LOGIN~CAMILLA~I take a deep breath as I prepare to reveal to Mr. Lucas, what I usually don't reveal to people.I look at him briefly, then return my attention to the table."I was diagnosed with ADHD."There's silence for a while, and for a moment, I almost wish I hadn't said it.Lucas doesn't immediately respond.I can feel his eyes on me, but I cannot bring myself to look up."I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder," I explain quietly. "And that's why I get distracted so easily."He remains quiet, so I nervously rub my palms together."I know it probably looks like I'm not interested in what you're saying, but I really am. I promise. It's just that sometimes, I can't control where my attention goes."I glance at him.His expression is difficult to read, so I quickly look away again."Sometimes, I can be reading something, and then I suddenly remember something completely unrelated. Before I know it, I'm thinking about that other thing, and I've forgotten w
~CAMILLA~I have never been this determined to study in my entire life.Not even during examination periods.Perhaps that sounds ridiculous, considering how much I complain about my courses and how often Esmeralda has to threaten to stop sharing her answers with me. But today is different.Today, I have a reason to prove myself.And that reason is sitting somewhere in the school building, probably preparing to teach me.Mr. Lucas.Just thinking about him makes me smile, but I quickly shake my head and return my attention to the mirror.No. Not today, Camilla.Today, I'm going to be a very good student.After our first tutoring session, Lucas suggested that we fix our lessons on days when I didn't have lectures. He believed that attending classes throughout the day might be exhausting my brain, making it difficult for me to concentrate during our private sessions.I agreed immediately.And when he checked my timetable, we settled on today.My lecture-free day.
~LUCAS~I take Camilla's notes from her and open them.The first thing I realize is that I'm going to have to prepare more than I originally planned.I know psychology.Not as deeply as someone studying it, obviously, but I've taken enough related courses and studied enough material over the years to understand the fundamentals.The problem is that Camilla isn't a law student.She's studying psychology, and that means I can't walk into these sessions relying entirely on what I already know.If I'm going to teach her properly, I need to understand what she's being taught, how her department approaches each subject and, more importantly, exactly what her lecturers expect her to know.I glance through her Biological Psychology notes and handouts, and I see topics like Brain structures, The nervous system, Neurotransmitters.I scan the pages again, mentally organizing where I should begin.I make a decision that from now on, I'll read ahead.I'll research her course
~CAMILLA~For the first time in a long time, I wake up before my alarm.That alone should tell me how excited I am.For a few seconds, I lie beneath my covers, staring at the ceiling while the events of yesterday replay in my mind.My first private tutoring session with Mr. Lucas is today by three o'clock.A smile slowly spreads across my face.I reach for my phone and check the time. I still have more than enough time to get ready, but instead of going back to sleep like I would normally do before, I throw the covers off and sit up.I feel ridiculously happy.I can't remember the last time I was this excited about going to school.Actually, I'm not sure I've ever been this excited about school.Usually, getting ready for lectures involves me dragging myself out of bed, staring at my wardrobe for ten minutes, complaining about how tired I am, and wondering whether I can survive another lecture without falling asleep.Today?I practically bounce out of bed.I head
~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
~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~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







