 in LUCIANO: Vaffanculo!

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Edison turns away from her phone hastily.

"Cara? Did he respond to you? Mrs. Moretti gives her a hopeful gaze."

"Uh. He is indeed on his way."

I believe...

Eddie asks permission to go grab a drink. She is threatening to cry as she leans on the kitchen counter as tears are burning her eyes.

"Bella? You okay, Fadie?

Eddie hands her phone to Marc. "I don't speak Italian very well, but does that mean what I think it means?"

Eddie starts to cry as Mare gives her a dejected smile. "Eddie, I'm sure he didn't mean it.

"I have to leave this place. I, apologize to your mother.

"Eddie!" Eddie tries to hold back her tears as she hurriedly approaches the front door. As she walks out the front door without turning around, Mrs Moretti calls after her. She moves toward campus because she has no idea else to go else.

**************************

Luca pushes open the door to his apartment so his mother can embrace him. She blathers on incoherently in Italian about Mare, his dad, the family, and life, forcing him to pay attention. Even after his mother has left, her parting words keep repeating in his thoughts. "Eddison. Say "Era scappatta!"

She escaped!

After his eleventh call to Eddie goes straight to her voicemail, Luca throws his phone on the couch. He enters the kitchen in search of food as his tummy grumbles. As he turns to return to the couch with a package of crackers in hand, something sharp bumps into his nose.

"Cazzo!" Luca turns to confront his assailant after wiping the tears from his eyes. His sibling.

"What the hell, Marcello?!"

"Dio, you are a complete moron." You are an imbecile, God.

You're referring to Eddie, right?

"Certo! Yes, of course! You injured her.

"She brought home a guy!"

She is unaware of your feelings for her. That cannot be used against her. It's not like they had sexual relations. I imagine Kate's bed was soothing.

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Before hearing the sound of keys clanging against the door, Luca isn't even aware that he's dozed out. Luca checks the clock on his phone. Early in the morning, just after three. On the couch next to him, Marc is sitting straight upright, and the two of them are staring at the door. A very shaky Eddison is revealed when it swings open.

The question "Where have you been?" Standing up from the couch, Luca asks.

"Eddie!" Edison appears to ignore him as he walks right past him on the way to the kitchen. She is rather unsteady on her feet, he observes. Are you inebriated? She smiles, and Eddie's eyes dart over to him. Luca seeks help from his brother.

Marc progresses. As soon as Marc says, "Bella," Eddie's eyes meet his and she grinned.

"Marcello!" Before her entire body falls to the ground in Marc's arms, she briefly puts her arms around his neck while laughing.

*************************

Eddie notices arguments. Men clashing. She perceives them as being right next to her. She attempts to open her eyes, but she can't because of her heavy eyelids. She pays attention to the voices arguing nearby. putting a lot of effort into understanding what they are saying.

"You must leave now!" The voice is identified as Luca's by Eddie.

I'm worried about her! My girlfriend is her. The reply comes from Parker.

Eddie shudders. Even though they were only casually dating, she would never refer to herself as Parker's girlfriend.

"THE HELL, she is!" Luca shouts in his voice.

"Do not spread rumours! It is thus. It's Marc speaking in Italian.

Eddie curses him in his head.

How am I expected to comprehend right now?

"This is my home," he said.

"I think Glielo ought to tell you,"

"Tell her what?" she asks. According to Parker, Eddie understands that it must be in response to something said in Italian.

"You can speak Italian?" Eddie can hear Marc's horrified voice in his ears.

"I have some understanding. Tell her what, then. Eddie holds her breath as she waits for Luca's response as Parker re-asks.

"Nothing." Eddie's eyes begin to flicker as Luca's voice snarls out.

"Why are all of you shouting?" The three males turn to face her when she whispers something gently. The first person by her side is Parker.

"Babe. Are you alright? He asks while snatching her hand and kissing it. Eddie tries to sit up but feels like her head is tearing apart.

I'm just hungover, she says, raising an eyebrow at Parker as she rubs her temples. No one has perished as a result, right? Parker's lips pull forward into a smile as she manages a laugh.

Her neck is encircled by broad arms as she surveys the ebony locks. "Bella. Cara. Never once more!" Marc is speaking loudly to her while keeping his mouth close to her ear. He kisses her on the forehead.

"Hi Marcello, I'm good. Calm down. Eddie looks around the townhouse's living room before settling on Luca. Eddie is the first to turn away as the two exchange heated glances while their lips are pursed into a fine line. Eddie briefly closes her eyes as she hears the front door open and close.

She's not sure why, but her connection with Luca had changed.

She was aware of one thing, though: Luca leaves a hole in her heart.