Valeria froze at Adrian's sudden demand. His dark eyes bored into hers, sharp and restless, as if he feared something she couldn't see.
"Adrian…" she said softly, her brows knitting. "Why are you asking me this suddenly?"
He leaned closer, his voice low but commanding.
"Just answer. Yes or no."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Valeria could feel the weight of his words pressing on her chest. She hesitated—her instincts told her there was something dangerous behind his plea, but simultaneously, she saw a flicker of desperation in him.
Finally, she nodded. "...I won't leave."
Adrian's shoulders relaxed, but his gaze stayed intense, almost possessive. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, as though her promise had bound her to him in a way she didn't yet understand.
Before she could say anything else, one of her teammates called her name from across the courtyard. Valeria turned to wave back, and when she looked again, Adrian had already walked away—leaving her unsettled.
Day by day, Adrian's presence among Valeria's group of friends grew stronger. At first, they were cautious around him—everyone in school knew he had a short fuse—but soon, his charm and intimidating aura began to win them over.
He started sitting with them at lunch, walking with them after classes, and even joining in their casual conversations. Slowly, almost without noticing, Valeria's friends began to change. They laughed at his sharp remarks, nodded at his opinions, and followed his lead in small decisions—where to sit, where to hang out, even who to ignore.
Valeria noticed it. The group that once felt lighthearted and carefree now carried a certain edge whenever Adrian was around. He didn't smile often, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
One evening after practice, one of her friends whispered to her,
"Valeria… Adrian's not that bad, you know. He's kind of… cool."
Valeria forced a smile, but her chest felt tight. She wasn't sure if it was admiration they felt—or fear.
And every time she caught Adrian looking at her, there was that same intensity in his gaze, as if she were the only thing that mattered.
The next day in school, a friend of Valeria got into a fight with their seniors. Max was fighting with 3 of them when Valeria stepped into the fight and kicked one of them and punched the other. Before the fight could get far, the teacher came and gave detention to everyone.
After detention, Valeria and Max walked out together, their conversation light despite the scolding they had received.
"I still can't believe you jumped in like that," Max chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Your kick was cleaner than mine. Maybe I should start training under you."
Valeria rolled her eyes, but a smile crept across her lips. "Don't be ridiculous. You'd just get yourself in trouble again."
For a moment, it felt like old times—back before Adrian's shadow loomed over her world. A simple laugh with a friend, something normal, something she hadn't realised she missed.
But in the back of the classroom, Adrian had watched everything. His jaw tightened, his fists curled under the desk. He said nothing, but his dark eyes followed every laugh, every smile she shared with Max. To anyone else, he looked calm, distant even. But inside, his jealousy burned.
He didn't confront her then. He didn't say a word. Instead, he waited—waited for the detention to end, for Max to leave, for Valeria to be alone.
Because Adrian wasn't going to let anyone—especially Max—steal even a piece of her away from him.
The detention room door creaked open, and Valeria and Max stepped out together, still laughing quietly about their fight with the seniors. But their laughter died instantly when they noticed Adrian leaning against the wall near the exit, his posture calm yet unsettling.
Valeria frowned. "You didn't leave?"
Before Adrian could reply, Max smirked lightly, trying to ease the tension. "Heh, maybe he was waiting for you, Valeria."
Adrian's lips curled into a smile—but it wasn't warm. It was sharp, cold, and frightening.
"Yes," he said slowly, his eyes fixed on Max. "I was waiting for her. Do you have any problem with that?"
The teasing look vanished from Max's face. He forced a nervous laugh, his shoulders stiffening. "N-No way. Why would I have a problem?"
He glanced at Valeria, sensing the weight of Adrian's stare, then quickly reached for her hand. "I think we should go, right, Valeria?" Without waiting for her response, he tugged her along.
Valeria glanced back once—Adrian was still standing there, watching. His smile had disappeared, but his gaze followed them like a shadow. Only when the two disappeared down the hallway did Adrian finally turn, his footsteps echoing against the empty corridor as he walked out of the school alone.
Inside, he was already planning.
The heavy oak doors of the Vitale mansion as Adrian stepped inside. The house was dim, shadows stretching across the marble floor, the faint scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air. He was late—again.
In the dining hall, his father sat at the long table, already halfway through his meal. The man didn't even look up as Adrian entered, only gestured to the chair beside him.
"You're late today," his father said, his deep voice calm, but heavy with authority.
Adrian sank into the seat, his expression blank, his eyes fixed on the plate before him. "So what if I was late?"
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, his father chuckled—a low, knowing sound. "Did something happen?" he asked, swirling the wine in his glass. "You do remember, this is your home. You can do whatever you want… even in school."
