Rosalia's POV

Who was that?" I asked Melissa with a grin on my face as we got into the car.

"Oh, you mean Austin?" she said casually.

"Yeah... Austin."

"He's just a friend," she shrugged. "Besides, he's on Luca's payroll and works at the casino with me. That's how we know each other. It's not a big deal."

"Okay... if you say so," I replied.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Why do I feel like there's sarcasm in that statement?"

I laughed.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I'm stopping at Starbucks for something quick."

"That's absolutely fine with me," I said.

"Good. Hold on tight."

And just like before, she switched the car into autopilot.

This time, I didn't panic.

I simply leaned back and closed my eyes, waiting for us to arrive.

⸻

✧ ✧ ✧

We got there shortly after.

We took a table outside at the back, and a waiter came almost immediately to take our orders.

"So, where do we go from here?" I asked.

"We're heading to a beauty salon after this," she said. "Hair, nails, everything."

I smiled.

"This is too much for one day."

"Too much?" she scoffed playfully. "Girl, you don't even know how to have fun. Don't worry, as long as I'm around, I'll drag you out of that shell."

I laughed and crossed my legs.

"That's a good pose," she said quickly, snapping a picture of me.

"Let me see!"

She handed me her phone.

"I look good," I said, admiring it.

"Oh, please," she smirked. "Wait till we leave the salon. You'll look even better."

A few minutes later, our food arrived.

Melissa ordered two burgers, chicken and chips, and a large Coke.

I ordered a hotdog and a small banana smoothie.

"Are you going to finish all that?" I asked, eyeing her tray.

She laughed.

"One thing you should know about me, Rosa, is that I'm a foodie. I eat a lot and hit the gym to keep my body ready for the pole."

I smiled.

"I wish I could eat like that. I don't like eating too much. It makes me feel heavy. I prefer lighter meals... salads mostly."

She made a face.

"Salads? That's disgusting. I'd rather eat junk forever."

"Well, everyone has their preferences," I said.

"True," she nodded. "Speaking of preferences..."

She leaned forward slightly.

"Who do you prefer? Luca or Leon?"

I blinked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Which one do you want?"

"Melissa, are you crazy?" I laughed nervously. "I barely know Leon. I just met him today. And Luca..."

I hesitated.

"He's complicated. There's nothing going on between us."

She leaned back, studying me.

"I'm not making things up, Rosa. I've seen the way Luca looks at you."

I stayed quiet.

"He's changed," she continued. "The Luca I know isn't like this. He actually comes home now. Almost every night. Unless he's on a mission or traveling."

That surprised me.

"He used to get laid every night," she added bluntly. "Gina complains about it all the time, but he never listens."

I blinked again.

"So yeah... something is going on."

I sighed.

"Melissa, I'll be honest with you. Nothing is going on between Luca and me."

I paused, choosing my words carefully.

"Yes... he does things that leave me breathless sometimes. And yes... he's everything I've ever wanted in a man."

My voice softened.

"But he's a mafioso."

I looked down at my drink.

"I've had men come my way. I just... never let anything happen after my first relationship when I was eighteen."

I exhaled slowly.

"When I'm around him, I feel things. Strong things. I'm attracted to him... and that scares me."

I shook my head.

"But nothing can happen between us. I'm not his type. His type is women on runways. I'm just... someone he feels pity for."

Melissa didn't look convinced.

"That's what you think," she said.

I frowned slightly.

"Even if it was pity, Luca wouldn't keep you in his house," she continued. "He would have sent you away and just assigned guards to watch you."

I didn't respond.

"But you?" she added. "He kept you close."

She leaned forward again.

"And if Luca wanted you, trust me... he would have had you a long time ago."

My heart skipped.

"You think you could resist him?" she smirked. "Impossible."

I swallowed.

"But with you... he's different," she said softly. "Your presence has changed him. Today is just proof."

I shook my head slightly.

"I don't know..."

"You will," she said. "Soon."

I quickly changed the subject.

"I just can't wait to start working again."

She blinked.

"You work? I didn't know that."

"Yeah," I smiled. "At a small bakery on Randolph Street. Close to Walgreens."

"That's cute," she said. "So Luca agreed to that?"

"He didn't have a choice," I said firmly. "It's my job, not his."

She raised a brow.

"He wasn't happy, though," I added. "But I stood my ground. He agreed on one condition."

"Let me guess... bodyguards?"

"Exactly."

She laughed.

"That man is something else."

The salon was only a few blocks away, so we decided to walk.

The place was small but beautiful.

We didn't wait long before a woman in her forties came out with a brush in her hand and an apron tied around her waist.

"Melissa, darling!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.

They exchanged air kisses.

"Where have you been? We haven't seen you in months!"

"I've been busy, Pandora," Melissa said. "But today I'm here because Luca told me to spoil his little katalia... his flower."

She turned to me.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't even notice you. I'm Pandora, the best stylist in Chicago."

I smiled.

"I've heard about you."

"Good things, I hope?"

"Yes."

"Well then, Rosalia," she said warmly, "let's make you beautiful."

The inside of the salon was bigger than I expected.

Women sat getting their hair, nails, and makeup done.

We were attended to almost immediately.

They started with my hair, then my nails.

In less than an hour, we were done.

I looked at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the girl staring back at me.

Melissa smiled.

"I told you."

We thanked Pandora, paid, and left.

By the time we got back home, it was already getting dark.

Gina helped me carry my bags upstairs while Melissa left, promising to come back the next day.

"Thank you," I told her.

She waved it off.

"It's nothing."

In my room, Gina asked if I wanted dinner, but I declined.

"I'm exhausted," I said. "I just need a shower and sleep."

She nodded and left.

I arranged my clothes neatly in the closet, took a quick shower, and slipped into bed.

The day replayed slowly in my mind.

The laughter.

The conversation.

Luca.

Melissa's words.

And the feeling I couldn't shake.

That something in my life...

was beginning to change.

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