The morning sunlight spilled through the grand windows of the Virelli mansion, painting the dining hall in golden warmth. Sophia had barely managed to calm herself after yesterday's events. No matter how hard she couldn't shake of how he ogled her during last night's celebratory dinner. His gaze was intense, unwavering and burning like a mark she couldn't wipe away.
She touched her lips and a cold shiver ran through her as she recalled how his lips moved against hers, demanding and dominant. No matter how terrifying he had become, her foolish heart still reacted to him. She could have pushed him away but she just couldn't. She was sure that kiss was not meant for her because at first Lucas thought she was just a new maid. She had heard his reputation of being a playboy. He was also cruel, heartless and dangerous. But why does this realization hurt her so much? Her chest tightened with an ache she couldn't put into words. She was almost sure this was just her childish infatuation with him. She was once a naive little girl who imagined him as his Prince Charming. But now she's mature enough to understand that he is her brother. A foster brother but her brother nonetheless. Then and there she decided not to let this infatuation overpower her sense of reasoning.
A sudden knock disturbed the cascade of her thoughts and she quickly composed herself. The door creaked open and Valentina stepped in with a warm smile " good morning soph, let's go downstairs for breakfast and later we go shopping remember I still have to show you around since you might have forgotten some places" and she nodded with a small smile "okay, but promise me we're not over doing the shopping because I know you're a monster when it comes to shopping Val". Valentina gave her a smirk and said "No promises sister" and then they both went downstairs for breakfast.
The room was lively, the atmosphere filled with lighthearted chatter… until the doors opened.
Luca.
As always, he entered last.
The chatter paused. Glasses were set down a little too carefully. Conversations faltered mid-sentence. Everyone in the room knew the history between him and Sophia: childhood tension, years of distance, unspoken grudges.
Sophia felt her pulse spike as his dark gaze swept the room… then settled on her.
Not briefly. Not casually.
It lingered.
Her fork trembled slightly in her hand. She forced herself to look down, her chest tightening. Valentina nudged her gently, whispering, "Ignore him… just enjoy breakfast."
But it was impossible.
Luca's presence was magnetic and suffocating all at once. Every glance, every tilt of his head carried weight, control, and something far more dangerous than she could name.
He had deliberately joined them for breakfast that morning because he just wanted to see her face. He hadn't had a glimpse of her face that morning and somehow it was driving him insane.
His gaze followed every single action of hers and he couldn't help but think if she also feels the sexual tension or if she was feeling guilty for kissing her brother. "Fuck! He hated to call himself her brother. He never accepted her as a sister, but this time it's completely different" he thought.
The conversation faltered for Sophia. Words that had felt so easy before now seemed to stick in her throat. She tried to speak to Valentina about her plans for the day, about classes she had finished in Australia, but the sentences refused to form properly.
Finally, unable to endure the intensity any longer, she mumbled, "Excuse me," and rose from her seat, retreating toward the hall.