Masuk~CAMILLA~The next day, I find myself standing outside Lucas's apartment with my bag hanging from one shoulder and a smile I have been trying very hard to hide since I left home.I don't know why I am more than excited about today's tutoring lesson.It is supposed to be nothing more than studying like previous days, yet somehow, after yesterday's taekwondo training and the way we spent the rest of the day eating and laughing together, coming here feels different now.It feels like I am visiting someone I actually want to see.The thought makes my smile grow wider just before I knock.Lucas opens the door a few seconds later, and the moment his eyes meet mine, something warm flutters inside my chest.“You're early.”I glance at my phone dramatically. “I'm only five minutes early.”“Exactly.”“You should be happy. It means I'm becoming a responsible student.”He steps aside to let me in, a small smile tugging at his lips.“Well, I'll have to admit you're really becom
~LUCAS~I'm contemplating for the tenth time if I should send my already typed out message to Camilla.We aren't having tutoring lessons today, and we shouldn't be meeting up at all. But I had already promised her that I will carry her along whenever I'm going for taekwondo lessons.I stare at the text message again, reading it for the tenth time in how many minutes.'Hi, Camilla. Hope you're doing great? I know we shouldn't be meeting up today, but I'm off to the taekwondo house. Are you still interested in coming with me?’The text doesn't seem to be too much, but I don't why I'm so hesitant to send it.I mean…I don't owe Camilla any taekwondo lessons. What I owe her is study lessons.So I could easily go for my taekwondo lessons without having to inform her or even carry her along.I shouldn't be bothered if she gets angry at me, right?But deep down, I know I typed out that message because I want her to come with me.I really enjoyed the last time she went w
~CAMILLA~“Are you alright, Camilla?” I hear Mr. Lucas say.For a ridiculous second, I forget what I'm supposed to say.His face is much closer than I'm used to seeing it, and I can make out the tiny details of his expression. The faint crease between his brows, the slight dampness of his hair and the warmth in his eyes.And goodness, his eyes are beautiful."Camilla?" He calls.I blink twice."Yes?""Are you hurt?" he asks.I shake my head. "No. I'm fine."He gives my waist a final steadying touch before releasing me."Watch your footing,” he tells me.I step back, trying very hard to behave as though my heart hasn't suddenly started beating faster."Okay."He returns to his position without making anything of the moment.I, however, need a few seconds to remember that we're supposed to be sparring.How am I supposed to concentrate when the man has just caught me like that?I take a breath and raise my hands again.Focus, Camilla.He seems to notice my brief
~CAMILLA~The moment we enter the hall, the smell of clean mats and the faint sound of feet striking the padded floor greet us.A man in his forties approaches us. He's dressed in a white uniform, with a black belt tied securely around his waist."Lucas?" he asks."Yes. Good evening,” Lucas replies."Good evening. Welcome."They exchange a brief handshake before the instructor looks at me."And this is?" He asks."My friend. She's joining me today,” Lucas replies.Friend.I don't know why that particular word makes me smile.I quickly introduce myself and the instructor welcomes me before asking whether I've trained before."A little," I reply. "My father taught me some things when I was younger.""That's good. We'll see what you remember,” he says.I smile.Oh, he has no idea.We begin with warm-ups, stretching and a few basic movements. The instructor explains that he'll assess our experience before deciding which exercises to give us.I'm following along, although my attention keeps
~CAMILLA~It's another day of tutor lessons with Mr. Lucas, and I'm frowning slightly after he announced that we've come to the end of today's class."Already?" I ask, blinking rapidly at him.He gives me a look before glancing at his wristwatch. "Camilla, we've been studying for almost three hours.""Oh."I look down at my notes, suddenly wishing we'd started our lesson earlier. It's funny how I've gone from being someone who dreaded studying to someone who occasionally wishes our lessons wouldn't end.Well, perhaps it's not the studying itself that has become so enjoyable.It's the person teaching me.I quickly push that thought aside before it can develop into something embarrassing."All right, then." I close my notebook and put my pen inside it. "I'll review everything before our next lesson.""Good. And don't just read through your notes. Try to explain the concepts in your own words. It'll help you remember them.""I know, Mr. Lucas."He raises an eyebro
~LUCAS~It's been three weeks since Camilla started having her lessons at my apartment, and I've come to realise that the arrangement is working better than I initially expected.Not that I had any doubts about changing the location. The university was simply too distracting for her, and I couldn't keep spending half of our lessons bringing her attention back to whatever we were discussing.My apartment, on the other hand, offers exactly what she needs. There's no one walking past the study area, no students talking loudly outside, and, thankfully, no birds sitting on windowsills waiting to steal her attention.Although, knowing Camilla, she'd probably find something else to occupy her mind if she tried hard enough.What's surprising, however, is how much I've started enjoying these lessons.I wouldn't have admitted that a week ago.When I first took on the responsibility of tutoring her, I expected it to be a rather demanding arrangement. Camilla struggled
~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
~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
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







