Chapter 78: Running Away
Gianna’s POV
I glanced at Alfonso, sitting quietly in the corner, nursing his drink. He hadn’t said a word.
“You’ve been awfully quiet, Alfonso,” I said. “No stories to share? No girlfriend either?”
Mira’s grin turned mischievous. “Oh, Al here’s in love with the daughter of one of the Deluca family’s enemies, a real forbidden romance.”
My brows lifted. “Wow. That must be tough.”
Alfonso’s jaw clenched slightly. “It’s fucked up,” he muttered, voice low. “But what can I say? You don’t choose who you love.”
Franco snorted. “I don’t agree. Attraction’s a thing that happens to you, sure, but love, that’s a choice. It’s something you decide to do.”
Alfonso bristled, heat rising in his face. “What do you know about true love?” he snapped. “I didn’t choose this. It just happened.” He took a long, hard swallow of his drink and stared into the glass.
I couldn’t help myself. “So tell me, how did it start?” I asked, curious. “Sounds like a proper story.”
He exhaled, his voice rougher as he began. “I went undercover. A few years back, I was posted as a guard at a rival family’s estate to get intel. Her name was Lucinda, the boss’s daughter. I was supposed to walk away when the job ended. Instead, I…” He broke off, raw and honest. “I fell for her.”
Something in him looked younger, fragile. I reached out and squeezed his hand. “Don’t give up,” I said softly. He flinched, then let a small, stunned smile cross his face.
“I honestly believe there might be hope,” I added, and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. He blinked, nodded. “ Thanks, Gianna.”
I let go and a younger guard, Leo, maybe twenty, bounced up, slapping the table. “No more sad stories!” he cheered.
He laughed. “Oh, I can do both,” he grinned. “They say alcohol sharpens the senses.”
Franco thumped him on the head. “Don’t get too wasted, idiot, you’re the only one on duty tonight.”
An hour later the room was softer: some of the men dozed in chairs, plates pushed aside; others staggered off humming crude songs.
A few of them clapped me on the shoulder and told me to enjoy the company. When they started filing out, they all said the same thing, “Goodnight, Lady Gianna,” as if I were the guest of honor.
“I’ll stay with Mira and clean up,” I offered, gathering a few empty glasses,
“Lady Gianna, leave it,” one of them said quickly. “We’ll handle it. Don mustn’t hear you cleaned up after us.”
“Oh, please,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “He’ll hear nothing from me. Besides, Mira and I have plenty of girl talk to catch
up on.”
That seemed to ease them. One of them chuckled, nodding understanding. “Ah, girl talk,” he said knowingly.” Say no more.”
They thanked me and stumbled toward their quarters, humming half–remembered tunes as they disappeared down the hall with the women who had lingered behind.
After a while, Mira slipped back in, her expression suddenly excited. “It’s time,” she whispered.
(6
1/3
Punning Avt
+25 Bonus
“Like… now?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
“Yes, now.” Her eyes darted toward the hallway.
I rose quickly, straightening my dress. We moved together through the dim corridor until we reached the end of the hall.
Mira turned to me, a playful smile spreading across her face. “Goodnight, Gianna. Get some rest.”
I pulled her into a quick hug before letting go, keeping her hand in mine for a moment. “Thank you for everything, really,” I said softly, meaning every word.
Mira’s smile warmed. “I should be thanking you. You’re the lady of the house, yet you’re so humble.” She gave my hand a squeeze and stepped back. “I’ve got to go.
“}
“Have fun,” I murmured, watching as she disappeared around the corner.
I pretended to head up the stairs, waited a few seconds until I was sure Mira had gone a few metres, then turned and slipped back down the hall.
My heart raced faster with every step. I moved carefully, my bare feet barely making a sound as I tiptoed through the dim corridor, following the path Mira had taken.
At one point I glanced over my shoulder, half expecting a guard to jump out and demand where I was going, but the hallway stayed empty. Most of them had drunk themselves senseless, a few were already snoring in the lounge.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Gianna,” I muttered to myself. “Just keep moving.”
It didn’t stop the fear crawling up my spine, but it gave me enough strength to push on.
I kept moving until I caught the faint sound of Mira’s footsteps echoing down the corridor and out into the garden. Relief washed through me.
The night air hit me instantly, cool and damp, and I wrapped my arms around myself to fight the chill.
The garden looked different at night, almost unreal, stretching wide and still beneath the faint garden lights.
I moved quietly, keeping low behind the hedges, my eyes fixed on Mira’s figure in the distance. The soft glow made her easy to follow. Each time she turned a corner, I stopped, waiting until I was sure she couldn’t see me before moving again.
Then she suddenly stopped and glanced back. My stomach dropped. I pressed myself flat against a tree, holding my breath until my chest ached. I didn’t move. Didn’t even blink.
After what felt like forever, Mira turned and continued down. I exhaled slowly, my legs trembling, but I forced myself to keep going.
The path led toward the far edge of the garden, where an old stone wall stood covered in thick vines. I crouched behind a hedge, peeking through just in time to see Mira run her fingers along the wall before pushing a section open. A small gap appeared, hidden so perfectly within the stone that no one would ever know it was there.
This was the secret passage.
I waited until she slipped through before creeping closer, my hands trembling. My fingers brushed the cool edge of the stone, and I leaned in……
“Lady Gianna… what are you doing?”
The voice came from behind me, slurred and startling.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
