☆Chapter 21: Business and Playdates》 Lorenzo’s Double Trouble☆

The Usual Routine… With a Twist

Every day, without fail…

Lorenzo De Luca stood by the school gates, waiting for Seraphina.

The cold wind, his dark tailored suit, and his imposing aura made him impossible to miss.

Parents whispered.

Teachers avoided eye contact.

Even the guards stood a little straighter when he was around.

But one person…

Didn't flinch.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

Lucian Romano.

The kid greeted him every single day with the same nervous but respectful tone.

And for some strange reason…

Lorenzo didn't mind it.

☆☆☆

At first, Lorenzo barely acknowledged him.

A nod.

A grunt.

Maybe an occasional glance.

But then…

"Sir… Sera said you're the strongest person she knows."

Lorenzo's brow lifted.

"Did she now?"

"Yes." Lucian nodded seriously.

"She said you're scary but… she likes that you scare bad people."

Silence.

Lorenzo didn't reply.

But the next day…

"Sir… do you think I should learn how to fight?"

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"To protect Sera."

Sera.

Lorenzo gritted his teeth.

"I'll think about it."

☆☆☆

Slowly… He almost liked the kid

Day after day…

Conversation after conversation…

Lucian grew on him.

Polite. Respectful. Loyal.

And most importantly…

Completely devoted to Seraphina.

☆☆☆

One evening, as Lorenzo sat in his study, going over some business reports, a thought crossed his mind.

Why not use this to his advantage?

"Matteo."

Matteo poked his head in.

"Boss?"

"Arrange a meeting with the Romanos."

Matteo raised a brow.

"Business?"

"Yes."

"Expansion? Security?"

Lorenzo paused.

"Both."

But mostly… to keep an eye on that kid.

☆☆☆

The next morning…

Lorenzo informed Nonno about the Romano meeting.

"Ah! the Romanos. Good choice." Nonno nodded approvingly.

"Their territory is stable. They're loyal."

Lorenzo nodded.

"It's strictly business."

Nonno's eyes twinkled.

"Business? Or… protection for our little Bambina?"

Lorenzo ignored the comment.

"Make sure the arrangements are finalized."

"Of course, of course." Nonno waved him off.

"But… I had a better idea."

Lorenzo's brow furrowed.

"What?"

Nonno grinned.

"Why not make it a playdate?"

Silence.

"What?"

"Lucian and Seraphina can spend time together while you talk business."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"No."

"Yes."

"Nonno."

"Lorenzo."

Lorenzo lost.

☆☆☆

The day of the meeting… and playdate

Saturday arrived.

Lorenzo stood by the entrance of the Romano estate, his expression grim.

Matteo stifled a laugh.

"Boss, you look like you're heading to war."

"This is war."

Inside, Seraphina was already chatting happily with Lucian.

"Sera! Look! I brought my new monopoly set."

"Ooooh! I'll beat you again!"

"You won last time by luck!"

"Nope! Skills. Negotiations, tactics... Maybe blackmailing "

Lorenzo watched from a distance.

"I'm not sure who's worse."

"Definitely her." Matteo chimed in.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo sat across from Lucian's father, Don Enrique Romano, discussing terms of a business alliance.

Everything was going smoothly…

Until.

"Sir! Look what we did!"

Seraphina's voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned.

Seraphina and Lucian stood proudly holding up a large piece of paper.

A drawing.

Of what could only be described as…

A stick figure with devil horns.

Lorenzo.

"That's you, sir." Lucian said proudly.

"You're holding a gun!"

"And scaring the bad guys!" Seraphina beamed.

Silence.

Matteo burst out laughing.

"Boss… I can't."

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"I'm going to kill you, Matteo."

"Worth it."

☆☆☆

By the end of the meeting…

Lorenzo hadn't achieved much.

Business? Delayed.

Alliances? Pending.

And Seraphina?

Happy as ever.

"Nonno, let's have more playdates!"

Nonno grinned.

"Of course, my bambina."

Lorenzo sighed.

☆☆☆

"Boss…"

"What now?"

Matteo smirked.

"How does it feel knowing you arranged your own headache?"

Lorenzo glared.

"Get out."

"We're still in the Romano's estate."

"I don't care."

☆☆☆

As they left the estate, Seraphina hummed happily.

"Sir… can Lucian come over next time?"

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"We'll see."

Matteo whispered.

"That's a yes."

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

And just like that…

Lorenzo's headache doubled.