The house he avoids

Chapter 4 — The House He Avoids

Morning sunlight spilled across the endless hills of Velmora like liquid gold, touching the vineyards, fountains, and stone pathways surrounding Villa De Luca. The estate stood proudly above the hills like something pulled from an old Italian painting—massive ivory walls covered in climbing roses, towering windows reflecting the morning sky, and iron gates guarded heavily at every entrance.

Luxury existed everywhere within the estate.

But unlike the cold silence surrounding Alessandro De Luca’s mansion, Villa De Luca felt alive.

Warm.

Loud.

Chaotic.

Inside the enormous kitchen, the scent of fresh bread, espresso, and pastries filled the air while several staff members moved around carefully. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, warming the marble counters decorated with flowers freshly picked from the estate gardens.

“This family would collapse without coffee.”

Viviana De Luca sighed dramatically while leaning against the counter in an elegant silk dress, causing Rosalia to laugh softly from across the kitchen.

“You say that every morning,” Rosalia replied.

“And every morning I’m correct.”

At the center of the kitchen sat Isabella De Luca, calm and graceful as always, stirring her tea slowly while observing the room with sharp eyes that missed absolutely nothing.

Beside her stood Celestina De Luca, clearly irritated while speaking to one of the maids.

“No, no—leave the flowers there. Alessandro likes white roses.”

Rosalia nearly choked on her coffee.

“Mama,” she laughed, “Brother Alebarely visits this house. Why are you decorating according to his preferences?”

Celestina looked personally offended.

“He could arrive unexpectedly.”

“He hasn’t arrived unexpectedly in six months.”

“That does not mean he won’t.”

Viviana smirked immediately.

“At this point, your son treats family dinners like political negotiations.”

Isabella calmly took a sip of tea.

“Political negotiations would actually be easier.”

Soft laughter spread through the kitchen.

Despite the luxury surrounding them, mornings inside Villa De Luca always felt strangely normal. Loud conversations. Arguments over breakfast. Fresh flowers on every table. The older women criticizing everyone lovingly while the younger ones pretended not to listen.

Still—

Even here, Alessandro’s absence lingered quietly.

Rosalia glanced toward the empty chair near the long dining table.

“He ignored my calls again.”

Celestina sighed heavily.

“He ignores everyone’s calls.”

“Not Grandfather’s.”

“That’s because your grandfather threatens him.”

Another laugh escaped Viviana.

“Well, somebody has to remind that boy he still belongs to this family.”

Rosalia leaned back against the counter with folded arms.

“I don’t understand how someone can live only an hour away and still disappear like a ghost.”

Nobody answered immediately.

Because the truth was simple.

Alessandro De Luca had always carried distance around him naturally.

Even as a child.

Just than someone entered the kitchen.

“Something smells illegal in here,” a male voice announced dramatically.

Rosalia groaned instantly.

“Adrian.”

Adrian De Luca entered the kitchen wearing black slacks and a half-buttoned white shirt, looking entirely too relaxed for someone raised inside one of Italy’s most powerful families.

Behind him followed Elio De Luca, carrying his coffee casually while scrolling through messages on his phone.

Unlike Adrian’s playful confidence, Elio carried quieter energy. Observant. Calm. The type who noticed things others ignored.

Viviana pointed toward them immediately.

“You two are late.”

“We’re alive,” Adrian replied while stealing a pastry from the counter. “That should be enough.”

“It is not enough,” Isabella answered coldly.

Elio smiled faintly before kissing Isabella’s hand respectfully.

“Good morning, Nonna.”

Her expression softened instantly.

“See?” Viviana sighed dramatically toward Adrian. “Why can’t you behave like that?”

“Because I enjoy peace.”

“You create headaches.”

“That too.”

The kitchen filled with quiet amusement again while Adrian dropped into one of the chairs carelessly.

“Any news about our beloved missing prince?”

Rosalia threw a napkin at him.

“He’s not missing.”

“Really? Because I’m beginning to think Alessandro only exists in business magazines.”

Celestina gave Adrian a warning look.

“Your brother is busy.”

“He’s always busy.”

Adrian muttered the words jokingly, but everyone knew there was truth beneath them.

Unlike the women of the family, Adrian and Elio had actually seen Alessandro recently.

Board meetings.

Security discussions.

Private company events.

Noctis Dominion still connected all the De Luca men whether Alessandro liked it or not.

Lorenzo De Luca entered the kitchen moments later, immediately shifting the atmosphere slightly.

Not through fear.

Through quiet authority.

