The sky was dark by the time Lucia got home. Her body ached with exhaustion, her shoulders heavy from the long, chaotic day—and the strange, unnerving encounter at the mansion still clung to her mind like fog.

She stepped into her family’s modest home, letting the soft thud of the door closing behind her echo in the quiet hallway.

“Mama?” She called, her voice faint but hopeful. “Papa?”

Silence.

Her brows knitted. She set her bag down gently and walked further in, glancing toward the living room. It was empty.

“Lana?” She called again, this time for her sister—but she wasn’t home either.

Just as she turned to head to her room, a faint voice, muffled and sharp, caught her attention from the hallway. Her parents' room. It sounded like an argument.

Lucia slowed her steps, her heart beating a little faster, her brows furrowing deeper with every word she couldn’t quite catch.

When she gently pushed the door open, her parents immediately fell silent. The atmosphere in the room changed like a switch. Her mother turned with a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and her father’s hand dropped from where he had been gesturing seconds before.

“Lucia, amore,” her mother said, stepping forward to hug her. “You’re back.”

Her father added quickly, “You’re home late; work must’ve been heavy today.”

Lucia stood still for a second, her eyes moving between the two of them. Her father’s jaw was tight, and her mother’s fingers fidgeted nervously with the hem of her blouse.

“I heard you two,” Lucia said softly. “You were arguing.”

Her parents exchanged a quick glance—too quick, too rehearsed—before her mother gave a small laugh, brushing it off.

“It’s nothing serious, Cara,” she said, smiling wider now. “Just… adult talk.”

“Exactly,” her father chimed in, clearing his throat. “Just something small. Don’t worry about it.”

Lucia tilted her head and squinted slightly, unconvinced. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes,” her mother said, stepping forward and cupping her face in her hands. “Now go freshen up. I made your favorite. You need to eat.”

Lucia grinned, momentarily distracted by the thought of food. “Grazie, Mama!” she said, bouncing slightly on her heels before rushing out of the room like a child again.

The second her door closed behind her, she let out a sigh, rolled her neck, and began undressing. Her dress slipped to the floor, and she stepped into the bathroom for a quick, refreshing shower.

The water hit her skin, and for a moment, the stress began to melt away—until her mind flashed again to him. That man on the bed. His eyes. The way he looked at her, like he could see through her skin. The arrogance in his voice.

She shook her head under the stream of water. “Idiot,” she muttered under her breath.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom with her towel wrapped around her, her phone began ringing. She rushed over, swiping it up quickly when she saw the name flashing across the screen—Matteo.

Her lips curled into a soft smile, and she answered, her voice lighter now. “Hey, babe.”

“Hey, amore,” Matteo said on the other end, his voice warm and calm. “Did I wake you?”

Lucia laughed softly. “No, I just got out of the shower. I got home really late today.”

“I figured,” he replied. “You must be exhausted.”

“I am,” she admitted, lying back on her bed, the towel still wrapped tightly around her.

There was a pause before he spoke again. “Can I steal you tomorrow evening?”

Lucia raised a brow, curious. “Steal me?”

“I made dinner reservations. I thought maybe… after your shift, we could have a little us time?”

Lucia smiled at the ceiling, her heart softening. “Hmm… tempting.”

“I’ll even bring flowers,” he added.

She laughed. “Then I’d be a fool to say no.”

“Six o’clock?”

“Perfect. I’ll be done at the hospital by then.”

“Alright. I can’t wait to see you, Lucia.”

“Me too,” she said softly, the warmth in her voice unmistakable.

“Sleep well, amore mio. I love you.”

“You too, and I love you more.”

The call ended, and for a few seconds, Lucia just lay there, hugging the phone to her chest.

At least, she thought, some things in my life make sense.

She stood up, got dressed in her nightwear, and made her way to the kitchen for dinner, trying her best to forget the man with the haunting eyes… and his arrogant, maddening words.

****

The morning sun filtered softly through the hospital’s glass windows as Lucia strode down the long corridor.

She reached her office and unlocked the door, the faint smell of disinfectant greeting her. Setting her bag down, she began arranging her desk, flipping through patient files and checking her penlight.

A sharp knock came on the door.

“Come in,” she called without looking up, expecting the nurse.

The door opened, and in walked Vivian, her warm smile instantly lighting up the room.

“Good morning, Lucia,” Vivian greeted, her voice cheerful.

“Morning,” Lucia replied with a faint smile.

Vivian stepped closer, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Thank you, girl, for yesterday. You really saved me.”

Lucia’s lips curved into a small grin. “What are friends for?”

Vivian leaned against the desk, lowering her voice as if about to share the most thrilling gossip. “You won’t believe who that man was yesterday.”

Lucia looked up briefly, uninterested. “Who?”

Vivian’s eyes widened. “The almighty Massimo. Top five CEOs in the state. Rich beyond imagination… number one bachelor.” She emphasized the last part as if it should have sent shivers down Lucia’s spine.

Lucia shrugged, flipping a page on her clipboard. “I’ve heard the name, but I didn’t recognize him. Probably why I didn’t know he was the one… and he was so arrogant.”

Vivian’s jaw dropped slightly. “Wait, wait—don’t tell me you didn’t notice how handsome he is in real life? Girl, if I knew it was him, I wouldn’t have let you take my place!”

Lucia pressed her lips together, her eyes distant. She wasn’t about to tell Vivian about the one-million-dollar insult from the night before.

