Rules
750 Words
~ Eleanora's POV ~
I woke at half past eight to sunlight on the ceiling and the sound of the lake outside.
For about three seconds, I forgot where I was.
Then I remembered.
Right. Married. Lake Como. Mafia husband who may or may not have carried me to bed last night and was definitely never going to admit it.
I lay there staring at the ceiling for a moment, talking myself into getting up.
Come on, Nora. Get up and deal with it.
So I did.
I showered, dressed in jeans and a silk blouse from my own suitcase, and went downstairs.
The villa was quiet in the morning, the kind of quiet that felt intentional.
Giulia appeared almost immediately when I reached the bottom step.
"Buongiorno, Signora. Breakfast is ready in the morning room."
Signora.
That was going to take some adjustment.
She led me to a bright room overlooking the lake where coffee, fruit, and pastries had already been laid out neatly on the table.
I had exactly four peaceful minutes before footsteps sounded in the corridor.
Vincenzo walked in fastening the cuff of his shirt.
He looked fully awake, fully composed, like he had already been working for hours while the rest of the world slept.
His eyes moved to me briefly.
Something flickered there and disappeared so quickly I almost convinced myself I imagined it.
"You are up," he said.
"I am. Good morning."
"Good morning."
He poured himself coffee and moved to the window, drinking it while looking out over the lake.
Like we were strangers sharing a hotel breakfast.
I watched him for a moment.
Then I said, "I woke up in my bed last night."
No reaction.
"In a robe that wasn't mine."
"The staff checks the rooms in the evening."
I stared at him.
"The staff carried me out of the bathtub, tucked me into bed, picked up my dress, and arranged my shoes?"
A pause.
Then he took another sip of coffee.
"Is there something you want to ask me, Eleanora?"
"No," I said calmly. "I just wanted you to know that I know."
That finally made him turn.
He looked at me for a long moment with that unreadable expression I was beginning to understand meant careful restraint.
Then:
"Eat your breakfast."
And he walked out.
~ * ~
I found him in his study an hour later.
The door stood slightly open, which I decided to interpret as permission to knock instead of a warning to leave.
He sat behind his desk reading through papers, a pair of glasses low on his nose.
The moment he looked up, he removed them smoothly.
Interesting.
"I want to talk about the rules," I said.
"I explained the rules last night."
"You explained your rules. I have some of my own."
He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying me.
"Come in, then."
I stepped inside but stayed standing.
It made me feel less cornered.
"I am finishing my degree," I said. "That does not change because of this marriage."
"Fine."
I blinked. "Fine?"
"Did you expect an argument?"
"Yes."
Something almost resembling amusement touched the corner of his mouth before disappearing again.
"What else?"
"I want to keep seeing my friends. Calling them. Having them visit."
"Fine. Within reason."
"What does that mean?"
"It means everyone entering this house is vetted by security first. That applies to everyone, not only you."
I didn't like it.
But I understood it.
"And I want my own car," I added. "Not a driver."
That changed something in his expression immediately.
"No."
My irritation sharpened. "Why not?"
"Because right now you do not move anywhere alone."
His voice stayed calm, but firmer now.
"I don't yet know the full extent of the threats against this family. Until I do, you will have security with you."
I crossed my arms. "That sounds very close to control."
"It sounds like keeping you alive."
The room went still.
I held his gaze for a moment before answering quietly, "Then tell me the truth when things involve me. No carefully managed versions."
Silence stretched briefly between us.
Then he nodded once.
"Agreed."
I turned toward the door.
"Eleanora."
I stopped.
"Your degree," he said. "What exactly are you studying?"
"Economics and Business."
Something thoughtful crossed his face.
"Why?"
His eyes stayed on me for a second too long before he looked back down at the papers on his desk.
"No reason."
But it very clearly was a reason.
- Writer
