I tried to ignore everything. After all… none of it made sense.Giulia was strange. Too strange for someone who looked so normal, so elegant.
After breakfast, she asked me to help clean the kitchen. I agreed out of respect.
Elena and Sofia were sitting at the table while I worked. I put my headphones on thinking they might want to talk but they stayed quiet.
Once my music started I placed my phone next to them and began washing the dishes. A few seconds later
They ran off with my phone. I turned around, shocked.
"Hey! Come back!"
I dropped everything and ran after them. They ran outside, across the fields. I didn't stop.
I kept chasing them until we reached a small bridge.
Finally, they stopped. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
"What are you girls doing?" I asked.
They looked at each other… and started laughing.
"We saw everything" Sofia said.
I frowned.
"Oh yeah? What exactly?"
Elena raised my phone with a wide grin.
"You were with a boy yesterday!"
My eyes widened.
"I well… he's just a stranger. He showed me around Venice. It was beautiful."
They laughed again.
"Do you even know who he is?" Sofia asked.
"Yes… his name is Kael. Kael Carter."
They exchanged a look.
"He's basically our neighbor" Sofia said.
"He lives right there" Elena added, pointing at a mansion across the river.
I followed her gaze.
"He lives here?"
Sofia grabbed my hand pulling me forward.
"Come on! Let's go say hi!"
"What?! Are you crazy? He'll think I'm obsessed!"
But they were already dragging me across the bridge.
Honestly… I didn't really want to go back to that strange mansion anyway. And… maybe I wanted to know more about Kael.
"He's rich" Sofia said while walking."Thanks to his parents. And this isn't even their only house!"
I looked up at the sky.
"I have multiple houses too" I replied confidently.
But Sofia pushed me forward turning it into a race. We stopped in front of the mansion.
I hesitated but before I could decide, Elena knocked. A few seconds later, footsteps approached.
The moment the door opened the girls ran away.I turned, watching them disappear.
"Wait !" Too late.
A man stood in front of me. White hair. Elegant. Serious. He frowned slightly.
"Hello?"
I swallowed, nervous. I had no reason to be here.
"I… hello, sir. I live nearby and… I wanted to introduce myself."
I immediately realized how strange that sounded. But instead of questioning me he smiled and opened the door wider. Inviting me in.
I hesitated... Then stepped inside.
"Thank you…"
The interior was beautiful. Brighter than ours, warmer, more alive. Sunlight filled the room making everything feel… welcoming. I sat down unsure of what to do.
The man joined me, placing two coffees and some cookies on the table.
"It's been a long time since a neighbor visited" he said.
"I arrived yesterday" I replied softly."…and it already feels like longer."
He studied me for a moment.
"What is your name?"
"Liora, sir. And you?"
He extended his hand.
"Richard.RichardCarter. Nice to meet you."
My heart skipped.
Carter.
I shook his hand.
"You live alone?" I asked.
"No. With my wife," he replied."And you?"
"With my father… my aunt… and my cousins."
Something felt… off. Where was Kael?
We talked for a few minutes about the place but then.
movement outside. I glanced at the window. Two figures approaching, Richard looked as well.
"There's my wife…" he said.
Then, quieter "…and my son."
Something in his voice felt… strange.
I followed his gaze and froze.
Kael.
I stood up immediately
"I should go."
"Wait" Richard said. "Don't be shy."
I couldn't move. The door opened, they walked in.
Richard greeted his wife with a kiss.
She turned to me and smiled warmly.
"Welcome."
I smiled back, nervous.
Kael was staring at me.
"Would you like more cookies?" she asked.
I quickly stepped forward.
"No, thank you. Richard already welcomed me very kindly."
I turned to Kael and reached out my hand. He looked at it… then took it.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
My cheeks flushed. His hand was warm.
Too warm.
"You know each other?" Richard asked.
I pulled my hand away quickly.
"I...I should go. I'm late! Thank you again!"
I ran...Across the grass.
The wind moving through my hair, my dress following its rhythm.
Behind me Kael stood still.
Watching. Long after I had disappeared.
When I got home…
It was chaos.
Giulia stood there disappointed. Angry.
"You left the kitchen a mess."
"I'm sorry… I completely forgot."
"Where were you?"
"I was… at the neighbors' house."
Her expression changed instantly.
She crossed her arms.
"I'm even more disappointed than yesterday. Next time, you're not going out."
I looked at her, confused.
What had I done wrong?
I searched for Elena and Sofia.
Nowhere.
Giulia stepped closer.
Too close.
She lifted my chin, forcing me to look at her.
Her eyes were intense.
Sharp.
"Did you go to the Carters?"