Chapter 5 A Dangerous Encounter

(Aurora's POV)

Teaching had always been my dream. But standing in front of my first class, facing rows of wealthy, sharp-eyed students, I realized how different this was from my small village school.

Their uniforms were perfectly pressed, their gazes confident, some even bored. These children had been raised with power, wealth, and expectations I couldn't begin to understand.

But I wasn't intimidated.

I smiled, introducing myself, and soon, the lesson flowed naturally. The nerves I had carried all morning faded, replaced by the steady rhythm of teaching. This was what I was meant to do.

Or at least, that's what I thought-until lunch break.

The teacher's lounge was bright and airy, filled with quiet conversations. I was pouring myself a cup of coffee when a soft voice startled me.

"You're the new teacher, yes?"

I turned to see a boy, maybe seven or eight years old, standing in the doorway. He had dark brown hair, sharp blue eyes, and an expression that seemed far too mature for his age.

"Yes," I said, smiling. "You must be one of my students."

He studied me for a moment before walking closer. "I'm Luca. My uncle sent me here."

"Your uncle?"

He nodded. "Riccardo Romano."

The name sent an unexplainable chill down my spine. It was familiar, but I couldn't place it.

Luca tilted his head. "You don't know who he is?"

I hesitated. "Should I?"

He let out a small laugh-one that sounded too knowing for a child. "Everyone knows him."

I frowned, but before I could ask more, a voice called from the hallway, "Luca, andiamo."

A tall man in a black suit stood by the door, his presence so commanding that the entire lounge fell silent. His sharp, calculating gaze landed on me for a brief second before he turned his attention back to Luca.

"Uncle Riccardo is waiting."

Luca gave me one last glance before walking away, leaving me with a strange sense of unease.

Who exactly was his uncle?

And why did his name feel like a warning?

---

(Riccardo's POV)

Luca slipped into the backseat beside me, his small hands adjusting his schoolbag. I sipped my espresso, barely glancing at him.

"She doesn't know who you are," he said after a moment.

I stilled, lowering my cup.

"Oh?"

He smirked-a dangerous little expression that reminded me of myself. "She asked if she should."

Amusement flickered through me. The girl was clueless. A sweet little lamb in a city full of wolves.

But that would change soon.

"Did she seem afraid?" I asked.

Luca shook his head. "Not yet."

Not yet.

I leaned back in my seat, a slow smile curling my lips.

That would change too.

Very soon.