Viella pov

With a cracked smile stitched on my face like I had everything under control (I absolutely did not), I returned to the snake’s room, closed the door gently...

Then promptly collapsed against it.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I whispered-screamed into the silence.

"Dear universe," I muttered into the floor, "please do me a favor and hit rewind. Or just glitch the memory of the last hour for everyone involved."

I lay there dramatically, limbs sprawled . The scene kept replaying in my head-

Me. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Freestyling in silk pajamas.

Headphones on.

Singing with full performance energy.

And turning around to see not just Lucian... but Dante. Standing there. Watching. Staring.

He had that unreadable look. The one that makes your stomach twist and your brain scream, "Abort mission!!"

And I... might have called him a "bitch" mid-verse.

Oh my god.

Why am I like this?

I groaned and rolled over, still flailing, when I noticed something-

Lucian’s snake.

Luciferina.

Just sitting there. Watching me.

Still. Silent. Judging.

I froze.

"Heh... hi?"

She narrowed her eyes. Like she knew.

"Listen, I’m really sorry if I... disrupted your vibe, okay? I was in the moment. Artist’s passion. Please don’t glare like that-I’ll feed you extra today, promise!"

I got on my knees in apology pose.

"I’ll even get you the fancy imported frozen rats or whatever you fancy, okay? Just... don’t eat me."

She hissed softly and slithered away past me.

I blinked.

"Oh. Am I... forgiven?"

I looked back cautiously.

No attack.

Victory.

"Love youuu," I called sweetly to the snake like I hadn’t just been begging for forgiveness thirty seconds ago. I dramatically collapsed onto the carpet again, only to see one of the baby snakes peeking from under the bed.

"Not you too," I groaned. "Don’t judge me! It was a moment!"

---

Hours Later

I finally checked my phone.

It was already late at night.

"Crap! I need to go back."

But the thought of facing Dante and Lucian after... that... made my legs turn to jelly.

Still, I couldn’t sleep here again. With my luck, the snake might start charging rent.

I opened the door slowly, peeking out like a spy.

No one.

Nice.

I tiptoed through the hallway when suddenly-voices.

From the drawing room.

Dante.

Lucian.

I panicked and ducked behind the nearest couch like it was a battlefield. I started crawling, slowly dragging myself behind furniture.

Then a maid spotted me.

Our eyes met.

I put my finger to my lips and gave her the look.

"Say one word, and you’re next on the death list."

She understood. She hurriedly left.

I smirked. Viella’s influence is still there.

I was about to sneak away when I heard-

Lucian: "So, Dante. Seems like your attention’s shifting to your fiancée these days, huh? Change of heart?"

Dante: "...What are you trying to say?"

Lucian: "I mean... the gifts, the jewelry?"

Dante: "I only gave her stuff when we had official meetings. Like bouquets."

Lucian: "Oh? I wasn’t talking about flowers. I meant the brac...."

Bracelet?

Bracelet?!

My ears perked up like a bunny sniffing gossip.

Oh no. Not the bracelet.

Is he going to talk about that bracelet? THE bracelet?

Nope. Nope nope nope-

I popped up from behind the couch.

"HEYYYYY! How are you two doing?! Missed you both so much! Look at you sitting there, bonding like old grannies!"

They both turned toward me.

And then... glanced behind the couch I just obviously emerged from.

Lucian: "Were you... hiding?"

Dante (tilting his head slightly): "And listening?"

"No! What? Me? Eavesdropping?? Never! I just came in, like just now. Totally coincidental. I was looking for... something I lost here."

(Like my dignity.)

Lucian crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. "During your... rap concert?"

I gave him a side glare, and he smirked like the smug chaos goblin he is.

And weirdly... Dante turned his face slightly, lips twitching like he was holding back a smile?

Wait.

Was he... amused?

No. No way.

I blinked but played it cool.

"So, what were you guys talking about again?"

Dante looked at Lucian. "Yeah, Lucian. You were saying something about... a brac?"

I laughed awkwardly. "Haha! Yes! He was saying brac-celebrate! As in we should celebrate! Right?"

I jabbed Lucian with my elbow.

"Right? Because we’re friends and friends celebrate things. Like... surprise concerts. In pajamas."

Lucian looked like he wanted to say something else, but I gave him The Viella Death Glare

He shut up.

Barely

Dante still stared at me. Unreadable. That strange expression back in his eyes.

And I smiled sweetly while sweating inside like I was baking at 180°C.

Please don’t ask about the bracelet. Please don’t ask about the bracelet. Please don’t ask-

Lucian: "But I was talking about the brac-"

"AhahaHAHA," I fake-laughed so loud I startled even myself. "My dearest fiancé, would you excuse me for just a teeny-tiny moment? I need to borrow my dearest brother for a quick chat."

