Masuk~CAMILLA~The moment the call ends, I lower my phone and stare at the screen with a smile I can't seem to control.Across from me, Esmeralda is already staring at me with her arms folded over her chest.I slowly lift my eyes to hers. "Are you satisfied now?"She raises an eyebrow. "Extremely."I roll my eyes.This girl!!!She followed me all the way back to my apartment purely because she wanted the gist.Apparently, my word wasn't enough when I told her Mr. Lucas had agreed to tutor me.She had spent the entire walk questioning me.‘Are you sure he agreed?’‘Did he actually say he would tutor you?’‘Maybe you misunderstood him.’At one point, I had nearly threatened to leave her on the street.But Esmeralda had refused to let it go.So, just to prove her wrong, I had called Mr. Lucas in front of her and put the call on loudspeaker.And now she had heard him agree with her own ears."He actually agreed," she says again, her eyes widening as if she's still process
~LUCAS~The moment the classroom door closes behind Camilla, I let out a long breath.I stand there for a few seconds, staring at the door as if I can somehow see through it.Then I shake my head."What have you done, Lucas?" The question slips out under my breath.I already know the answer.I've just agreed to tutor Camilla Riccardo.And somehow, I have the distinct feeling that I've made a very dangerous mistake.I adjust my bag, trying to convince myself that I'm overthinking things.It's tutoring….. that's all.She's struggling with her studies, and I happen to be in a position where I can help her.There is nothing wrong with that. It's just being academic, professional, and simple.I repeat those words in my head as I start to walk away from the classroom.By the time I am out of this particular building, I'm almost convinced.Then I remember the way Camilla practically threw herself at me when I agreed to tutor her.A smile threatens the corner of my mo
~CAMILLA~My heart stops when I hear Lucas say those words.For one horrifying second, all I can hear is the faint hum of the air conditioner above me and the sound of my own heartbeat pounding violently against my ribs.‘I want to see you, Camilla.’Those words shouldn't make me this happy.They shouldn't, not after what happened.Not after I had just stood in front of an entire classroom and made myself look like the dumbest student in the history of the University of Milan.But somehow, the moment Lucas says he wants to see me, every other thought disappears.Even the embarrassment, and the laughter.Even the way my face burned when I couldn't answer the simplest question.Everything disappears immediately because Lucas wants to see me.Lucas really wants to see me.I sit up straighter."Me?"The stupid question slips out before I can stop it.Lucas gives me a look. "Yes, Camilla. You."I swallow. "Oh."Oh? Oh? That's all I can say?I want to slap myself.A few students who haven't
~LUCAS~I don't think I have ever prayed this way like the way I'm praying right now not to meet Camilla Riccardo in my class.If I can really avoid Camilla Riccardo, then I'm going to enjoy Italy.The apartment I was given is so nice, classy and very comfortable. And the car I was given is so sleek and beautiful.But Camilla Riccardo is my biggest problem, and when I walk into class and see her sitting right there….I simply stare at her.Of course she's here.Because apparently, the universe has decided that avoiding this woman is going to be my personal punishment.I close my eyes for half a second and take a slow breath.Fine…..I accept it.I'm defeated.There is no escaping Camilla Riccardo.I could probably travel to another continent, lock myself in a basement and somehow, if I opened my eyes, I'd find her sitting across from me with that ridiculous smile.So this is it.She's in my class….and I'm her new lecturer.I straighten my shoulders and force e
~CAMILLA~Monday morning comes with far too much confidence.The sun is barely up when I open my eyes, and the first thought that enters my mind is Lucas.Of course it is.Because apparently, my brain has decided that the first thing I should think about every morning is a man I met twice.I stare at the ceiling for a few seconds with a hope that I might see him today.The thought sends a tiny flutter through my stomach.I smile before I can stop myself, then I immediately frown.Why am I smiling?I throw the blanket off me and sit up."Get yourself together, Camilla."There is no reason to be this excited.It's not like Lucas promised to come back.He only said that if we met again, I should bring up the tutoring.But we're going to meet again….I'm sure of it.At least, that's what I've been telling myself all weekend.I get ready faster than usual, choosing an outfit and spending more time than necessary deciding whether my hair looks better loose or tied back.
~CAMILLA~By Saturday afternoon, I have officially decided that having a best friend is overrated.Especially when that best friend has decided to spend the entire weekend in my apartment and apparently has no intention of letting me forget the most embarrassing thing I've done some days ago.I should have known something was wrong when Esmeralda arrived yesterday evening with an overnight bag that looked suspiciously large for someone who claimed she was only staying until Sunday.She walked through my front door, dropped the bag beside the sofa, kicked off her shoes and announced,"I'm staying."I had stared at her, and asked, "For how long?"She had smiled. "Until you stop talking about that man. Girl, you're literally bombing my phone with text messages about that man.”I should have thrown her back out. Instead, I had laughed, and that was my first mistake.Because apparently, that laugh gave her permission to torment me for the rest of the weekend.Now, the
~NICO~“Dad, I'm not quitting school. I love it there” I say angrily to my father.Vincenzo, Riccardo and I are in my father's private office and he called us for a meeting because he heard I was at Elena's school yesterday.Yes, I get that father has eyes everywhere but wh
~ELENA~The whispers multiply until it feels like the entire hallway has turned into a low hum of excitement.“Who is he? Does anyone know?”“They say he is doing his masters.”“I heard he's transferred.”“Transferred? He looks like he walked straight out of a magazine.”“D
~NICO~The moment my fist connects with Alessandro’s jaw, the sound is louder than I expect. A sharp crack that silences even the shrieks around us.He stumbles, spits blood, and collapses onto the floor.The crowd roars….half in shock, half in awe. Phones are out, cap
Alessandro stands in the middle of his father’s office, tall and impassive, hands in his pockets, face unreadable. His black shirt clings to his frame, sleeves rolled to the elbows, veins prominent, tattoos peeking at his wrists. The room is thick with tension.Behind the heavy mahogany desk sits







