35 | Franco
The next day, I stand by the grand staircase, shifting my weight from foot to foot, my fingers nervously brushing over the smooth railing.
The mansion is quiet this morning, the kind of silence that makes my thoughts louder. But today, for once, I don't mind. Because today, Franco is coming.
A sleek black car pulls into the circular driveway, its tires crunching softly against the gravel.
My heart pounds with anticipation as the vehicle comes to a stop at the end of the stairs.
The door swings open, and Franco steps out of the car, a duffel bag slung over his broad shoulder, the sunlight catching on his dark sunglasses.
In this view he looks different, he looks a bit older, stronger?
The boy I once knew is gone, replaced by a man who exudes quiet danger and raw strength. His white shirt stretches over his muscular frame, the fabric clinging to his torso, while his dark pants fit him perfectly, sharp and effortless.
Suddenly, my feet are moving before I can think. I rush down the stairs, calling his name.
"Franco!"
His head snaps up at the sound of my voice, and beneath the sunglasses, I know his eyes are filled with surprise.
He barely has time to react before I throw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck, holding him tightly.
He's here. He's really here.He's going to stay by my side.
Franco hesitates, his free hand hovering before he huffs out a quiet laugh. "I want to hug you back, but Luciano will cut my balls off and feed it to me."
I pull away, laughing, though I don't fully let go. "Then let's not tell him."
A smirk plays on Franco's lips as he adjusts his bag. "Yeah, because that'll end well. I can see the maids looking through the windows."
Grinning, I take his hand and tug him toward the mansion. "Come on, let me show you your bedroom."
We weave through the halls, passing grand chandeliers and paintings worth more than most people make in a lifetime.
The first floor is where the staff stays, and though it's separate from the upper floors where Luciano and I reside, Franco's room isn't anything short of luxury.
When I push open the door, Franco whistles low, stepping inside. His duffel bag lands with a heavy thud on the floor. "Damn, I thought I'd be sleeping in a closet. This is actually nice."
I cross my arms, leaning against the doorframe. "I would never let you stay in a bad room."
Franco's room is more like a one-bedroom apartment than just a simple staff quarter.
The king-sized bed dominates the space, necessary for someone of his height and broad build.
A sleek flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall across from it, and to the side, there's a small but fully equipped kitchen, his own private space to cook whenever he wants.
A door near the bed leads to his private bathroom, a luxury most of the staff here don't get.
The room is modern, minimal, and practical, just like him. It suits him.
Franco turns to me after exploring the room and he seems to love it. "Thanks, red. I hope I didn't get you in trouble with Luciano."
I ran a hand through my long hair. "Don't worry about it, he didn't have a choice but to agree."
Franco smirks but his lips slip when his gaze drops to my hands. The bandages stand out against my skin, a stark, unforgiving reminder of my latest spiral.
His brows furrow. "Aurelia... what happened?"
Shit.
I clasp my hands behind my back, forcing an easy smile. "I tripped into a vase. It's nothing."
His expression darkens with concern, his lips pressing into a firm line. "That doesn't sound like nothing..."
I shrug, stepping back into the doorway, putting distance between us.
Franco doesn't know. He doesn't know how deep my demons run, how unstable I am, how alcohol has become both my comfort and my ruin.
And he can't know.
So I smile, pretending like everything is fine. "It was just an accident. I promise that I'm fine now."
He doesn't look convinced, but he doesn't push either.
I exhale, forcing the heaviness away. "Come on, let's get you settled in. I have so much to tell you."
Just like that, I let myself pretend that having Franco here will fix everything even my wrecked mind.