Within the next hour, the entire estate buzzed with the news. Valerio and Leona's 'moment' became the hottest topic of discussion among the household. Even the older guards, who had seen Valerio grow up into the ruthless man he was, exchanged knowing looks.
Meanwhile, in the main study, Mr. Moretti and Mr. Russo were deep in conversation when one of the younger guards hesitantly knocked and stepped in. "Sir… there's something you should know."
Mr. Moretti narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"
The guard hesitated. "It's about Valerio and Leona."
Mr. Russo raised an eyebrow, interested. "What about them?"
Before the guard could respond, Dante himself burst through the doors, unable to contain his excitement. "They're finally making moves!"
Mr. Moretti and Mr. Russo stared at him blankly.
"What?" Mr. Moretti asked, unimpressed.
Dante smirked. "Valerio and Leona. There was tension, sparks, the whole deal. I walked in at the wrong moment, and man, you should've seen Valerio's face. He was pissed that I interrupted."
For a long moment, neither of the older men reacted.
Then, Mr. Russo leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard. "Well, it was bound to happen eventually."
Mr. Moretti, however, exhaled loudly, rubbing his temple. "God help me, Dante."
Dante grinned. "I take full credit for speeding up the process."
Mr. Moretti shot him a look. "That's not something to be proud of."
Dante just shrugged, unfazed. "Oh, by the way, the entire estate knows now. Just thought you should be aware."
Mr. Moretti groaned, already dreading the next family dinner.
Back in Valerio's room, Leona had finally stopped blushing when Valerio ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. "I am going to kill him."
Leona let out a nervous chuckle. "Well… at least now we don't have to explain anything?"
Valerio shot her a look. "That's not helping."
Meanwhile, down the hall, Dante was still grinning ear to ear. "This is the best day ever."
Leona groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I hate this. I hate everything."
Valerio exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. His patience, already frayed, was barely holding on by a thread. "I'm going to kill him."
"No," Leona muttered, eyes darting toward the open doorway as she could already hear distant voices murmuring. "I'm going to kill myself. That's it. That's the only solution."
Before Valerio could say anything else, she turned on her heel and stormed out, her body still humming with the warmth of their almost-intimate moment, now completely replaced with the mortification of being the center of attention.
Leona knew how this worked. Dante had the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, and by now, the entire household was aware of what had transpired—or at least, what they assumed had transpired. And she wasn't about to stick around to deal with it.
She needed to breathe. To get away.
Without a second thought, she grabbed her things and left, making her way to her apartment in the city.
The night air was cool against her burning cheeks as she stepped out of the estate and into her car. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—embarrassment, frustration, but also an undeniable lingering warmth from being so close to Valerio.
She wasn't ready to deal with whatever came next.
Not yet.
Valerio sat in the grand living room of the Moretti estate, his patience already hanging by a thread. His fingers were laced together, his jaw clenched tightly, and his dark eyes flickered with unspoken irritation.
Alessia sat across from him, a knowing smirk playing on her lips, while Dante lounged comfortably beside her, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with pure mischief.
"So," Alessia started, drawing out the word as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Would you like to explain, dear brother?"
"Explain what?" Valerio's voice was deceptively calm, but the warning in his tone was clear.
Dante snickered. "Oh, don't play dumb, Val. We know exactly what happened."
Alessia gasped dramatically, eyes wide with faux innocence. "I mean, you and Leona—alone—cozy—"
"Very cozy," Dante interjected, grinning.
"—and then poof, she runs out of here red-faced, looking like she just got caught committing a crime." Alessia tilted her head. "That's suspicious, don't you think?"
Dante rubbed his chin in mock thought. "Extremely suspicious. I mean, she practically sprinted out of here like she was being chased."
Valerio sighed, exhaling slowly as he tilted his head back, willing the gods to give him strength.
"I swear to god, I will throw you both out of this house."
Alessia ignored the threat completely, her eyes glinting. "Oh, but we're not leaving. We need answers. I mean, this is groundbreaking. Leona and Valerio?" She placed a hand on her chest, feigning shock. "Who would have thought?"
Dante gasped, playing along. "Not me. Definitely not me." He leaned forward. "So? What happened? Did you—"
Valerio shot him a deadly glare. "Finish that sentence and I'll have you buried alive."
Dante grinned, completely unfazed. "Oh, come on, Val. You're really gonna leave your best friend and your sister guessing? That's cruel."
