~The lost one~

Chapter 12

**Simi's POV:**

The events of the past few days felt like a blur, a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. Back in the safety of the hotel, Simi felt restless. Her friends were trying to move on, but something inside her was gnawing at her. The encounter with the mysterious man who saved them had left her shaken, but even more unsettling was the strange connection she had felt with him. It wasn't just fear or gratitude—there was something more, something she couldn't quite place.

To clear her mind, Simi decided to take a walk outside. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the quiet streets. She wandered aimlessly, lost in thought, the hustle and bustle of the town around her fading into the background. But as the adrenaline from the past days wore off, she began to feel lightheaded. Her steps became unsteady, and she could feel the world tilting around her.

Just as her vision blurred and she stumbled, strong arms caught her before she could hit the ground. She blinked, trying to focus, and found herself looking up into the most striking green eyes she had ever seen. The man before her had an aura of calm strength, and his concern for her was evident.

"Are you alright?" His voice was deep and soothing, like a balm to her frayed nerves. He gently helped her to her feet, his hand lingering on her arm as if to make sure she wouldn't fall again.

"I... I think so," Simi managed to say, though she wasn't entirely sure. Her head was spinning, not just from the faintness but from the sheer presence of the man before her. There was something oddly familiar about him, something that made her feel both safe and unnerved at the same time.

"You need to sit down," the man insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. He was dressed in a crisp white coat—clearly a doctor. "There's a clinic nearby. Let me take you there, just to be safe."

Simi wanted to protest, but her body betrayed her, and she found herself leaning on him as they walked. As they reached the clinic, Simi's mind raced. She kept glancing up at him, trying to figure out why he seemed so familiar, why his presence felt like déjà vu. Yet, she couldn't shake the fear that Nyx might have sent him. After all, nothing good ever happened to her without a catch.

At the clinic, Antonio made sure she was comfortable, insisting that the nurse check her vitals. As she sat there, feeling a bit silly for causing such a fuss, Simi noticed the way the man watched her, his eyes softening as he observed her every move.

**Antonio's POV:**

The moment he saw her, something in Antonio's heart skipped a beat. At first, he had thought it was just a passerby needing help, but when he got a closer look, a flood of emotions hit him like a wave. Her eyes—those deep, familiar eyes—brought back memories he had buried long ago. Memories of a little girl with the same eyes, running through the gardens of their family estate, laughing as she chased after butterflies.

Could it be her? His mind refused to believe it at first, but as he guided her to the clinic, he couldn't deny the uncanny resemblance. The birthmark on her wrist, the way she bit her lip when she was nervous—everything about her screamed familiarity. But how could it be? Simi had been lost to them for so many years. His heart clenched at the thought of all the years she had been gone, all the time they had lost.

As the nurse checked her vitals, Antonio found himself studying her more closely, noticing the small details that confirmed his suspicions. He had treated countless patients in his career, but none had ever stirred such a deep, personal reaction in him. It was almost too much to hope, but every instinct told him that this girl—this young woman—was his sister. The sister they had all mourned, the sister they had searched for endlessly.

But how could he tell her? How could he break this news to her without scaring her away? He watched her as she nervously fidgeted with the edge of her sweater, her eyes darting around the room. She looked lost, scared, but there was also a fire in her, a resilience that reminded him so much of their mother before she had betrayed them all.

For now, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. He needed to be sure, to gather more information before he revealed anything to her. But the need to protect her, to keep her safe, was overwhelming. He couldn't let her walk away without ensuring she knew she wasn't alone.

**Simi's POV:**

After the nurse cleared her, Antonio insisted on walking her back to the hotel. Simi was hesitant, her mind still swirling with suspicion, but she couldn't deny the strange comfort his presence brought her. There was something about him that made her feel safe, something that made her wish she could trust him.

As they walked through the now quiet streets, Simi found herself opening up to him, talking about how overwhelming the trip had been, about how she wasn't used to this kind of freedom. He listened patiently, his responses measured and kind. But there was something in his eyes, something that made her feel like he was holding back.

When they reached the hotel, Antonio handed her his card. "If you ever need anything, call me," he said, his voice firm but gentle. Simi took the card, her fingers brushing against his, and she felt a strange jolt—a connection she couldn't explain.

"Thank you," she whispered, looking up at him. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Simi felt a wave of emotion wash over her. She quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush. "I... I'll be fine."

As she walked into the hotel, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had met him before, in another life, perhaps. But that was impossible. She had never been to Italy before, and she didn't know anyone here. Yet, the way he looked at her, the way he seemed to care—it was as if he knew her, as if he had been waiting for her all this time.

Back in her room, Simi sat on the bed, staring at the card he had given her. Antonio Gabrini, it read. The name meant nothing to her, but the man behind it... He was something else entirely. She slipped the card into her bag, trying to shake off the strange feelings swirling inside her.

It was late at night so everyone was sleeping, I don't know how the teachers didn't notice it. But it's good. Now she was thinking of the activity they are going to do tomorrow.