Adrian's head snapped toward him, suspicion flickering in his gaze. "What do you mean?"
His father finally looked up, his sharp eyes gleaming with amusement. "I know what you've been doing in school all this time."
Adrian leaned back, crossing his arms. "Then tell me. What exactly have I been doing?"
His father smiled, almost proud. "You're my only son, Adrian. Of course, I keep an eye on your every move. And what I've noticed… is fascinating. You've been manipulating Valeria Caruso's friends, bending them, controlling them—all just to get closer to her. Haven't you?"
The words hung in the air, cold and undeniable. Adrian didn't flinch. His lips twitched into the faintest smirk, but his eyes stayed dark.
Adrian didn't answer right away. He picked up his fork, dragged it slowly across the edge of the plate, the metal screeching softly in the quiet hall. Then he looked up, straight into his father's eyes.
"You're right," he said flatly. "I am doing it. And I don't regret it."
His father's brows arched in mild surprise, but the corner of his lips curled into a faint smile. "So you admit it…"
Adrian leaned forward, his voice low but fierce. "Valeria belongs with me. She doesn't know it yet, but she will. And anyone who tries to come between us—her friends, her family, even this whole damn world—I'll curch them if I have to."
The dining hall went silent, his words lingering like smoke.
Salvatore leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming. "I'll tell you, Adrian… this obsession of yours may be the very thing that brings Marco Caruso back where he belongs. He was the sharpest man I ever worked with, and I want him under me again."
Adrian's lips curved into a slow smile. "If you succeed… Valeria will have no choice but to stay close to me. She won't be able to run, not if her father is under your command."
Salvatore chuckled darkly. "That's my son. Using power where others only use words."
Adrian looked down at his plate, but in his mind, all he saw was Valeria. He didn't just want her near. He wanted her his — bound, untouchable, unable to escape. And if his father's game was the key to that… then he would play it.
________________________________________
The following day was Friday. The halls of the school buzzed with chatter as students made weekend plans. Groups of friends clustered together, laughing, planning movies, outings, and parties.
Valeria's friends tugged at her arm.
"Come on, Valeria, join us this time!" one of them pleaded.
But like always, she shook her head with a small smile. "I've got things to do at home. Maybe next time."
They groaned in disappointment, but they knew better than to press her. Valeria always found a way to avoid these weekend hangouts.
That day, Adrian seemed no different from usual. He spent his time in silence, his dark eyes following her in that way she was slowly learning to ignore. When the last bell rang, she left the school, her steps light, unaware that shadows were moving in her father's world.
At home, everything felt normal. Dinner was quiet, the warm glow of the chandelier falling on the table as she chatted with her brother Leo. But something about her father seemed… off. Marco Caruso's shoulders were tense, his jaw set as if he was holding something back.
"Dad, are you okay?" Valeria asked carefully.
Leo frowned, too. "Yeah, Dad. You look kind of tense."
Marco forced a smile, raising his glass. "No, not at all. I'm fine."
Valeria wasn't convinced, but she didn't push. She simply nodded and let the matter drop—for now.
The next morning was Saturday. Valeria spent her weekend as she usually did, curled up at home, reading and sketching in her notebook. When breakfast was served, she settled at the dining table, savoring the peace.
Just as she was about to take her first bite, Leo crept up from behind.
"Boo!" he whispered.
Valeria gasped, nearly dropping her plate. The food spilled across the table with a crash.
Servants rushed forward in panic.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Valeria sighed, trying to catch her breath. "It's nothing. Just my brother being a joker."
Leo laughed, holding up his hands. "Hey, I was just annoying you, that's all."
One of the servants turned to another. "Clean this quickly. There will be guests today."
Valeria blinked, looking up sharply. "Guests? Who's coming, brother?"
Leo froze for a second, then gave a hasty answer. "Someone from… work. That's all."
His tone was hesitant. Too hesitant.
Valeria's stomach tightened. She glanced toward the closed doors of her father's study. For the first time in years, she felt that familiar unease—the sense that something dark was moving closer, something her father wasn't telling them.
An hour later, Valeria was in her room, lazily flipping through a book. The house was strangely quiet. She rang for water, but no one came. Frowning, she tried again, but still, no response.
With a sigh, she got up and went downstairs herself. The halls seemed emptier than usual, voices hushed somewhere far off. She made her way into the kitchen, filled a glass, and took a sip of water.
That's when a low voice broke the silence behind her.
"That white hoodie looks quite cute on you."
The glass nearly slipped from her hand. Valeria spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. Standing casually against the kitchen counter, as if he belonged there, was Adrian Vitale.
