Chapter 129: New Friends

Eloise studied the guy for a brief moment. He looked friendly enough, easy-going in that effortless, cool way.

“Eloise,” she said simply, offering a warm smile.

She suddenly became aware that her hand was still clasped in his. Both of them glanced down at the same time. His gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on the sparkling wedding ring on her finger.

Eloise expected some awkward comment, a raised eyebrow, or a quick retreat, but Ryan said nothing. She gently pulled her hand back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“So,” Ryan continued conversationally, as if the ring had never existed, “I take it you’re a freshman?”

Eloise nodded, glancing around at the vibrant chaos of the campus. “Yeah. This is the last day of orientation, I guess.”

Ryan grinned and steered her gently in the right direction with a light touch to her elbow. “It certainly is. But fear not, I’ll bring you up to speed.”

Eloise giggled, the sound light and genuine as he launched into an impromptu tour of the campus.

He pointed out the historic library with its ivy-covered walls, the bustling student center, and the sprawling quad where groups lounged on the grass like they had all the time in the world.

“So, what’s your major?” Ryan asked, holding open a door for her as they passed one of the older academic buildings.

“Accountancy and Business management,” Eloise answered, unable to hide the spark of excitement in her voice.

“No way!” Ryan exclaimed, eyes lighting up. “That’s mine too!”

They shared a quick, easy laugh just as an orientation volunteer began shouting directions through a megaphone. Students started moving toward the main registration hall.

“Looks like they’re herding us,” Ryan remarked dryly.

Eloise laughed again, the sound bubbling out of her as they joined the flow. Inside the hall, orientation was pure, glorious chaos.

Students milled everywhere—name tags half-peeled, announcements blaring over speakers, people getting lost in corridors, someone loudly asking where the cafeteria was, and another desperately searching for their assigned dorm. The energy was overwhelming, and strangely liberating.

In the crowd, Ryan and Eloise naturally got separated. By the time she received her student ID card, complete with a slightly awkward photo, it was already time to head back.

She stepped out into the afternoon sun, her heart still racing with the thrill of it all, when she bumped into Ryan again.

This time he was with a small group of friends. A confident-looking blonde girl and another guy who carried himself with effortless cool.

“We keep running into each other,” Ryan said, his smile easy and warm.

Eloise replied awkwardly, suddenly self-conscious. “Yeah… I…” She tucked her hair behind her ear again, her wedding band catching the light.

The guy let out a dramatic whistle. “Bloody hell! Is that an engagement ring?”

The blonde elbowed him hard in the ribs. “Shut up, Brian.” She stepped forward with a bright, friendly grin, flipping her hair over one shoulder and extending her hand. “I’m Daisy.”

Eloise shook it, feeling a mix of shyness and warmth. Mostly homeschooled because of her long illness, social situations like this still felt slightly foreign, like she was playing catch-up in a game everyone else already knew.

“So… you really are engaged,” Daisy said, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Uhhh…” Why did she keep doing that?

"Yeah." She nodded quickly. "Engaged."

Married. She was married. Yet the word stuck in her throat and she wasn't entirely sure why.

She could feel Ryan’s eyes on her the entire time, observant but silent.

Just then, the familiar black SUV rolled up to the curb, windows tinted and imposing. Brian let out another low whistle. “Is that your ride?”

Eloise nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of two worlds colliding. “Yeah…”

“Well, sweetheart,” Brian teased with a grin, “I would’ve thought you were in the Mafia.”

For one horrifying second, Eloise froze. Then she burst into an awkward laugh, and the others joined in, the sound light and teasing.

Enzo stepped out of the driver’s side, his massive frame cutting an intimidating figure as he opened the back door for her.

Daisy fanned her face dramatically, leaning toward Eloise with a mischievous whisper. “Hot,” she muttered, smiling.

"Daisy!"

"What?" Daisy whispered shamelessly.

"I'm only stating facts."

Ryan shook his head while Brian laughed. Eloise was still smiling as she climbed into the SUV.

Before the door closed, she glanced back. Ryan was still standing there, watching. When their eyes met, he lifted two fingers to his temple in a casual salute.

Then the door shut. Moments later, the SUV pulled away from the curb. For several blocks, neither of them spoke.

Then Enzo glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"New friends." His voice was casual, almost teasing.

Eloise smiled faintly. "Wouldn't call them friends yet."

"No?"

"I just met them."

"Hm."

Enzo steered with one hand. "The one with the buzz cut."

Eloise immediately knew who he meant.

"The glasses."

She sighed. "Enzo."

"He seemed really friendly."

"Enzo."

The warning tone in her voice only made him look more amused. "He was being nice, okay?"

She looked out the window. "I'm a married woman."

Enzo still didn't say anything.

"Nothing is happening."

For several moments, Enzo remained quiet. Then his eyes met hers in the mirror. The amusement had faded and what remained felt older. Dangerous.

The same dangerous calm she sometimes saw in Massimo.

"Wanna be careful there, Eloise."

The use of her name made her blink. He usually said Signora, not Eloise.

His gaze held hers. "One day you have friends... the next day they're gone."

The smile slipped from her face while Enzo looked back at the road.

"The Don doesn't like to share."