His Gaze

That night, Annabelle slept soundly. No worries, no strange dreams, just deep, restful sleep. The morning sunlight slipped through her curtains, warm and gentle, waking her softly. She stretched, smiling a little as she sat up. Her mind felt calm and clear.

She went through her morning routine, starting with brushing her teeth. The cool mint taste helped wake her up. After a quick shower, she picked out a simple outfit, pulling on her favorite jeans and a soft sweater. Comfortable and ready, she felt prepared for the day.

As usual, Giana knocked on her door, bringing breakfast. Annabelle sat down at the small table by the window, the smell of toast and eggs making her stomach rumble. She poured herself a glass of orange juice while Giana set the food down. They talked about light things, laughing a little about funny stories and small gossip.

When she finished eating, Giana cleared away the tray with a friendly smile and left the room. Now alone, Annabelle looked around, feeling a bit uncertain about what was next. Yesterday,  Riccardo took her to campus, but today she had no idea who it would be.

“Would Riccardo drive me again? Or would he send someone else?” she wondered out loud. She hadn’t seen Riccardo since he dropped her off the day before, and a part of her was oddly curious.

She picked up her bag and hesitated, thinking. “Should I go find him, or just wait here?” she asked herself, her voice barely a whisper as she paced the room.

Finally, she decided to step outside. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open, and found herself face-to-face with the tall, stern-looking lady. The lady’s cold gaze made Annabelle pause, her heart giving a small jump.

“The Don requests your presence,” the lady said sharply, her voice flat. Without another word, she turned to leave.

“Wait,” Annabelle called, stepping fully into the hall and shutting her door behind her. “Where can I find him?”

The lady stopped, giving Annabelle a quick, cold glance. “Down the hall, to your left,” she answered, turning to go.

Annabelle took a deep breath and called out again. “What’s your name?”

For a moment, the lady paused, her icy stare making Annabelle feel small and nervous. She seemed like she would ignore the question, but then she answered in a clipped tone.

“Verona,” she said, her voice as cold as ever, before disappearing down the hallway.

“Verona,” Annabelle whispered to herself, as if tasting the name on her tongue. She turned and walked down the hall in the direction she’d been told, her footsteps soft against the hardwood floors. The hall was quiet, the only sound being her own breathing and the faint hum of morning sounds from outside.

As she reached the end of the hallway, she spotted Riccardo. He stood by a large window, gazing out as the early light poured in. He looked lost in thought, his profile sharp against the sunlight. His broad shoulders and tall frame filled the space, making her heart skip a beat.

She hesitated, watching him from a distance. The way the morning sun caught his face, highlighting the edges of his features, made her pulse quicken. He looked almost unreal, like he belonged in some story. Catching herself staring, she quickly shook her head. *Get it together, Annabelle,* she thought.

“Good morning,” she said softly, stepping forward.

At the sound of her voice, Riccardo turned, his dark eyes settling on her. He gave a slight nod, reaching into his pocket. Without a word, he pulled out her phone and held it out.

Annabelle’s eyes lit up. “Thank you,” she said, feeling a bit of relief. She’d missed having her phone, and now that it was back, she felt less alone.

As she slipped the phone into her bag, she looked up at him again. “Are you…going to be driving me to campus today?” she asked, her voice quiet.

Riccardo tilted his head slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. There was a bit of warmth in his eyes, a slight teasing look that made her stomach flutter. “Do you want me to drive you?” he asked, his tone almost playful.

Annabelle blinked, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected that question. “Well, I mean…I just thought you might,” she said, feeling a little flustered.

He didn’t say anything right away, only watching her for a moment, as if thinking. Then, with a slight nod, he gestured down the hallway. “Come on,” he said simply.

Annabelle followed him, her steps quick to keep up. She stole a glance at him, noticing the way he moved, calm, steady, like he was in control of everything around him. It was a little intimidating, but it also made her feel oddly safe.

As they reached the front door, Riccardo opened it and held it for her. The cool morning air greeted them, fresh and crisp. She breathed it in, feeling a rush of energy as she stepped outside.

Riccardo led her to a sleek black car parked in the driveway. He opened the passenger door for her, waiting until she was seated before shutting it and walking around to the driver’s side. His actions were smooth and practiced, each one done with a quiet grace.

Once they were both in the car, Riccardo started the engine, and they pulled away from the house. For a moment, they drove in silence, the only sound being the gentle hum of the engine. Annabelle glanced out the window, watching the familiar streets pass by, her heart still racing a little.

Finally, she looked over at him, unable to stop herself from asking, “You’re always so calm. Do you ever get nervous?”

Riccardo’s gaze stayed on the road, but she saw a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. “I wouldn’t say never,” he replied. “But I try to keep things under control.”

Annabelle nodded, feeling like she’d learned something, even if it was small. There was something about him that made her curious, a mystery she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

They pulled up to the campus a few minutes later. Riccardo stopped the car and looked over at her. “Here you are,” he said, his voice soft.

Annabelle grabbed her bag, feeling a bit reluctant to leave. “Thanks for driving me,” she said, looking up at him.

He nodded, his gaze meeting hers. “Stay out of trouble,” he said, his tone almost teasing.

She gave a small smile, rolling her eyes a little. “I’ll try,” she replied, stepping out of the car.

As she walked toward the main building, she felt his gaze on her, warm and steady. Turning back, she saw him watching her, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, she felt a strange mix of excitement and calm.

The morning felt brighter somehow, like something was starting that she couldn’t quite name.