024

Caterina.

Never considered myself as someone who could make friends easily.

Growing up as an only child turned me into someone who was always guarded, with walls built so high fast even I sometimes forgot what it was like to let someone in.

Maria... Maria was different.

In certain ways, she was even like Alicia.

There was an ease to her presence, something so unapologetically warm that it chipped away at the carefully placed barriers around my heart.

She was funny, sharp, and had this undeniable charm that her brother certainly lacked.

It made it difficult not to like her.

So, against all odds, I found myself enjoying her company.

Even if that company came with a surly faced Raphael who didn't act as a shadow.

We sat on the plush couch in Luca’s expansive living room, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and faint traces of Maria's floral perfume.

It had been a strange morning if I was being honest with myself... waking up in Luca's arms, nearly losing myself to whatever tension we had built the night before, and then dragged out by his sister like I was some stray in need of saving.

It was like a never-ending circle of drama with me.

"It didn't even matter in the long run..." Maria sat crossed-legged, twirling a lock of dark hair between her fingers as she recounted this particularly wild story about her teenage years. "... but Luca was a pussy."

I listened, and really tried to imagine a younger Maria sneaking out of their house just to meet up with Raphael.

Raphael of all people.

I stole a glance at the man himself. He was across the room, speaking with another of Luca's men with an unreadable expression on his face. He must have thought he was being subtle with it but every now and then, his eyes would flicker toward Maria, lingering for just a moment too long before he looked away.

Was their relationship still forbidden now that Luca was in charge?

My chest tightened at the sight.

Was that what it was even supposed to look like? That quiet, unspoken pull between two people?

I knew there was no way I ever looked at Alessandro that way. But I had no idea... did I ever look at Luca that way?

Why would I even do that?

I couldn't help but shiver at the thought, quickly pushing it aside. I would sooner die than look at a man like Luca that way.

Maria nudged me. “You okay? You just zoned out.”

Oh. I shook my head. "Yeah, just doing some light thinking."

Maria smirked. “Dangerous thing to do.”

Before I could come up with some witty response, the front door opened, and the atmosphere shifted immediately.

The blond woman was there... was she the Rissa? She stood in the doorway, those sharp blue eyes scanning the room like a hawk surveying its prey.

She was stunning, in that effortless way that made it clear she knew exactly the kind of effect she had on people.

No wonder Luca kept running to her.

That blonde hair was sleek, her dress hugging every single curve as she sauntered in with the boldness of a woman who knew she had everything.

"Because I just had sex with Rissa."

This was definitely the one. She was Rissa.

Clarissa?

I shouldn't care. I really shouldn't. But that stupid,ugly knot of something unpleasant kept on twisting my stomach nonetheless.

Maria, perceptive as always, noticed the change in me immediately.

"You know her?"

"She was... is with Luca."

They were still together anyway.

Maria’s brows lifted. “Oh.” A knowing smile curled at her lips. “Jealous?”

I couldn't help but scoff. "Not in the slightest."

Luca's sister hummed, clearly unconvinced. But before she could push further, Rissa’s eyes had landed on us, and she was by our side in an instant.

A smile curled on the blonde’s lips.

“Well, well,” Rissa drawled, her tone as smooth as silk. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you would have managed to escape by now.”

I straightened, refusing to let her words rattle me.

"Life seems to be full of surprises."

Rissa just chuckled, barely sparing a glance at Maria before she turned back to me.

“I have to admit, I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Had what in me?”

“To worm your way into Luca’s life like this.” Rissa tilted her head, feigning curiosity. “Is this part of your grand plan? Or are you just waiting for him to get bored?”

Did she think I willingly wanted this?

Before I could retort, Maria had already leaned forward, and she spoke with a deceptively light tone. "Oh, I like this one," she mused. "She comes in here, all claws out, and for what? To mark some sort of territory?"

Rissa’s eyes flicked to Maria, and for the first time, there was hesitation in her expression.

Maria’s smile widened. “You’re in my brother’s house, darling. Be careful where you show your fangs.”

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut now. Rissa just scoffed but didn't say anything else, just turned on her heel and walked away, disappearing into one of the hallways.

The one that led to Luca's room.

Maria grinned at me. “That was fun.”

There was some sort of unease within me, but I dismissed it while shaking my head at Maria and trying to fight a smile.

"You're impossible."

Maria leaned in slightly, her voice quieter now. “She got under your skin, didn’t she?”

I hesitated for a bit, then nodded. "A little."

Maria hummed, studying me for a moment before she said, “You’ll be fine.”

I wasn't so sure about that, not with the circumstances surrounding me, but sitting there with Maria, I felt just a little bit lighter.

Maybe this little attraction to Luca was something I would overcome soon.

Hopefully.