003
918 Words
ALANA
The first thing I did after the house manager left was to lock my bedroom door twice. Not because I was afraid but because trusting a Romanos means trusting a snake.
I dropped my suitcase on the king-sized bed and slowly looked around the room. It was beautiful but too beautiful.
The walls were painted with cream colors, with the ceiling decorated with intricate gold. A crystal chandelier hung above. A fireplace sat opposite the bed, and beside it stood shelves that were already filled with books.
Everything was elegant and expensive, and it reminded me that this wasn't a home.
It was a fancy prison.
I walked towards the windows and pulled the curtains apart. The courtyard spread widely, and it made nature more beautiful.
My gaze wandered across the open space and stopped directly opposite my room.
Another pair of windows with another balcony and another bedroom.
His bedroom… Vicenzo bedroom.
"You've got to be kidding me" I frowned.
Of all the rooms in this ridiculously enormous villa, they had placed Vincenzo Romano directly across from me.
I could practically wave at him from here. Not that I would ever do that.
A movement caught my eye as the curtains opposite shifted. Then he appeared.
He'd already changed out of his suit into a black T-shirt that stretched across broad shoulders. One tattoo disappeared beneath his sleeve while another climbed lazily up his neck.
His grey eyes met mine immediately. For a long second, neither of us moved.
Then, without breaking eye contact, I slowly drew my curtains shut.
"There. Problem solved"
I turned around and started checking things out in the room. Half an hour later, boredom won.
I stepped out of my room, deciding to familiarize myself with the villa instead.
The hallway seemed endless. It was decorated with antique paintings, marble statues, and polished wooden floors.
It felt less like a house and more like a museum where freedom was stolen.
I walked for a while, then turned a corner and nearly walked straight into him.
We stopped inches apart again.
"What now?" I rolled my eyes.
"I was going to ask you the same thing" He looked down on me.
"I'm exploring," so I said.
"So am I," he muttered.
"Can you find another hallway?" I suggested my face turning into a frown.
"There isn't one I see, but you can find another"
I clicked my tongue and walked past him without another word. He's just so annoying.
Thirty seconds later. I turned another corner, and there he was again.
"You've got to be following me!" I almost screamed in frustration.
He raised an eyebrow, "In your dreams"
"As if" I scoffed and turned another hallway. After walking for a while, we encountered it again.
By the fourth time, I simply pretended he didn't exist and just walked past him with my chin held high.
He chuckled, and the sound vexed me far more than it should have.
At precisely eight o'clock, a bell echoed through Villa Concordia.
Mandatory dinner. I already hated Rule Two; in fact, I hate all the rules here.
The dining room was just as grand as every other part of the estate. A table long enough to seat twenty people occupied the center. Only six seats were filled.
Dona Carmela sat at one end while Dona Isabella sat at the other.
The house manager stood nearby while several servants moved silently around the room.
"There you are," Dona Carmela said with a pleasant smile.
"Please...take your seats"
I froze because there were only two empty chairs facing directly opposite each other.
Of course. I sat first, and a second later, Vincenzo pulled out the chair opposite mine.
Neither of us spoke. Dinner was served, and we ate silently.
The silence was almost unbearable, but I focused entirely on my food, not caring about the man who sat across from me.
I refused to look at him or even catch a tiny glimpse of him.
Well, maybe just once. I should take a sneak peek. I lifted my eyes, and at the same moment, he looked up too.
Our gazes collided, and his lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk. Heat rushed to my face immediately.
I rolled my eyes dramatically before looking back at my plate.
"Arrogant i***t!!" I cursed under my breath.
The wardens exchanged amused glances but wisely said nothing.
The rest of dinner passed in silence, and soon everyone retreated to their rooms.
Night settled over Villa Concordia so quickly.
I changed into an oversized T-shirt before climbing into bed. The villa was strangely quiet in a way that didn't seem right to me.
I was just beginning to drift towards sleep when I heard something.
*Knock*
My eyes snapped open quickly with my mind and brain active. I stared at the door and waited for it again, but instead I'm met with silence.
"Did I just imagine it?" I thought aloud.
Then another one came in again. Slow and calm.
*Knock*
My heartbeat quickened, and I sat upright, making sure I didn't make any noise.
Then another...
*Knock*
Three slow knocks emphasized that someone was standing outside my room.
And in my frustration earlier… I suddenly remembered something.
I had unlocked the door when I got out for dinner and forgotten to lock it when I got back in.
The handle slowly began to turn without thinking twice. I jumped out from the bed and rolled over.
Waiting for whoever it was.
- Writer
