After a long flight, they finally reached Italy. Vincent had already confirmed to Emily that this was a case they would definitely take up and dig through.
The group arrived at the 7-star hotel: Il Palazzo della Luna (The Palace of the Moon).
"Wow, this place looks so luxurious," Evelyn spoke up as soon as they entered the hotel.
"Buongiorno, signore." (Hello sir.)
A nearby staff member greeted Vincent.
"Ciao." (Hello.)
Aurelia immediately replied.
For some reason, the moment she stepped into Italy, the language sounded warmer to her ears.
"Vorremmo soggiornare qui; potrebbe indicarci la reception?"
(We would like to stay here; could you please direct us to the reception?)
The staff smiled.
"Certamente, signora."
(Of course, ma'am.)
As they headed toward the reception desk, Austin leaned toward Carl.
"Why do I feel like Aurelia has been waiting for this moment her entire life?"
"Because she has."
"I can hear you."
"Oops 😅."
At the reception desk, Aurelia handled everything while the others collapsed onto a nearby sofa.
"Vorremmo prenotare delle camere singole per cinque persone, per favore."
(We would like to reserve five single rooms, please.)
The receptionist nodded.
While processing the documents, he politely asked if there was anything else they needed.
"Yes."
The receptionist looked up.
Austin looked up.
Vincent looked up.
" A che ora viene servito il pranzo?"( What time is lunch served?)
Silence.
The receptionist blinked.
" pranzo?" (lunch?)
" SÌ."(yes)
The receptionist smiled.
"2:30 PM to 4 PM, Signora."
"Perfect."
Austin slowly turned toward Carl.
"What did she ask?"
"Do I know italian?"
"Hehe sorry."
"What did you ask?"
Austin pointed at Aurelia.
"About lunch"
"Oh yes , it is important to know."
Everything was normal up until this point.
The receptionist looked extremely confused.
Vincent simply sighed.
The room cards were handed over shortly after.
Luckily, all five rooms were on the same floor.
Unluckily for Vincent, Aurelia's room happened to be right beside his.
They entered the elevator.
The silence lasted for approximately eight seconds.
"Sir, we're currently in Central Italy—Rome. The company and the CEO are in Northern Italy, Lombardy, specifically Milan. We'll have to travel there tomorrow."
"We have to travel again?" Austin complained immediately.
Evelyn smacked his arm.
"Why are you acting like you carried the plane?"
"Ughh, its exhausting."
"Hmm it is definitely tiring." Carl said.
"Thank you, Carl."
Carl was already half asleep.
"I wasn't supporting you."
Vincent folded his arms.
"We leave tomorrow. Today is for rest."
Everyone visibly relaxed.
Especially Carl.
He looked like he was fighting for consciousness
"Aurelia."
"Yes?"
"When is lunch?"
Austin immediately stood straighter.
"I KNEW IT."
"What?"
"You memorized it."
"It's important information."
"It's suspicious information."
"It's useful information."
"It's whale information."
"Whale?" Aurelia questioned, then continued
"Keep talking and I'll push you out of the elevator."
Vincent rubbed his temples.
The jet lag hadn't even settled in yet.
Everyone dispersed to their rooms.
Aurelia texted her mother that she had arrived safely.
Five minutes later, the team group chat received a notification.
Aurelia:
Lunch starts at 2:30 PM.
Austin:
Go to sleep.
Aurelia:
I am sleeping.
Austin:
THEN WHY ARE YOU TEXTING ABOUT FOOD?
No response.
She had already fallen asleep.
Aurelia POV:-
I woke up at 2:45 PM.
Not because of the case.
Not because of responsibility.
Not because of jet lag.
Lunch.
Beautiful.
Complimentary.
Lunch.
I quickly showered, threw on a plain tee and comfortable pants, and headed downstairs.
Free food is always welcomed by my stomach.
Never miss it.
When I arrived, I noticed the restaurant was still fairly empty.
Perfect.
I sat down.
Three minutes later, the others arrived.
Austin froze.
"She's already here."
"Obviously."
"How long?"
"Three minutes."
The waiter arrived.
"Good afternoon, Signora."
"I'm ready to order."
The waiter nodded.
Austin looked horrified.
"We haven't even sat down."
Too late.
The damage had already begun.
...
