Chapter 4: The Rules of the Valentino Mansion
1043 Words
The first morning inside the Valentino mansion felt nothing like home to Aria Moretti. She woke up earlier than she normally would, not because she was rested, but because her mind refused to let her forget where she was. The unfamiliar room, the expensive furniture, and the quiet atmosphere reminded her that she was no longer in her own bedroom. She sat on the edge of the large bed, staring at the elegant curtains covering the windows while thinking about everything that had happened the previous night. One moment she was a normal university student worrying about assignments, and the next moment she had discovered a dangerous secret and ended up living inside the home of the most feared man in the city.
Aria slowly walked toward the window and looked outside. The Valentino estate was even more impressive in the daylight, with workers maintaining the gardens, security guards patrolling the property, and expensive vehicles moving around the entrance. Everything was organized perfectly, almost like a company rather than a home. But despite the beauty surrounding her, Aria felt a strange emptiness in the mansion. There were no sounds of family conversations, no laughter coming from different rooms, and no feeling of comfort. It was a place built on power, control, and protection, but not warmth.
A knock suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Before she could answer, the door opened slightly.
A woman entered carrying a tray of breakfast.
“Good morning,” the woman said politely.
Aria looked at her in surprise. “Good morning. Who are you?”
“My name is Sofia. I work here.”
Aria glanced at the tray. “Did Dante order you to bring this?”
Sofia smiled slightly. “Mr. Valentino does not usually explain his decisions.”
“That sounds exactly like him.”
Sofia tried not to laugh, but a small smile appeared on her face.
Aria noticed it.
“You can laugh. I know he is not exactly the easiest person to understand.”
Sofia lowered her voice. “Most people are too afraid to say that.”
Aria looked toward the door. “I’m beginning to notice that everyone here is afraid of him.”
Sofia became quiet for a moment before answering.
“Mr. Valentino is not a simple man.”
That answer only increased Aria’s curiosity.
Before she could ask more questions, another knock came from the door.
This time, the person did not wait.
Dante walked inside.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Aria noticed how Sofia quickly stepped aside, lowering her head slightly. She hated how everyone reacted to him like he was some kind of king entering his palace. Dante wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his expression serious as always, and his eyes immediately moved toward Aria. He looked calm, but there was something different about him compared to the previous night. In the daylight, she could see that his cold appearance was not just about power—it was also a shield he had built around himself.
“You slept well?” Dante asked.
Aria looked at him.
“Is that your way of checking if your prisoner is comfortable?”
Dante’s expression did not change.
“You are not my prisoner.”
Aria raised an eyebrow.
“Really? Because I remember saying I was leaving, and you said no.”
Dante walked toward the table and placed a folder down.
“You can leave when it is safe.”
“And who decides when it is safe?”
“I do.”
Aria shook her head.
“There it is again. You deciding everything.”
Dante looked at her.
“Because I understand the danger you are facing.”
“No. Because you are used to controlling everyone.”
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Dante looked at her carefully.
“You have known me for less than twenty-four hours, yet you already think you understand me.”
Aria crossed her arms.
“I know enough.”
A small expression of curiosity appeared in Dante’s eyes.
“And what exactly do you know?”
“That you are arrogant, controlling, and believe money can solve every problem.”
Instead of getting angry, Dante surprised her by giving a quiet response.
“You forgot dangerous.”
Aria paused.
At least he admitted it.
Before she could reply, Elena appeared at the doorway.
“I see you two are already arguing.”
Aria turned toward her.
“Does he always behave like this?”
Elena smiled.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Dante looked at his sister.
“Are you helping her criticize me?”
Elena walked inside.
“I’m helping her understand you.”
Dante gave her a warning look.
“Elena.”
She ignored him and looked at Aria.
“My brother is not good at explaining himself.”
“I noticed.”
“And he thinks being silent makes him mysterious.”
Aria almost smiled.
“Finally, someone who understands.”
Dante looked between them.
“I regret bringing you two together.”
Elena laughed softly.
It was the first time Aria had seen someone laugh around Dante without fear.
For a brief moment, the mansion felt different.
Less cold.
Less lonely.
But the moment ended when Marco entered the room.
“Dante, we have a problem.”
The serious expression on Marco’s face immediately changed the atmosphere.
Dante turned toward him.
“What happened?”
“We found information about the warehouse.”
Aria became alert.
“What information?”
Marco looked at Dante first before answering.
“The people there were not only connected to our enemies.”
Dante’s expression darkened.
“Then who were they connected to?”
Marco hesitated.
Then he said the words that changed everything.
“Luciano Moretti.”
Aria felt her heart stop.
“My father?”
Nobody answered.
And that silence was enough.
Because for the first time, Aria wondered if the man she trusted her entire life had been hiding a secret that could destroy everything she believed.
Dante looked at her, watching the confusion and pain appear on her face.
And for the first time, he did not see the daughter of his enemy.
He saw a woman who had also been betrayed by the truth.
- Writer
