The soft bustle of the airport filled my ears as I sat at the boarding gate, Isla by my side.
"I'm going to miss you," Isla said, her voice tinged with sadness.
I gave a small nod. "Me too. But I need to find my happiness, Isla. Staying here is suffocating, and you know it."
She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "God, I just wish you'd find a man who truly loves you. Michele is a bastard. If not for him, you'd be living just fine here."
I chuckled and shook my head. "Everything happens for a reason, doesn’t it? I’ll be fine, Isla. And I’ll call you—always."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
We hooked our pinky fingers together, sealing our vow.
A few minutes later, my flight was announced. I picked up my bag and walked toward the boarding gate without looking back.
The flight was long, but I hardly noticed. Anticipation and anxiety curled around me, keeping me wide awake. I was going to a place where I knew no one, all because I wanted to escape the life I had left behind in New York.
When the plane landed, I quickly exited, hailed a taxi, and gave the address of a five-star hotel I had found online.
Upon arrival, I stepped out, took a deep breath, and walked inside, approaching the receptionist's desk.
"Buongiorno, welcome to Casa Firenze," the receptionist greeted with a warm smile. "How may I assist you?"
"A room for the night, please," I said softly.
She tapped a few keys on the computer before retrieving a room key. Just as she was about to hand it over, a man approached us. The receptionist nodded in acknowledgment, and I immediately sensed that he was someone important.
Curious, I turned—and my breath caught in my throat.
The man was strikingly handsome, with dark, neatly styled hair, piercing eyes, and an effortless confidence about him.
"Hello," he greeted smoothly, his voice deep and rich.
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Uh… hello." I offered a small smile.
"What’s your name?" he asked, his gaze steady and unwavering.
"Ella," I replied, suddenly hyper-aware of how intensely he was looking at me.
"Luca. You’re stunning," he said without hesitation.
I felt warmth rise to my cheeks. "I doubt anyone could be stunning in just a sundress," I said with a small chuckle, trying to mask my embarrassment.
"Not anyone—just you," he replied, clearly amused by my reaction.
My blush deepened, and he chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered state.
"New to Italy?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes," I admitted, wondering how he had noticed so quickly.
"Welcome to Italy, then, Ella." He extended his hand, and when I placed mine in his, he brought it to his lips, pressing a light kiss to the back of my palm before walking away.
I cleared my throat, willing myself to shake off the unexpected encounter. Turning back to the receptionist, I took my key and headed upstairs to my room.
After a long shower, I slipped into something comfortable and stretched out on the bed, scrolling absentmindedly through social media.
That was when a headline caught my eye.
Michele Ricci’s Business on the Brink of Bankruptcy—Investors Pull Out.
I sat up immediately. My breath hitched, my heart pounding as I skimmed through the article. The hackers had done it.
Michele—the man who had broken my heart, lied to me, and used me—was finally facing consequences.
His once-thriving business empire was crumbling. Investors were pulling out. And I knew, deep down, that my father was likely among them. I had told him everything. I had made sure he knew what Michele and Clare had done.
A small, satisfied smile curled my lips. For the first time in weeks, I felt truly happy.
Exhaling, I set my phone aside. Revenge had come naturally, but now I had to focus on myself. I needed a job. I couldn’t just rely on my savings without making more.
Pulling out my laptop, I began scrolling through job listings—companies, hotels, restaurants, anything that needed extra workers.
Then, my eyes widened.
Casa Firenze—the very hotel I was staying in—was hiring a receptionist.
Without hesitation, I clicked on the listing, quickly filling out the application. Moments after submitting it, an email arrived in my inbox.
I had to complete the application in person.
Leaning back, I wondered when I should go. Their headquarters was right here, in the hotel itself.
Setting an alarm for 7 a.m., I closed my laptop. After a quiet dinner, exhaustion finally took over, and I succumbed to sleep—one step closer to starting over.
