Captured by the King

Chapter 4: Back to reality

The next week rolls around quicker than I expect, and it's my official first day back at Liceo Scientifico. I'm nervous, but excited, too. I pick out another outfit that's both simple and stylish—a soft, oversized beige sweater paired with fitted black jeans and my favorite white sneakers. My long, curly hair falls down my back, and my brown skin contrasts beautifully against the light sweater, making me feel confident but still a little guarded about what the day might hold.

Lorenzo's already in the kitchen when I come down for breakfast, sipping his coffee like he owns the world. Marco, on the other hand, leans against the counter, giving me a once-over. He's still a bit stiff and cold, but at least he doesn't scowl at me as much anymore.

"Buongiorno, Lilia," Lorenzo says, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Morning," I reply, grabbing a piece of toast. "I'm actually a bit excited for today."

He raises an eyebrow. "Try to stay out of trouble, sì? Remember, I'm always watching."

I roll my eyes. "Sure, sure, Lorenzo. I'll be the picture of good behavior."

Before I can head out, Marco, still a bit gruff, speaks up. "Isabella's outside. Lorenzo arranged for her to come with you."

My face lights up at the mention of Izzy. "Seriously? She's here?" I quickly rush outside, finding her waiting near the sleek black car that's going to take us to school.

Izzy stands there, looking effortlessly chic in a cropped denim jacket over a white turtleneck, black high-waisted pants, and ankle boots. Her fair skin looks perfect against the outfit, and her hair is tied back in a loose ponytail. She grins the moment she sees me.

"Lils!" she calls out, waving like we haven't seen each other in ages.

"Iz!" I shout back, rushing over to give her a hug. It feels good to have her here, to know that at least one part of my life is still normal. Or as normal as it can get when you're tied up in this mafia mess.

"Ready to tackle school together?" she asks, looping her arm through mine.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I say with a sigh, glancing back at Lorenzo and Marco who are watching us like hawks.

Lorenzo steps forward, his eyes softer than usual. "Stay close to Isabella. Capito? I'm serious, Lilia."

I nod, giving him a small smile. "I know, I know. Grazie for letting Izzy come with me."

He nods back, a glimmer of something unreadable in his eyes. "I'll be around if you need anything."

Izzy and I climb into the car, and as we drive off, she squeezes my hand reassuringly. "You'll be fine, Lils. I'm here, okay?"

"Yeah, I know," I say, squeezing her hand back.

When we get to school, the buzz of the morning crowd hits us like a wave. Students are everywhere, catching up with friends and complaining about classes. It feels both overwhelming and comforting at the same time.

Emma and Nate, who aren't really my friends but more like people who just know me, are already waiting by the lockers. The moment they see us, their expressions change, filled with curiosity and something that almost looks like jealousy.

"Well, look who decided to show up," Emma says, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Nate snorts. "Yeah, must be nice having your own personal chauffeur."

I ignore their comments, but Izzy doesn't. She narrows her eyes at them. "Just leave it, okay? You guys don't know what's going on."

They exchange glances, clearly not liking being shut down by Izzy but unwilling to push it further. We make our way to class, and I focus on getting through the day with as little drama as possible.

By the time lunch rolls around, I'm starting to feel a little more like myself. We sit at our usual table, and I catch up on all the school gossip while trying to ignore Emma and Nate's pointed looks.

The afternoon drags on until finally, it's time for the big football game. Izzy and I make our way to the bleachers, excitement buzzing in the air as we cheer for our school's team. The game is intense, and for a while, I lose myself in the crowd's energy, actually feeling like a regular high school student.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see him. Lorenzo, standing near the entrance of the field, his eyes locked on me. He looks completely out of place among the students, his gaze focused and unwavering.

Emma notices him too and whispers to Nate, "Who's that guy? He looks like he's here to crash the game or something."

Nate smirks. "Is he your new bodyguard or what, Lilia?"

Before I can respond, Izzy shoots them a glare that could melt ice. "I said, leave it," she says sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Lorenzo makes his way through the crowd, ignoring the whispers and stares from the students. When he reaches me, he looks right into my eyes. "Lilia, we're leaving. Now."

"What? But the game's not even over!" I protest, even though I know this was bound to happen.

"It's not safe," he says, his tone firm and unyielding.

Izzy gives me a small nod, silently telling me it's okay to go. I sigh, reluctantly following Lorenzo out of the stands. I throw one last look over my shoulder at the field, wishing for just one day where I didn't have to worry about any of this.

As we get to the car, I turn to Lorenzo. "Am I ever going to get a normal day at school?"

Lorenzo sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Lilia, you know how dangerous it is with Giovanni's men lurking around. I can't risk anything happening to you."

I soften my tone, knowing I need to appeal to his sense of reason. "Lorenzo, per favore, just let me have a little bit of normal. Just for this week."

He hesitates, his jaw clenched, and then he finally nods. "Alright, you can finish out this week. But after that, we'll see."

A small smile tugs at my lips, and for the first time today, I feel like I've won a tiny victory. As we drive back to the house, I steal a glance at Lorenzo. Maybe things are different now, but with Izzy by my side, I'm starting to think I might be able to handle whatever's coming next.

SO SORRY IVE BEEN NOT POSTING, CHAPTER 5 WILL BE POSTED TODAY ASWELL!! THANK YOU SO MUCH💗