CHAPTER 587: LAURA THE DREAMER

By 5 p.m. the following day, Luca was already on his way to Grunewald, set to fetch the mother and child.

As much as he loved the drive through the fascinating, green-lined neighbourhood, he didn’t actually like the time it consumed.

The journey felt longer today, maybe because his mind had too many little thoughts rolling about.

Luca hadn’t thought beyond a straight line when he offered to host the two visitors in his property.

Well... he also wanted more time with the chubby, small fellow.

The cream duplex of the Brahms stood rigid at the height of the sunset upon his arrival.

His shades reflected the orange descent until the light from the house claimed it when Evelyn opened the door.

Luca didn’t have to wait at all because Laura and Martin were already ready.

Martin was crying when he came, but it sounded like one of those unserious, attention-seeking cries.

Laura had packed everything essential, but it looked like a bit too much in Luca’s eyes.

He didn’t speak about it at all.

But still... two bags and a box? It looked like a college student moving in, not a guest for two days.

Did the woman plan to overstay her welcome?

Perhaps she did.

Laura disliked the fact that Luca came by evening, meaning it wouldn’t actually be two days.

From her strangely precise calculations, that was a day and seven hours instead.

That even made her luggage appear more stupid.

Martin didn’t seem to be in the mood to leave his mother’s body this time, despite Luca’s presence.

The three left the duplex and Evelyn’s wave, back to the road.

Before long, they reached Luca’s home, passing one property after another, then his property after his property, until finally, his main and lonely house appeared.

The road stretched narrow and silent, the only sound being the hum of the car and Martin’s occasional squeal from the front.

Luca hadn’t realized it before, but on the ride, he had no choice but to notice because Martin’s restless squirming beside his mother in the passenger seat kept drawing his eyes.

Laura wore a beautiful, multicoloured satin dress with straps, the kind of clothing that shimmered a bit under soft lighting.

He wondered if Isabella had been giving her dressing tips, because the style felt oddly familiar.

It was reasonably dark by the time Luca parked.

When they stepped out, Martin’s cries shifted from the unserious kind to something that sounded real and discomforting.

Luca let Laura handle the two bags while he took the wailing infant and the box in one go.

By seven, the trio had settled.

Martin was in Luca’s room, seated on the bed, staring around in quiet confusion while the man moved about, changing clothes and handling duties that looked enormous from the child’s view.

Luca was a good man, so Laura felt no hint of worry leaving her child with him.

In fact, she was grateful because the small absence gave her a moment to absorb where she truly was.

This was Luca’s home.

Whenever Laura put herself in the shoes of someone who didn’t know Luca at all, she was always fascinated.

It was like a random fan suddenly finding themselves in the million-dollar home of an F1 driver.

The aura in this place wasn’t meant for the public eye at all.

And to think that Laura was the first woman to enter and actually sleep in this property was absurd.

Isabella had never been here, not even Luca’s own mother knew of this house.

If Laura knew this piece of info, she would’ve gone even madder than she already was.

The woman thought about giving herself a small tour of the house, but that could seem awkward and intrusive.

So instead, she took her bath, believing Luca was doing the same somewhere else, and wondered what was for dinner.

She pictured Luca cooking, focused and sweating, with his sleeves rolled up.

Luca, in fact, had already prepared dinner ahead of time.

His pasta with sautéed chicken and thick tomato sauce wasn’t made in the most delightful or restaurant-like way, but Luca had no doubt someone else would enjoy it.

Martin was still on bottles and cereals anyway.

Dinner was served just minutes to nine because Luca had completely lost track of time, too absorbed in blowing bubbles on Martin’s round little stomach, making the baby giggle uncontrollably.

Laura had to change and clean him soon after, as sleep caught up quickly with the small one.

That was when Luca began to understand the true necessity of the luggage she’d brought along.

Apparently, this baby boy had a lot of needs—tiny ones, but plenty enough to fill those bags and box he had earlier judged.

There were about twelve diapers, two onesies, and two rompers.

Luca could go on and on listing the baby items he never imagined he would see anywhere near his house.

Laura’s handling of everything was remarkable as well. She put the headache to bed and gave him a motherly kiss on the forehead.

The two adults were left to have a quiet dinner alone.

There was barely any conversation, as Luca preferred to eat in silence, but he still felt the need to acknowledge his guest, so he initiated small talk.

To Laura’s frustration, however, every bit of that talk somehow circled back to Martin... Martin... Martin!

She couldn’t understand why Luca’s entire attention couldn’t rest on her as Laura, not as Martin’s mother.

Those were two entirely different people, if this man didn’t already know.

In Luca’s eyes, all he saw was a woman whom life hadn’t treated kindly, and he didn’t want more misfortune finding its way to her.

He didn’t see her as anything close to what Laura saw herself as now, which was why he didn’t even notice things like the provocative nightgown she deliberately chose to wear.

The night ended with a quietly disappointed woman clutching her child on the cool bed, while upstairs, the man she longed for was simply wondering how he’d navigate the following day.