Y

side, the space steals my breath, marble floors gleaming beneath towering ceilings, a sweeping staircase rising

her simple yet elegant grey dress,

en she begins guiding me through a series of quiet hallways a

stare at her nervously before taking a seat and looking around the room in pure awe. Ok

contemplate it. Maybe a drink would help me calm my nerves, but

reply, my voice bar

ods at me before t

I remain perfectly still, afraid that if I move too much, I will betray how unprepared I feel. This is a ma

t own me for the next two years. And all I can think is

here I'd end up in the next 24 hours, I woul

and taking in a deep breath to compose myself. Mr and Mrs Valentino enter without a word, side by side, like royalty entering a throne room

ll smile grazing her red lips as she makes her wa

ight to be. "Our son will appreciate the effort..." They say, and th

whether to thank them or correct the a

tino..." I answer them despit

elvet chairs, perfectly composed, while Mr Valentino

lentino informs me, and that's wh

despite the ringing in my ears. What will he be like? Will

y the sound of footsteps. Slow, u

and everything to do with survival. When I finally turn my head and look at him, I understand why his parents spoke about him the way they did, why Carmen joked about cold-blooded pr

lders beneath a perfectly cut black suit. His hair is pitch black and wavy, sharp against his cream-white skin. And his eyes, cold and steel grey, scan the room with th

Valentino

h I have been singled out by something that does not miss and does not forget. His brows draw together slightly,

oid of anything resembling kindness, yet still enough

tightly in front of me, my shoulders drawn back as though post

les on his parents, sharp and questi

This is Alyssa Hart," he says cal

Stephano's gaze, too afraid to say anything. His parents didn

that whatever his reaction wil