The Romano Estate
1285 Words
The drive was longer than Isabella expected.
For the first ten minutes she watched the city lights pass outside the window, trying to calm the restless feeling in her chest. The restaurant scene kept replaying in her mind.
Adriana’s sharp smile.
Her warning.
The way she had looked at Isabella like she was something temporary.
Isabella crossed her arms and leaned back into the leather seat.
“You’re quiet,” Vincenzo said.
His voice broke the silence easily, like he had been waiting for it.
“I’m thinking,” she replied.
“About?”
“Everything.”
He gave a small nod, as if that was the most reasonable answer.
Outside the window the bright city streets slowly changed into quieter roads lined with tall trees and expensive homes.
Isabella noticed the change immediately.
“Where are we going?”
“My home.”
Her stomach tightened slightly.
That sounded… serious.
A few minutes later the car slowed.
Tall iron gates appeared ahead, guarded by two security posts. As the car approached, the gates opened automatically.
Isabella blinked.
Beyond them stretched a long driveway lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and elegant lights.
At the end stood a massive mansion.
For a moment Isabella genuinely thought it was a hotel.
“Please tell me that’s not your house,” she murmured.
“It is.”
“You live there… alone?”
“Mostly.”
The car rolled to a stop near the front entrance.
Marco stepped out and opened the door for them.
Isabella climbed out slowly, staring up at the enormous building.
Stone walls.
Tall windows.
Balconies.
The place looked like something from a movie.
She turned toward Vincenzo.
“You realize this is intimidating, right?”
He stepped beside her, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve calmly.
“That wasn’t my intention.”
“Then what was?”
“To bring you home.”
The words made her heart skip slightly.
Home.
She wasn’t sure she was ready for that word yet.
Still, she followed him toward the entrance.
The massive doors opened before they even reached them.
A middle-aged woman in a neat uniform stood inside.
“Good evening, sir,” she said politely.
Her eyes moved to Isabella with curiosity.
“Good evening, Maria,” Vincenzo replied.
“Prepare the guest room.”
Isabella frowned slightly.
“Guest room?”
Vincenzo looked at her.
“For tonight.”
Her shoulders relaxed a little.
“Good.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You sound relieved.”
“I barely know you,” she said bluntly.
“That’s fair.”
Maria hid a small smile before leading them inside.
The interior of the mansion was even more impressive.
Polished marble floors reflected the chandelier light above them. Paintings hung on the walls, and the entire place smelled faintly of fresh flowers and expensive wood polish.
Isabella slowed her steps.
“This place is… huge.”
“It’s practical.”
“For what, hosting royalty?”
“For business meetings.”
That made more sense.
Still, it felt strange walking through such an expensive place knowing she had grown up in a tiny apartment.
Maria stopped at the staircase.
“I will show Miss Isabella to her room.”
“Thank you,” Vincenzo said.
Before Isabella followed Maria, she turned toward him.
“You’re not coming?”
“I have work to finish.”
Of course he did.
Men like him probably never stopped working.
“Goodnight, Isabella.”
She hesitated for a second.
“Goodnight… Vincenzo.”
The moment felt oddly normal despite everything.
Then Maria led her upstairs.
The guest room was bigger than Isabella’s entire apartment.
Large bed.
Soft lighting.
A balcony overlooking the gardens.
Maria placed a folded set of clothes on the bed.
“In case you need something comfortable.”
“Thank you,” Isabella said.
Maria gave her a warm smile.
“You must be very special.”
Isabella blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“Mr. Romano rarely brings people here.”
That made her even more confused.
“Well… we’re getting married,” Isabella said awkwardly.
Maria’s smile widened slightly.
“Yes.”
Then she quietly left the room.
Once the door closed, Isabella sat on the edge of the bed.
Her mind was racing again.
Everything had happened so fast.
Just yesterday she had been a normal girl working at a café.
Now she was sitting in a mansion belonging to one of the most powerful men in the city.
She stood up and walked to the balcony.
The night air was cool.
From here she could see the gardens stretching into the darkness.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
A message from Luca.
“Where are you? You didn’t come home.”
Isabella hesitated before replying.
“I’m safe. I’ll explain tomorrow.”
She stared at the screen for a moment.
Then locked the phone and leaned against the railing.
Somewhere inside the house a door closed.
Footsteps echoed faintly.
She turned.
Vincenzo stepped onto the balcony doorway.
He had removed his jacket, and for the first time she noticed how tired he looked.
“You should be sleeping,” he said.
“You should be too.”
He leaned against the doorframe.
“I will eventually.”
Isabella studied him quietly.
“Do you ever stop working?”
“Not often.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It’s necessary.”
A soft silence settled between them.
Finally Isabella spoke again.
“Adriana.”
His eyes lifted slightly.
“What about her?”
“She seemed… personal.”
“That’s one way to describe it.”
“Were you two together?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
But eventually he nodded once.
“Yes.”
Isabella wasn’t sure why that answer bothered her.
Maybe because Adriana had looked so confident earlier.
“Why did it end?”
“She wanted power.”
“And you didn’t?”
“I already have it.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
He looked at her again.
“You’re thinking too much.”
“I’m about to marry a mafia leader. I think I’m allowed to think.”
For the first time that night, Vincenzo laughed softly.
And the sound surprised her.
It made him seem… human.
More human than she expected.
Then suddenly his expression changed.
His gaze moved past her.
Sharp.
Focused.
Isabella turned slightly.
“What is it?”
“Stay here,” he said quietly.
The tone in his voice made her heart race.
“What’s wrong?”
But he was already moving.
Fast.
Within seconds he disappeared back inside the room.
Isabella followed him cautiously.
From the hallway came the sound of voices.
Low.
Urgent.
Then Marco appeared at the door.
His face was serious.
“Sir.”
Vincenzo looked at him.
“What happened?”
Marco’s voice dropped slightly.
“There was movement near the outer gate.”
Isabella felt a cold shiver run down her spine.
Movement?
“At this hour?” Vincenzo asked.
Marco nodded.
“We’re checking now.”
Vincenzo’s expression hardened instantly.
The calm, composed man from dinner was gone.
In his place stood someone colder.
Dangerous.
“Double the guards,” he said.
Marco nodded and left immediately.
Isabella swallowed slowly.
“Is this normal?”
Vincenzo turned toward her.
His voice softened slightly.
“Unfortunately.”
She crossed her arms.
“So… welcome to your world, right?”
“Yes.”
She sighed.
“This is going to be a very stressful marriage.”
“Probably.”
But something in his eyes told her one thing clearly.
Whatever danger was outside those gates…
He wouldn’t let it reach her.
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