Seven

NOVARIA’S POV

Kelvin wasn’t nearly as terrifying as I had first imagined. In fact, watching him awkwardly try to explain himself and apologize made him seem strangely… human.

And honestly? I respected that.

Most people would have ignored my fear completely, especially men like them–Dangerous, powerful men. Yet Kelvin had actually taken the time to clear the misunderstanding because he didn’t want me feeling uncomfortable around him. That alone softened my view of him greatly.

Feeling embarrassed that he was apologizing to me in the first place, I looked away shyly before finally meeting his eyes again.

“It’s okay,” I said honestly. “You really don’t have to apologize.”

Kelvin visibly relaxed. A faint grin appeared on his face, and somehow, he suddenly looked far less intimidating than yesterday.

Actually…He looked kind of adorable trying so hard not to scare me. I couldn’t even remember the last time someone cared enough about my feelings to explain themselves like this.

The atmosphere in the kitchen slowly became lighter again. For a brief moment, it almost felt normal and Peaceful.

Then suddenly.

Bzzzt.

Sylvester’s phone vibrated loudly against the table.

The relaxed atmosphere disappeared instantly.

Sylvester picked up the phone and scanned the message silently, his expression darkening almost immediately.

Then he groaned softly.

“Fredo just informed me that the Omegas want a meeting,” he muttered while typing a quick reply. “Probably about territory issues again.”

The shift in mood was immediate.

Kelvin’s jaw tightened slightly, though he carefully held back whatever harsh response he wanted to say. Probably because of me.

I quietly watched the both of them, suddenly feeling out of place again.

“Who’s going?” Kelvin finally asked.

“Me,” Sylvester replied calmly. “Chris will come along too.” His gaze remained fixed on his phone..“You never know what those bastards are planning.”

The names meant absolutely nothing to me.

Fredo. Chris. The Omegas. It all sounded like fragments of a world I didn’t belong in. And suddenly, reality settled heavily in my chest again.

This mansion…This life… These men…They weren’t normal.

I slowly lowered my gaze toward my untouched breakfast. Maybe staying here had been a mistake after all. This house was built for mafia men, dangerous men who dealt with guns, blood, territories, and enemies. Meanwhile, I was just, Novaria. A normal girl.

I suddenly felt like a burden. Like my presence forced them to restrain themselves around me.

After a long moment of silence, I quietly stood up from my chair.

“Um… guys,” I said softly while carrying my empty plate toward the sink. “I think I should leave now.”

Both Sylvester and Kelvin immediately looked at me. Surprised.

“What?” Kelvin frowned.

“Thank you for letting me stay here last night,” I continued nervously. “Really.”

Even though things with my mother were horrible…Maybe leaving home like this had been reckless. 

What about my studies?

My friends?

My life?

I couldn’t just disappear overnight.

The disappointment on Sylvester’s face was immediate.And strangely enough, it affected me more than it should have.

“What are you talking about, Aria?” he asked sharply.

The nickname made me glance at him.

“I’m not letting you go back to a woman who hasn’t even called to check on you,” Sylvester continued, irritation slipping into his voice. “And what happens if she sends you somewhere dangerous again?” His expression hardened. “What if I’m not there next time?”

A nervous laugh escaped me.

“I know you care, Sly, but…” I hesitated. “I’ll figure something out eventually. Maybe I’ll save some money and find another place to stay.”

“Another place?” Kelvin repeated incredulously.

I sighed softly.

What other choice did I really have?

Sure, these men had treated me surprisingly well. Too well, honestly. But I couldn’t stay in a mafia mansion forever. Could I?

Sylvester suddenly stood up from his chair and walked toward me slowly.

“Aria,” he said quietly.

I looked up at him.

“Stay here.”

The seriousness in his eyes made my breath hitch slightly.

“You’ll be safer here with me.”

Then unexpectedly, the corner of his lips lifted faintly.

“And if you stay…” he added casually, “I’ll give you something tonight.”

I blinked.

A gift?

Honestly…I already didn’t want to go back home. The fact that my mother still hadn’t called me after an entire night hurt more than I wanted to admit. Not even a single message. Nothing.

And now here was Sylvester, One of the most feared men in the city trying to convince me to stay with him like my presence actually mattered.

The thought alone made warmth spread through my chest. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling slightly.

And on a second thought, I had a gift for the night, so who was I to go back home.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll stay.”

The answer came far too easily. So much for being a “tough girl.”

Kelvin immediately relaxed again and returned to his breakfast while Sylvester’s expression softened visibly.

But instead of sitting back down, Sylvester guided me gently toward the living room. He grabbed the remote and switched on the television.

A second later, Cartoons appeared on the screen.

I stared at him in disbelief.

Seriously?

This man was treating me like an actual child now. Out of every possible thing to watch, he chose cartoons.

I wanted to protest really badly. But seeing how satisfied he looked with himself somehow made me keep quiet.

So instead, I sat there pretending to enjoy the show while secretly dying of embarrassment.

Especially when I noticed several armed men standing around the living room. Watching me. Watching me watch cartoons.

Wonderful.

Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks. I lowered my head awkwardly.

Thankfully, Sylvester noticed my embarrassment almost instantly.

“You guys can leave,” he ordered calmly without even looking at them.

The men disappeared immediately. Then he turned toward me.

“Don’t worry about them,” he said softly. “Nobody here will bother you.” His gaze darkened slightly. “And if anyone does…”

A dangerous edge slipped into his voice. “I’ll handle it myself.”

A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

Something about the way he said it felt ridiculously reassuring. Like he genuinely meant every word.

Sylvester seemed pleased hearing me laugh. Then his expression shifted slightly again.

“Now that you’re comfortable,” he said, “I need to head out for a business meeting.”

“Oh.”

The disappointment escaped before I could hide it.. He noticed immediately and stopped on his path.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured.

I hadn’t even realized I was pouting until he pointed it out.

Honestly, the idea of him leaving suddenly made the mansion feel much colder. 

Sure, Kelvin and Collins were nice. But being around Sylvester felt different. Safer and warmer.

He stared at my expression for a few quiet seconds before sighing softly and walking back toward me. Then he sat beside me on the couch..Close enough for me to feel his warmth again.

“I promise I’ll be quick,” he said gently. His voice had softened completely now. “And when I come back…”.A small smile appeared on his face. “We’ll watch a movie together in my room.”

My heart skipped embarrassingly fast.

“A real movie this time?” I asked suspiciously.

Sylvester chuckled quietly.

“Yes. A real movie.”

That instantly made me smile..I nodded quickly in agreement. And as he stood up to leave again, one thought repeated itself endlessly inside my head “I already missed him”.

I remembered how physically comfortable I was with him last night, and I couldn't wait for him to get back anymore.