Captured by the King

Chapter 7: A Night for the Girls

The afternoon sun pours through my window, casting long shadows across my room. It feels like a fresh start, though I can't shake the lingering tension from last week. Izzy is finally back from Greece, and I need a distraction more than ever—especially after everything that went down with Matteo. A girls' night sounds like the perfect way to clear my head.

I sit on my bed, scrolling through my phone, waiting for Izzy to arrive. The house is eerily quiet; Lorenzo is in his study, dealing with whatever business he needs to handle. Even though I know he'll check in on me later, I can already sense that his mood has shifted. It's like the warmth he showed me before has turned to ice, and I can't quite figure out why.

Just as I lose myself in thought, there's a knock on my door. This time, it's sharper, more deliberate. "Lilia, can I come in?" Lorenzo's voice calls out, but it's not the gentle tone he used before.

"Sure," I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I turn to face the door. He steps inside, his expression guarded.

"How are you holding up?" he asks, though his words lack the same softness they once had.

"I'm okay," I reply, forcing a smile that I know he sees right through. "Izzy's coming over soon. We're having a girls' night."

Lorenzo's eyes narrow slightly, and he raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure that's the best idea right now?" His voice is calm, but there's an edge to it that makes me shift uncomfortably.

"Yes, I need something normal," I say, my tone more defensive than I intended. "It's been a crazy few weeks, and I just want to feel like myself again."

"Normal," he repeats, almost scoffing at the word. He crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe, his eyes never leaving mine. "Lilia, I don't think you fully grasp how serious things are after what happened with Matteo."

I swallow hard, feeling my stomach twist into knots. "I know it's serious, Lorenzo. But it's just Izzy. She's my best friend."

He lets out a slow breath, his gaze cooling even further. "Your best friend or not, you can't trust everyone, Lilia. You need to start being more careful about who you let into your life."

I open my mouth to argue but think better of it, biting back my words. There's no point; his mind is already made up.

"And about school," he continues, his voice clipped, "you're staying home for now. No arguments. You can still do your studies online."

I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. "Yeah, I get it," I mumble, looking down at my hands. "I guess I didn't have many friends there anyway."

"Good," he says curtly. "This isn't about what you want, Lilia. It's about what's best for you." He stands up straight, already turning toward the door. "I'll make sure everything's arranged. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks," I say, but the word feels hollow in my mouth. Lorenzo gives me a brief nod, then leaves without another word, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

As soon as he's gone, I change into a comfy outfit—an oversized sweater and my favorite leggings. I pull my hair into a messy bun, splash on some light makeup, and try to shake off the chill that Lorenzo left in the room.

The doorbell rings, and I practically fly down the stairs to answer it, desperate to escape the icy feeling Lorenzo's words left behind.

"Lils!" Izzy exclaims the second I open the door, her face lighting up with joy. Her fair skin seems to glow in the afternoon light, and her blonde hair cascades down in soft waves. She's wearing a cute sundress with floral patterns that suit her perfectly.

"Iz!" I pull her into a tight hug, her warmth immediately melting some of the coldness in my chest. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too! Greece was amazing, but I couldn't wait to come back and hang out with you," she says, taking a step back to look at me. "You look great! How have you been?"

I force a smile, shrugging lightly. "It's been... complicated. But I'm glad you're back. We have so much to catch up on."

Izzy gives my hand a comforting squeeze and pulls me toward the living room. "Let's start with a movie marathon and popcorn! I want to hear everything."

We settle on the couch, wrapped in blankets with a bowl of popcorn between us. I try to focus on Izzy, on the laughter and the movies, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Lorenzo's words. I tell her about Matteo, how shaken I felt, but I don't linger on it for too long. I need this night to be about fun, not fear.

Izzy does her best to lift my spirits, telling me hilarious stories from her trip, and I can't help but laugh with her, even if it's not as carefree as it used to be. "Next time, you're coming with me!" she says, her eyes wide with determination. "I need my best friend by my side."

"Definitely," I say, and this time, my smile feels real. Being with Izzy feels like a breath of fresh air, a glimpse of normalcy in a life that's anything but.

As the night goes on, I let myself relax into the moment, even if a small part of me can't shake Lorenzo's warning. But for now, with Izzy beside me, I let myself believe that things can be simple again, even if just for a little while.

As the night draws to a close, the house settles into a calm quiet, the glow from the TV dimming to a soft hum in the background. Izzy and I are sprawled on the couch, our laughter gradually fading into sleepy smiles as we finish our last movie. The popcorn bowl is empty, and I feel lighter than I have in days—like, for a few hours, I got to be just a normal teenager again.

Izzy stretches, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I should probably head home. It's getting late, and my parents will freak if I'm not back soon," she says, reluctantly pulling herself up from the couch.

I nod, feeling a pang of disappointment that the night has to end but knowing she's right. "Yeah, okay. But we need to do this again, soon," I say, giving her one last hug.

As we walk to the front door, I spot Lorenzo standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever. He's leaning against the frame, arms crossed, like he's been waiting for this moment. The warmth I once felt from him seems like a distant memory, replaced by something colder, more distant.

"Izzy," he says, nodding in her direction, his voice polite but void of emotion. "It's late. Be careful on your way home."

Izzy nods, a bit awkwardly. "Of course. Thanks, Lorenzo. And Lils, call me if you need anything, okay?"

"Will do," I reply, giving her a smile that I hope doesn't look as forced as it feels. I watch as she walks down the steps, and just as she reaches the gate, I notice Marco and Isabella nearby, laughing together softly. It's the kind of laughter that makes my stomach twist—not because of them, but because of how foreign happiness feels in this house right now.

"Marco and Isabella seem to be getting along," I say, my voice trailing off as I turn back to Lorenzo, my brow furrowed. "What's going on with them?"

He glances at me, his face a mask of indifference. "That's none of your concern, Lilia," he says, his tone clipped. "They have their own lives to manage, just like you have yours."

I bite my lip, feeling a pang of frustration. "But I live here, too. If something's happening, shouldn't I at least know what's going on?"

"You're asking too many questions," he replies, his gaze hardening as he looks at me. "Focus on your own situation, Lilia. You have enough to worry about without getting involved in other people's business."

I open my mouth to protest, but the look in his eyes silences me. There's no warmth left in them, no trace of the Lorenzo who used to look out for me with such care. It's like a wall has gone up between us, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to break through it.

"Fine," I say, barely managing to keep the hurt out of my voice. "I'll focus on my own situation, then."

He doesn't respond, just turns and walks away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway. The door clicks shut behind him, and I'm left with the echo of his footsteps fading into the house. I feel more alone than ever, even though the house is full of people. And for the first time tonight, I wonder if the distance between us is something I'll ever be able to close.