☆Chapter 18: First Day Chaos》 The De Luca Family in Panic☆

6:00 AM.

The De Luca mansion was usually a place of order and discipline.

But not today.

Today was different.

Today was Seraphina's first day of school.

And all hell broke loose.

☆☆☆

"Where's her bag?!" Matteo's voice echoed through the hallways, his usually calm demeanor… gone.

"I left it in the study last night!"

"Then why is it not there?!"

"Ask yourself that, idiot!"

"You're the one who put it down!"

"You were supposed to double-check!"

Lorenzo stood in the center of the chaos, his face a mask of deadly calm.

But inside?

Panic.

"Matteo. The bag. Now."

Matteo froze.

"Yes, Boss."

"And her lunch."

"Lunch?"

Lorenzo's gaze sharpened.

"You forgot her lunch?"

"I thought you—"

"I was handling her uniform!"

Matteo groaned.

"We're doomed."

☆☆☆

In the corner…

Nonno.

Smiling.

Proud.

And holding a camera.

"Smile, bellissima!"

Seraphina blinked as the flash went off.

"Nonno…"

"One more!"

Flash.

"Nonno!"

"Just one more!"

Flash.

"NONNO!"

"Okay, okay! But look at you, tesoro! You're going to charm everyone!"

Seraphina groaned.

"I'm going to school. Not a fashion show."

"Same thing."

Flash.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's Worry Level: Maximum

Lorenzo's mind was spinning.

"Her uniform's ironed. Her shoes polished. Hair tied perfectly."

But then his brow furrowed.

"What if she gets cold?"

"Boss, it's 35 degrees." Matteo raised a brow.

Lorenzo ignored him.

"What if she forgets her lunch?"

"We packed three boxes, sir."

"What if someone tries to talk to her?"

Matteo blinked.

"Isn't that… the point?"

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"No one talks to my daughter."

Matteo sighed.

"Boss. It's school."

Lorenzo's eyes darkened.

"Not just any school. A De Luca-protected school."

Matteo muttered.

"Here we go again..."

☆☆☆

While everyone panicked…

Seraphina sat calmly on the sofa, watching the circus unfold.

"Sir, I'm ready."

Lorenzo turned.

And froze.

Seraphina stood in her neatly pressed uniform, her hair tied back in a perfect twirl ponytail with a couple of cupcake and bunny hairpins at the side bangs, her glittery pink backpack resting by her side.

Perfect.

"You look…" Lorenzo's voice trailed off.

Seraphina smirked.

"Adorable? Intelligent? Both?"

Lorenzo's lips twitched.

"Let's go."

Serafina leaned to Matteo, "Did he just ignored me?"

Matteo's chuckled, "Yea... he does.."

☆☆☆

And so, they finally left.

But of course…

Lorenzo De Luca's definition of "normal" was anything but normal.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo exited the car, his cold, dangerous aura suffocating the air.

Black suit.

Polished shoes.

Deadly gaze.

And in his left hand?

A glittery pink backpack.

"Boss…" Matteo's voice wavered.

"Not a word."

"But the glitter—"

"Matteo."

Matteo bit his lip, struggling not to laugh.

☆☆☆

In Lorenzo's right arm…

Seraphina.

Looking unbothered by the mafia boss carrying her like a princess.

"Sir, I can walk."

Lorenzo ignored her.

"Your shoes might get dirty."

"We're literally at school."

"I'm not putting you down."

Seraphina sighed.

"Fine."

"Good."

Matteo snickered.

"What?" Lorenzo's glare was lethal.

"Nothing, Boss. Nothing."

But the sight of Lorenzo De Luca carrying a child with a glitter bag?

Priceless.

☆☆☆

The school's opening ceremony was a grand event.

And of course…

Seraphina stole the show.

As the top notcher, she was asked to give a speech.

Seraphina stood on stage, her posture perfect.

Her words?

Flawless.

"I look forward to growing, learning, and creating memories in this school."

Nonno and Matteo?

Tearfully proud.

"That's my girl!" Nonno whispered loudly, clapping like a madman.

"She's a natural." Matteo nodded, wiping an imaginary tear.

Lorenzo?

Silent.

But his eyes…

Proud.

☆☆☆

"Goodbye, Sir."

When it was finally time for class…

Lorenzo stood stiffly as Seraphina turned to him.

"Sir, I'll be fine."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"If anything happens—"

"It won't."

Lorenzo's eyes softened.

"Be careful."

Seraphina smiled.

"I will."

But as she walked away…

Lorenzo's heart tightened.

☆☆☆

"Boss."

Matteo's voice was amused.

"She's fine."

Lorenzo's eyes didn't leave Seraphina's figure.

"If anyone touches her…"

Matteo sighed.

"You're overthinking."

Lorenzo's gaze darkened.

"I'm never overthinking when it comes to her."

Matteo grinned.

"Fatherhood looks good on you, Boss."

Lorenzo's glare was deadly.

"Shut up, Matteo."

But deep down…

Lorenzo couldn't shake the feeling.

This is just the beginning.