Secret between friends

University was supposed to be freedom. For Eiman, it was the only place in Italy where she could almost pretend she was normal—just another student with books under her arm and dreams in her eyes.

And she wasn’t alone.

Luna Marlo, with her quick wit and warm laugh, turned out to be not only her guide to Milan but also her closest friend. They shared classes, coffee breaks, and endless walks across the cobblestoned streets near campus. While Eiman’s life at Villa Marlo felt like a gilded cage, university felt like an escape—a breath of air away from the suffocating presence of Lucas.

One chilly afternoon, the two girls sat at a café near the university, cappuccinos steaming between them. Eiman tugged her shawl closer, her eyes following the people rushing past with scarves and books in hand.

“You’ve been quiet all day,” Luna said, leaning on her hand. “What’s on your mind?”

Eiman hesitated, then sighed. “It’s your brother.”

Luna raised a brow. “Ah, the Devil himself.” She said it lightly, but her eyes studied Eiman with curiosity. “What about him?”

Eiman traced the rim of her cup nervously. “He… he terrifies me. The way he looks at people, like he can see every secret you’ve ever had.”

“That’s because he can,” Luna muttered, half-joking, half-serious. “Lucas doesn’t miss anything.”

Eiman gave a weak laugh. Then, almost under her breath, she admitted, “But… he’s also… kind of… hot.”

Luna’s eyes widened, then she burst out laughing so loudly that people turned to stare. “Hot? My brother?”

Eiman flushed crimson. “Don’t laugh! I didn’t mean it like—he’s just—objectively, you know—”

“Objectively terrifying,” Luna teased, wiping her eyes. “And apparently objectively attractive, too.”

Eiman buried her face in her hands. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

But Luna’s smile softened. “Don’t worry. You’re not the first girl to think that. Every time we go out, people stare at him like he’s a god carved out of marble. But to me, he’s just Lucas—the coldest human alive.”

Eiman peeked at her through her fingers. “Do you think he’ll really… marry me?”

Luna grew quiet, stirring her coffee. “When Lucas decides something, no one stops him. Not even family.” She met Eiman’s gaze with rare seriousness. “But you don’t have to be afraid of him, Eiman. He’s… complicated. If you get past the ice, maybe you’ll see something different.”

Eiman shook her head quickly. “I don’t want to see anything.”

Yet that night, lying awake in her silk-canopied bed at Villa Marlo, Eiman couldn’t stop remembering his face—the sharp lines of his jaw, the dangerous calm in his eyes.

Eiman was thinking to her self he is kinda hot though....wtf am I think.... the hell is wrong with me...he might have other girls ....why am I jealous...no wayyy ...I need too go to therapy...I really need it

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