tainted love (Niccolò Govender Rossi)

Back to reality

The first rays of sunlight filtered through my curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I felt Niccolò's warm presence beside me and couldn't help but smile. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, a comforting sound that made me want to stay in this moment forever. I turned to face him, my heart fluttering as his eyes slowly opened, and he smiled sleepily.
"Morning," he whispered, his voice husky from sleep. He brushed a strand of hair away from my face and leaned in to kiss my forehead gently.
"Morning," I replied softly, savoring the feeling of his lips on my skin. But reality quickly intruded, and I knew he had to leave soon. As much as I wanted to keep him here, the world outside my bedroom door demanded his presence.
"I should go," Niccolò said, his voice filled with regret. He propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with a mix of longing and sadness.
"I know," I sighed, my fingers tracing the outline of his jaw. "I'll see you at school."
He nodded, kissing me one last time before slipping out of bed. I watched as he dressed quickly, every movement reminding me of how much I hated our need for secrecy. It wasn't fair that we had to hide our love, especially with Virginia, his girlfriend, being so prominent in our lives.
Niccolò paused at the door, turning to give me one last lingering look. "I love you, Honey."
"I love you too," I whispered, my heart aching as he quietly slipped out. The room felt emptier without him, and I knew the day ahead would be challenging.
I took a deep breath and pushed myself out of bed. As I got ready for school, I couldn't help but think about the past summer. The secret nights spent with Niccolò, the stolen moments that felt so perfect, and the constant fear of being discovered. It was exhausting, but worth every second.
By the time I was ready, my driver was waiting to take me to school. I stepped into the limousine, the familiar routine providing a small sense of comfort. The ride to school was uneventful, giving me too much time to think about Niccolò and our precarious situation.

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As I arrived at school, the usual chaos of the first day greeted me. Students milled about, catching up with friends and sharing stories of their summer adventures. I quickly spotted my best friend, Chiara Altieri, standing by the entrance, and made my way over to her.
"Hey, Chiara!" I called out, enveloping her in a tight hug. "I've missed you!"
"I missed you too, Honey!" she replied with a smile. "How was your summer?"
I hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "Eventful," I said cryptically, thinking of the many secret nights with Niccolò.
Chiara raised an eyebrow but didn't press for details. "Well, I'm glad you're back. It's going to be an interesting year."
As we walked through the halls, we were joined by our usual group of friends – Brando, Vitto, and the rest of the popular crowd. Despite the chatter and laughter, I couldn't help but notice the hostile glances directed at Ludovica Storti as she walked by with her head down.
"I don't get why everyone hates Ludo so much," I said quietly to Chiara. "Brando's the one who leaked that video, not her."
Chiara sighed. "People are quick to judge. But you're right, it's not fair."
I nodded, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Ludovica. Despite the gossip and rumors, I admired her strength and resilience. I made a mental note to reach out to her later.
As we reached our lockers, I saw Niccolò standing with Virginia, his arm draped casually over her shoulders. My stomach twisted with jealousy and confusion. Why wouldn't he leave her? He claimed to love me, yet here he was, playing the perfect boyfriend to Virginia.
"Hey, Niccolò, Virginia," I greeted them, forcing a smile.
"Honey," Virginia said, her tone polite but distant. She had never been particularly warm toward me, and now I understood why.
Niccolò's eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw the conflict in them. "Morning, Honey," he said, his voice carefully neutral.
Before I could dwell on it too much, the bell rang, and we all dispersed to our classes. I couldn't focus, my mind racing with thoughts of Niccolò and Virginia. Why couldn't he leave her? What was holding him back?