My Perfect Revenge: Flash Marriage With My Vampire Tycoon-Chapter 127: – Replace Me? –

Francesca, who had a luggage, and her bag in both hands, lifted her leg high enough, her pants stretching as she pressed her feet on the edge of the opened trunk of the car.

"Sweetie, get my phone for me, it’s ringing."

Lucia jumped out of the car, running over to her with the phone. "Who’s calling? Your daddy?"

"Nope."

"Who?"

"Aunty Vi."

"Oh. Answer it for me."

The little girl did. "Hi, aunty."

[Oh, hi. Is your mommy around?] Viviana was on the other end of the call.

"Yes, but..." Lucia looked up at her mother.

Francesca shut the trunk of the car, before slowly lowering her leg. "Give me a second, Viviana. I’ll be with you."

[Alright]

She adjusted the bag above the suitcase, grabbed and popped the phone between her ear and her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

[Oh, I wanted to speak to you about something]

"Ah. Go ahead. Let me know." She proceeded to grab Lucia’s hand, but the butler of the family house who’d come out, rushed over to her, bowing deeply with a palm to his chest.

"Welcome, Lady Bastiani."

Francesca gave him a small smile. "It’s good to see you again, Massimo. Is mother home?"

"Absolutely, she’s been waiting for you."

"I want to see grandma."

Massimo smiled at Lucia before taking the bag from Francesca. They began heading over to the Bastiania family house that was too big, it almost seemed endless.

"Viviana? Sorry for the interruption. What were you saying?"

[I was wondering if we could meet and have a talk]

"Oh? Is everything alright?"

[Yes]

"When would you like to meet?"

[When are you free?]

"Hm. Maybe the day after tomorrow. I’m at the family house right now. Their mother has been wanting me to come stay with her for a while. She feels lonely."

[Your husband and Nikolas? Their mother?]

"Yup." Francesca smirked. "Have you met her?"

[Yes. But she was...quite cold. Wouldn’t say a word to me]

"Don’t worry. She can be that way to strangers, but once you get to know her, she’s too sweet. You should visit her sometime if you want. I think she’d like that."

[Mhm. I’ll see about it]

"Then, I’ll see you in two days."

[Thank you, Francesaca. And tell your daughter I said hi]

"Will do."

The call ended. The butler pushed the door open and the second they stepped in, Loredana was right in her face, the wind that came with her sudden speed, fluttering their hair.

"Francesca!" She yanked her into a hug, burying her face in her shoulder.

"Mom, hi."

"I thought you were never going to come!"

Francecsa chuckled. "Lucia had school. The weekend was the best time we could have come."

Loredana pulled back.

"Can’t you two just live here with me? Surely she can go from here, no?"

Francesca gave her a crooked smile.

Loredana turned over to Lucia who’s face was large with her big smile. "Hello, yum yum."

"Grandma."

She picked her up into her arms, rubbing their noses together. "Everyday you get more adorable. I missed you."

Lucia giggled, wrapping her small arms around her neck in a hug.

"Come inside, come inside," she urged, ordering Massimo to take care of their things.

————

"My darling, York," a woman’s seductive voice sounded as she walked through the gate, approaching the entrance of the large purely in white manor, massive and high, as though soaring to the sky.

Her red hair was left in a messy bun, ginger coloured eyes sparkling as he stopped before York who was doing everything but making eye contact with her.

"My sweet, sweet York. Don’t be like this with me now. Aren’t you happy to see me?"

"Stop it, Caterina." York balled his hands by his side.

The woman Caterina stepped into his space and reached out, cupping his cheek with one palm. "Look at me, York."

He wouldn’t.

"What the hell are you trying to do?"

"Just look at me."

He finally did. And just like once before, her fingers caressed his skin softly before she went on her tippy toes, pressing her lips, not his cheek this time, but to his mouth. She was kissing him. Caterina had always been this way with him, but her kisses lasted on the cheek. This time around.

He felt so indulged. He almost wanted to give in, to kiss her back, but then he pulled away, putting distance between the both of them. His throat bobbed as he swallowed and he ran his fingers through his hair. "Don’t do that to me. I’m not going to let you trap me."

"Oh? Trap you? Why?" She tilted her head, not bothered much by the comment. "Is it because I’m half a witch?"

York wouldn’t meet her eyes.

"You are a very gullible man. What a shame. You were absolutely type. But believe whatever you want. I’d just find another man, you’re not the only—"

York was right next to her, grasping her arm before she could complete her sentence. Caterina cocked a brow. "Now what are you doing?"

"What other men are out there? What? Do you touch and kiss them too?" He seemed to be growing mad.

Caterina smirked at him. "Well yes. The men that allow me to trap them. You are simply not one of them. Are you mad? But why would you be?"

His grip on her arm tightened. She glanced where he held her and her grin further grew wide. "You’ve got to learn to be a decisive man, York. If you won’t make me yours, I’d gladly let another man take your place. I like you, but you’re not that special. Intriguing maybe, after all, you’re a turned human, but that is all there is to it. Now, I shall go see your boss. Nikolas, what floor is he on?"

York’s face was twitching in pure anger that he found too hard to hide or swallow. Why was he behaving this way because of this woman? So what if she replaces him?

’Wait, replace me?’

’It’s not as if we’re a thing. Who cares?’

He quickly let go of her and took a step back. "Second floor. He is in his office."

"Why, thank you," Caterina smiled at her. Just as beautiful as she was, her smile was flawless. "I’d expected we would meet at his penthouse."