Chapter 3

MIRELLA POV

By the time I step out of the restroom, my expression is calm again like nothing just happened But inside nothing feels settled.

“You took forever,” Giulia Ravelli complains the moment I return. “Are you okay?” Elara Vossi asks more quietly, her eyes searching mine. “I’m fine,” I say, taking my seat. Nerina watches me for a second longer than the others.

Like she knows I’m lying, she doesn’t say anything, And I’m grateful for that.

The days that follow blur together in a strange, restless rhythm. Lectures, late-night reading, endless preparation. But through it all the feeling never leaves. That quiet, persistent awareness, Like I’m being watched. Not always obvious. Not always clear. But there.

During my exams, the feeling is worse. I sit in the large hall, pen moving across paper, my focus sharp but fractured at the edges, because every now and then I sense it. A gaze. Unseen.

I glance up once, most times twice subtly scanning the room.

Nothing. Just students. Supervisors. Everything seems normal, and yet. My grip tightens around my pen.

He said he’d be around, even when I don’t see him. The memory makes it hard to focus.

Makes everything feel closer than it should be.

“Finally!” Giulia Ravelli practically shouts as we step out of the hall. “I refuse to think about school for at least two weeks.”

“You say that now,” Nerina Caligo mutters.

“No, I mean it. We’re going out. Tonight.”

Elara laughs. “You always want to go out.”

“Because I have a personality,” Giulia shoots back.

I smile faintly, letting their voices pull me back into reality. “Where?” I ask.

“There’s a club opening downtown,” Giulia says excitedly. “We have to go.”

Nerina raises a brow. “We?”

“Yes, we,” she insists, pointing at me. “And no excuses.”

I hesitate for a second. Then nod. “Fine.”

Maybe I need the distraction.

That night, we go out.

Music swallows everything the moment we step inside. Lights pulse gold, violet, shadows sliding across bodies that move like they have nowhere else to be. The air is thick with perfume, alcohol, heat. “Tonight,” Giulia Ravelli declares, already pulling Elara Vossi toward the dance floor, “we forget stress exists.” “You mean you forget stress exists,” Elara laughs, letting herself be dragged anyway.

Nerina Caligo lingers just long enough to glance back at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not staying here all night.” “I’m not,” I reply, already knowing I am. She smirks and disappears into the crowd.

I settle at the bar, wrapping my fingers around the cool glass the bartender slides toward me. “You don’t look like someone who enjoys places like this,” he says. “I don’t.” “Then why come?” “Friends.” He chuckles, tries to make conversation, but I keep my answers short—polite, distant. He notices. They always do.

“Alright,” he says finally. “I’ll leave you to it.” I nod slightly, taking a slow sip. For a moment, everything feels normal again. I notice a guy walking towards me. Michael. My ex. His father works as a gangster on the street, I found out from father and he was very pissed. I had to break up with him but he doesn't want to end things or rather his ego can't accept a girl dumping him “ Mirella” I'm going to have to put him in his place tonight or he won't stop. “I haven't seen you around.” “oh really” I reply lightly. “I have really missed you baby, don't be so hard on me” " we ended things already Micheal, there's no need to whine about it” “Alright, at least have one last dance with me" I say I open my mouth to refuse—“Oh, she will.” Giulia appears out of nowhere, grinning as she nudges me off the stool. “Giulia—” “No excuses,” she whispers, pushing me forward. Giulia doesn't know I broke up with him, actually none of the girls does and just like that, I’m on the dance floor. The music is louder here, closer, pressing against my chest. His hands settle on me too easily. I suppress the urge to pull away. One song. That’s all.

“Don't fucking pester me after this or it's not going to end well for you" I tell him “At least tell me why you're ending things with me, did I do something wrong?" he asks, searching my face. “Did I do something wrong?” His voice is softer now. Almost desperate.I look at him—and for a second, I almost feel something.

But not enough. “I’m just not interested anymore" I say. It’s not the truth but it’s the only answer I can give.

but then—something shifts. That feeling again. Sharp. Immediate. I see him. Across the room. Half-hidden in shadow. Silvano Neri. Watching. Still. Unmoving. But this time, there’s nothing calm about him. His face is darker. Harder. Dangerous. No curiosity. No softness. Just focus. My breath falters. “You’re not even paying attention,” Michael says, tightening his grip.

“I said one dance.” I pull back. He doesn’t let go. “I think you can do better than that.” “I’m done.” I try to step away. His fingers tighten around my wrist. “Relax.” “Let go.” He doesn't “Come on mirella, I fucking love you, you can't just leave me like some piece of shit, let's go somewhere more quite" he drags me off the dance floor, through the crowd, into a quieter hallway.

