Chapter 194

• VALENTINA
• I woke slowly in the soft morning light of my suite. I lay still beneath the silk sheets and stared at the ceiling for several long minutes. The events of the previous evening replayed in my mind with quiet clarity. The garden conversation with Gustavo about the masquerade ball. The silver mask he placed in my hands. The way he looked at me when he said I would stand beside him for the whole city to see. I turned my head toward the nightstand where the velvet box still rested. The silver edges caught the pale sunlight and sent small glints across the room. I reached out and traced the lid with one finger. The metal felt cool and smooth. A small shiver moved through my body as I remembered how close we sat on the couch afterward. His shoulder against mine. His voice low when he promised to prove himself every day. I wanted to believe him. The warmth from that moment lingered in my chest even now. Yet the old doubts remained like shadows at the edge of my thoughts. I thought about the short text I sent to Adrian and pushed the memory away. This morning I would focus only on the work ahead.
• I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The cool marble floor met my bare feet and grounded me. I stood and walked to the window. I pulled the curtain aside and looked down at the garden below. The fountain sprayed water in steady arcs. The roses still bloomed in deep red and pure white. Everything looked peaceful in the early light. I let the curtain fall back into place and moved to the bathroom. Warm water from the shower ran over my skin and washed away the last traces of sleep. While I stood under the spray I thought about the new role Gustavo had given me. Personal assistant. The words carried real weight now. Yesterday he let me sit in on the meeting and watch him give orders that moved money and power across the city. Today he would expect more from me. I turned off the water and dried myself with a thick towel. I chose a simple navy blouse and tailored trousers from the wardrobe. The clothes felt professional and safe. They hid the way my pulse still quickened whenever Gustavo looked at me too long.