Chapter 2: Rules of a Dangerous Game
Romeo followed Lorenzo out of the training ground, the noise fading behind them as they stepped into a long marble hallway. The sudden silence felt strange after the chaos of fists and cheers.
"Alright," Lorenzo said, stretching his arms, "time to welcome you to your new life."
Romeo said nothing. His eyes moved constantly—doors, windows, guards, cameras. Every detail mattered.
Lorenzo noticed and smirked. "Relax, man. You're acting like someone's about to attack you."
Romeo's voice was calm. "That's usually when they do."
Lorenzo blinked. "…Yeah. You're definitely not normal."
They turned a corner and stopped in front of a massive staircase.
"This place," Lorenzo continued, "belongs to Mr. Ferrari. Rich, powerful, dangerous if you cross him… but mostly just a businessman."
Romeo gave a small nod, hiding the flicker in his eyes.
Businessman… right.
"Your main job," Lorenzo added, "is his daughter. Isabella Ferrari."
Romeo leaned slightly against the railing. "What kind of person is she?"
Lorenzo let out a short laugh. "Depends. You want the polite answer or the honest one?"
"Honest."
"She's a nightmare."
Romeo raised a brow.
"Rich, spoiled, short temper," Lorenzo went on. "People don't last long working directly under her. You might break a record if you survive a week."
Romeo didn't react. "I'll manage."
"Yeah… you all say that."
Before Lorenzo could say more, a maid rushed past them, her head lowered.
"Hey," Lorenzo called. "What's going on?"
The maid hesitated, then whispered, "Miss Isabella is on her way here."
Lorenzo immediately straightened. "Oh. Great."
Romeo noticed the tension.
"Is she that bad?" he asked.
"You'll see."
---
A few seconds later, the sound of heels echoed through the hallway.
Slow. Confident. Sharp.
Romeo turned.
And saw her.
Isabella walked forward like everything around her existed for her convenience. Her expression was calm, but there was something cold behind it. Two maids followed her, one holding a tray with a cup of coffee.
As she approached, one of the maids stumbled slightly.
The cup tilted.
A few drops spilled.
The hallway froze.
Isabella stopped walking.
She looked at the maid.
"Did you just spill my coffee?" she asked quietly.
"I—I'm sorry, miss—"
The slap came fast.
The sound echoed against the walls.
The maid fell to the floor, shaking.
Romeo's eyes narrowed slightly.
So this is who I'm protecting.
Isabella didn't even look down at her. "Clean it up," she said coldly.
Then her gaze shifted.
To Romeo.
For a moment, she just stared at him.
Romeo stared back.
Again—that strange feeling.
Like something wasn't right.
"Who is he?" she asked.
Lorenzo stepped forward quickly. "Your new bodyguard."
Isabella's eyes scanned Romeo from head to toe.
"He doesn't look impressive."
Romeo exhaled quietly. "And you don't look difficult."
Lorenzo closed his eyes. "And he's dead."
But Isabella didn't react the way anyone expected.
Instead…
She smiled.
Slowly.
"You're either brave," she said, stepping closer, "or very stupid."
Romeo didn't move. "You'll find out."
They stood inches apart now.
Tension filled the air.
"Name?" she asked.
"Romeo."
Her expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes for a split second—something she didn't understand herself.
"…Fine," she said, turning away. "Try not to be useless."
She started walking again.
Then stopped.
Without turning back, she added, "Follow me."
Romeo looked at Lorenzo.
Lorenzo mouthed, Good luck.
---
Romeo followed Isabella through another hallway, quieter this time.
"You'll stay close to me," she said. "You don't speak unless I allow it. You don't question me. And you don't interfere unless I say so."
Romeo stopped walking.
Isabella took a few steps before noticing. She turned slightly.
"What now?"
"I'll protect you," Romeo said calmly. "That's the job. Nothing more."
Silence.
Then she turned fully, walking back toward him slowly.
"Let me make something clear," she said. "In this house, my word is law."
Romeo met her gaze.
"I don't follow laws that don't make sense."
For a second, it felt like the air itself tightened.
Then—
She laughed.
A soft, unexpected laugh.
"This might actually be entertaining," she said.
---
As Romeo followed her again, his mind was already working.
He had entered the lion's den.
The daughter was dangerous.
The father was unknown.
And the truth…
Was buried somewhere inside these walls.
He didn't know it yet—
But every step he took was bringing him closer to it.