The Lies That Binds

n, I

15

nd onto the bustling platfor

e bustling crowds. Her eyes briefly shut, and she inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent of ripe citru

with a subtle sly smile. She could feel the thri

tten. Her new name was Serena Lopez. A

a simple white long-sleeve collared blouse with wide-leg style pants that were both flattering and co

d frame, which complemented her gold accessories. W

black, and had it styled in loose waves. Her sage green eyes sparkl

z firmly in place, she made her way

al customs, and her fluent Italian allowed

-paid apartment. When she saw something that instantly arrested her attention. Three men dressed in black suits sto

ee them clearly when she saw one of their phones ring. The man appeared too eager to pick up

to her secret agent mode and began to trai

in sight. But just as she reached the doorway, they vanished into the city row. She st

Defeated, she abandoned her pursuit momentarily. She needed to settle down first and hell! She was famished. So she headed towar

he screen. On reaching the trattoria entrance, she was so momentarily lost in her search that she didn't n

mering rage in them, but it slowly disappeared as their eyes locked. The man's strong jawline and sharp features made h

. His thick, black hair was slicked back, revealing his perfectly sculpted face. His bespoke suit, tailored to p

his gaze fell on her phone which was still lying

uch that left a subtle tingle. "Mi dispiace," he said, his voice low and smooth

ted, his eyes crinkling at

quickly regained her composure. "No harm don

like he could see right through her. His eyes did something to her senses. And she didn't like that

restaurant?" Stefan asked, his

he replied with a thin smi

d dryly. "I ch

a asked, rais

rew wider. "Just

ore she tried to conceal them. As if reading each other's mind, they both laughed

nd held it open for her to enter. She sauntere

t a table, Serena

," She heard him say, hi

o her cheeks. "Grazie," she repl

." He

e you had a safe trip Or are you..." he d

iving." She repli

here f

onsin, wher

iful p

ful as my birt

odded in

you leave th

the matter. I was 5." Sh

ore the waiter arrived, interrupting their conversation. "Buon giorno, signo

her mind wandering

lty dish. "You have to try the risotto alla Milanese –

p. "That sounds ama

warm smile before walking

erena fought the urge to obsess over what

s chiseled features or charming smile that intensified her attraction to him. It was the way he l

t time in her life, Calista felt seen not just as a physical being but as a person with thoughts, feeling

le demeanor and kind eyes made her feel at ease like she had known him for years. Like the P

as interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Serena glanced

understandingl

g to leave. Serena's tour guide was on the line, an

ena said, looking up at Stefan. "I'll

efan replied, his eyes crinkling at the

ng a spark of excite

ena to wonder how he planned to make good on his promise. He didn't ask for her number

ame rolling off her tongue like honey, th

bilities this encou