Where Alessandro carried cold danger, Lorenzo carried calm control. Years of responsibility rested naturally on his shoulders now, softened only slightly by age and family life.

“Good morning,” he greeted calmly.

“Your son refuses to visit again,” Celestina informed immediately.

Lorenzo sighed like a man already exhausted by this conversation.

“He’s working.”

“He always works.”

“Because people depend on him.”

Rosalia noticed the brief understanding that crossed her father’s face.

Unlike the others, Lorenzo understood Alessandro better than anyone.

Because years ago—

He had once carried the same pressure.

Before Alessandro took the burden from him.

Marcello entered shortly after, louder than everyone combined.

“Why does this kitchen sound like a funeral?”

“Because your nephew ignores his family,” Viviana replied dramatically.

Marcello rolled his eyes immediately.

“That boy inherited stubbornness from this entire bloodline.”

“Mostly from Father,” Viviana whispered.

“I heard that.”

“I wanted you to.”

More laughter filled the room.

For a moment, the estate felt peaceful.

Warm.

Normal.

Until one of the security staff entered quietly.

The atmosphere shifted immediately.

Lorenzo’s expression hardened slightly.

“What is it?”

“Additional security has been placed around the western gates, sir.”

The room quieted.

Even Rosalia straightened slightly.

“The city rumors are worsening,” the guard continued carefully. “People believe the recent attack was handled personally by Alessandro De Luca.”

Silence followed.

Heavy silence.

Not fear.

But awareness.

The De Luca family understood better than anyone how dangerous rumors could become.

Lorenzo remained calm.

“Any direct threats?”

“None yet, sir.”

“Keep monitoring everything.”

“Yes, sir.”

The guard nodded respectfully before leaving the room.

Nobody spoke for several seconds afterward.

Then Adrian sighed dramatically.

“Honestly, if people are going to fear somebody in this family, I vote we blame Uncle Marcello instead.”

Marcello looked offended.

“I am charming.”

“You threatened a politician with a wine bottle last year.”

“He deserved it.”

Viviana nearly laughed into her coffee.

Isabella shook her head slowly.

“This family is exhausting.”

Alessando’s Grandfather entered the kitchen

This time—

Everyone fell quieter naturally.

Vittorio De Luca entered without hurry, dressed immaculately in a dark suit despite the early hour. Age had silvered his hair but not weakened the authority surrounding him.

Even now, he carried power effortlessly.

The head of the De Luca family.

The man who built the empire long before Alessandro transformed it into something untouchable.

“Father,” Lorenzo greeted respectfully.

Vittorio nodded once before taking his seat near the windows.

“Has Alessandro called?”

Straight to the point.

Always.

Celestina sighed immediately.

“No.”

A displeased silence followed.

Rosalia watched her grandfather carefully.

Unlike others, Vittorio never openly complained about Alessandro’s absence.

But disappointment existed quietly beneath his silence.

“He works too much,” Celestina muttered softly.

“He works because he must,” Vittorio answered calmly.

Rosalia folded her arms.

“He could still visit.”

“Power does not leave men untouched, Rosalia.”

The words settled heavily across the table.

Lorenzo lowered his gaze briefly.

Because he understood exactly what his father meant.

Years ago, responsibility had consumed him too.

Now—

It consumed Alessandro.

Adrian leaned back carelessly.

“I still think my brother secretly lives inside that office building.”

“He practically does,” Elio added quietly.

Rosalia smirked suddenly.

“I bet he skips dinner again tonight.”

“I’ll take that bet,” Adrian replied instantly.

Viviana pointed dramatically.

“No, no. We should make this interesting.”

“Why are we gambling on Ale’s emotional unavailability?” Rosalia laughed.

“Because it’s predictable.”

Celestina looked horrified.

“You people speak about him like he’s some distant billionaire.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“He is a distant billionaire.”

Even Lorenzo failed to hide a faint smile at that.

Isabella calmly placed down her teacup.

“That boy came from this family. Which means eventually, life will force him back into it.”

Nobody argued with her.

Because somehow—

Isabella De Luca was always right.

Outside the windows, sunlight stretched across Velmora Hills beautifully while the estate slowly awakened further around them.

Servants moved through the halls.

Fountains shimmered beneath the morning light.

Security guarded every entrance carefully.

And somewhere beyond those hills—

Beyond the distance separating Alessandro from the family that still waited for him—

The future quietly approached Villa De Luca without any of them realizing it yet.

A small cottage.

A flower garden.

And a girl who would unknowingly change everything.

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