As soon as I slide into my seat, the waiter immediately sets down the basics—no waiting around. He places a beautiful glass bottle of acqua gassata (I love the sparkling kind) right next to a basket of fresh, crusty regional bread. I look around for a butter dish or a little bowl of olive oil to dip the bread into, but there isn't one. I remember the golden rule: the bread is a companion for the meal, saved specifically to wipe my plate clean later.
To get my appetite moving, the first official plate arrives at room temperature. It's a stunning platter loaded with thin slices of Prosciutto di Parma, savory salame, and rich mortadella. Right next to the meats are chunks of sharp Pecorino, a ball of fresh Mozzarella di Bufala that practically melts, marinated olives, and a couple of crispy bruschette piled high with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a glisten of olive oil. It is the perfect start.
Once the antipasto board is cleared, the first hot dish arrives. This is the carbohydrate foundation of my lunch, but the portion is surprisingly modest and elegant. Because I'm feeling a classic vibe, I go with a perfectly al dente plate of Rigatoni alla Carbonara. It's rich, creamy from the egg yolks and pecorino, and savory from the guanciale.
My empty pasta bowl is whisked away, and a completely fresh plate is set down before me. This is the protein event, and it is beautifully minimalist—not a single strand of pasta or heavy starch in sight. I've ordered the Saltimbocca alla Romana. The tender veal cutlets are lined perfectly with prosciutto and fresh sage, cooked simply but flawlessly to let the quality of the meat do all the talking.
Right as my veal arrives, the waiter places a separate, smaller side plate next to it. This is my vegetable accompaniment: a mix of perfectly roasted potatoes with rosemary and some sautéed cicoria (chicory). There's a simple green salad on the side too, and I dress it myself right at the table using just a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, a splash of wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt. No heavy, creamy bottled dressings here—just clean, fresh flavors.
To cleanse my palate and wrap up the eating portion of the lunch, the table is cleared once more. I decide to blend in with the locals and go the everyday route first: a bowl of fresh, seasonal figs and peaches. I grab my knife and fork, carefully peeling and cutting the fruit right on my plate. But it's a celebration of finishing my chapter, so I also indulge in a slice of light, coffee-soaked Tiramisù.
Now, all the food plates are completely gone, and it's time for the ultimate Italian finale to settle my stomach. I would never dream of ordering a cappuccino right now—milk after a heavy meal is an absolute taboo here. Instead, I take a quick, intense shot of hot espresso. To finish it all off, the waiter pours me a small, chilled glass of sweet Limoncello. I take a sip, lean back in my chair, and completely relax. Che bello....
By the time the espresso and limoncello arrived, the entire table had stopped pretending to eat and had started observing.
I finally looked up.
"What?"
Nobody answered.
"What?"
Austin slowly pointed at the collection of empty plates.
"What do you mean 'what'?"
"They were courses."
"There were six."
"That's normal."
"No."
"It is."
"No."
"It is."
"No."
"It isn't."
Vincent calmly took a sip of his espresso.
Everyone looked at him.
"Austin."
"Yes, sir?"
"Whales usually stop when they're full."
The table exploded.
I nearly dropped my limoncello.
Even Carl woke up.
"SIR! HOW COULD YOU?"
For the first time all day, I swear Vincent looked genuinely pleased with himself.
After lunch, everyone returned upstairs.
Aurelia immediately went back to sleep.
Meanwhile, Austin entered the group chat.
Austin:
The Whale of Rome has returned to hibernation.
Evelyn:
ðŸ˜
Carl:
ðŸ˜
Vincent:
Focus on tomorrow.
Austin:
The whale has spoken.
Aurelia left the group chat.
Austin:
SHE LEFT.
Carl:
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
I ignored it.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
I buried my face deeper into the pillow.
The knocking continued.
Relentlessly.
Whoever was outside clearly had no respect for sleeping people.
I groaned and forced myself out of bed.
My hair was a disaster.
My eyes were barely open.
My soul had not yet returned from sleep.
I opened the door.
Vincent stood there.
Of course it was Vincent.
"Good evening."
I checked the time.
6:48 PM.
"Good evening?" I repeated.
"Yes."
"It is still afternoon in my heart."
Vincent sighed.
"You've been asleep for nearly four hours."
"he he he."
"You slept after sleeping."
"🥲."
"Aurelia."
"Sir?"
For a moment neither of us spoke.
Then he looked at me.
I looked at him.
Then he looked past me into the room.
Then back at me.
"Did you even unpack?"
I followed his gaze.
