Chapter 33: The Permission

Laura Conti's POV

After my 3 weeks of recovery, I was falling behind with my work and classes. I needed to take some time to get on the same page with everyone. I need to take extra steps to be able to catch on. I hope that my funding would not be taken away. My wedding has not been updated to the University's administration and I intended to keep it that way, well except for my colleagues, which they attended the wedding.

"Laura, do you have a moment," Mrs. Debaux said as she instructed me to go into her office.

"yes, Mrs. Debaux, what can I do for you?" I asked politely as I took the seat in front of her desk. She sighed which always means never a good sign.

"your expedition has been delayed for almost a month. I thought that after your recovery, you will go to Albania to finish what you started. The peer-reviewed paper submission is 2 months away. I hoped you have everything that you need before that time comes," she said concerned about my research. My heart warmed at that.

"yes, I will fly out to Albania by the end of the week. I will not fail you," I said confidently even though I have to tell Lucca and all. But, my research was more important. Even though I married him doesn't mean that I can pursue my academia.

"Good to hear that. I will see you this weekend in Albania, I presume, or do you have something else going on in your life right now?" She asked me if she knows about something. I chuckled nervously as I looked around her room.

"what… no of course not, I don't have anything that exciting in my life," I said as I was fidgeting my hands. Mrs. Debaux looked at me intensely before she sighed.

"Okay, if you say so. Don't forget by the end of the week. We'll be gone for 3 weeks, okay?" She said as I walked to the door.

"yes, of course, Mrs. Debaux," I said gingerly as I have been waiting to get out of the stuffy city anyway.

"and, Laura?" She called me as I looked at her.

"be sure to use protection. We don't want to get pregnant when everything was going so well," she said, winking at me. My face was getting warmer as I closed the door behind me. Man, how can she notice? I don't even wear my wedding rings.

I was organizing my papers and scheduling all the appointments that I have to the 3 weeks ahead. I have to get busy again when I was getting my paper published and done with my research. But that's not why I pursue myself as an archeologist. I wanted to restore the civilization that was being forgotten by human beings.

"Hey, you're ready?" Stella popped her head into my office.

"Yeah, just give me one moment," I said as I was looking at my laptop and was typing my reason for absentees and cancellation of my class. Well, my students would be happy to hear the news again. Maybe I should just focus on my research while teaching a class.

"Okay, let's go," I said as I shut down my laptop and put it in my bag. I was forgetting to get my wedding rings before Lucca can detect that I had it removed. I slipped it on as I was heading out of the building. I was adjusting my rings when I heard someone cleared their throat. I looked up and to see that Lucca had murderous glare which can be translated as 'you better explain about it'. I smiled nervously as I looked at Stella.

"Oops, look who just show up. I think I better go home by myself. Well, I see you later," she said as she kissed my cheeks and get out of the situation that could explode the city.

"hi," I said to Lucca before kissing him on the lips. He guided me toward the passenger's seat before he went to the driver's seat and drove off from the campus. We were driving in silence as I was listening to the radio.

"so, where we going?" I asked, trying to break the awkward silence. Lucca did not reply as he just focused on the road. Bipolar much, I thought as I looked outside the window. We were passing Verona and was going into Milan. I mean how come he had the time to send and pick me up from Verona to Milan, I don't understand at all.

"Lucca, I have to be out of the country for the next 3 weeks," I said as he drove on the highway. I can see that his knuckles were turning white.

"It just works. I have to finish my expedition. The peer-review submission is in 2 months. I can lose more time than I already had," I said as I was hoping he would understand. He turned into a sharp turn into the garage of our parking. I was holding for my dear life on the seatbelt and the dashboard. Lucca parked on the usual spot before getting out of the car. He did not even bother to open the door for me as I get out myself.

"what's wrong with you?" I asked as I tried to get what was he angry about.

"why you did not say that you will be out of the country for 3 weeks?" He asked as his hands were on his hips. Uh-oh, his alpha showed up.

"I was going to tell you tonight during dinner. anyway, where do you get that information and don't tell me, Stella," I said as I was pointing at him?

"Stella," he said at the same time as me.

"dammit, Stella. Look I was going to tell you tonight that I will be leaving at the end of the week," he interrupted me.

"AT THE END OF THE WEEK?!!" He shouted at me. I took a deep breath before taking it.

"yes, and it's not like I was going on vacation. My career depends on it," I said as I was trying to control my anger. Lucca was laughing bitterly before rubbing his face. "don't tell me you will be staying with your little friend in Albania," he said mockingly.

"who? Albert?" I asked as Lucca was mocking me.

"so, he does have a name. Why? So you can go to him when I was away?" He said and I did the unexpected. I slapped him. I SLAPPED Lucca Giovanni.

"Lucca, get it in your head already. I'm your wife as we vowed last week. I never thought to cheat on you and for your information, Albert is gay. He lives with his boyfriend, Eric," I said before I walked toward the elevator. I don't give a damn about Lucca right now since he pissed me off. I punched the elevator and waited for it. I was mad, fuming with anger as Lucca just accused me of being a cheater. I did not even realize that a single tear was streaming down my face. I can feel someone wiped it for me.

"I'm sorry if I overreact. It just I was so angry and mad if you ever cheated on me," Lucca said as he spun me around so that I was facing him.

"I told you, you're the only man that I will love," I said as I looked down at my shoes. Lucca pulled my head up to see me in the eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry. Yes, you can go on your expedition but be prepared that I will come with you," he said as he caressed my cheeks. I rolled my eyes at him.

"no, you can't. It was an archeological site. No civilian can just waltz in," I stated the fact.

"well, I'm no civilian I'm Lucca Giovanni and I'm your husband," he said before kissing me on the lips. I moaned as the elevator dings.

"ugh, get a room," the passenger said as he got off from the elevator and we went inside.

"tomorrow, we will have the hearing from father's attorney about the inheritance," I said as I held his hand.

"really? When is it?" Lucca asked.

"11 AM at the mansion," I said before the elevator dings and we went toward the penthouse entrance.

"Can I go or is it, family, only?" He asked as he spun me into his arms before taking my bag and put it down.

"silly, you're family. And of course, I want you there. You're my support," I said as I kissed him on the lips and I can sense that he was smiling at the thought.