The morning after the dinner, Anna woke early, her mind still buzzing from the previous night's events. She dressed quickly and made her way to the gym for another self-defense session with Marco. As she entered, she found him already waiting, his expression as stern as ever.
"Good morning, Anna," Marco greeted her with a nod. "Let's get started."
Today's session was grueling. Marco pushed her harder than usual, his instructions sharp and precise. They worked on a variety of techniques, focusing on improving her speed and agility. By the end of the session, Anna was drenched in sweat and exhausted, but she felt a sense of accomplishment.
"You're getting better," Marco said as he handed her a towel. "But you still have a long way to go."
"Thanks," Anna replied, panting slightly. "I'll keep working on it."
Marco gave her a rare smile. "Good. You'll need it."
As Anna left the gym, she bumped into Isabella in the hallway. Izzy's eyes lit up when she saw Anna, and she quickly fell into step beside her.
"How was training?" Izzy asked, her tone cheerful.
"Intense," Anna admitted, wiping her forehead with the towel. "But it's getting easier."
Izzy nodded. "That's good to hear. By the way, Luca asked me to give you this." She handed Anna a small envelope.
Anna took it, curious. "What is it?"
"I'm not sure," Izzy replied with a shrug. "He just said it was important."
Anna thanked her and made her way to her room. She opened the envelope and found a handwritten note from Luca.
**Anna,**
**I need you to be prepared for a new task. Meet me in the study at noon.**
**Luca**
Anna felt a pang of anxiety but quickly pushed it aside. She had learned that worrying about Luca's demands would do her no good. Instead, she focused on getting ready, determined to face whatever challenge lay ahead.
At noon, she knocked on Luca's study door and entered when he called her in. Luca was seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
"Anna, come in," he said, motioning for her to sit. "I have an important assignment for you."
Anna took a seat, her heart pounding. "What kind of assignment?"
"There's a meeting tonight with one of our business partners," Luca explained. "It's crucial that everything goes smoothly. I need you to accompany me and observe."
"Observe?" Anna echoed, puzzled. "Why me?"
"Because I need someone I can trust," Luca replied, his gaze steady. "And I believe you're capable."
Anna was taken aback by his words. She had never considered herself trustworthy in Luca's eyes, but it seemed he saw something in her that she didn't.
"Alright," she said, nodding. "I'll do it."
"Good," Luca said, a hint of approval in his voice. "We leave at seven. Dress appropriately."
The rest of the day passed in a blur as Anna prepared for the meeting. She chose a simple yet elegant dress, hoping to strike the right balance between professionalism and approachability. When the time came, she met Luca in the foyer, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination.
They drove to a high-end restaurant in the city, the kind of place where deals were made over expensive wine and gourmet food. Luca led her to a private dining room where their business partner, a man named Giovanni, was waiting.
"Giovanni, this is Anna," Luca introduced her. "She's here to observe and learn."
Giovanni, a middle-aged man with sharp features and an air of authority, gave Anna a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Anna."
"Likewise," Anna replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
The dinner was a whirlwind of conversation and negotiation. Anna listened carefully, taking mental notes on the dynamics between Luca and Giovanni. It was clear that Luca was a skilled negotiator, able to read people and situations with ease.
At one point, Giovanni turned to Anna with a smile. "What do you think, Anna? Do you have any insights to share?"
Anna hesitated, feeling the weight of their attention. "I think it's important to consider the long-term benefits of this partnership," she said carefully. "Both sides stand to gain a lot if we can find common ground."
Giovanni's smile widened. "Wise words. You've chosen well, Luca."
Luca's expression softened slightly, a rare moment of pride in his eyes. "Thank you, Giovanni."
The rest of the evening passed smoothly, and by the time they left the restaurant, Anna felt a sense of accomplishment. She had managed to contribute, however small, to Luca's business dealings.
On the drive back to the mansion, Luca was uncharacteristically quiet. Anna wondered if he was pleased with her performance but didn't dare ask. When they arrived, he finally spoke.
"You did well tonight, Anna," he said simply. "I'm impressed."
"Thank you," Anna replied, feeling a warm glow of pride. "I'm glad I could help."
Luca's expression softened. "Get some rest. We have more work to do tomorrow."
As Anna made her way to her room, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of confidence. She was learning to navigate Luca's world, gaining skills and knowledge that might one day help her find a way out.
But for now, she would play the game, learning and adapting. And with each passing day, she grew more determined to reclaim her freedom on her own terms.