Page 4 of Sweet Union
“No. Not permanently.”
“Then, for how long?”
She sighs, running a hand over her face. “I don’t know, Luca. I think it would do us some good to have some space. Our relationship was so fast. I think it would be best to take some time apart and think through things. This will give you a chance to go after Romeo without me getting in the way again. And I’ll have the time to figure out how I feel.”
“About me?”
“Yes. But also, about myself.” She walks over to her dad, leaving me wondering what she means.
Alek looks at me sternly but doesn’t say anything as he gets into his car. I watch as Nat follows suit. They drive away. Nat doesn’t even look back.
I never knew I could experience heartbreak. No one has ever held onto my heart. Not until Nat, that is. And now, she’s gone and stomped on my heart.
I don’t know how we’re going to come back from this.
CHAPTER3
Natalya
It’s been three days, and I’m still at my parents’ house. I’ve stayed longer than I expected, and Luca hasn’t reached out at all. I’m too embarrassed to reach out to him.
I know I made a mistake. I should have trusted Luca. He was right. Romeo would probably be dead by now if I had just trusted Luca and his plans.
But I didn’t.
And now, there’s this tension between us that I can’t break. I’m the one who has to break the silence and admit my mistake, but I can’t. Even though I messed up, I don’t regret returning Isabella to her uncle. She was four, ……. She didn’t deserve to be dragged into a war.
I also don’t regret trying to stop Romeo. I had good intentions, and if Luca can’t see that, well … I’m not sure he ever will.
So, Luca and I are at an impasse. Neither one of us wants to admit that we’re wrong.
Which means it’s been three days since we’ve spoken, and I miss him more and more by the second.
“Honey, do you want to talk?” Mom asks as she comes into my bedroom. It’s strange being back. My old bedroom is so … young. I’ve grown up a lot since meeting Luca. I’ve come into my own skin. Become the woman I’ve always wanted to be.
And now, I’m back in my teenage bedroom, where I crushed on celebrities and worked on hours of math homework. It’s where I practiced putting on makeup and styling my hair much to my chagrin since my makeup and hairstyling skills were not exactlygoodwhen I was a teen.
It almost feels like all the growth I’ve experienced with Luca has disappeared.
“Not really,” I tell her.
She sits beside me on the bed anyway. “I think you do. You’ve been cooped up in your bedroom for days now. I’m worried.”
“Has Luca called?” I hate how pathetic I sound. I ask even though I know he would’ve called me and not my parents.
“No. What’s going on with you two? I remember when it seemed like you would walk into hell to be with him. Now, you’re not even speaking.”
“I’m ashamed,” I whisper as a tear slips down my face.
“Ashamed?” She wraps her arms around me and pulls me into her. I feel even more like a little kid, but my mom’s hold is still nice. I guess I’ll never get too old for my mom’s comfort.
“I made some mistakes. But I think Luca made some mistakes as well, and he refuses to admit it. We’re at a standstill. I’m not sure how to overcome this.”
She rubs my arms. “Well, this is your first real fight with him, isn’t it?”
“Don’t remind me.”
She chuckles. “All I’m saying is that you’re young. You two were like fire. Blazing fast. Having fun. Falling in love. And now, your relationship is being tested. You need to give it time to grow. But you also need to talk to him. Giving each other the silent treatment won’t get you anywhere.”
