Isabella's POV.
I slowly cracked open my eyes, my eyelids still heavy with sleep. The first thing I did was search for Ezekiel, glancing around the room. But the bed beside me was empty. I frowned slightly, reaching up to touch my head, my fingers tracing through my messy hair. A faint smile crept onto my lips as the scent of him hung around on my skin, a reminder of last night.
His smell... it was still there, and the thought made me bite my lower lip lightly.
I slowly sat up, pulling the blanket over my body as a sudden wave of soreness hit me. My back and lower half ached—evidence of the intensity from the night before. My body had been through more than I expected, but the memory of how passionate everything was made me blush.
I glanced toward the door, noticing it was closed. A small part of me wondered if Ezekiel had been there when I fell asleep or if he'd left after everything. My mind raced, playing over the events of last night. Did he stay with me, holding me close, or had he quietly left sometime after? The thought tugged at me, leaving me unsure of what to feel.
I slowly got up, my bare feet touching the cold floor as I wrapped the blanket around me. Glancing around the room, I realized I had no clothes in here.
What should I wear?
My mind was still clouded from sleep and the memories of last night. I quickly slipped on my bra and panties, feeling the fabric against my skin, and tiptoed to the door. I peeked out, looking for any sign of Ezekiel.
But the second floor was quiet. No sign of him. My stomach twisted a little with uncertainty. Should I feel awkward? What if we crossed paths right now?
I mean, we had slept together—passionately, wildly. My heart was racing, not just from the thought of seeing him but from the memory of what we had done.
Was he okay with everything?
I padded down the hall on my toes, trying to move as quietly as possible. Reaching my room, I felt the nerves building. The idea of facing Ezekiel after last night made my heart pound, not in fear, but in anticipation. What would he say? Would he regret it? Or would things somehow be normal?
I padded down the hall on my toes, trying to move as quietly as possible. Reaching my room, I felt the nerves building. The idea of facing Ezekiel after last night made my heart pound, not in fear, but in anticipation. What would he say? Would he regret it? Or would things somehow be normal?
I tossed the blanket on the floor, feeling a sense of relief as I headed for the shower. The cool water cascaded over me, a sharp break from the oppressive heat of the previous night.
I inhaled a deep breath, letting the cool water cascade over my skin, my eyes closed as memories of last night filled my mind. "I won't lie... he's the best," I thought, biting my lip as a mix of emotions washed over me. But beneath the satisfaction, there was something else—guilt.
"Why does this guilt overwhelm me?" I wondered, confusion settling in.
"It's not because I don't want him... I want him with every part of me."
But it was complicated, more than I wanted to admit. I hadn't wanted him to date my mom, and now, here I was, tangled in something I couldn't undo.
"Then what?" I asked myself, searching for clarity. The answer was simple, and yet it scared me. "Yes, I like him too."
I knew it was risky, and maybe it wouldn't last. But I couldn't deny my feelings. I wouldn't step back from what made me happy, even if it was temporary. I wasn't going to give up.
"This is my moment," I thought with determination, the water washing away my doubt.
"I won't lose it, no matter what happens."
I turned off the shower and stepped out, my mind set. There was no turning back now. "I'll do everything I can to keep him, no matter what my mom thinks," I thought, drying my hair quickly. It was a selfish choice, but I'd made it. I'd always been a bad daughter to her. If this made me the worst, so be it. I wasn't going to give up on something I wanted, especially not Ezekiel.
I slipped into a simple frock and took a deep breath. I didn't know what Ezekiel was thinking or doing, but I had to figure him out. He was a man, and I knew how men worked—especially him. Ezekiel wasn't complicated; he was sensitive. In the short time I had known him, I realized he needed care and affection more than anything. That was his weak point, and I wasn't above using it. If it meant he'd fall for me, I was ready to take that risk.
I descended the stairs slowly, expecting to see him somewhere, but the house was quiet. Too quiet. A wave of doubt crept in. "Did he leave because of guilt?" My heart sank at the thought. I couldn't bear the idea of him regretting last night.
Suddenly, I heard a faint sound coming from the direction of the storeroom. Curious, I made my way over, my heart beating a little faster. As I opened the door, there he was—Ezekiel, covered in dust, his shirt missing. He looked up, and for a moment, our eyes locked. My heart skipped a beat.
He seemed startled to see me.
"Isabella!" he stuttered, clearly flustered. His chest was rising and falling as if he had been working hard. In his hands, he held a large packet, like he'd been rummaging through old things.
"What are you doing?" I asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to act casual.
He forced a smile, though I could sense his discomfort.
"Just... looking for something important, that's all."
I smiled back, aware of the tension hanging in the air between us. There was no denying it. The awkwardness from the night before lingered, but I wasn't here to let it fester. I was going to smooth things over.
I didn't need to let guilt ruin everything. As I planned to play with the fire then I would not leave it behind.
I believed that coming to Italy was the wisest move I had ever done. It had been 25 days since we first met.