The large mahogany table was covered in open textbooks, highlighters, and half-finished notes. Maya and Rohan were locked in a heated debate about urban demographics, and Luca was typing furiously on his laptop. Lili felt her throat go dry. She had been talking and explaining her section of the project for nearly an hour.
"I'm going to grab some water," Lili whispered, not wanting to break their concentration.
Luca looked up, his eyes bright behind his glasses. "Oh, right! Sorry, Lili. Go downstairs to the kitchen. There's a maid, Maria, usually around, but she might be in the pantry. Just help yourself to whatever is in the fridge—there's plenty of snacks too. Grab some for us!"
Lili nodded and stood up. She smoothed her skirt and walked out of the library, her footsteps muffled by the thick, plush rugs of the hallway. The house felt even larger and more silent now that she was walking through it alone.
She descended the grand spiral staircase. The evening sun was setting, casting long, orange glow across the marble floors. Following the scent of something savory, she found her way into the kitchen.
It was a chef's dream—all stainless steel, white marble, and glass. It was spotless, smelling faintly of lemon and expensive coffee. There was no sign of the maid, Maria. Lili felt a little shy, like an intruder in such a perfect space. She walked over to the massive, built-in refrigerator and pulled out a chilled bottle of sparkling water.
As she turned around to look for the glasses, she jumped, nearly dropping the bottle.
Standing at the kitchen island, his jacket off and his white sleeves rolled up to his elbows, was Leo. He was leaning against the counter, a glass of ice in his hand, watching her with an unreadable expression.
"Looking for something?" Leo asked. His voice was a low, smooth vibration that seemed to fill the entire kitchen.
Lili felt her face heat up instantly. "I... I just came down for water. Luca said it was okay."
"Of course it's okay," Leo said, his dark eyes tracking her every move. He reached into a cabinet behind him and pulled out a tall, crystal glass, sliding it across the marble toward her. "You don't need to look so terrified, Lili. I don't bite."
Lili took the glass, her fingers trembling slightly. "Thank you. For the water... and for the club the other night. I didn't get a chance to say it properly."
Leo stepped closer, his presence overwhelming the room. He was a foot taller than her, and the scent of his sandalwood cologne was intoxicating. He leaned one hand on the counter near her, trapping her in his space without even trying.
"You don't need to thank me for that," Leo said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I told you—I don't like it when people touch what isn't theirs."
Lili's breath caught in her throat. The way he said it—the way his eyes lingered on her lips—made her heart race faster than it ever had on the dance floor. It was suspicious and romantic all at once. Was he protecting her as a friend of his brother, or was there something more?
"Luca said you were busy at the office," she managed to say, desperate to break the tension.
"I was," Leo murmured, his gaze intense. "But I heard my brother had a very important guest today. I decided the paperwork could wait."
Before Lili could respond, the sound of Maya's laughter echoed from the top of the stairs. The moment shattered. Leo straightened up, his professional mask sliding back into place, though a small, secret smirk remained on his handsome face.
"Go on," he said, nodding toward the door. "Your friends are waiting. But don't be a stranger to the kitchen, Lili. I like seeing you here."
Lili practically floated back upstairs, the cold water forgotten in her hand. Her heart was pounding, and she knew one thing for certain: she was falling, and she was falling fast.
The clock on the library wall ticked past midnight, but the energy in the room was electric. The four of them were surrounded by a sea of crumpled papers, empty coffee mugs, and glowing laptop screens. Lili was typing the final conclusion of their urban sociology report, her fingers flying across the keys, while Maya and Rohan cross-referenced the data one last time.
"And... done!" Lili whispered, hitting the save button with a flourish.
"We actually did it," Rohan groaned, stretching his arms over his head until his joints popped. "I think my brain has officially turned into mashed potatoes."
Maya checked her phone and her eyes widened. "Guys, it's 2:00 AM. There's no way we're getting an Uber or a bus back to the city at this hour. My phone is at 2% battery, and I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating from lack of sleep."
Luca looked up from his screen, rubbing his tired eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. It's way too late for you guys to be traveling. This house has more guest rooms than a hotel. You're all staying here tonight."
Lili felt a jolt of nervous energy. Staying over? In the same house as Leo? She looked at the heavy oak doors of the library, imagining him sleeping just a few hallways away.
"Is that okay with your brother?" Lili asked, her voice small.
"Leo is the one who suggested it," Luca said, standing up and closing his laptop. "He stopped by while you were in the kitchen and told me that if we worked past midnight, no one was allowed to leave. He's protective like that. Especially when it comes to... safety."
Luca led them out of the library and up to the third floor, where the guest wing was located. He showed Maya and Rohan to their rooms, which were grander than most apartments Lili had seen. Finally, he stopped at a door at the end of the hall.
"This one is yours, Lili," Luca said with a tired but warm smile. "There are fresh towels and some new pajamas in the closet. If you need anything, my room is just down the hall."
"Thanks, Luca. For everything," Lili said.