𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 28

The sun was beginning to rise over the sprawling villa, casting a golden hue across the grounds as Eleanor sat in her room, still basking in the afterglow of the previous night. The events of the evening had left her feeling more connected to Alessio than ever before, and the contentment she felt was palpable.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, breaking her reverie. Eleanor reached over and picked it up, seeing a message from Katerina pop up on the screen. The message was brief but inviting:

Katerina: Hey Eleanor! Fancy joining me for drinks tonight? It's been a while since we've seen you. Let me know!

Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. She had been looking forward to spending some time with Katerina and the other women, especially after the intense and intimate moments she'd shared with Alessio. The idea of a night out felt like a welcome break, but she knew convincing Alessio to let her go wouldn't be easy.

She tapped out a quick reply:

Eleanor: Sounds great! I'd love to. I'll need to check with Alessio first though. Will let you know soon!

Putting her phone down, Eleanor took a deep breath. She knew she would need to use all her charm and persuasive skills to convince Alessio. She was still unsure how he would react, especially given how intensely protective he had been lately. She'd seen a softer side of him, but she wasn't entirely sure how that would translate to him allowing her a night out.

With determination, Eleanor made her way downstairs. The house was quieter than usual, with many of the staff busy with various tasks and Alessio's office door closed. She found Marco in the kitchen, preparing a cup of coffee.

"Marco," she called softly, approaching him. "Have you seen Alessio?"

Marco looked up, a knowing smile on his face. "He's in his office. I think he's caught up with some work."

Eleanor nodded, her nerves tightening. "Thanks. I'll go see him now."

She walked to Alessio's office, the familiar path feeling longer than usual. She took a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door.

"Come in," Alessio's voice called out from within.

Eleanor pushed the door open and stepped inside, her gaze meeting Alessio's as he looked up from his desk. His expression was a mixture of concentration and curiosity.

"Hey," she said, her voice a little tentative as she approached him.

"Hey," he replied, his tone warm but guarded. "What's up?"

Eleanor paused, choosing her words carefully. "I got a message from Katerina. She's invited me out for drinks with some of the other women tonight. I'd really like to go."

Alessio's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "And?"

Eleanor took a step closer, trying to gauge his reaction. "And I was hoping you'd be okay with it. I haven't had a chance to hang out with the girls in a while, and it would mean a lot to me."

Alessio's gaze remained steady, and for a moment, Eleanor felt a twinge of anxiety. She knew how protective he could be, and the thought of him saying no was not something she wanted to entertain. She decided to push forward with her best arguments.

"I promise I'll be safe," she continued, her voice soft but persuasive. "Katerina is really great, and I'll be with people I trust. It's just one night, Alessio. I need this."

Alessio sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that I don't trust you or Katerina," he said slowly. "It's just... you know how this world works. There are always risks."