Chapter 6
"Crystal fir Manor"
My age
"Sleep well,"
he said softly as he quickly pulled himself up after that little slip that got us too close on the bed.
He adjusted my duvet carefully, tucked it around me, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
Damn… I was completely out of it.
Italian men!!!! they're just too romantic for their own good.
I buried myself in the sheets, my heart racing, and soon drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I shot up from bed like I had just remembered something from a dream, only to be met with the mouthwatering scent of breakfast.
"Hi, Mila. How was your night?" Alessandro asked from the couch.
"It was great," I replied, my eyes locking on this hot Italian man casually sipping coffee, wearing his glasses, a magazine resting in his hands.
"Been waiting for you to wake up," Alessandro said with a small grin. "You seemed to be having a bad dream or something?"
"Oh, that?" I chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. "Sorry… I don't even know what that was. Just something weird, I guess."
He nodded. "Alright then, go brush up and come have breakfast," he said as he walked over to the wardrobe. He pulled out a small wrapped bundle and handed it to me, along with a new toothbrush.
"Here, have these."
I smiled, murmured a quick "thanks," and headed into the bathroom.
Inside, I brushed my teeth, took a warm shower, and finally unwrapped the bundle. only to find a long white T-shirt and a pair of Barbie-net panties neatly folded inside.
"Damn…" I whispered, staring at them with a mix of shock and amusement.
Still, I slipped them on. The T-shirt fell exactly to the same length on my thighs as the one I'd worn the night before. just enough to make me feel both covered and exposed at once.
When I stepped out, I felt my heart flutter nervously. I didn't know where to look or what to say.
Alessandro looked up from the couch, smiled faintly, and motioned toward the dining table.
"Come on, breakfast's ready," he said.
I nodded quietly and walked over. We sat side by side, eating in silence for the next ten minutes , the only sounds were our forks against the plates and the steady rhythm of my racing heartbeat.
After breakfast and a few quiet hours of lounging around, it was finally time for me to head back to my dorm.
Alessandro insisted on driving me, even after I had already ordered a ride. Somehow, before I could protest, he had the request canceled.
He led me outside, and I could feel eyes on us, the hotel staff, the valet, even the receptionist, all staring like they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Alessandro paused at the front desk, handed over his keycard, and exchanged polite nods with the staff before walking me out.
Then, he stopped beside a sleek black Maserati Levante, its body gleaming under the morning sun. He opened the door with a quiet click, then turned and held out his hand to help me in.
"Thank you," I murmured, my cheeks warming as I took it.
The engine purred to life, smooth and deep, and we pulled out of the driveway.
For a while, we just drove, the city rolling past us, the air calm and soft. Then, he broke the silence.
"Mila," he said, glancing at me briefly, "are you really not going to tell me your age?"
I smirked. "And what do you need that for?"
He chuckled. "Just to know."
I shook my head, refusing with a playful smile. "Nope. Not today."
He laughed quietly, and for a while, the car was filled with easy conversation and laughter. Then, his phone rang. The tone in the car changed instantly, his voice dropped into that deep, businesslike calm as he answered.
"Yes… understood. Send me the full report," he said, eyes still on the road.
When the call ended, he immediately dialed another number. "Luca, we'll be leaving for Texas tomorrow. Get everything prepared," he said before hanging up.
After that, the conversation drifted back to lighter topics until he finally slowed to a stop in front of my dorm.
He parked, turned off the engine, and stepped out. Without a word, he circled the car, opened my door, and offered his hand again. Then he went to the trunk, lifted out all the shopping bags we'd picked up the day before, and set them gently beside me.
"I can take it from here," I said quickly.
He smiled, a knowing kind of smile, and nodded. "Alright then."
He got back into the car, closed the door, and was just about to drive off when I called out, "Alessandro!"
He rolled down the window, eyebrows raised slightly.
"I'm nineteen," I said quietly.
For a second, his expression didn't change, just a calm, unreadable look in his eyes.
Then, he gave a faint nod, his lips curling into a small smile.
"Take care, Mila," he said, and with that, he drove off. the hum of the Maserati fading down the street, leaving me standing there with a thousand thoughts and a heartbeat I couldn't quite steady.