Chapter 2
1284 Words
Elena’s POV
“Pleased to meet you too… Luca.” I managed, though my mouth had gone a little bit dry.
It wasn’t fair that someone could look that good in broad daylight. He had the kind of jawline that could slice fruit and shoulders that should have come with a warning label. Even the way he stood was just… unfair.
“Wow.” Chloe whispered under her breath. “Your dad really went for the premium security package.”
“Shut up.” I muttered, elbowing her. But I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
Harper, on the other hand, just tilted her head slightly, analyzing him like she was checking out a fine piece of art.
“He’s hot.” She announced. “Like… dangerously hot.”
Papa burst out laughing at that, the sound filling the air.
“Ah, my Elena brings friends with no filters, I see.”
“We only speak the truth, Mr. Russo.” Chloe grinned.
“Then I’ll take that as a compliment to my taste in employees.” Papa said. “Come, come—let’s not make the man uncomfortable. You’ve all had a long journey. Let’s get you inside.”
He gestured grandly toward the villa, and we followed him up the marble staircase, through tall arched doors carved with golden vines. The moment we stepped inside, Harper gasped.
“Holy hell.” She breathed. “This place is a palace.”
Chloe was already spinning slowly, admiring the whole place.
“Is that—? Oh my God, is that a fountain inside the house?”
“Papa likes fountains.” I said, half laughing. “He says the sound calms him.”
“Well, it’s working.” Chloe murmured, already recording a video. “Because this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Besides Luca.” Harper added slyly.
“Harper!” I hissed, though I was blushing hard enough to light the room.
“What?” She said innocently. “He’s hot. Don’t act like you didn’t notice.”
“I didn’t—” I began, then paused. “Okay, I did. But can we not talk about it in front of my father?”
Papa turned slightly, clearly having caught that last part. His grin was pure mischief.
“Ah, young eyes see everything, don’t they?”
“Papa!”
He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
“Don’t worry, mi amor, Luca is used to being admired. He doesn’t bite.”
“Unless ordered to.” Chloe muttered under her breath, earning a snort from Harper.
Luca, to his credit, didn’t even flinch. He just gave a polite nod, professional as ever, but I swore—swore—I saw a hint of a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. The kind that said he heard every word and found it mildly entertaining.
God help me.
We followed Papa through a long hallway filled with portraits—ancestors, maybe, or just important-looking men with intimidating eyebrows. And finally, Papa stopped in front of a grand staircase.
“The guest wing.” He said. “Harper, Chloe, you’ll find your rooms down this corridor. Elena, yours is at the far end.”
The girls gasped when they saw their suites—each one the size of a small apartment, complete with private balconies overlooking the garden.
“Mr. Russo, this is insane.” Chloe said, turning slowly in a circle. “You could fit my entire New York apartment in your closet.”
“That’s because she lives in a glorified shoebox.” Harper said.
“It’s artistic minimalism!” Chloe snapped, tossing a pillow at her.
Papa laughed again, clearly entertained by their antics. Then he turned to me.
“And you, Elena—your room is just as you left it.”
“You didn’t change anything?”
“Not a thing." He said softly. “It’s still yours. Always will be.”
“Papa…” I smiled, feeling that old warmth rise in my chest. “Thank you.”
He nodded once, then cleared his throat, his usual tone of command sliding back into place.
“Now, I’ve arranged a small welcome party tonight. Just family and close friends. You girls should get ready. It’ll start at seven.”
“Party already?” Chloe grinned. “I love this country.”
“Of course you do.” Harper said dryly. “You love any country with free champagne.”
“I have refined tastes.”
Papa was shaking his head, smiling and the room went quiet for a moment after that.
“Now, girls, rest." Papa said. "Luca and I have a few things to discuss. He’ll see you later.”
“Yes, sir.” Luca said.
“Follow me.” Papa said as he turned to him.
The two men disappeared down the hall, and the moment the sound of their footsteps faded, Chloe let out a long sigh.
“Okay, I officially have a crush on your dad’s bodyguard.”
“Chloe!” I groaned.
“Don’t pretend you’re immune, Lena. He’s literal perfection. That body? Those eyes? That voice? He probably has abs that could deflect bullets.”
“And that suit?" Harder added as she flipped down on the couch laughing. "Custom, obviously. That man was born to ruin lives.”
“Oh my God, stop.” I said, burying my face in my hands. But I was laughing too. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“Please...” Chloe said. “You were practically drooling. I saw you.”
“I was not!”
“You were. It was adorable.” Harper said. “Like watching a cat see a laser pointer for the first time.”
I grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at her and she caught it immediately midair.
“Fine.” I said, crossing my arms. “Maybe he’s good-looking. But that’s it.”
“That’s not it.” Chloe said. “You were looking at him like you wanted to climb him.”
“Okay, that’s enough!” I said, blushing furiously and they both burst into laughter.
We spent the next half hour unpacking, talking, and laughing about everything—the estate, the sheer size of the bathroom, the fact that Chloe found a golden hairdryer (“It’s giving rich mafia princess vibes!”), and the view from the balcony.
But even with all the chatter, my thoughts kept drifting back to Luca. He was the kind of man who said little but made you want to know everything.
And the worst part? He didn’t even try.
He didn't seem like one of those men who flirted or smiled to get attention and that made him even more attractive.
I exhaled, realizing I’d been staring into space for who knows how long.
“Elena?” Harper asked. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just… tired.”
“Sure you are.” Chloe said, smirking. “Tired from all that imagining.”
I threw another pillow at her and missed.
They laughed again, and I joined in—halfheartedly, this time.
Because truth be told, they weren’t entirely wrong.
I was curious and intrigued. Maybe even a little bit… turned on.
It was stupid, I know. He was my father’s bodyguard, for God’s sake. But my mind had already decided to ignore logic as I began to imagine if...
I shook my head, trying to snap out of it.
No. No, Elena. Bad idea. Bad, bad idea.
Still…
“Excuse me, girls.” I said, standing abruptly. “I’ll be right back.”
- Writer
