Lily leaned back in her seat, finally feeling like she could breathe after her chaotic morning. Her gaze wandered, and as she casually glanced to her left, she froze. There, just a few inches away, sat Nico Giovanni.
His sharp side profile was captivating—the chiseled jawline, the perfect slope of his nose, and the way his dark lashes framed his intense eyes as he focused on the stage. He looked deeply concentrated, barely blinking as he listened to the speaker. Does he even know I'm sitting right next to him? Lily wondered, her heart racing.
Her thoughts spiraled. Maybe he doesn't recognize me. Or maybe he does? She bit her lip, unsure. Before her mind could wander further, she forced herself to look away, fixing her eyes on the stage instead.
As she scanned the row of distinguished figures seated on stage, her gaze fell on Luigi Giovanni. His presence was magnetic, a man who exuded authority and power even in a room full of accomplished individuals.
And then it hit her—he was staring directly at her.
---
Her breath caught in her throat. Luigi's piercing blue eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing. Oh no… he's hot. Really, really hot.
The curiosity got the better of her, and after a few seconds, she dared to look back. To her dismay—and intrigue—his gaze hadn't wavered. His expression was unreadable, but his unwavering focus was enough to leave her both flattered and unnerved.
What's his deal? she thought, fidgeting in her seat.
A soft "Hi" from her side jolted her back to reality. She turned her head to find Nico looking at her with a small smile.
"Oh, hello," she replied, her voice light but slightly startled.
"Maria, right?" he asked, his tone casual.
A pang of disappointment hit her chest, but she quickly schooled her features, offering him a polite smile. "No, it's Lily," she corrected softly.
Nico's expression shifted, his brows furrowing slightly before he gave her a sheepish grin. "Ah, my bad. I'll keep it in mind this time."
"It's okay," Lily said, brushing it off, though the moment lingered in her thoughts longer than she cared to admit.
"Are you enjoying the seminar?" he asked, tilting his head slightly as he waited for her response.
"Yes, I am," she said, nodding. Her voice was steady, but her heart was still racing—not because of the seminar, but because of him.
Nico nodded in satisfaction before turning his attention back to the stage. Lily let out a small breath, scolding herself for getting distracted. She needed to focus.
---
When Lily refocused on the stage, the speaker had changed. Luigi Giovanni was now standing at the podium.
Her breath hitched again as his deep voice filled the hall. It was rich, authoritative, and laced with the same thick Italian accent that had drawn her attention to Nico. The way he spoke commanded the room effortlessly, his words flowing with precision and power.
Lily tried to convince herself that it was just a coincidence—that maybe all Italian men had voices like that—but there was no denying that Luigi's voice carried something more. It wasn't just the accent. It was the weight of his presence, the way his tone seemed to seep into her bones.
Her gaze drifted back to him, and this time, it wasn't just his voice that captured her. His commanding stance, his tailored suit, and the sheer magnetism of his aura—it was impossible to look away.
As she watched, Luigi's eyes briefly scanned the crowd, but when they landed on her again, they lingered.
Her cheeks burned, and she quickly looked down, pretending to scribble notes in her notebook. Get a grip, Lily, she told herself. You're here to study medicine, not swoon over Italian men.
But as his speech continued, her resolve wavered. There was something about Luigi Giovanni that made him impossible to ignore.