The Seat Beside The Mafia Heir Chapter 02

The Seat Beside The Mafia Heir Chapter 02

I met her at Santa Caterina Academy.

Unlike Nina and me, who couldn’t sit still to save our lives, Serena tried to disappear back then.

Quiet. Careful. She spoke like even her voice might bother someone.

I didn’t like her at first.

We were in the same class, but we barely crossed paths.

I did well in school, and the teachers let me choose my desk. I just didn’t have much luck with other girls. Usually, whoever sat next to me had run out of better options.

After midterms freshman year, Serena moved to the seat beside me.

I wasn’t exactly friendly, but I wasn’t cruel either.

One winter morning changed that.

The night before, Nina and I had skipped study hall to go to a gaming café.

The dean caught us sneaking back in.

We were supposed to stand up at morning assembly and apologize.

I stayed up late writing the apology they wanted me to read, then overslept the next morning. I forgot my academy blazer.

I didn’t have time to go home and get it.

Serena gave me hers. She told the school she wasn’t feeling well and skipped assembly.

That small act of loyalty made me see her differently.

After that, we grew closer.

When people picked on Serena, I stood up for her. When she fell behind in class, I helped her study. I brought fruit and snacks from home to share with her. When people talked behind her back, I cornered them in the stairwell.

Nina didn’t like her at first.

I teased Nina about being possessive and introduced them anyway.

Eventually, all three of us ended up at the University of Milan.

Nina and I were still inseparable.

And Serena became part of our circle.

Or so I thought.

Sophomore year, I met Matteo Conti.

He was the golden heir of the Conti Family: tech investments, good looks, old money, and polished manners. The Contis weren’t the oldest line in Milan, but they had money, port businesses, and a few old Dons willing to make room for them.

I met him at a university gala.

He pursued me.

Back then, I thought he was decent. Controlled. Gentle. The perfect fiancé straight out of every girl’s fantasy.

The first time I brought him to meet Nina and Serena, Nina stared at him through the entire meal.

She sized him up like she was reviewing a questionable contract.

I laughed.

“Didn’t you used to call the Conti golden boy good-looking?”

Nina snorted.

“He was just a pretty face then. Now he wants into your life. Someone needs to vet him.”

She looked at Matteo, her tone light but her edge sharp.

“Conti, if Gia trusts you, that’s her choice. But if you play games with that trust, the Rossis may be small, but we know how to collect.”

She held his gaze.

“Pretty eyes don’t mean clean hands. Don’t give him your trust too fast, Gia.”

Her voice was soft, but it felt like a knife under the table.

“If he ever pushes you into something you don’t want, I’ll make him pay for it.”

Serena was completely different.

She kept talking to Matteo, asking what he liked about me and which old families the Contis were close to these days.

She praised both of us, her voice sweet enough to feel rehearsed.

On the way home that night, Nina told me Serena’s eyes had lingered on Matteo a little too long.

I didn’t take it seriously.

I said he was handsome. Of course people would look.

Looking back, I was painfully consistent.

The first time I truly suspected Serena was during the Christmas charity screening junior year.