The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 05

The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 05

The invitation seemed tailor-made for him. It read: Liam Gracie cordially invites Mr. Julian Romano to attend.

No other names were listed.

Julian knew Liam Gracie well. Water City was large, but both their families ran prominent businesses. They’d grown up around each other, run the docks together in their youth, and later became business rivals after inheriting their family empires.

He also remembered that Liam had once courted Vera, back when she and Julian had just started dating.

Were the two of them close now? Julian couldn’t make sense of it and simply texted his mother back: [I can’t make it.]

He’d promised to be Sophia’s boyfriend for seven days, after all.

He walked upstairs and entered the apartment. Sophia threw herself straight into his arms the second he stepped inside.

“Julian, you’re finally here! I was so scared.”

Julian stiffened at the feel of her pressed against him and gently tried to pull away.

“Sophia, stand up straight.”

He glanced down. She wore only a thin pink camisole nightgown. Her wet hair clung to her neck, and her eyes were red-rimmed, looking fragile and vulnerable.

She ignored his obvious distance and leaned closer. Her warm breath brushed his neck, sending a faint tingle down his spine.

“I’ve always been terrified of thunderstorms, ever since I was a little girl.”

Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His mind drifted to Vera. She was never this delicate or helpless. Bold and quick-tempered, she never showed weakness. He’d always teased her that she was nothing like the soft, gentle women of Water City.

But Sophia was different. She was alone in the world and constantly needed his protection. He stared down at the girl in his arms, sighed, and stopped pushing her away.

Sophia spoke softly. “Is Vera still upset with you? Should I go apologize to her?”

“No need. She’s just overreacting with her bad temper.” He paused. “I promised to marry her once I get back from the trip.”

Sophia’s body tensed for a moment. Her voice turned tearful.

“You’re my boyfriend for these seven days, right?” She pressed even closer to him.

“I don’t ask for anything, and I’ll never fight with Vera for you. But for these next seven days, can you be mine and mine alone?”

With that, she tilted her head up and pressed her lips to his.

Thunder boomed outside, and rain lashed against the windows. In the dim room, Julian took control of the kiss, giving in to long-suppressed desire.

Neither of them noticed Sophia’s phone lying nearby, its screen lit up with an ongoing call.

Early the next morning, Julian woke first. Memories of the night before flooded his mind, and a twinge of regret stirred inside him. He reached for his phone, expecting dozens of messages and missed calls from Vera—she always worried when he stayed out late.

But his inbox was empty.

Confused, he opened their chat to send an excuse, claiming he’d been stuck with work all night.

Just as he typed the first line, a hand snatched his phone away.