STEFANO RUSSO'S (NERO'S) POV
When Zoe and I made our way to the garden that afternoon, the air was warm and thick with the scent of frangipani and lemongrass. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, spilling golden patterns across the stone path. Somchai's estate looked almost unreal under the afternoon light.
Benny and Emily were already there. He had her tucked under his arm, the two of them lounging under the shade of a tree where a round table sat in-front of them. Emily spotted Zoe first and broke into a bright smile, her eyes lighting up like she'd just seen her favorite person. Zoe smiled back, and for a second, I caught that silent communication between them—that wordless understanding women had that men would never figure out.
Those two had grown close over the past few weeks, like sisters who found each other by accident. Watching them made something inside me ache — a small, buried wish that maybe, just maybe, life could stay this simple.
"Ah, the lovebirds finally arrive," Benny called out, dragging the words with a grin that was too smug for his own good. "Took you long enough."
Zoe's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. I didn't bother replying. When we reached the table, I made sure she was seated first before I leaned forward and gave Benny a light smack on the back of his head.
"Ow!" He rubbed the spot, glaring at me. "What was that for?"
I sank into the chair beside Zoe and said calmly, "For talking too much."
The girls laughed. Benny muttered something under his breath but didn't dare push it further.
A few moments later, the butler appeared with a few maids, setting down plates of appetizers and a variety of colorful drinks. The table filled up quickly with the smell of herbs, fresh fruit, and spice. They hadn't even finished when Somchai walked in, his steps unhurried, his expression as composed as always.
He wore a cream linen shirt that somehow made him look both relaxed and authoritative—the kind of presence that didn't need to speak to be respected.
"Good, everyone's here," he said, taking his seat. His gaze briefly flicked toward the empty chair next to Emily. "Except my niece. I was told she's unwell."
Unwell. Right. I almost snorted. If "unwell" meant hiding in her room after throwing a tantrum, then sure.
Zoe glanced at me, unsure how to react. I gave a small shrug, silently telling her not to worry about it. Across the table, Benny was already looking at me with that annoyingly curious expression, like he knew something I didn't want to discuss. I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair.
Somchai settled in, reaching for a small plate of dumplings. Everyone followed his lead, the table soon filled with the soft clinking of glasses and plates. I reached for a glass of juice, poured some, and handed it to Zoe. She accepted it with that soft, thankful smile that always did something to me.
Then Somchai's voice broke the comfortable silence. "Zoe, I hope my home has treated you kindly."
I felt her tense beside me, just slightly, before she replied. "Yes, very kindly. Thank you, sir," she said, her tone polite but careful. "It's beautiful here."
Somchai's expression softened. "Good. You're welcome here, always."
Zoe relaxed a little at that. Emily smiled across the table, eyes glinting like she was proud of her. She reached for a spring roll, but before she could take a bite, Benny snatched it from her hand.
"Don't eat that!" he said seriously.
Emily frowned. "Why not?"
"You already had two."
"So?"
"It's not healthy."
"Neither is smoking after lunch," Emily shot back, crossing her arms.
Zoe stifled a laugh beside me. I had to look away before mine slipped out too.
But then, just as the laughter faded, Somchai leaned forward a little, his tone casual. "So, Zoe," he began. "What was your life like before Nero?"
I froze. My eyes flicked to him sharply. Why would he ask her that?
Zoe blinked, caught off guard. Her lips parted, and I could tell she was searching for a polite way to answer, but I wasn't about to let her.
"That question is not necessary," I said evenly, cutting in before she had to.
Somchai's brow lifted. "Oh."
That oh made my jaw tighten. It was harmless, but I could already see the next question forming in his mind, and I didn't like where it was going. I shot him a look, silently warning him to drop it.
But Somchai only leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink in his glass, pretending not to notice the tension. "So…" he began again.
Before he could finish, Emily jumped in brightly. "Zoe, can you please join me to grab some more fruits from the kitchen?"
Zoe stood almost immediately, relief flickering in her eyes. "Okay."
Emily gave me a knowing look—one that said you owe me for that—and the two of them slipped away down the path toward the mansion.
The moment they were gone, I turned to Somchai. "You didn't have to ask her that." My voice came out sharper than I meant it to.
He gave a careless shrug, plucking a grape from his plate. "I was curious."
"Curious," I repeated, frowning. "She doesn't owe you her story."
Somchai took a slow sip of his drink, completely unfazed by my tone. Then, after a moment, he looked at me with that quiet, knowing smile.
"She's special," he said simply.
I frowned deeper. "What do you mean by that?"
He leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the sunlight filtering through the trees. "A woman who can steal your heart," he said softly, "is one worth studying. Don't you think so, Thanatosakorn?"
His voice was calm, almost thoughtful, but there was something behind his words. Something that made my chest tighten.
I didn't answer.