The music fades. My pulse spikes. “Stop.” He ignores me, “Don't do anything stupid Michael" he just laughs and pushes open a door, shoves me toward it. “No.” I resist, heart pounding. “Let go of me.” His patience snaps. “Stop making this difficult. I have always treated you right” He pushes me again— And then everything stops. A hand catches him. Firm. Unyielding. The man barely turns before—impact. A sharp crack. A tooth hits the floor. Blood spills from his mouth. He stumbles back.

Silvano Neri steps into the light. His expression is lethal. Cold. Focused. Michael tries to lift his hand to hit back but silvano is much quicker, he grabs it and breaks it. The sound is worse this time. The scream follows. “Please let go” he chokes. Silvano doesn’t respond. Like the words don’t exist. “Stop!” I say, the word slipping out.

Silvano stills. Slowly, he turns toward me. His eyes meet mine. It feels like I'm being dragged into the darkness in his eyes, but his eyes are the most attractive eyes I have ever set my eyes on. He looks very violent, like he could destroy anything that gets in his way. He looks back at the Micheal. “Leave,” he says quietly. He hesitates. “if you ever set your eyes on her again, she will be the last thing you ever see” Silvano’s voice is much darker now. A normal woman would have been frightened by now except I have never been normal. He's protecting me. Is the only thing my brain manages to process from everything happening “ He makes a run. Then– Silence falls. Heavy. Charged.

Silvano moves toward me. Slow. Deliberate. I step back. Then again. Until my back hits the wall. My breath catches. Not just fear. Something else. He stops inches away. Close enough to feel. “No man should ever lay his hands on you ,” he says quietly. “you don't get to decide that.” I reply stubbornly forcing steadiness into my voice. “I do, you won't like what happens if you disobey me” I know he can do anything. He's a dangerous man and it makes me scared but I try not to let it show, I swallow. “I’ll keep that in mind.” I say. “That's my good girl” I have never been praised before, him saying that makes me feel things I have never felt before. It makes me feel… Wanted.

“You’re dangerous,” I whisper. “I can be if you don't do as I say .” “ I don't take well to orders “ A pause. “You will” he says. My breath falters. He leans close his hands traces the side of my face. “What do you want from me?” I ask again, softer. His gaze holds mine

“That depends,” he murmurs, voice low, “on how far you’re willing to go.” The words linger. So does the space between us. So does the feeling that whatever this is—it’s no longer something I can walk away from. And the worst part? I’m not sure I want to.

“Go home, Mirella. This isn’t a request.” I swallow, holding his gaze for a second before nodding. “Fine.” Not that I want to follow his orders, I'm already tired from the days ordeal.

He steps back immediately. I turn and walk out without looking back. The music hits me again as I step onto the dance floor, lights flashing, bodies moving like nothing just happened. I find my friends quickly.

“I’m heading back,” I say. “Already?” Giulia Ravelli frowns. “I’m tired.” Nerina Caligo studies me. “You okay?” “I’m fine.” Elara Vossi leans closer. “Did something happen?” I shake my head. “No. Just exams.” They exchange glances. “Text when you get back,” Giulia says. “Always,” Elara adds. Nerina just nods. I give a small smile and leave.

Outside, the air is cooler. Quieter. I get into my car, exhaling slowly as I start the engine. For a moment, everything feels normal. Then I notice it—a black car behind me. I ignored it at first. It’s just a car. But it doesn’t turn. Doesn’t pass. It stays. I take another turn. It follows. I know it must be silverno, my stalker. My grip tightens on the wheel. I don’t speed up. I just drive. Until I reach the dorm.

The car slows, stopping at a distance. Waiting. I park, step out calmly, resisting the urge to look back. I walk inside, lock my door, and finally breathe. I move to the window, peeking through the curtain. The street is empty. The car is gone. Like it was never there. I sigh softly, stepping back.

My mind drifts to everything—his voice, his eyes, the way he said my name. Eventually, exhaustion takes over and I fall asleep.

Morning comes quietly. I blink awake and glance around the room. Giulia Ravelli is sprawled across her bed, arm hanging off. Elara Vossi is half-covered in her blanket. Nerina Caligo lies still like she didn’t move all night. I laugh softly. “They’re gone.” I get up and start packing. Clothes. Books. Routine. Halfway through, Giulia groans. “Why is the sun so loud…” I smile. “You’re dramatic.” “You left early,” she mumbles, sitting up. Elara blinks awake. “Yeah… why?” Nerina is already watching me. “I was tired,” I say. “From exams?” Elara asks. “Yeah.” Giulia squints. “What about that guy you were dancing with?” I pause, then shrug. “He knew who I was. My background.” Nerina’s brows lift slightly. “And?” “I wasn’t in the mood, so I left.” “That’s it?” Elara asks. “That’s it.” Nerina says nothing, but her gaze lingers, I shrug and we both laugh.