Breaking Down His Walls

5 - Its a bit... big

Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, smoothing out the skirt of her dress nervously as she tried to settle her nerves. The mansion was massive, so different from the modest home she had known back in England, and every little detail of her new surroundings felt surreal. She had barely unpacked her things, and already the day had flown by in a blur of introductions and overwhelming grandeur.

Suddenly, a loud chime echoed through the room, startling her. Her heart leapt in her chest, and she jumped to her feet, glancing around wildly. The sound wasn't coming from her phone or any of her things—it was coming from a small speaker embedded in the wall near the door. She hesitated, unsure of what to do, when a smooth voice crackled through the device.

"Dinner is served. All family members to the dining room."

The robotic announcement made her pulse quicken, but as the seconds passed, Amelia realized what it was—a house-wide intercom. Of course, in a house this size, it made sense. She felt silly for being so startled, but the sheer size of the house made even the simplest things seem larger than life.

Still, she had no idea where the dining room was.

Feeling her nerves rising again, Amelia stepped out of her room and into the hallway, her shoes clicking softly against the polished floors. The hallway stretched out like a maze, each corner leading to yet another corridor she hadn't explored. She'd only been given a brief tour earlier, and already she was lost.

After a few minutes of wandering aimlessly, the further she walked, the more anxious she became. She was sure she had taken a wrong turn somewhere, but before she could panic too much, she spotted a figure in the distance. It was one of the household staff, a bodyguard, standing at attention near the grand staircase.

Amelia took a deep breath and approached him, wringing her hands nervously. "Excuse me," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I—I'm sorry to bother you, but could you help me find the dining room? I'm... a little lost."

The bodyguard, a tall man with a stern face, softened slightly at her request. With a nod, he gestured down the hall. "Of course, Miss Hayes. Right this way."

Relieved, Amelia followed him through the maze of corridors, feeling a little embarrassed that she'd had to ask for help. As they walked, she marveled at the opulence of the mansion—the grand paintings, the rich carpets, the heavy wooden doors. It was all so much to take in.

Finally, they reached the dining room, and the bodyguard gave a respectful nod before stepping aside. "Here you are, Miss Hayes."

"Thank you so much," Amelia said quietly, giving him a grateful smile before she stepped into the room.

The dining room was as grand as the rest of the house, with a long table set elegantly with silverware and crystal glasses. The chandelier overhead cast a warm glow, and the air smelled of freshly cooked food.

Matteo was the first to notice her arrival. "Lia!" he called out with a grin, waving her over. "We were starting to think you got lost in this mansion."

"I kind of did," Amelia admitted shyly as she made her way to the table, still feeling a little out of place. She took an empty seat beside Vincent and across from Luca, hoping they didn't have assigned seats already.

Vincent, seated at the head of the table, gave her a welcoming nod. "I hope you're settling in well, Lia," he said, his voice deep and warm. "I know the house can be... overwhelming at first."

"It's amazing," she replied, her voice soft. "But yes, it's a bit... big."

Luca leaned in from across the table, his familiar smirk in place. "Don't worry, Princess," he said smoothly, his gaze softening. "You'll get used to it soon enough. And if not, you've always got us to show you around."