☆Chapter 17: Ice Cream Under the Stars☆

The night before Seraphina's first day of school was…

Quiet.

Too quiet.

And Lorenzo noticed.

☆☆☆

"What's Wrong?"

Lorenzo stood by the hallway, his sharp eyes watching as Seraphina sat on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees.

She was staring at the wall.

Silent.

Too silent.

"Sir," Mateo's voice echoed softly from behind.

Lorenzo didn't turn.

"What?"

Mateo's tone was unusually light.

"She's nervous."

Lorenzo's brow furrowed.

"Nervous?"

"School."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"She'll be fine."

Mateo shrugged.

"Maybe."

Lorenzo finally turned.

"Maybe?"

Mateo's grin was barely concealed.

"But a little ice cream wouldn't hurt."

Lorenzo blinked.

"Ice cream?"

"Comfort food."

Lorenzo's expression darkened.

"She doesn't need comfort."

"Maybe not." Mateo's smirk grew.

"Maybe... yes"

☆☆☆

In her room, Seraphina sat in deep thought.

Her mind was racing.

I've been a child before.

I know how kids act.

But this time… I'm not Amelia.

Her chest tightened.

Since becoming Seraphina De Luca, her interactions with other children had been…

Disastrous.

Other kids were intimidated.

Or jealous.

Or just… confused by her intelligence.

She had spent years around adults—Nonno, Lorenzo, Matteo.

Not kids.

Her stomach twisted.

What if I don't fit in?

What if they don't like me?

Her hands clenched.

What if I'm alone again?

☆☆☆

"Get Dressed."

Seraphina's head shot up when Lorenzo's voice broke the silence.

He stood at her doorway, his face impassive.

"Get dressed."

Seraphina blinked.

"Sir?"

Lorenzo's brow arched.

"Now."

Seraphina frowned.

"Where are we going?"

Lorenzo turned away.

"You'll see."

☆☆☆

Fifteen minutes later…

Seraphina stood in front of a brightly lit convenience store.

Her eyes widened.

"A… convenience store?"

Lorenzo's expression was unreadable.

"Ice cream."

Seraphina's lips parted.

"Ice cream?"

Lorenzo's gaze shifted away.

"Matteo said it helps."

Seraphina blinked.

"You… don't even like sweets."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"I don't."

"Then why—"

Lorenzo cut her off.

"Because you do."

☆☆☆

Aisle of choices...

Inside, Seraphina's eyes sparkled.

The freezers were filled with rows and rows of ice cream.

"Pick one."

Lorenzo's voice was firm.

Seraphina grinned.

"Just one?"

Lorenzo's brow arched.

"Seraphina."

Seraphina giggled.

"Fine."

She scanned the choices carefully.

"Chocolate? No. Too bitter."

"Strawberry? Too sweet."

"Choco mint? Toothpaste?."

Lorenzo's patience thinned.

"Seraphina."

"Okay, okay!"

Her eyes lit up as she grabbed a tub of cookies and cream.

"This one!"

Lorenzo's brow twitched.

"That took forever."

Seraphina smirked.

"Good things take time, sir."

Lorenzo sighed.

☆☆☆

They sat outside the store, the cool night air wrapping around them.

Seraphina was happily eating, a spoon in her hand.

Lorenzo?

Holding a spoon. Staring at the ice cream.

"You don't have to eat it." Seraphina grinned.

Lorenzo glared.

"I bought it. I'll eat it."

He took a bite.

And froze.

Seraphina watched.

"Well?"

Lorenzo's face remained blank.

"It's fine."

But his jaw clenched as he swallowed.

"Liar."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Eat."

☆☆☆

They ate in silence.

But it wasn't…

Uncomfortable.

The night sky was clear.

Stars twinkled above them.

And for once…

Lorenzo wasn't thinking about work.

Or enemies.

Just…

Seraphina.

☆☆☆

"Why are you nervous?"

Lorenzo's voice was quiet.

Seraphina's spoon paused.

Her eyes dropped.

"I'm not."

"Liar."

Seraphina's lips pressed together.

"I just…" She hesitated.

Lorenzo's gaze softened.

"Seraphina."

A beat.

Then…

"What if they don't like me?" she whispered.

Lorenzo stilled.

Lorenzo's voice was firm.

"They will."

Seraphina's eyes met his.

"How do you know?"

Lorenzo's gaze didn't waver.

"Because you're a De Luca."

Seraphina's heart clenched.

"But what if—"

Lorenzo cut her off.

"If they don't, that's their problem."

His tone was final.

"Not yours."

Seraphina's lips trembled.

"But—"

"Seraphina."

Lorenzo's voice softened.

"You're stronger than you think."

Seraphina's eyes shimmered.

"Thank you, sir."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"Finish your ice cream."

Seraphina grinned.

"Yes, sir."

Lorenzo's lips twitched.

But just barely.

☆☆☆

Back at the Mansion

When they returned home…

Seraphina was calmer.

Lorenzo noticed.

"Sleep."

Seraphina nodded.

"Goodnight, sir."

Lorenzo paused.

"Goodnight, Seraphina."

☆☆☆

The next morning…

Matteo grinned as he watched Lorenzo sip his coffee.

"Boss."

Lorenzo's brow raised.

"What?"

"How was the ice cream?"

Lorenzo's glare could kill.

Matteo snickered.

"Cookies and cream, huh?"

"Shut up, Matteo."

Matteo's laughter echoed down the hall.

☆☆☆

In her room…

Seraphina smiled.

Her heart felt…

Lighter.

Because maybe…

Just maybe…

Everything would be okay.