The morning sun streamed gently through the curtains, birds chirping outside the Virelli mansion. Sophia stirred, the soft light brushing her face, but her thoughts were far from the peaceful morning. Today was the day—Luca was coming back. The very idea of him made her pulse quicken and her palms grow clammy. Even after all these years, the sound of his name sent shivers down her spine.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, glancing around the room she was sharing with Valentina. "I can't believe I'm really home," she whispered to herself, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. Valentina, already up and sipping coffee, glanced at her with a sly smile.
"You look nervous," Valentina said. "Luca will be here any minute. I get it if you want to hide out for a while."
Sophia exhaled slowly. "I can't… I mean, I don't know what to do."
Valentina chuckled softly. "Then don't. Just breathe. We'll survive together."
Meanwhile, the mansion was a flurry of activity. Maids moved quickly through the corridors, dusting, polishing, and fluffing pillows. Cooks checked every dish for perfection, and the groundskeepers made one last sweep of the gardens. Even small details—flowers arranged in the drawing room, candles lit in precise patterns, the placement of silverware—were scrutinized. The household knew that when Luca returned, everything had to be flawless.
Outside the gates, a fleet of black luxury cars glided smoothly along the driveway. Behind the wheel of the first vehicle, Marco gave quick updates to Luca, who sat silently, his dark eyes scanning the estate with calculated precision. The black three-piece suit clung perfectly to his frame, every movement radiating power and control.
As they approached the mansion, Luca's gaze flicked subtly, almost imperceptibly, searching. And then—he found her.
Sophia, oblivious to the world outside, was still thinking of him when a maid arrived in their shared room. "Miss Sophia, your room is ready now," she said, describing it briefly as she led the way. A few moments later, another maid entered with urgent news. "Don Luca has returned. We need to attend to something immediately." They left, leaving Sophia lingering in the hallway, distracted by thoughts of Luca and the voice of the first maid still describing her new room.
Lost in the mansion's winding corridors, Sophia accidentally turned down the wrong hall—and before she knew it, she found herself standing in front of Luca's room unknowingly to her. She pushed the door open slightly, curiosity overtaking caution.
Immediately, she sensed the atmosphere: dark, imposing, and commanding. The walls were adorned with deep mahogany paneling, and the air carried the faint scent of leather and expensive cologne. The large king sized bed under the light, meticulous and intimidating. Shadows pooled in the corners, emphasizing the room's cold, austere aesthetic.
Her pulse quickened. She realized she had no business being here. Turning to leave, she took a tentative step back—and collided with someone solid.
"What the fuck are you doing in here? Didn't anybody tell you maids are not just allowed in here?," a low, dangerous voice said.
Her breath hitched as she looked up… and froze. Luca Virelli stood before her, towering and silent, his gaze sharp as a blade.
For a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as his dark eyes met hers. The air around him seemed to pulse with power and unspoken command, and Sophia's carefully maintained composure threatened to crumble.