Without waiting for a response, I grabbed Lucian yanked him into the nearest room, slamming the door shut behind us.

I turned dramatically. He was already standing there with arms crossed, cold glare.

"You lied to me," he said.

I blinked. "Lied? About what?" I gave him a smile so nervous even clowns would be concerned.

His glare sharpened. "About the bracelet. The one Dante gave you. That’s why you don’t want me to tell him because he never gave you at the first place!"

"...Ha... ha... wow. You’re... such a genius."

Two seconds later-

"Please don’t tell him!" I dropped all pride and grabbed his arm. "Lucian! I’m begging you! Don’t bring it up!"

He raised a brow. "Why shouldn’t I?"

"Because your cute little sister is begging you?"

"Why should I care?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I’ll do anything. Just please don’t let Dante find out."

Lucian’s smile turned wicked. "Anything?"

"Anything!!"

He tapped his chin. "Then... be my personal maid."

"WHAT?!" I shouted so loudly I was sure even Dante heard that through three walls

"First, you made me your snake’s maid-now YOURS too?! Have you no shame?"

Lucian looked completely unfazed. "Fine. I’ll just go hand the bracelet to Dante then. Should I gift wrap it?"

"NOOO!! But you already have a personal maid!"

"I do?" he said with a fake innocent blink.

"Yes! That clingy one who always glares at me when I breathe in your direction!"

"Hmmm..." he tapped his chin again.

For a second, I thought he was reconsidering. Maybe-maybe-he’d let me off the hook.

Then he turned to the intercom and called his maid.

The girl walked in cheerfully.

"You’re fired," he said with zero emotion.

She blinked once. "Eh?"

i blinked "Eh???"

"You heard me."

And just like that... she burst into tears and ran off.

I stood there with my jaw on the floor. "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

Lucian gave me a smug look. "Now I don’t have a personal maid anymore. So, you better show up in my room at 7 a.m. sharp."

"Who the hell wakes up that early?!"

"You."

"Wait! Will I get paid for this?!"

He opened the door and stepped out. "Not telling Dante is enough salary. Be grateful."

And with that, he disappeared like the smug devil he was.

I stood in the empty room, looking up at the ceiling like it held answers to life.

"What sins have I committed to deserve this customer service from hell?"

Somewhere in the hallway, the snake probably hissed in agreement.

---

I walked out of the room, sighing. Outside, Lucian and Dante had apparently finished their little mafia bromance chat.

"Uh, I’m leaving as well," I mumbled, adjusting my extremely short pajama shorts.

Dante’s gaze flicked to me. "In those clothes?"

I looked down.

Well... they were short.

But who cares?

"Yup," I said, popping the P. "I’m wearing them. It’s not like I’m planning a fashion show in my car."

I glanced up at him and raised a brow. "Why? Any problem? You seem awfully invested in what I wear these days. Should I be flattered?"

He scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "You dress like you want to get kidnapped."

"And you talk like you want to be punched," I muttered under my breath.

Dante didn’t heard. Instead, he turned with that signature mafia boss stride and walked away.

Tsk. Whatever.

I turned to follow him, only for Lucian’s voice to call out behind me, "Don’t forget your 7 a.m. maid duty!"

I turned around and hissed like a cat. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

He grinned. "Deeply."

"Damn it."

I rolled my eyes and marched toward my car.

Just as I opened the door, Dante appeared beside me like a jump scare.

"You need a ride?"

I blinked. He asked that so casually, as if he didn’t just insult my clothes 30 seconds ago.

"No thanks," I said with a tight-lipped smile. "Wouldn’t want to risk your reputation by sitting beside me in my scandalous shorts."

He gave me a deadpan look.

I got inside and slammed the car door shut.

Then I started driving.

For the first few minutes, everything was calm. Quiet. Peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Halfway down the road, I felt it. A strange chill crawling up my spine. Like eyes were on me. Watching. Lurking.

I shook my head.

Nope. Nope. I’m just being paranoid. Definitely the bracelet drama, the maid deal,and Dante’s judgy eyes messing with my brain.

But then... I noticed something.

A sleek, black, luxury car in my rearview mirror.

It wasn’t there before.

I narrowed my eyes.

It stayed behind me. For a while.

Too long.

Just when I was about to seriously freak out and call 911-or worse, Dante-it sped up and overtook me.

Oh.

Okay.

Probably just a rich guy with bad timing.

I let out a shaky breath.

See? Totally overthinking. This is what happens when your day includes a fake slap, forced maid duty.

All I wanted now was to reach home, dive face-first into bed, and forget this entire mafia-themed telenovela.

Was that too much to ask?

Viella didnt notice how dante’s car followed her till she reached home safely.

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TO BE CONTINUED