(Elena POV)
When I woke up, everything felt different.
Not calmer. Just… heavier.
Like something had shifted while I was asleep.
I blinked slowly, trying to adjust, my body still weak and tired. For a moment, I didn't remember where I was. Then everything came back at once—the knock, the fear, the panic…
…and the kiss.
My cheeks warmed instantly.
I sat up slightly, my eyes scanning the room.
Luca was still close.
Sitting beside me.
Watching.
His expression softened the moment he saw I was awake. "You're up."
I nodded slowly, my voice quiet. "Did I… fall asleep?"
"Yeah," he said gently. "You needed it."
I looked down at my hands, suddenly shy. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For… earlier," I whispered. "I didn't mean to just… cling to you like that."
"You don't have to apologize," he said.
Before I could respond, I felt it.
That shift again.
I looked up.
Alessandro.
Standing across the room.
Watching us.
His expression was unreadable.
But his eyes—
They weren't calm.
My chest tightened slightly.
"I didn't—" I started, but I didn't even know what I was trying to explain.
"You don't have to explain," he said.
But his tone didn't match his words.
It was too controlled.
Too tight.
Matteo pushed himself off the wall, stretching slightly like he was tired of the tension. "She just woke up. Can we not start?"
"I'm not starting anything," Alessandro replied.
Luca stood up slowly. "No one said you were."
That was enough.
The air shifted instantly.
I felt it again.
That tension between them.
And suddenly, I didn't feel safe in the middle of it.
I slid off the bed slowly, my movements hesitant.
"I'm fine now," I said softly. "You don't have to—"
"Sit."
Alessandro's voice.
Firm.
I froze.
Then slowly sat back down.
Matteo sighed lightly. "You're scaring her."
"I'm not," Alessandro said.
"You are," Luca replied calmly.
My fingers twisted together nervously in my lap.
"Please don't argue," I said quietly.
That made all of them pause.
I swallowed, my voice softer now. "I don't like it."
Silence.
Then Matteo walked over.
Not rushed. Not intense.
Just… easy.
He crouched slightly in front of me, his expression softer than I'd ever seen it.
"Hey," he said quietly. "Look at me."
I did.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded, even though I wasn't fully sure.
"You look like you haven't eaten," he added.
I hadn't even thought about that.
"I'm not really hungry," I said.
"Doesn't matter," he replied. "You still need to eat something."
I hesitated.
Then nodded slightly.
"Okay."
That small answer seemed to relax him.
"Good," he said, standing up. "Stay here."
He disappeared for a few minutes.
The room was quiet again.
Too quiet.
I could feel Alessandro's eyes on me.
And Luca's presence beside me.
Different.
Both of them.
Too different.
I didn't know how to act anymore.
When Matteo came back, he had something in his hand.
Food.
Simple.
But warm.
"Eat," he said, sitting beside me this time.
Not too close.
Just enough.
I took it slowly, my fingers brushing his for a second.
He didn't move away.
"Thank you," I said softly.
"Anytime," he replied.
I ate quietly, aware of everything.
Of all of them.
Of how close they were.
Of how everything felt like it could shift again at any moment.
When I finished, I felt a little better.
Not fully.
But enough.
"Better?" Matteo asked.
I nodded.
"Come here," he said softly.
I hesitated.
Then moved slightly closer.
He didn't rush me.
Didn't pull me.
Just opened his arm slightly.
And I leaned into him.
Slowly.
Carefully.
My head rested lightly against his chest.
His arm wrapped around me.
Warm.
Easy.
Comforting.
"You're okay," he murmured.
I nodded against him, my eyes closing slightly.
This felt different too.
Not steady like Luca.
Not intense like Alessandro.
Just… soft.
"You don't have to be scared all the time," he added.
"I can't help it," I whispered.
"I know," he said. "That's why we're here."
We.
That word again.
I didn't question it this time.
I just stayed there.
Letting myself relax.
Letting my body rest.
His hand moved gently against my arm, slow and soothing.
And before I realized it…
I was drifting again.
But not fully asleep.
Just quiet.
Safe.
When I looked up slightly, our faces were closer than I expected.
My heart skipped.
I should move.
I knew I should.
But I didn't.
His eyes dropped briefly to my lips.
Then back to my eyes.
"You're okay," he said again, softer this time.
And before I could think—
He leaned in.
This kiss was different.
Still soft.
But warmer.
Longer.
Comforting.
Not confusing.
Not overwhelming.
Just… there.
When he pulled back, I felt it.
That shift again.
But this time…
I didn't panic.
I just looked at him quietly.
Then leaned back into him.
Tired.
Safe.
And slowly…
I fell asleep again.
⸻
Across the room…
Alessandro didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his eyes never left us.
And Luca…
Just watched.
Silent.
Thinking.
Because now—
Everything had changed.
⸻
First Luca… now Matteo… how long before Alessandro loses control? 👀