The first call
I woke up the way I usually did in this house without permission.
A pillow hit my face.
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Sienna’s voice was way too cheerful for someone committing a morning crime.
I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head. “ I'm dead today, leave me alone .”
She laughed, and I could practically hear the confidence in it. “You say that every day. Yet here you are… still alive and still dramatic.”
“I’m not dramatic,” I muttered into the pillow. “I’m selectively responsive.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
A pause.
Then the blanket was ripped off completely.
Cold air hit me, and I sat up instantly, glaring.
"What's wrong with you , i was sleeping"
Sienna stood there like she owned the room which, honestly, she acted like she owned most rooms. Blonde hair loose and perfect even after waking up, arms crossed, expression amused like she had all the time in the world.
Unlike me, who looked like I’d lost a fight with my own bed.
“You’re late,” she said.
“I’m in bed. That’s the opposite of late.”
She rolled her eyes. “papà wants you in his office.”
That made me pause.
Sienna’s father Antonio who is also my uncle didn’t “want” people in his office unless it meant something important. Or dangerous. Or both.
My sleepiness faded slightly. “Did he say why?”
“Nope.” She shrugged, but her voice lowered a little. “Which is worse.”
I swung my legs off the bed, rubbing my face. “Perfect. Love uncertainty before breakfast.”
Sienna leaned against my dresser, watching me like she was studying me. “It might be serious, Alessia.”
“I gathered that part from your tone of doom.”
She smirked. “Get ready. I’ll drive you.”
I looked up at her. “You’re acting weirdly responsible today.”
“I can be responsible when I want to be.”
“That’s rare. I should mark this day.”
She threw a pillow at me on her way out. I caught it without even looking.
The bathroom was quiet except for the sound of water hitting marble.
I stood under the shower longer than necessary, not because I was relaxed but because I was thinking too much.
That was the problem in our world.
Silence never stayed empty. It always filled itself with possibilities.
Uncle calling me meant one of three things: I did something wrong. Someone else did something wrong. Or something was about to change.
None of those options were comforting.
I turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself.
Steam clung to the mirror as I stared at my reflection.
Dark hair slightly damp, sharp features softened only by exhaustion, eyes that always looked like they were trying to figure something out even when I didn’t want to.
I dressed quickly.
A fitted black silk top that sat perfectly against my frame, paired with high-waisted tailored trousers in deep charcoal. A light cream blazer layered over it structured, expensive, intentional. Nothing about it was accidental. In our world, even clothing spoke before you did.
I tied my hair loosely, letting a few strands fall naturally around my face.
Simple. Controlled. Presentable.
That’s what they expected.
That’s what I gave.
Sienna was already waiting near the entrance of our apartment when I came out.
She glanced at me, then nodded approvingly.
She grabbed her keys. “Come on.”
The elevator ride down was quiet.
Not uncomfortable—just familiar.
Sienna broke it first. “You think it’s about business?”
I leaned against the wall. “It’s always about business.”
“Or you.”
I glanced at her.
She shrugged lightly. “papà doesn’t call you personally unless he needs you in the room.”
That settled something heavy in my chest.
“Let’s hope it’s business then,” I said.
Sienna smiled slightly, but didn’t answer.
Outside, the car was already waiting.
A black Maserati, sleek and low, polished so perfectly it reflected the city like a mirror. Italian, expensive, the kind of car that didn’t just move through streets it owned them.
Sienna slid into the driver’s seat then I got in beside her.
The engine started with a deep, smooth growl.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Sienna glanced at me sideways. “Ready?”
I stared out at the city passing slowly around us.
“No,” I said honestly. “But that’s never stopped me before.”
She smirked. “Good answer.”
And then she drove.
Toward her father’s office.
Toward whatever waited there for me.
