The dining room was filled with soft clinks of cutlery against porcelain and the low hum of instrumental music drifting from speakers hidden in the ceiling.
A long glass table stretched beneath a crystal chandelier, and the Luciano family sat with the usual poise expected of people born into structure. Plates of eggs, fruit, pastries, and salmon were arranged like art. No one raised their voice. No one reached. Everything moved in a quiet rhythm — rehearsed, refined, cold.
Valentina sipped her tea calmly, as always, but her smile was just a touch more playful than usual.
"I spent most of yesterday with Gia," she said, breaking the silence. "Took her around. Let her see a bit of the city — the parts that matter, anyway."
Adrian looked up from his coffee and gave her a soft, appreciative nod. "Thanks for that, Vale."
"It was my pleasure," she said, placing her cup back in its saucer with a graceful clink. "She's interesting. Overwhelmed, yes, but observant. And she listens. That's rare."
Nadia, seated at the far end of the table, smiled gently. "That was kind of you, sweetheart. It's important she feels welcome… especially now."
There was a pause.
The kind of pause that meant not everyone agreed.
Dario, the oldest brother, said nothing. He wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin and kept eating, eyes glued to his plate.
Leo, younger and brasher, let out a quiet breath — not quite a scoff, but not far off either. He stirred his coffee slowly, tapping his spoon against the cup like a ticking clock.
The tension was mild… until Luciano finally spoke.
"A lot of effort… for a girl who might not stay," he said quietly, eyes never leaving his plate.
Adrian's jaw flexed. He said nothing.
Valentina turned her head slowly toward their father, her posture still poised. "She's not a pet project," she said calmly. "She's just unfamiliar. And if she is going to stay in Adrian's life, she'll need time to learn how this world works."
Luciano's fork stopped mid-motion.
His gaze lifted — sharp, hard, unreadable — locking with Valentina's.
No one spoke. The music, somehow, felt louder in the silence.
"New," Luciano repeated flatly.
Valentina didn't flinch. "Yes. And that doesn't make her incapable. Just... untrained."
Another pause.
Even Nadia glanced between them now, fingers still around her teacup.
Adrian watched quietly, not because he didn't care — but because he'd learned long ago that in this house, timing was everything.
Luciano finally set his fork down and leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Invite her to dinner," he said, looking at Adrian.
Everyone turned.
Adrian blinked. "Sorry—what?"
Luciano stood, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "Tomorrow evening. Here. Let's see how serious this really is."
He walked out without waiting for a response.
The door shut behind him with a soft click.
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For a long moment, no one said a word.
Then Leo whistled under his breath. "What the hell was that?"
Dario muttered, "That's not like him."
Valentina smiled faintly to herself and returned to her tea.
Nadia reached for her napkin, masking her concern with grace.
And Adrian… Adrian
just sat there, his expression unreadable, heart pounding, mind spinning.