Vivian leaned forward eagerly. “So? How was he? Tall? Broad shoulders? Those eyes?”

Lucia glanced at her with the faintest hint of amusement. “Why are you so excited?”

“Because, Lucia! It’s Massimo. Women would pay to breathe the same air as him.”

Lucia rolled her eyes slightly. “Not me. I’m not interested. I have a boyfriend, remember?”

Vivian blinked, then slapped her forehead lightly. “Oh—pardon me. I almost forgot about lover boy.”

Before Lucia could answer, Vivian’s tone turned playful. “Guess what—they just told the hospital he wants the doctor in charge to come and dress his wound.”

Lucia’s brows arched. “So?”

Vivian clasped her hands together dramatically. “So I’m going to see him in person! I can’t wait.”

“Best of luck,” Lucia muttered dryly. Disgusting, arrogant man.

Just then, another knock interrupted their banter. A nurse stepped inside, greeting both doctors politely before turning to Lucia. “Doctor, here’s the list of patients you’ll be attending to today.”

Lucia accepted the file with a nod.

Vivian straightened up with a sigh. “Well, duty calls. I’ll go handle my rounds.”

Lucia smirked faintly. “Go on before you’re late.”

Vivian gave her a knowing smile before leaving the office, the door closing softly behind her.

---

It was afternoon when Vivian finally arrived at the Massimo's mansion.

Her eyes widened in awe as the black SUV rolled past the tall iron gates and into the vast estate. Guards in black suits stood at every corner, armed and sharp-eyed, a sight that only made Vivian’s heart beat faster.

So this is how power looks, she thought, her lips curling into a smile.

As the SUV stopped, she quickly fixed her hair, already undoing the top two buttons of her blouse so that her cleavage peeked through. She glanced at herself in the glass, biting her lower lip.

When she stepped out, she walked with her hips swaying, heels clicking against the floor of the mansion as one of Massimo’s men led her up the stairs. Vivian’s heart raced with excitement.

The large double doors opened, and she was ushered into his room.

And there he was—Massimo.

Sitting on the edge of his grand bed, shirtless, a bandage strapped over his shoulder. His face was as striking as the magazines and television interviews showed—only sharper and more dangerous in person. His aura filled the room, heavy and commanding.

Vivian almost lost control of herself, fighting the urge to jump into his arms.

She put on her sweetest smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Massimo.”

Massimo’s dark eyes flicked up at her—his expression unreadable, cold.

“I told the hospital,” his voice was low and rough, “that I wanted the doctor in charge to come dress my wound.”

Vivian’s smile didn’t falter; she let out a soft laugh, her cheeks faintly pink. “I am the one in charge, sir.” She walked closer to him, her heels tapping softly, her chest pushed forward.

Massimo stared at her for several seconds. His eyes didn’t warm, didn’t move. He was used to this. Women who threw themselves at him, eager to capture his attention.

His jaw tightened. “The Doctor that came yesterday.”

Vivian’s steps slowed. She blinked. Then she forced another smile. “Oh… her? She just stood in for me. She isn’t the one in charge.” Vivian tilted her head, her voice silky. “Now, Mr. Massimo… Let’s get your wound dressed.”

She finally reached his side, her hand lifting toward the bandage.

But before she could touch him, his hand shot up—gripping her wrist with a strength that made her gasp.

His voice dropped, dark and dangerous, every syllable sharp.

“Don’t you dare touch me.”

Vivian froze, her eyes wide.

Massimo’s gaze cut into her like steel. “Are you people playing with me? Or are you testing my patience?”

Vivian’s breath hitched, her knees weak. She opened her mouth, stuttering, “I… I…”

“Draco.”

The name was spoken like a command.

Immediately, a tall, broad-shouldered man entered the room, his dark eyes already locked on Massimo as if he had been standing just outside, waiting.

Massimo didn’t look at Vivian again. His gaze stayed on Draco. “I told you to pick up the doctor that came yesterday. And you bring me "this—"his eyes flicked briefly over Vivian, his lips curling in disgust—"slut, in the name of a doctor instead?"

Vivian’s cheeks burned, humiliation crashing over her.

Draco bowed his head slightly, his voice calm but tense. “Forgive me, Boss. I’ll handle it.”

Vivian stood there frozen, wondering what she had done wrong. Slut? The word echoed in her ears, stinging and tearing through the false confidence she had walked in with.

Massimo’s voice came again, harder this time. “I don’t want to see her the next minute.”

“Yes, Boss,” Draco answered immediately. He turned to Vivian, his grip firm as he ushered her out of the room, ignoring her stammered protests.

The heavy door slammed shut behind her.

Massimo reached for his phone on the nightstand, his jaw tight. He dialed swiftly.

Within seconds, the hospital director’s voice answered nervously, “Mr. Massimo—”

Massimo’s voice cut through like a blade. “How dare you send someone else after I told you to send the doctor in charge. Are you trying to test my patience? Or…” His tone dropped, laced with threat. “Do you want your hospital to collapse?”

There was silence on the other end—then a stammering voice. “No, no, Mr. Massimo, please forgive us. It was a mistake. I will personally handle this matter—”

Massimo hung up, his face expressionless. His men in the room stood straighter, none daring to speak.

He leaned back slowly, his mind flashing not to Vivian, not to the hospital, but to the young doctor with the calm eyes who had defied him yesterday, Lucia.