Zolani Moretti's POV
I never expected Aless to let me go to Palio di Siena.
Not even for a second.
So when he said no... it didn't surprise me.
But it still hurt.
It wasn't just about the event.
It wasn't just about going out.
It was everything that came with it-the freedom, the normalcy, the feeling of being like everyone else.
And I didn't have that.
I've never had that.
When Dante said he would talk to Aless for me, I actually believed him. I let myself hope, just a little.
Because if there was one person Aless listened to, it was Dante.
But even then...
Aless still said no.
Again.
I stared down at the paper in my hand, my fingers tightening slightly around its edges.
A list.
A stupid, childish list.
1. Cinema
2. Amusement park
3. Disneyland
4. Nicki Minaj concert
5. Mall
6. A club
My eighteenth birthday list.
I remembered that day so clearly.
I had walked into the living room, all excited, practically glowing, and handed the list to them like it was something precious.
Dante had laughed the moment he saw number three and four.
Aless?
He barely even reacted.
Just one word.
"No."
That was it.
No explanation.
No discussion.
Just... no.
That night, I cried until my head hurt.
I didn't eat.
I didn't leave my room.
And for the first time in my life... I tried to run away.
I had made it past the main mansion.
I remember how fast my heart was beating, how the cool night air hit my skin, how real everything felt.
I thought I was finally free.
Until a guard grabbed me.
He had thought I was an intruder.
Me.
An intruder in my own home.
I had to call Aless, my hands shaking, just to prove who I was.
And when he confirmed it, the guard let me go immediately.
Aless didn't even ask me what I was doing outside.
He didn't yell.
He didn't question me.
Which somehow hurt even more.
Since that day...
I never tried again.
I looked back down at the list.
Maybe I should try again.
The thought came quietly, almost like a whisper in my mind.
But just as quickly, reality shut it down.
I don't know how to drive.
I don't know the roads.
I don't even know how the outside world works.
If I leave... where would I even go?
I let out a soft sigh, my shoulders slumping.
This is stupid.
All of it.
I raised the paper, about to tear it in half-
Knock. Knock.
I froze.
"Who is it?" I called out.
"Zolani, get dressed-"
Aless.
My mood dropped instantly.
"Leave me alone," I muttered, my voice sharper than I intended.
"I don't want to see you or hear your voice."
There was a brief pause.
Then-
"Get dressed. We're going out."
I blinked.
"...No."
"We're leaving the estate," he continued, his tone calm, almost too calm.
"Be ready in ten minutes and stop being a brat."
My heart skipped.
Wait.
What?
I stood there, staring at the door like it had just spoken to me.
Did I hear that right?
I must be imagining things.
Yeah.
Definitely hallucinating.
"...Huh?" I breathed out.
No response.
I rushed to the door and pulled it open.
Aless was already halfway down the hallway, walking toward the stairs like nothing had just happened.
"Aless!" I called out. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
He didn't even turn around.
That's when it hit me.
Oh my God.
He's serious.
I ran back into my room so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet.
My heart was racing, my thoughts all over the place.
I'm going out.
I'm actually going out.
Out of the estate.
What do I even wear?!
I rushed into my walk-in closet, staring at the rows of clothes in front of me.
Dresses.
Mostly dresses.
Of course.
But today didn't feel like a dress day.
Today felt... different.
Casual.
Normal.
Something I'd wear if I were just... a regular girl.
I grabbed a soft beige cropped long-sleeve top, the fabric light and comfortable, with delicate cursive writing across the chest that gave it a simple, effortless charm.
Then I paired it with high-waisted cream cargo pants.
They were slightly oversized, with multiple pockets and a relaxed fit that made them both stylish and practical.
Simple.
Cute.
Not too much.
I slipped on white sneakers and quickly fixed my hair, tying it up in a neat ponytail.
Ten minutes.
I only had ten minutes.
And Aless was not the type to wait.
If I was late, he'd probably cancel everything.
I couldn't risk that.
"I'm ready!" I called out as I rushed down the stairs, slightly out of breath.
Aless was already standing near the door, his foot tapping lightly against the floor.
"Finally," he muttered.
Dante leaned against the counter, sipping orange juice like he didn't have a care in the world.
Then his eyes landed on me.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
"You look really cute today, Zola."
My cheeks heated instantly.
"Shut up."
He smirked.
And I turned away quickly, pretending I wasn't affected.
I was.
Unfortunately.
We stepped outside.
The sunlight hit my face, warm and bright.
Men dressed in black stood around the estate, positioned like silent guards.
One of them stepped forward and handed me an umbrella.
I took it, confused.
Why are there so many people?
"...What's going on?" I asked quietly.
"They work for Aless," Dante said casually, walking beside me. "Security."
Security?
That many?
"For you," he added.
Oh.
That... felt weird.
But I didn't question it further.
A sleek black car pulled up in front of us.
Dante walked ahead, opening the back door before bowing slightly.
"My lady."
I rolled my eyes
"You're so annoying."
But I got in anyway.
He followed, sitting beside me, while Aless took the driver's seat.
The engine roared to life.
And then-
The gates opened.
My breath caught.
We were leaving.
Actually leaving.
I leaned closer to the window, my eyes wide as the estate slowly disappeared behind us.
Outside.
I was outside.
Not trapped.
Not confined.
Free.
The view stretched endlessly before me-the ocean shimmering under the sunlight, the sky wide and open, the world bigger than I had ever imagined.
I couldn't stop smiling.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice filled with excitement.
"The company," Aless replied.
That only made me happier.
3rd Person POV
The Moretti company stood tall and imposing in the heart of the city.
A glass skyscraper that reflected both power and wealth.
Employees moved quickly inside, dressed in sharp suits, their expressions focused and professional.
Everything about the place screamed control.
Authority.
Perfection.
Zola walked in, her eyes wide as she took everything in.
"This place is huge..." she whispered.
Dante chuckled softly beside her.
Aless didn't respond.
He simply walked forward, his presence commanding attention without effort.
Then-
"Mr. Moretti."
A woman approached quickly.
His secretary.
Her expression was tense.
"There's a situation. The cargo we ordered-it got stolen, we'vecaught the thief but, he demands to see you personally."
Aless's expression darkened almost instantly.
"I'll handle it."
He turned slightly.
"Dante. Stay with her."
Dante nodded.
But when he turned-
Zola wasn't there.
"...Where did she go?"
Both men looked around.
Then spotted her.
At the cafeteria.
Ordering food.
Aless sighed quietly.
And walked away.
^^^
"ID card?" Zola asked, frowning slightly. "What's that?"
The girl behind the counter blinked.
"...Do you live under a rock or something?"
"Relax, Sophie. She's with me."
Dante stepped in smoothly.
Sophie looked up, raising a brow.
"This your girlfriend?"
"I wish," Dante said, half-joking.
Zola grabbed her food and walked to a nearby table, completely unaware of the tension she had just walked into.
Dante turned back to Sophie.
"What are you doing here?"
"Covering for Clara," she replied casually.
"She had somewhere to be."
Then she leaned forward slightly.
"So... if she's not your girlfriend... who is she?"
Dante hesitated.
Then sighed.
"I shouldn't say this but... I trust you. She's Aless' sister."
Sophie stared at him.
Then laughed.
"Yeah, right."
Dante smirked.
"Exactly."
And just like that-
The truth stayed hidden.