☆Chapter 16: The De Luca Shopping Spree☆

A week.

Lorenzo had one week to prepare Seraphina for school.

And in that week…

Hell.

☆☆☆

"Sir, we need to go shopping."

Lorenzo's brow raised.

"Shopping?"

Seraphina stood with her arms crossed, her expression firm.

"Yes. I need supplies."

Lorenzo's frown deepened.

"Can't Matteo handle that?"

"No."

"Nonno?"

"Busy."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"I'll send someone."

"No, sir."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed.

"We're going. Together."

Lorenzo stared.

"Why?"

"Because I need your wallet."

Seraphina winked.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo had been in gunfights.

Negotiations with rival families.

He had survived assassination attempts.

But nothing…

Nothing prepared him for this.

☆☆☆

"Where are we going first?" Lorenzo asked, eyes scanning the luxury mall.

Seraphina's eyes lit up.

"Stationery!"

Lorenzo's brow furrowed.

"For what?"

"Notebooks, pens, highlighters—"

"Pens are pens."

Seraphina gasped.

"Sir, don't insult the art of stationery."

Lorenzo's lips twitched.

☆☆☆

"This one or that one?"

Seraphina held up two notebooks.

One was plain black.

The other?

Bright pink. Covered in glitter.

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"The black one."

"But the pink one is cute."

"It's hideous."

Seraphina smirked.

"Pink it is."

Lorenzo sighed.

☆☆☆

"Why do you need so many pens?" Lorenzo asked as Seraphina dumped an entire set of pastel pens into the cart.

"Different colors for different subjects."

"Why?"

Seraphina blinked.

"Because organization is key."

Lorenzo stared.

"Black ink works just fine."

"And that's why your reports are boring."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"Fine. Get your damn pens."

Seraphina's grin was victorious.

☆☆☆

"I need a backpack."

Lorenzo's brow raised.

"How many colors do you need?"

"Just one."

Lorenzo nodded.

"Black. Simple. Clean."

Seraphina grinned.

"Pink."

Lorenzo froze.

"No."

"Pink, with glitter."

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"Seraphina."

Seraphina pouted.

"Sir…"

Lorenzo's resolve cracked.

"Fine."

"And matching lunchbox!"

Lorenzo groaned.

☆☆☆

Shoes: The Ultimate Battle

"Simple black shoes."

"No."

"They're practical."

"Boring."

Seraphina held up a pair of sparkly sneakers.

Lorenzo's expression was blank.

"Absolutely not."

"They have lights."

"No."

"They're cute."

Lorenzo's gaze hardened.

"Seraphina."

Seraphina's eyes shimmered.

"Please?"

Lorenzo sighed.

"One pair."

Seraphina's smile was blinding.

☆☆☆

By the end of the day…

Lorenzo had bought everything.

Pens.

Notebooks.

Bags.

Shoes.

Lunchboxes.

Even a custom desk for her room.

The cashier's eyes widened.

"Total is…"

Lorenzo didn't blink.

He pulled out a black card.

"Charge it."

☆☆☆

As they left the mall, Matteo whistled.

"Boss… you just bought enough supplies for a small army."

Lorenzo's glare was deadly.

"Don't."

Matteo grinned.

"I didn't say anything."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"Shut up, Matteo."

☆☆☆

At the De Luca Mansion...

"Sir, I need my name stitched on everything."

Lorenzo blinked.

"What?"

Seraphina nodded seriously.

"To avoid losing my stuff."

Lorenzo's brow furrowed.

"I'll get someone to do it."

"No."

Lorenzo froze.

"Why not?"

Seraphina's grin was pure evil.

"Because I want you to do it."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo sat in his office.

A needle in one hand.

Seraphina's uniform in the other, and a multiple bandaged, bleeding fingers.

Matteo peeked in.

"Boss… are you… sewing?"

Lorenzo's death glare was immediate.

"Not. One. Word."

Matteo's lips twitched.

"Need help?"

"Get out."

Matteo's laughter echoed down the hall.

☆☆☆

"Thank you, sir."

Seraphina's smile was pure joy.

And for a moment…

Lorenzo's cold heart… melted.

"You're welcome."

Seraphina hugged his arm.

"You're the best, sir."

Lorenzo's jaw tightened.

"Don't push it."

☆☆☆

As they settle back home…

Lorenzo glanced at Seraphina.

Her smile.

Her excitement.

And for the first time…

Lorenzo realized…

Money couldn't buy peace.

But it could buy…

Seraphina's happiness.

And somehow…

That was worth everything.