"Yeah," Alessia agreed. "Did you kiss? Did she—"
"I hate both of you," Valerio muttered, rubbing his temple.
Dante and Alessia exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
"Oh, man," Dante wheezed. "You are so in trouble, Val."
Valerio exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. He was done with this conversation.
But something told him they were far from done teasing him.
Valerio stormed into his study, slamming the door behind him, hoping—praying—for just a moment of peace. But of course, the universe wasn't that kind.
Not even five seconds later, the door swung open.
"Oh Valeriooooo—"
Valerio didn't even have to turn around to know it was Dante. "Get out."
"Come on, don't be like that." Dante plopped into the leather chair across from him, looking far too comfortable. "You haven't given us any details."
Alessia appeared next, standing by the doorframe with her arms crossed, her expression pure amusement. "You should know by now, brother, that if you refuse to talk, it only makes us more curious."
Valerio pinched the bridge of his nose. "There is nothing to talk about."
Dante gasped dramatically. "Nothing? That's not what it looked like when I walked in on you two."
Alessia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. It looked like something."
"Something juicy." Dante smirked.
Valerio groaned, rubbing his temple. "I swear, you both have nothing better to do, do you?"
"Not when this is way more entertaining than anything else." Dante leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Look, we just wanna know—did you finally make a move?"
Valerio's fingers twitched. "Dante, I am this close to throwing you out the window."
Alessia giggled. "You're avoiding the question."
Valerio leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "It's none of your business."
Dante whistled. "Oof. That means yes."
Alessia grinned. "Definitely yes."
"Shut up."
Dante dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "Damn, Val, didn't know you were the shy type."
"I'm not."
Alessia gave him a pointed look. "Then why are you so defensive?"
Valerio's patience was hanging by a thread.
Dante, clearly enjoying himself, leaned back in the chair. "You like her."
"No shit."
Alessia gasped in mock shock. "He admitted it! Finally!"
Dante laughed, clapping his hands together. "Took you long enough."
Valerio groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You both are unbearable."
Dante smirked. "And you're so in love."
Alessia grinned. "Just wait till I tell everyone else."
Valerio's eyes snapped open. "You wouldn't."
Dante and Alessia exchanged a look before bolting for the door.
Valerio shot up from his seat. "Don't you dare—"
But it was too late.
The teasing had only just begun.
The Parents' Reactions
At the grand dining table of the Moretti estate, the atmosphere was unexpectedly lighthearted—something that hadn't happened in a long time. Mrs. Moretti and Mrs. Russo sat side by side, their faces alight with excitement, while Mr. Russo smirked at his old friend, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
"So," Mr. Russo started, leaning back in his chair, "your son is finally acting like a man, huh?"
Valentino's grip on his fork tightened. "Dante runs his mouth too much."
Alessandro chuckled. "That he does. But this time, I don't mind it. I must say, Valerio and Leona… Now that is something worth celebrating."
Mrs. Moretti placed her hands over her heart. "Oh, I knew it! I always thought they looked good together." She turned to Mrs. Russo. "Don't you agree?"
Mrs. Russo beamed. "Absolutely! And Leona is such a sweetheart. I've always adored that girl."
Valentino, still chewing his food, grumbled. "Nothing is official."
Alessandro smirked. "You mean, not yet?"
Mrs. Moretti nudged her husband's arm. "Oh, don't be so grumpy. Valerio deserves some happiness, and we both know Leona brings that to him."
He sets his fork down, exhaling heavily. "I'm just saying—it's not wise to get ahead of ourselves."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, stop being so stiff. It's adorable."
Alessandro leaned forward. "What's wrong, old friend? Not ready to give away your baby boy yet?"
Valentino shot him a glare. "Say that again, and I will shoot you."
Alessandro only laughed harder. "Relax, Moretti. It's just nice to see Valerio interested in something other than business." He raised a brow. "Or should I say, someone."
Mrs. Moretti sighed dreamily. "I can already imagine how beautiful their children will be."
Valentino almost choked on his wine. "Children?!"
Mrs. Russo grinned. "Oh, come on. You have to admit it's a nice thought."
He grumbled, rubbing his temple. "This family is impossible."
Alessansdro clapped him on the back. "Welcome to having a son in love, my friend."
Meanwhile, the mothers were already planning.