It started with an idea…
Serafina was 12.
A mischievous grin plastered on her face as she sat in her room, legs swinging while Matteo stood in front of her, arms crossed and looking thoroughly unamused.
"Let me get this straight…"
Matteo's brows furrowed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You want me to… find your papa a woman?"
Seraphina nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Yup."
"Princess, that's… not how this works."
Matteo looked around, as if hoping Lorenzo would suddenly appear and stop this madness.
"And what makes you think he'll agree to this?"
"He won't."
Seraphina smirked, leaning forward.
"That's why we're not gonna tell him."
"Sera—"
"Matteo…"
Her voice dropped, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Remember that… 'incident' with Nonno's wine cellar?"
Matteo's eyes widened
"You wouldn't."
Seraphina grinned wider
"Try me."
"Damn it, kid."
Matteo grumbled, running a hand through his hair.
"Fine. But if your papa finds out, we're both DEAD."
Nonno enters the picture.
"Did I hear… 'Find a woman for Lorenzo'?"
Seraphina and Mateo both froze.
Nonno stepped into the room, his signature cane tapping against the marble floor.
"I'm in."
Matteo's jaw dropped.
"What? Nonno, No—"
"Oh, come now, Matteo."
Nonno's eyes twinkled with amusement.
"My poor granddaughter just wants her papa to be happy."
"Besides…"
Nonno's expression softened for a moment.
"It's about time lorenzo stops living like a damn Monk."
Silence fell over the room.
Seraphina shifted uncomfortably, her mischief momentarily forgotten.
"Nonno… Was papa ever… You know…"
Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.
"In love?"
Nonno's eyes clouded with memories.
"Once."
"No one knows her name, nor when, how, or when they've met."
"He never talks about her but I know that..."
"She was… Everything to him."
"And then... the next thing we know... She's gone."
Matteo remained silent, his usual playfulness, gone.
"When she died…"
Nonno's voice grew quiet.
"A part of Lorenzo died with her."
Seraphina's heart clenched
"Papa never talks about her."
Nonno gave her a sad smile.
"Because it probably hurts too much."
Seraphina's mischief slowly returned, but Her determination had grown stronger.
"Then we'll find him someone who can make him smile again."
Nonno's smile returned, this time warming her heart.
"You really are your papa's daughter."
☆☆☆
Phase One: The Plan
"Alright, Kid."
Matteo finally spoke, his usual smirk returning.
"What's the plan?"
Seraphina grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Leave that to me."
Step One: Stalk Lorenzo
The next few days were… Interesting.
Matteo and Seraphina took turns shadowing Lorenzo.
From Business Meetings to Charity Galas…
"He doesn't even look at them!"
Seraphina whispered in frustration, watching her papa politely dismiss yet another woman at a High-Society Event.
"He's hopeless."
Matteo mumbled, sipping his wine while blending into the crowd.
"We need to try something else."
Step Two: Matchmaking Attempt
Nonno, ever the strategic genius, invited several prominent women to a "Casual" family dinner.
And..
It was a disaster.
"Too clingy."
"Too talkative."
"Her perfume stinks!"
"She asked about Business Deals!"
Lorenzo's cold glares drove every potential wife candidates away within minutes.
"Ugh! This is impossible!"
Serafina threw her hands in the air, frustrated beyond belief.
Step Three: Desperate Measures
"Maybe… we should iust… kidnap someone?"
Matteo joked, but Serafina's eyes sparkled with dangerous excitement.
"No."
Matteo quickly shut that idea down.
☆☆☆
Then, breaking point came...
After weeks of failed attempts, Serafina sat in the study, pouting.
"Why is papa so stubborn?"
Nonno chuckled softly from his chair.
"Because he's a De Luca, Piccola."
"Your genes sucks, nonno!"
Nonno laughed loudly.
A soft voice broke the conversation.
"Sera…"
Lorenzo's voice was quiet as he entered the room.
"What are you up to now?"
Seraphina froze, wide-eyed.
"Uh…"
Matteo and Nonno conveniently slipped away, leaving her alone with Lorenzo.
"Papa…"
Seraphina bit her lip, trying to look innocent.
"Don't lie."
Lorenzo's cold stare pierced through her.
But then…
His expression softened.
"You don't need to worry about me, Piccola."
Serafina's eyes filled with unshed tears.
"I just want you to be happy, Papa."
Lorenzo gently ruffled her hair, his heart melting.
"I am."
"Because i have you."
And with that…
Serafina knew her Papa's heart was still healing.
And maybe… Just maybe…
It wasn't time yet.
But that didn't mean she wouldn't try again.
After all…
Serafina De Luca was nothing if not persistent.