Elena closed the door to her room softly behind her. For a moment she simply stood there, staring at the door as if expecting it to open again, but it didn't. The corridor outside was quiet. Lucian had stayed in his room.
And yet…
Elena's heart was still beating wildly. She groaned and pressed both hands against her burning cheeks. "That ridiculously handsome jerk," she muttered. she muttered.
She walked toward her bed and collapsed onto the soft mattress, burying her face into the pillow. Her mind replayed the moment again. Lucian standing so close. His arms trapping her against the door. The way his dark eyes had looked at her like he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Elena quickly grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her head like it could somehow hide her embarrassment. "He's no good for my innocent heart," she muttered dramatically from under the blanket. Her voice sounded muffled against the pillow.
After a moment she sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow Adrian would leave again. The thought made her chest feel a little tight. She had missed him so much. Seeing him again today had felt like a dream she didn't want to wake from.
But Adrian had his life, his studies, his future. And Elena knew better than to hold him back from that. Her eyelids slowly began to grow heavy.
Lucian's face flashed briefly across her mind again. His teasing voice. That dangerous smile she rarely ever saw. Elena groaned again and turned onto her side. "Annoying man," she muttered. Moments later… sleep claimed her.
Morning arrived quietly. Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains of the dining room, illuminating the long polished table where breakfast had already been served.
The household slowly gathered. Elena entered a few minutes later, still tying her hair into a loose ponytail. Adrian was already seated, sipping coffee while scanning something on his phone. Across the table sat Sofia, elegantly dressed as always. Marco leaned comfortably in his chair, lazily stirring his drink. Dante and Matteo had gone out. At the head of the table sat Lucian.
Elena immediately felt like a thousand butterflies had taken flight in her stomach. But he looked completely normal. Calm. Collected. Cold. As if nothing had happened last night. As if he hadn't trapped her against his bedroom door and whispered dangerous things in her ear.
Lucian glanced up briefly when she entered. Their eyes met for exactly one second. Then he returned to reading the document in his hand. Just like that. No teasing smile, no mischievous look. Nothing. As if it had all been an illusion.
Elena frowned slightly as she took her seat beside Adrian. A small part of her felt strangely… bothered. But she quickly pushed the thought away. She had more important things to focus on. Like the fact that Adrian was leaving today.
Breakfast passed peacefully. Adrian talked about his classes and upcoming exams, while Marco occasionally teased him about becoming a famous lawyer one day.
Sofia listened with a soft smile. Lucian remained mostly silent, occasionally giving short responses when spoken to.
Eventually a servant entered the room and approached Lucian quietly.
"The car has arrived, sir."
Adrian sighed softly. He really didn't want to leave his sister behind. But he could tell she was okay here and he had a general idea of who this Mr. Moretti was was. But he had to let his sister be here for now till he becomes someone she can rely on.
"Well," he said, standing up. "Guess that's my cue."
Elena stood immediately.
"I'll walk you out."
The two siblings walked together toward the front of the mansion. A sleek black car waited near the entrance. The driver stood beside it respectfully.
Elena suddenly felt a wave of sadness hit her. She knew Adrian had to leave. But it still felt too soon. She turned toward him and crossed her arms. "Alright," she said in her best serious sister voice.
Adrian groaned immediately.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
Elena pointed at him.
"Make sure you rest."
"Yes, mom."
"And eat properly."
"Yes, mom."
"And take care of yourself."
"Yes, mom."
"And focus on your studies."
"Yes, mom."
Adrian sighed dramatically.
"I swear you've said all of this before."
"I'm saying it again."
She softened slightly before adding,
"And text me when you get back."
The words left her mouth before she realized it. Elena paused and adrian noticed immediately. They couldn't text each other for safety reasons. Her shoulders dropped slightly. But before the mood could turn sad, Sofia stepped forward with a small smile.
"Relax, Elena," she said gently she had grown a soft spot for Elena during the time she had been here. She considered her to be more like a little sister she never had.
Both siblings looked at her. "He can visit once every month."
Elena blinked.
"Really?"
Sofia nodded calmly.
"And until then, we'll make sure he stays safe."
The tension immediately melted from Elena's shoulders.
Adrian smiled as well.
"That works for me."
Elena hugged him tightly.
"Take care of yourself," she murmured quietly.
"You too, troublemaker."
After a moment, Adrian finally climbed into the car. The door closed. The engine started. Elena waved until the car disappeared down the long driveway.
She sighed softly. Then turned toward Sofia.
"Thank you."
Sofia waved her hand dismissively.
"No need to thank me."
Elena frowned slightly.
"Then who should I thank?"
Sofia smiled knowingly.
"Lucian."
And at the mention of his name, Elena's face immediately warmed. The memory of last night flashed through her mind. Lucian standing shirtless in front of her. That teasing voice. Her cheeks turned pink.
Sofia noticed instantly. A small chuckle escaped her.
Elena blinked.
"What?"
Sofia tilted her head slightly, studying her with obvious amusement. "Do you like my brother?"
Elena's eyes widened in pure shock.
"What?!"
Sofia burst into laughter at her reaction.
"Relax," she said between laughs.
"I was just asking."
Elena placed a hand over her chest.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Sofia's laughter slowly faded as she looked at Elena with a softer expression.
"You know," she said gently, "if you did like him…" Elena stared at her. "…you would have a lot to handle."
Elena snorted.
"That's putting it lightly."
She shook her head firmly.
"No can do, Sofia."
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Your brother is a handsome, ruthless, controlling, cruel, crazy, possessive, overprotective maniac."
Sofia blinked. Then she laughed softly pushing her hair behind her ear. "Well…" She couldn't exactly argue with that.
Elena crossed her arms.
"So thank you, but no thank you."
Sofia's laughter slowly faded. Her gaze drifted somewhere distant, her expression softening with a hint of sadness. "You know," she said quietly. "He wasn't always like that."
Elena looked at her curiously.she had grown a soft spot for Elena during the time she had been here.
Sofia's eyes remained distant for a moment, as if she were remembering something far away. "My brother was always protective," she continued softly. "But he wasn't cruel." She shook her head slightly. "He wasn't ruthless. Or overbearing. Or… like this."
Elena listened carefully.
"What changed?" she asked quietly.
Sofia sighed. "Our parents."
Elena frowned slightly she had always wondered why she hasn't seen them. She had thought they were out of the country or something. After all they were the most wealthiest and most feared mafia families in Milan. "What happened to them?"
Sofia's expression darkened slightly. "After what happened to them. Lucian changed." Her voice was quiet."The brother I grew up with disappeared. He still cared for me in his own way, but it was hard to adjust. "She looked back at Elena with a gentle smile. "The caring, sweet person he used to be was replaced with the man you see now."
Elena felt a spark of curiosity grow inside her chest. She glanced toward the mansion instinctively. Toward the place where Lucian was likely working right now. It felt cold but calm yet untouchable.
Sofia followed her gaze. But instead of looking sad, she smiled slightly.
"Still…" Elena looked back at her. "Seeing the way he is with you…" Her smile grew a little warmer. "I think my brother might not be completely gone."
Elena didn't know what to say to that.
For some reason, Lucian's voice from last night echoed in her mind again.
Next time you come to my room… be ready for the consequences.
She shook her head to get rid of the thought.
But one thing was certain. Her curiosity about Lucian had just grown a lot stronger.