Always

Annabelle waited, her fingers twisting anxiously as she sat in her room. Minutes passed slowly until finally, she heard the door open. She looked up to see Riccardo walk in, his expression unreadable, his gaze steady.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, sensing a shift in his demeanor.

“Nothing you should worry about,” he replied in a flat tone, keeping his words curt and detached.

“But, Riccardo, I…” she began, hoping he’d share more.

“Just go back to your room,” he cut her off sharply, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Annabelle bit back her response and quietly left, her mind now filled with questions. Once back in her room, she dropped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts ran wild. She thought about the unknown man who had approached her, the attack, and now, Riccardo’s distant behavior. None of it made sense, and it left her feeling uneasy.

Her mind drifted to Emilia, a friend from high school whom she’d unexpectedly run into yesterday. She’d taken Emilia’s number, intending to reach out, but now, after everything that had happened, she felt too drained to make the call. Instead, she lay there, her mind buzzing with unanswered questions until sleep finally took over.

***

The next morning, sunlight slipped through the curtains, pulling Annabelle from a restless sleep. She opened her eyes and lay still for a moment, dreading the thought of facing the day. The events of yesterday hung over her, making her want to stay hidden away in her room.

Just as she was debating whether to get ready for class, a knock sounded on her door.

“Come in,” she called out, pushing herself upright.

The door opened, and Giana stepped inside, but instead of bringing her usual breakfast tray, she stood empty-handed.

“The Don wants you to join him and some of the Clan members in the dining hall,” Giana said, her tone respectful yet firm.

“What?” Annabelle was stunned. Eating with Riccardo’s people, his Clan, was the last thing she expected. She’d barely begun to settle into this place, and now he wanted her to sit with his members?

Sensing her hesitation, Giana offered a small smile. “Don’t worry. It’s only the high ranks, not everyone. You’ll be fine.”

Annabelle took a deep breath, steeling herself. “All right… I’ll come.”

Giana turned and motioned for Annabelle to follow her. Annabelle’s footsteps felt heavy as they walked down a series of long hallways, each one seeming darker and more intimidating than the last. After a few moments, they reached the entrance to a grand dining hall. Giana stopped outside the doorway and nodded toward it.

“You can go in,” she said, stepping back.

Annabelle hesitated, swallowing hard as she nodded back at Giana and pushed open the door.

The dining hall was vast, with a high, arched ceiling and heavy chandeliers that cast a dim, warm glow. The walls were lined with old paintings, adding to the room’s sense of age and mystery. A long table stretched down the middle of the hall, covered with a fine, deep red tablecloth, and plates, glasses, and silverware arranged meticulously along it.

As she stepped further in, she felt the gaze of everyone present, intense, judging, and curious. The high-ranking Clan members sat with calm, yet calculating expressions, their eyes following her every move. She could feel their scrutiny as if they were weighing her presence in this world of theirs.

Trying not to shrink under the weight of their stares, Annabelle searched for an empty seat. Her eyes landed on Verona, the lady with the cold stare, who was focused on her meal. She also spotted another familiar face, a guy who had once come to her room to deliver Riccardo’s message. His gaze was sharp, but he didn’t look up.

Finally, she found an empty chair toward the end of the table. She took a deep breath, walked over, and sat down, keeping her eyes on her plate as she tried to settle her nerves.

Just as she thought she could begin to relax, a cold voice cut through the silence. “Who are you?”

Annabelle’s head snapped up, finding the speaker, a young guy with piercing blue eyes that seemed to drill right into her. His stare was as icy as his tone, and it made her feel small, as though she were an unwelcome intruder.

Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to answer. “Annabelle… I’m… the Don” She stuttered.

The man raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. “Don?” he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Yes,” she replied, trying to keep her tone steady, though her heart was racing. She wasn’t sure what to expect, respect, curiosity, or hostility, but the tension in the room felt like it could snap at any moment.

At that moment, the door opened again, and Riccardo walked in, his expression calm but with a hint of authority that silenced any further questions. He looked directly at Annabelle, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes before he addressed the room.

“Thank you all for gathering here,” Riccardo began, his voice smooth yet commanding. “Annabelle is now part of our Clan. I expect each of you to treat her with the respect she deserves.”

The silence that followed his words felt thick. Some nodded, while others simply looked at her with varying expressions, some accepting, others suspicious.

After a few tense moments, the room’s atmosphere softened, and murmured conversations started up again. Riccardo took a seat across from her, and Annabelle could feel his gaze every now and then, watching her reactions as she ate.

As the meal continued, she tried to relax, focusing on her food, though she couldn’t help but notice the occasional glances from the others around the table. Some seemed indifferent, while others seemed more curious, even intrigued.

Once breakfast was over, Riccardo stood, signaling the end of the meal. People began filing out of the room in pairs or small groups, their conversations low and reserved.

Riccardo waited for Annabelle to join him as the last of the members left. He offered her a faint smile and motioned for her to follow him out.

“Thank you for joining us,” he said as they walked down the hallway. His tone was softer than it had been earlier.

“It was… intimidating,” she admitted, glancing at him. “But I’m glad you were there.”

He gave a short nod. “You’ll get used to it. They need time, just as you do.”

Annabelle thought of the man who had questioned her, the coldness in his voice, and the way Riccardo had instantly shut down any further probing. She couldn’t deny the strange sense of safety she felt around him, even if he was often distant.

As they reached her room, Riccardo stopped, his gaze meeting hers. “Stay close to the Clan today. I have some business to handle, but you’ll be safe here.”

Annabelle nodded, feeling a pang of worry. “Be careful,” she said quietly.

Riccardo’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “Always.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing by her door, her thoughts still spinning but now filled with a small flicker of hope, a sense that maybe she could find her place here, no matter how strange this world felt.