My suitcase was still lying in the exact position I had abandoned it.
"Was I supposed to?"
"…"
"EXACTLY sir, tomorrow we will leave so , why I should unpack? Did you?"
"Yes I did!"
"You shouldn't have, sir. It's a hassle to pack, unpack, and pack again!"
He stared.
I stared back.
Eventually he lost.
Like always.
"We're meeting downstairs in fifteen minutes."
"Why?"
"Briefing."
"Today was supposed to be free."
"It still is."
"Then why briefing?"
"Because tomorrow we leave for Milan."
I groaned dramatically.
Vincent completely ignored it.
"As usual."
"One day you'll appreciate my acting and my dedication towards sleep."
"That day is not today."
Then he turned around and left.
Honestly?
I don't think that man was capable of smiling more than twice a week.
Fifteen minutes later, everyone gathered in one of the hotel's private lounges.
Austin arrived carrying snacks.
Carl arrived carrying a pillow.
Nobody questioned it anymore.
Evelyn arrived looking perfectly presentable.
Which was unfair.
I had spent ten minutes fighting my hair.
Vincent stood near the large window overlooking Rome.
The evening sun painted the city gold.
For a moment nobody spoke.
Then Austin ruined the atmosphere.
"So are we solving crimes or going sightseeing?"
"Both if you don't nag," Evelyn replied.
"I don't nag."
"good joke."
Austin clutched his chest dramatically.
Carl, meanwhile, had already fallen asleep on the sofa.
Vincent didn't even look surprised.
"Aurelia."
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow morning. Seven o'clock."
"What?"
"Seven."
"Leaving? Seven?"
"Seven."
I looked around for support.
Nobody helped me.
Traitors.
"We leave Rome by train and arrive in Milan before noon. The company's headquarters are located there."
Vincent placed a file on the table.
"The CEO is expecting us."
"But he said he will meet the day after tomorrow! Didn't he?"
"Yes, he did. But his assistant called me and informed me that the day after tomorrow he has a meeting, so he agreed to meet tomorrow instead."
"OOHH okay!"
The room immediately became serious.
Business mode.
Case mode.
Work mode.
The vacation feeling disappeared.
I leaned forward slightly.
Vincent continued.
"The company has reported suspicious financial movements, missing internal documents, and possible corporate espionage."
Austin whistled.
"Fancy words for someone stealing things."
"Essentially."
"But it's not necessary that all of this will lead to any serious crime like murder! This can happen in a big company due to irresponsible co-workers or anyone else."
Aurelia spoke up in defense.
Now everyone was awake.
Even Carl opened one eye.
That was how I knew the case was interesting.
Vincent crossed his arms.
"Hmm, we're going to investigate tomorrow anyway. Let's see if anything catches our eye." He continued. "But for today, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow the investigation begins."
The room fell silent.
"Sir, for discussing these small details, you called us?"
Who can question Vincent like that?
Of course, Aurelia.
"Well, no. I didn't particularly invite you all just to discuss this. It was a passing conversation while we wait for the car to arrive."
"Car?"
"Yes we are going to Trastevere."
"Trastevere? Seriously? But neither of you told me to dress up!!"
"It's fine, you look good!" Evelyn calmed me with the most unserious words.
"GOOD? Says the one who dressed up!!"
"You have five minutes to get dressed!"
"Sir? Five mins? Only?"
"And your time starts now!"
I ran up furiously upstairs, and hurriedly opened my suitcase…
I wore a white button-down shirt with long sleeves, dramatic bishop puffs, wide structured cuffs, and a sharp collar, layered underneath a strapless black corset bodice featuring structured paneling, a cinched waist, and a pointed bottom hemline. To complete the look, I pulled on a high-waisted black mini skirt with sharp all-around pleats in a short tennis-style cut, and slipped into a pair of smooth black leather ankle boots with a contemporary square-toe shape and a chunky block heel.
"All done."
I went downstairs, and to my surprise, everyone seemed shocked by how quickly I had transformed.
Especially Vincent.
"How do I look?"
"WOW, you look great!" Evelyn exclaimed.
"Beautiful as always," Vincent muttered
"HUH?"
"Nothing. You look nice. Anyway, the car has arrived..."
Anyways, the rest of the day would probably go well in the streets of Rome.
But...
Tomorrow.
Milan.
A new city.
A new case.
And knowing our team?
A new disaster waiting to happen.
Â