Chapter 6
1194 Words
Everything was nearly finished. The last of her clothes, a few important documents, and the handful of possessions she couldn’t bear to leave behind were all packed neatly into a single large suitcase.
Noelle stood in the center of her modest bedroom, hands resting on her hips, her gaze sweeping across every corner. She searched for anything she might have overlooked. The room looked bare now—like it no longer belonged to her. That realization tugged at her chest.
Satisfied, she allowed herself a small smile. She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out her phone, the glow of the screen cutting through the dim light.
5:59.
Caius had told her the driver would come at six sharp. She half-expected he’d arrive late—powerful men like Caius weren’t known for punctuality—but the sudden chime of her doorbell proved her wrong.
Right on time.
Dragging her suitcase behind her, Noelle left her bedroom and crossed the narrow hall. Her apartment was nothing special, just a modest two-bedroom unit. It had been her brother’s idea; he’d found it back when he was still working. She remembered his proud grin as he handed her the key, saying, “It’s not much, but it’s ours.” The memory stung now. She swallowed hard, blinking the thought away as she reached for the doorknob.
The door swung open—and her breath caught in her throat.
A stranger stood on her threshold, tall and composed. He wore black trousers and a fitted black button-up shirt that hugged his lean but commanding frame. His build wasn’t as broad or intimidating as Caius’s, but there was something equally magnetic about him—something sharp, dangerous, yet impossibly alluring.
And his face—Noelle nearly forgot how to breathe. Perfectly cut features, a jawline sculpted like marble, and eyes that carried both charm and mischief. He looked like someone who belonged on a magazine cover or the lead of a high-budget drama series, not at her dingy apartment door.
“Hello there, mia signora.”
His voice was silk over steel, smooth enough to melt hearts but with an undertone that hinted at heartbreak. If Caius was the embodiment of raw masculine dominance, this man was its opposite—an intoxicating mix of flirtation and mystery.
Before she could gather her wits, he reached for her hand, lifted it gently, and pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckles.
Noelle froze. Heat rushed to her cheeks. It was like watching an idol step out of the screen and into her world, breaking every boundary of reality.
“I—I think you have the wrong place…” she stammered.
Something inside her recoiled. The gesture was too perfect, too polished. It didn’t sit right with her.
The stranger’s lips curled into a knowing smile, and a low chuckle escaped him.
“No, signora. I did not lose my way. I could never mistake the home of my boss’s wife.”
There was a gleam in his eyes—playful, yet sharp enough to unsettle her.
The realization crashed down on her. She had tried to convince herself she was mistaken, but no—her gut had been right.
“You’re… the driver Caius sent?” she asked cautiously, studying him from head to toe. For once, she didn’t care how openly rude she might appear.
He didn’t mind. In fact, he seemed amused. A sly smirk tugged at his lips before he dipped into an exaggerated bow.
“And that I am,” he said with theatrical flourish. Straightening, he added smoothly, “From this moment forward, I am your driver and your personal bodyguard.”
Noelle just stared, unmoving. Questions stormed through her mind like thunderclouds, but her tongue refused to form them.
Unbothered, he stepped forward and gently took the suitcase from her hand. With practiced ease, he also plucked the house key she was holding and locked the door for her, as though he had been doing this for years.
“There’s nothing left, is there? If you ever need anything, just tell me. I’ll bring you back here to collect it myself.”
His tone was unhurried, elegant—almost too smooth. He led the way down the stairwell, and Noelle followed, her heels clicking softly against the worn floor.
Before she could stop herself, the words slipped out of her mouth. “Have you ever thought of… modelling?”
The corner of his lips lifted, unshaken by the randomness of the question.
“No,” he replied, his voice calm, unruffled. “The entertainment world holds no appeal for me.”
Her lips parted slightly, then closed again. She understood. Some people didn’t need the stage—their very existence was performance enough.
It was then she noticed the car waiting below. Her eyes widened, her steps faltering.
A sleek, black Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Her chest tightened. She didn’t know the exact price, but she didn’t need to. Anyone with sense could see it was wealth made tangible, luxury in motion. The sight made her feel small, out of place—like she was stepping into a life she wasn’t worthy of.
He extended a hand to her again, steady and reassuring. She hesitated, then placed her fingers in his, allowing him to guide her inside. The weight of her new reality pressed against her shoulders.
“Th-thank you… umm…”
The stranger blinked, then widened his eyes in mock realization.
“My apologies. Where are my manners?” He placed one hand elegantly over his chest and bowed slightly.
“Nathaniel Ruggeri. But you may call me Nathan, signora.”
His smile was effortless, disarming. With that, he closed the car door gently behind her and rounded swiftly to the driver’s seat.
The ride was silent. Noelle stared out the window, her thoughts tangled. Her brother’s face flashed in her mind, pulling at her heart. She hadn’t seen him in days, not since the whirlwind of events began. What would she tell him? He would demand to know where the money for his treatment came from.
But she couldn’t tell him the truth. I married Caius. The words alone would shatter him. He would worry, and worry was the last thing his fragile health could endure. All she wanted was for him to focus on recovery, so they could go back to being just Noelle and her brother—simple, ordinary lives.
Her chest ached with guilt.
“We’ve arrived,” Nathan’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.
She blinked, dragging herself back to the present.
Outside her window rose a sight that stole her breath.
The Grivano estate.
Her eyes widened, wonder flooding her. It wasn’t merely a mansion—it was wealth personified, sprawling and magnificent. To her, it was as though she had been dropped into a scene from a fairy tale. A modern-day castle.
Her pulse quickened. Fear and awe intertwined, leaving her dizzy.
Nathan was already at her side, opening the door. His smile was as smooth as ever, his words laced with a teasing reverence.
“Welcome to the Grivano Estate, mia signora.”
- Writer
