جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

Isabella's POV.Ezekiel and I came back to the mansion after having a blast at the beach party. I had taken one shot of wine, just enough to feel a little tipsy, while Ezekiel had refrained since he was driving. We both plopped down on the sofa, the room bathed in a soft, dim glow that matched the quiet atmosphere.I took a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling for a moment. Then I turned to Ezekiel and asked, "Are you sleepy?"He shook his head and asked back, "Do you want to sleep?"I smiled faintly and shook my head. "No, not yet."I had a playful idea in mind. The wine had loosened me up just enough. "Let’s play something," I suggested, a mischievous glint in my eyes."Now?" Ezekiel asked, surprised but intrigued.I nodded, sitting on the ground in front of the table while he remained on the couch. "It's simple," I explained. "Let's play truth or dare."He didn’t hesitate, agreeing with a slight chuckle. He grabbed a small bottle from the nearby table and placed it in the middle.

Milan Malpensa Airport buzzed with activity as travelers hurried to their destinations. I stood outside, the warm Italian sun beating down on me, my frustration mounting. My mom had arranged everything for this trip, so why was no one here to pick me up? I pushed my sunglasses up onto my head, scanning the crowd for any familiar faces.Just as my patience was wearing thin, I spotted Mr. Martin, my mom’s secretary, making his way toward me. Relief washed over me.“Ms. Isabella!” he called out.I raised an eyebrow, muttering under my breath, “Thank God.”“Finally, my mom has sent someone to pick me up,” I said aloud, not bothering to hide my irritation.Without waiting for a response, I walked briskly toward the car he had arrived in. Mr. Martin hurried to keep up, opening the door for me.I slid into the back seat with a stern face, choosing to remain silent. He quickly managed my luggage and took his place beside the driver.The car pulled away from the curb, merging smoothly into the

Isabella’s POVMy mom’s so-called boyfriend was in the middle of one of his tedious lectures again. I smiled politely, though I wasn’t really listening. When he asked if I was angry with my mom, I decided it was time to be blunt.“It’s not about her, Mr.,” I shot back.He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to figure me out."Maybe it’s you.”He finally said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, "I know you can’t take me as your family. You need time."I smiled again, this time with a bit of an edge.“Why are you dating my mom?”“She’s 14 years older than you,” I added, not hiding the judgment in my voice.Ezekiel raised his brows and sighed, “Actually, I find her attractive. She’s so different from others.”“And she understands me a lot.”“Oh really?” I couldn’t help the smirk that crept onto my face.“So, you know others too?” I raised an eyebrow.Ezekiel smiled, his gaze unwavering. “Is there anything wrong with that?”“Of course not,” I replied, my voice dr

Ezekiel had promised to show me around, and he didn’t disappoint. We spent the day exploring the beauty of Italy, visiting iconic places, and even indulging in some shopping. It was a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and experiences that left me feeling unexpectedly lighthearted. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself genuinely enjoying his company. Ezekiel wasn’t the boring, predictable guy I had imagined. He was actually fun to be around—charming, attentive, and surprisingly easy to talk to.As dusk settled in, we returned to the mansion, both of us tired but content. The moment we stepped into the hall, though, the atmosphere shifted. I spotted my mom, her back turned to us, talking on the phone. Her voice was sharp, almost angry—a tone I wasn’t used to hearing from her.I froze, lingering by the doorway until she noticed us. Her tone softened instantly, though the tension was still there.“Robert, please don’t you dare try to contact her,” she said, her words clipped and fina

Ezekiel was driving smoothly, his focus on the road, while I sat in the backseat, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew it was rude to sit back there, treating him like a mere driver, but I couldn’t bring myself to sit beside him. Not after last night. Not after knowing that he knew I had seen everything.My gaze drifted to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of his eyes. Those long, thick eyelashes were almost unfair for a man to have. I bit my lower lip, feeling a warmth spread through me that I tried desperately to ignore. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, closing my eyes to block out the sight of him. But that only made it worse. His scent —intoxicating and eliciting —filled the car, wrapping around me like a blanket I couldn’t escape.I sighed softly, squeezing my thighs together as if that would stop the flood of thoughts running wild in my mind. Thoughts that I knew were dangerous. Thoughts that I shouldn’t be having. When I first met Ezekiel, I think I