LOGIN~LUCAS~“That's when I decided I would study law,” I pause, and her eyes meet mine. "I wanted to understand the system that had failed him. I wanted to know how to fight back against people who believed they could take advantage of someone simply because that person was poor, grieving, or didn't have anybody powerful standing behind them."My voice steadies as I speak."I couldn't save my uncle, and I couldn't undo what happened to him. But I could make sure I never stood helplessly by while somebody else was denied justice because they couldn't afford to fight for it."Camilla watches me with an expression I struggle to interpret."So I started working." I shrug, attempting to make the next part sound less difficult than it was. "I took whatever jobs I could find. Cleaning, deliveries, helping out at shops, carrying goods for people who needed an extra pair of hands. If somebody was willing to pay me for honest work, I did it for three years.”"For three years?"
~LUCAS~We're going to kiss.The realization hits me so suddenly that it's almost like being slapped awake.Camilla's fingers are wrapped around my wrists, her beautiful, tear-stained face tilted toward mine, and her eyes are fixed on my lips with an expression that makes it painfully difficult to remember why I should move away.For one reckless second, I want to kiss her.I want to close the remaining distance, cup her face in my hands, and find out whether her lips feel as soft as they look.The thought is so powerful that I nearly act on it. Then reality crashes into me.What the hell am I doing?This is Camilla. My student. The girl who has spent the last several minutes crying because she's terrified of disappointing herself, and whom I've been trying to comfort.She's vulnerable right now, trusting me to make her feel safe, and here I am, standing so close to her that one more movement could change everything between us.I have no business wanting to
~CAMILLA~Sweetheart.The word slips past my panic and settles somewhere tender inside me. I look up at him in disbelief.Did he just call me sweetheart?“Yes, sweetheart. You need to take a breath,” he repeats in a soft and loving tone.I draw in a shaky breath."Good. Now let it out,” he says.I exhale, and he waits until I take another breath before speaking again."That's it, Camilla.”I look away, embarrassed by how close I am to crying."I'm sorry.""Why are you apologizing?" He asks."Because I'm making everything difficult,” I reply."You're not making anything difficult, Camilla.""I am. You spent all this time helping me, and I'm still struggling with the simplest things."He reaches across the table and gently closes the book in front of me."Camilla, I want you to listen to me carefully."I swallow hard. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the table."You are not stupid,” he tells me, and my lips tremble."Mr. Lucas…..""No. Let me finish." His
~CAMILLA~Mr. Lucas is still staring at me without speaking, and I can't take it anymore."What is it?" I ask impatiently."About what happened some days ago. The one involving Steven and the study group,” He pauses for a while before continuing. “I'm really sorry about that. I'm sorry for overreacting and replying to your text message.”My mouth opens as I stare at him in disbelief.Did he just apologize??Yes, I vowed never to speak to him back then until he apologized.I knew I deserved some apology from him.But the fact that he just apologized out of nowhere, without me even bringing it up again surprises me.Because I thought his pride would make it difficult for him to apologize.But here he is, apologizing with so much ease.“I'm sorry if I made you feel like a baby who doesn't know what she's doing. I'm sorry for how I spoke to you that day. And I hope you don't think I'm in your life to order you around,” he says.Wow! He's really apologizing!! That
~CAMILLA~I have never seen Mr. Lucas like this before.The man who always seems to have an answer for everything, who carries himself with so much confidence that it is difficult to imagine anything capable of breaking him, is crying in my arms.And there is nothing I can do to take away his pain.I wish I could reach into his memories and erase that terrible day. I wish I could find the little boy who lost his mother and tell him that none of it was his fault, that he did not fail her, and that he deserved so much more than the suffering life forced upon him.My tears slip down my cheeks as I tighten my arms around him, gently patting his back."Oh, Mr. Lucas," I whisper, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry."He clutches my clothes, his shoulders shaking beneath my hands, and my heart aches so badly that I have to squeeze my eyes shut.Eight years old.He was only eight years old when he lost his mother, and he had to live with that loss without the person who ha
~LUCAS~“Mr. Lucas!” Camilla exclaims when I kiss her forehead.She's blushing hard because her cheeks are already turning pink.I smile at her, and then I realize that I have not properly thanked her."Camilla,” I call in a serious tone. “Thank you so much.”The words come out quietly.She blinks. "For what?""For staying with me,” I reply.Her expression softens. "You don't have to thank me for that, Mr. Lucas.""Yes, I do,” I reply.She falls silent.I look down at my hands, suddenly uncertain about what to do with them.It is ridiculous. I have negotiated with difficult people, faced situations that would make most men lose their nerve, and spent years learning how to keep my emotions under control.Yet sitting in front of Camilla, trying to explain what her kindness means to me, feels more difficult than any of those things."You didn't have to spend the night here," I tell her. "You could have gone home.”"But I didn't want to leave you alone."Her answer
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
~ELENA~Nico's lips graze my cheeks…almost a kiss.Almost.And then the gym door swings open.“Damn!” We both exclaim.Riccardo walks in, towel over his shoulders. He pauses, eyes flicking between our too-close bodies.“Everything okay here??” He asks, voice neutral, but b
~ELENA~I don't even know when we get home. I just feel someone pulling me out of the car and leading me to my room.I feel numb. My body, my senses, my mind….they all feel numb.The door to my room opens and I am led inside.“Take your bath and rest. We'll come to chec
~ELENA~Vincenzo doesn’t take his eyes off me as he shrugs off his jacket, tossing it carelessly onto my couch in the room.“Stand up,” he orders softly, but there’s no room for disobedience in his tone.My legs feel weak, but I obey, standing slowly from the bed.Riccard