Her eyes widened. "Adrian? What are you doing here—how did you even—?"
He smirked, his dark gaze fixed on her. "What does it matter how? I'm here now."
Her pulse quickened. Nobody had announced his arrival, and yet he was in her home, speaking as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
Adrian pushed off the counter and took a slow step toward her. "You really shouldn't be wandering around alone, Valeria. Anyone could walk right in."
The way he said it made her shiver. She wasn't sure if it was a warning… or a promise.
Valeria's back pressed slightly against the counter as Adrian closed the distance, his eyes never leaving hers. His presence was suffocating, his smirk sharp as a blade.
"You always look good," he murmured, tilting his head. "But in white… you look like something I could never let go."
Valeria's breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak, to demand an explanation, but before she could, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
"Valeria?"
It was Leo's voice.
Adrian's expression didn't falter. He leaned just a little closer, his words barely above a whisper. "Looks like your knight in shining armor is here."
A second later, Leo entered the kitchen, his eyes widening when he spotted Adrian. "Adrian? What the hell are you doing here?"
Adrian straightened casually, his smirk fading into an expression of feigned innocence. "Relax, Leo. I was just talking to your sister."
Leo stepped in front of Valeria, his protective instinct clear. "You can leave now. This isn't your place to just walk into."
For a moment, Adrian's gaze flicked between the two siblings. His eyes lingered on Valeria, dark and possessive, before he finally gave a small, mocking bow.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "We'll see each other again, Valeria."
And with that, he turned and walked out, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.
Leo frowned deeply, turning back to his sister. "You alright?"
Valeria nodded quickly, but her heart was still racing. She wasn't sure what unsettled her more—Adrian's sudden appearance in her home… or the way he said we'll see each other again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The study was dimly lit, the smell of aged whiskey and cigar smoke lingering in the air. Marco sat in silence, fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. He had expected this meeting, but not so soon.
Salvatore Vitale entered, his presence commanding as ever, though his expression carried the weight of tragedy. He placed a framed photograph on the table between them — his late wife's smiling face.
"You know why I came, Marco," Salvatore began, his voice low but edged with grief. "She was taken from me… from my children. And you, more than anyone, know what it means to lose."
Marco's jaw tightened, his eyes dropping to the photo. "I'm sorry for your loss, Salvatore. But dragging me into this won't bring her back."
Salvatore leaned forward, his tone sharper now. "This isn't just about her. It's about them—my children, your children. You think by stepping away from this life you can protect them? No. That makes them prey. We're surrounded by vultures, Marco. Without power, without men, without fear… they will come for what we love."
The words struck deeper than Marco wanted to admit. His hand curled into a fist, his mind flashing to Valeria and Leo.
Salvatore's gaze softened, just enough to twist the knife. "Your wife's death was no accident. Mine wasn't either. This world doesn't forgive weakness. If you won't fight for yourself… then fight for them. For your family's name. For their safety."
A heavy silence hung between them. Marco stared at the glass of whiskey before him, then finally raised it, his voice rough.
"You want me back in this life, Salvatore? Fine. But if I return, I do it on my terms. No games. No betrayal."
Salvatore's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. "That's all I ask, old friend."
They clinked glasses, sealing a dangerous resurrection of the past.
The heavy wooden door of the study creaked open. Marco Caruso and Salvatore Vitale stepped out together, their faces unreadable after the long exchange. The air in the hallway was different now—charged, as though something had shifted.
In the hall, Adrian lounged casually on the sofa, talking with Leo, though his sharp eyes flicked immediately toward the two men. Valeria sat nearby, arms crossed, pretending to read, but she was clearly listening to every word.
Leo straightened at once. "Dad," he greeted, his voice steady but with an undertone of curiosity. He glanced between Marco and Salvatore, sensing the weight of the discussion.
Adrian, however, was the first to break the silence. His lips curled into that unsettling smile of his. "Long talks behind closed doors, Mr. Caruso. Always something interesting in there, isn't it?"
Marco ignored the jab, his gaze moving to Valeria for a brief moment before returning to his son. "It was business," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for questions.
But Valeria wasn't satisfied. "Business? On a Saturday? And with Mr. Vitale of all people?" Her voice was calm but probing, the Caruso instinct for suspicion showing through.
Salvatore chuckled lightly, stepping forward. "Ah, young lady, don't trouble yourself with men's affairs. We were only catching up. Old friends, you could say."
Adrian's eyes flickered toward his father, recognition sparking. He knew that smile, that tone—Salvatore had gotten what he wanted.
Leo exchanged a glance with his sister, tension building. Valeria said nothing further, but she could feel it in her gut: whatever had just happened behind those doors was about to change everything.