The sun had barely risen when I slowly woke up, though this time it wasn't the light that pulled me out of my sleep, but the noise echoing through the house, the television playing loudly somewhere in the living room, the clatter of dishes and machines coming from the kitchen, creating a strange contrast with the peaceful night we had just spent together.
Still a little tired, I sat up and began folding the blankets and cushions we had used, placing everything back properly before carrying them upstairs to return them to one of the rooms.
As I entered, something immediately caught my attention.
A notebook and a pen.
Placed neatly on the bed.
Curious, I set the cushions aside and picked it up, opening it slowly, only to discover pages filled with recipes, ingredients, and notes written carefully, which didn't interest me much, but something about the room itself felt… full. Lived in. Almost too full.
So I looked around.
Then opened the drawer of the nightstand.
And that's when I saw it.
A key.
Elegant, large, hidden carefully between two sheets of paper.
Without thinking, I took it in my hand, examining it closely, my curiosity instantly growing
"...What are you doing?"
I froze.
Turning around quickly, I saw Sofia standing at the door, watching me.
"I was just… looking around" I said, still holding the key.
She smiled.
"Do you know what you're holding?"
"A key?" I replied, slightly confused.
She let out a small laugh and stepped inside.
"But do you know what it opens?"
"…No."
"Too bad" she said playfully.
"We don't know either."
Soon, the others joined us.
Elena crossed her arms slightly.
"We tried to find out, but there are too many forbidden doors… and we don't really have the time."
Leandro added,
"Mom Giulia watches us if we stay too long near the secret corridor."
I frowned.
"A secret corridor? What's hidden there?"
Matteo looked at me seriously.
"The only thing we know is that it has something to do with the family… Richard Carter… your father… and probably much more."
My expression changed instantly.
"My father… and the 'kind neighbor'?"
They all nodded.
Before I could ask more
"Breakfast!" Giulia's voice echoed from downstairs.
I looked at the key one last time but Elena spoke softly.
"You should put it back exactly where it was. Giulia always remembers where she leaves her things."
Disappointed, I placed it back carefully, exactly as I found it, before heading downstairs with them.
At the table, my father stood up.
"I'll be back tonight. I have work."
Giulia frowned slightly.
"You didn't even finish your breakfast, Ricardo."
He didn't answer.
Just left.
I watched the door close, then looked at Giulia, noticing the frustration in her expression.
"What's going on?" I finally asked.
She looked at me calmly.
"Your father never changed."
Her tone hardened slightly.
"I do everything for him… but he still acts like the one who abandoned me when we were children."
Silence filled the table.
The children were listening.
So was I.
"It's a long story" she continued."Between us… our parents… too many things happened."
She paused.
"But he is still a good brother. Without him, I wouldn't even have this home."
I wanted to ask more.
But I knew this wasn't the moment.
She had already closed herself off again.
The rest of the day, my thoughts were elsewhere.
to night, he meeting.
I chose a simple yet elegant outfit, a beige and black dress, modest but refined, comfortable ballet flats that matched perfectly, light makeup, my hair tied in a soft bun, and a few delicate pieces of jewelry to complete everything.
At the entrance, I applied my perfume before reaching for the door.
Giulia noticed me immediately.
"Where are you going like that?" she asked, curious.
"I… I'm going out."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"With Kael?"
I froze.
My cheeks warmed instantly.
"How do you know?"
She smiled.
"Have a nice evening. Don't be too late."
She ignored my question completely.
But I didn't insist.
I simply left.
As I crossed the small bridge toward his property, I noticed him from afar, already stepping out of his manor, and I quickened my pace until we finally stood face to face.
He was holding the golden book.
And a small flashlight.
"Good evening, Miss Carniel" he said with a slight smile.
I smiled back despite the reminder of my lie.
"Good evening, Kael…"
In the distance, a Rolls-Royce approached, its presence impossible to ignore.
"We'll take the car" he said calmly."It'll be easier."
Before I could react, the car stopped in front of us, and he stepped forward, opening the door for me.
"Please."
I hesitated for a second, then got in, the driver greeting me with a polite smile.
Kael joined me shortly after, sitting across from me, the small space between us filled with a quiet tension.
"Where are we going exactly?" I asked softly.
"To a restaurant… a little far from here."
I looked down at my hands.
"Thank you… for the invitation."
He smiled.
"You look beautiful tonight."
My cheeks turned pink.
"Thank you… you look good too. Your suit suits you."
He let out a small breath.
"I wear this kind of outfit quite often… when something is important."
The ride felt strangely comfortable as we talked about simple things Italy, culture, small details, until the car finally stopped.
He got out first.
"Don't move."
I stayed still as he walked around the car and opened the door for me.
"Thank you, gentleman" I said playfully as I stepped out.
People around us glanced in our direction, their eyes following us.
This time, I didn't feel awkward.
I walked beside him.
He extended his hand.
"May I?"
I smiled and placed my hand in his.
And together, we entered a large, elegant restaurant.
Seated at our table, we looked at the menu while waiting for the waiter.
"Order anything you want" he said lightly."We're going to enjoy this."
I laughed softly, feeling more at ease with him than before.
He placed the golden book and the small flashlight on the table.
"About the book… I need to show you something."
Then he leaned back slightly.
"But later. Let's enjoy this moment first."
I glanced at the book.
Then at him.
His eyes were already on me.
"Of course" I replied with a small smile.
The waiter arrived, and we ordered our food, the atmosphere calm, almost too perfect.
But as he finished writing and looked up
His expression changed.
"Kael… is that you?"