Chapter 01

I was too busy staring at the streets of L.A. I was jet lagged from the longest flight I have ever experienced, and I was really tired, and before I knew it, I drifted into sleep in the car.

I didn't know for how long I was sleeping till I felt someone shake me slowly before my eyes fluttered open. I took in the surroundings.

I was still in that damn fancy car. The door to my right was opened, and the driver stood there looking at me with a smile.

"Ms. Moore, we are here," I heard the driver say as I gave him a nod before I grabbed my backpack and got out of the car. The driver took my bags from the back, and he led me to the house door before he pressed on the bell.

Seconds later, the door was opened by a maid I guess.

"Hello, you must be Amelia Moore," the maid said as I nodded. "They are waiting for you." She led the way as I walked in, and my mouth fell open as I admired the surroundings. "You can take the bags to her room," the maid said to the driver before he disappeared from our view.

Damn, I was an idiot thinking that they're normal people. Hell, they live in mansion in freakin’ Beverly Hills. I knew that he had money but didn't expect all this.

"Mrs. Russo, she is here," the maid.

"Oh my god! Amelia, look how much you've grown! Welcome, baby!" Renee said as she hugged me.

"Hey" I said, but it came out as a whisper as I hugged her awkwardly.

Yes, I loved her, but I haven't seen her in years. How could she be this comfortable?

"Honey! Axel! She's here," Renee yelled. Seconds later, footsteps were heard.

"Amelia!" a voice said as I turned and met someone I once in my life considered as a father.

"Antonio," I said with a smile.

"It's really nice to see you after this long time. Look how much you've grown. You're a beautiful lady now," he said as he pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back.

"You don't know how excited he was. He flew back from Italy when he knew that you were coming, just for you," Renee said.

"Well, of course. My best friend’s daughter was coming. I had to be here," Antonio said with a shrug.

"Axel, aren't you gonna say hi to your best friend?" Renee asked as Antonio moved to a side and a figure stood there silently looking bothered.

God, he looked so different. Much more handsome, much hotter.

He was a lot bigger since the last time I'd seen him.

"Madre, we were never best friends," Axel said. "And I told you I never got along with her. Why is she here in the first place? Does she have to live here? And specifically in our house?”

Still an asshole. Nothing changed after all these years.

"Axel Russo! Behave," his father scolded, making Axel roll his eyes before he took a step forward and offered me his hand to shake.

"Hello, Amelia," he said before I took his hand and shook it.

"Hi," I said in a whisper.

"You haven't met Valerie, but she's currently sleeping," Renee said as I nodded.

"Well, Amelia, consider this your home, okay?" Antonio said. I gave him a nod before he put a hand on the top of my head.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me. I sometimes—actually, many times—won't be here but I still can help," Antonio said as he placed a kiss to the top of my head before patting my back. "I'll leave now. I have a meeting, but Renee will take care of you."

Antonio waved before making his way out.

"Well then, let me show you your room," Renee said as we walked together. "And don't mind Ax. You know how much I try with him, but he's still so stubborn," she said.

Renee opened a door. I took in the surroundings. Freakin fudge, this room is waaaay bigger than anything I've ever seen.

"Wow," I said as Renee chuckled.

"Maybe sometime later I can take you shopping, but anyways, now all you have to do is rest. And as Antonio said, this house is yours now, so do whatever you want," Renee said as I thanked her politely.

"I'll leave you alone now. Enjoy yourself," she said as she walked to the door but stopped and looked back at me. "And Amelia... it's nice to have you here." She smiled warmly before she closed the door.

Then she opened the door again and peeked through it.

"And by the way, you and Axel share a bathroom." She smiled before disappearing, leaving me dumbfounded.

Wait what?

Sharing a bathroom?

The hell?

It wouldn't be that bad, right?

"I hope not," I mumbled as I let out a sigh.

New life, here we go all over again.

I tried to stop myself from thinking because I knew anxiety would kick in, and it's not the right place, so I distracted myself by looking around the room.

And fuck, that was the most amazing room I'd ever seen.

Well, sorry, let me introduce myself.

I'm Amelia Moore from Brighton, England, and due to losing my family, my father’s Italian best friend decided to take me in. After spending months at foster homes, here I am spending the next year here at a billionaire's house.

I've loved Antonio and Renee with all of my heart. As a kid, visiting them was my thing, but I never got along with their son, Axel.

He is an ass, and a big fat one, and I hated being around him.

Well, that's all you need to know for now.