Under the warm sun, with the perfect breeze in the air, I walked through the city beside him.
"So… how old are you?" Kael asked.
"I'm seventeen. And you?"
"I'm eighteen."
His eyes wandered down the street, as if searching for the next place to show me.
Throughout the afternoon he guided me through the city public squares, quiet streets, and popular tourist spots. He even showed me where the shopping center was.
"So… should we go?" he asked with a small smile.
"Let's go" I replied.
The mall was full of life.
Voices echoed everywhere people talking, children laughing, music playing in the background. It felt different from anything I was used to.
"I'll grab something to drink" Kael said.
I nodded and sat on a bench nearby, slightly shy, scrolling through my phone while waiting.
A few minutes later, he returned with a tray.
Two vanilla milkshakes.Two tiramisus.nI looked up a little surprised.
"Let's sit over there" he said, pointing at a table near the window.
I followed him and we sat down.
"Thank you… you didn't have to get all this" I said.
"It's nothing" he replied softly, handing me a napkin.
For a moment, silence settled between us but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Just… new.
"After this, I should go back" I said.
"Oh? Alright" he nodded."I can walk you back, if you want."
I hesitated for a second. Should I trust him? But somehow… he felt genuine.
"You can… but only until I leave the city."
He smiled politely."Of course."
The tiramisu was delicious.The milkshake too. I made a mental note to come back here. We walked together until the streets grew quieter… fewer cars, fewer houses. I turned toward him with a soft smile.
"Thank you… for today. It was really nice."
"My pleasure…" he replied, watching the leaves move gently with the wind.
There was a pause.
Then, a little hesitant
"Can I… have your number, Liora?"
A light blush appeared on my cheeks as the wind played with my hair.
"Of course."
He smiled, and we exchanged numbers.
When it was time to say goodbye, it felt strangely awkward. We just looked at each other for a second. Then I turned away.
"Goodbye, Kael."
"See you, Liora."
When I arrived home, the silence felt… different. I placed my shoes in the cabinet near the entrance and glanced toward the living room.
No one.
And yet… I felt something.
A presence. I turned around and froze.
Aunt Giulia stood there, staring at me.
Her eyes wide.A kitchen knife in her hand. She was wearing an apron over her blue dress, now stained with dirt. I stepped back, startled.
"You should listen to me instead of your father" she said calmly."Men don't know how to protect their children."
I frowned, confused.
"Excuse me? I came back on time. Nothing happened."
The atmosphere shifted.
The bright, lively mansion from earlier now felt… cold. Almost haunted.
She slowly pointed the knife toward me.
"Be careful. I won't be far from you, little one. I have four childrenI know what I'm saying."
A chill ran down my spine.
"…Okay" I said quietly, not wanting to argue.
I just wanted the conversation to end. I went upstairs quickly. Honestly… the house felt much better during the day.
Inside my room, I noticed something on my bed.
A dog.
Sleeping peacefully.
"Oh… you're so cute" I whispered, smiling softly."Vedo, right? Dad told me about you."
I gently petted him before heading to the bathroom.
After that, I lay down without moving him… and fell asleep.
Hours later…
A strange noise woke me up. It came from the hallway. A faint light slipped under my door.
I grabbed my phone.
3:00 a.m.
Half-asleep, I assumed someone just needed the bathroom. So I ignored it… and went back to sleep. The next morning, the smell of breakfast filled the air. I opened the window, made my bed, and noticed Vedo had already left the room.
Downstairs, everyone was there. Including my father.
"I fell asleep early" he said.
"I noticed" I replied.
Aunt Giulia looked… normal again. Calm. Elegant. As if nothing had happened.
Sunlight filled the room as she looked at all of us.
"Tell me" she said suddenly,"who was making noise at 3 a.m.? Not even for the bathroom!"
I frowned. My mind went back to the night before. Everyone denied it. No one had heard anything. But something felt wrong.
Giulia… looked like she was lying.
What exactly is going on here…?