Chapter 6 The 'Prince Charming'

Milan, Italy.

3:15 pm.

She stepped off the train and onto the bustling platform of Milan's Central Station.

The soft, indirect light of the Milanese afternoon spilled into the terminal, casting a warm glow over the bustling crowds. Her eyes briefly shut, and she inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent of ripe citrus fruits and the subtle hint of freshly baked pastries that wafted through the air from the terminal cafe.

'New city, new identity,' she muttered to herself with a subtle sly smile. She could feel the thrill of her new mission pulsating through her veins.

Her past had been buried, but not forgotten. Her new name was Serena Lopez. A name fitting her personality and agenda.

Even her outfit was that of an Italian lady boss. Exuding class and elegance in simplicity. She wore a simple white long-sleeve collared blouse with wide-leg style pants that were both flattering and comfortable. Her purse was a black Hermes handbag, and her feet were adorned by Channel scarpin heels.

She wore small black Gucci shades with a subtle gold frame, which complemented her gold accessories. While she dragged her black suitcase bag behind her.

Painfully, she had straightened and dyed her curly ginger-red hair black, and had it styled in loose waves. Her sage green eyes sparkled brightly with a hint of mischief. She was a woman on a mission.

With her new identity as Serena Lopez firmly in place, she made her way through the crowded terminal of Milan.

Earlier on, she had been briefed on the local customs, and her fluent Italian allowed her to blend in seamlessly with the locals.

Still walking down the terminal, she pulled out her phone to dial the woman who was supposed to show her to her pre-paid apartment. When she saw something that instantly arrested her attention. Three men dressed in black suits stood along the terminal. Their suits didn't seem like they were simply locals, she suspected them to be something more.

They seemed to be waiting. Anxiously. She slowed down her pacing and removed her shades to see them clearly when she saw one of their phones ring. The man appeared too eager to pick up the phone. But after a very curt exchange, the call ended and the trio suddenly walked away.

Tensed and suspicious of them, she slid into her secret agent mode and began to trail behind them. Deliberately and discreetly.

The men hastened towards the terminal exit, so Serena quickened her pace to keep them in sight. But just as she reached the doorway, they vanished into the city row. She stepped outside, where the warm Italian sun enveloped her, making her tan skin shimmer.

Scanning the bustling streets, she searched for any sign of the suspicious trio, but they seemed to have dissolved into thin air. Defeated, she abandoned her pursuit momentarily. She needed to settle down first and hell! She was famished. So she headed towards a nearby trattoria, where she was supposed to meet her tour guide. The same woman who was supposed to take her to her apartment.

As she walked, she pulled out her phone to find the woman's contact information again, her eyes fixed on the screen. On reaching the trattoria entrance, she was so momentarily lost in her search that she didn't notice the tall, chiseled figure in front of her until they collided, sending her phone flying from her hand.

Apologetically, she looked up to meet the most piercing grey eyes she had ever seen. At first, she met a glimpse of simmering rage in them, but it slowly disappeared as their eyes locked. The man's strong jawline and sharp features made her heart skip a beat. He was, without a doubt, the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on. She grudgingly admitted.

This fine stranger exuded a deep, intoxicating scent. He smelt like a heady blend of chocolates, honey, and musk. His thick, black hair was slicked back, revealing his perfectly sculpted face. His bespoke suit, tailored to perfection, screamed luxury, and she couldn't help but conclude that he was a man of immense wealth and influence.

Reluctantly, he looked away from her eyes. When his gaze fell on her phone which was still lying on the floor. He picked it up and handed it over.

As Stefan handed her the phone, his fingers brushed against hers, a fleeting touch that left a subtle tingle. "Mi dispiace," he said, his voice low and smooth, with a hint of Italian inflection that added a layer of warmth to his apology.

"I'm so sorry," he translated, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

Serena's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "No harm done," she replied, her Italian accent flawless.

A moment of silence filled up the space between them. Stefan's gaze lingered on hers, making her feel like he could see right through her. His eyes did something to her senses. And she didn't like that she felt that way towards a random man. Subtly, she took a step back, as if trying to break the spell.

"I see you're headed into the restaurant?" Stefan asked, his tone light and conversational.

"And you're headed out," she replied with a thin smile, trying to sound casual.

Stefan chuckled dryly. "I changed my mind."

"When?" Serena asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stefan's smile grew wider. "Just now. With you."

She thought she could hide the red flush on her cheeks, but they betrayed her before she tried to conceal them. As if reading each other's mind, they both laughed simultaneously at his cringe rizz line, and the tension between them dissipated.

He then proceeded to open the trattoria door and held it open for her to enter. She sauntered in, paying no obvious regard to his chivalry.

As they sat down at a table, Serena caught him staring.

"Your eyes are beautiful," She heard him say, his voice low and sincere.

Serena felt another blush rise to her cheeks. "Grazie," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Prego." He smiled.

Glancing over her suitcase, he said, "Hope you had a safe trip Or are you..." he drawled, as if scared of saying, "leaving?"

"No. I'm just arriving." She replied in a clear tone.

"Oh, where from?"

"Ohio, Wisconsin, where I grew up."

"Beautiful place."

"Not as beautiful as my birthplace, Milan."

Stefan nodded in approval.

"So why did you leave then?" He asked.

"I didn't have a say in the matter. I was 5." She let out a small smile.

"Oh. Sorry." He chuckled awkwardly. "So what brought you back?" He asked before the waiter arrived, interrupting their conversation. "Buon giorno, signorina. What can I get for you?" The mid-forties lady asked in a cheerful tone.

Serena hesitated, her mind wandering for what to order.

Stefan jumped in, recommending the restaurant's specialty dish. "You have to try the risotto alla Milanese – it's made with saffron and ossobuco. It's a classic."

Serena's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing. I'll try it."

The waiter nodded with a warm smile before walking away to place their order.

For a moment, Stefan fixated on her. And Serena fought the urge to obsess over what those piercing grey eyes of his did to her.

For as Stefan's eyes locked onto hers, she felt a thrill trace its way to her spine. It wasn't his chiseled features or charming smile that intensified her attraction to him. It was the way he looked at her -with a depth of respect and genuine admiration that she had never experienced before.

His gaze didn't sexualize her; instead, it made her feel valued, respected and acknowledged. For the first time in her life, Calista felt seen not just as a physical being but as a person with thoughts, feelings, and desires. Stefan's eyes sparkled with curiosity as if he was truly interested in getting to know her.

In that moment, Calista felt a sense of connection she couldn't quite explain. Stefan's gentle demeanor and kind eyes made her feel at ease like she had known him for years. Like the Prince Charming, he was, in every sense of the word, a gentleman -a true anomaly in her world.

The conversation continued to flow effortlessly until it was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Serena glanced at the screen and apologized, "Sorry, I need to take this."

Stefan nodded understandingly. "Of course."

As she answered the call, Stefan stood up, preparing to leave. Serena's tour guide was on the line, and he knew their spontaneous date had come to an end.

"I'm so sorry, but I have to go," Serena said, looking up at Stefan. "I'll have them pack it as takeaway then."

"It was lovely meeting you, Serena," Stefan replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I promise I'll see you soon."

Serena smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. "I'd like that."

With a final smile, Stefan disappeared into the bustling streets of Milan, leaving Serena to wonder how he planned to make good on his promise. He didn't ask for her number or address. He didn't ask if she was free tomorrow. But she couldn't wait to find out.

"Stefan," she whispered to herself, his name rolling off her tongue like honey, the sound echoing in her mind for a moment.

Who knew what possibilities this encounter could lead to?