Chapter 5 – Sleep of the Innocent
(Aria's POV)
That night, my mind refused to stop. I reached for my phone in my pocket, intending to call Camila, or maybe someone—anyone—who could help me. But it wasn't there. My bag? Checked. Pocket? Checked. Gone. Panic prickled at my spine.
What was she doing right now? Probably freaking out, pacing, worrying if I'd vanished from campus. And school… what would the professors think? Would they come searching? Would Mom call the police? My chest tightened. Every scenario ran through my mind, spiraling faster and faster until exhaustion wrapped around me like a heavy blanket.
I just… needed sleep. A few hours, a few minutes of oblivion, anything that would shut the world out. So I curled under the covers and let myself sink into it.
maybe—just maybe—I could get a few hours.
No cyber-class projects. No Matteo's stupid betrayal. No Lucien. Just sleep. Finally, sleep.
I buried my head in the pillow, the rain outside the window drumming a lazy rhythm, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I slept like a baby.
The next morning,
I didn't hear the subtle creak of the guards approaching. Didn't hear the harsh knocks on the door. Didn't hear anything. I was in my own world—completely and blissfully unaware of the danger lurking just a floor above.
The knocking got louder. Hammering. Shouts. "Miss Reyes! Open up!"
Still nothing.
The guards exchanged glances. One whispered, "Maybe she… escaped?"
The other shook his head. "No. She couldn't."
Confused, they left, muttering among themselves, and went straight to the boss's office. They explained the situation.
Lucien's gray eyes narrowed. "She's asleep?" he asked flatly.
The guards nodded. "Sir, we tried everything. Knocked, shouted… nothing."
I didn't hear the part where Lucien's expression shifted from mild surprise to barely contained fury.
He strode down the hall himself, long strides echoing through the mansion. First one knock. Then another. Harder. Louder.
"Aria! Wake up!"
Still nothing.
The last ounce of patience snapped. Smash! The door flew open.
And there I was. Completely horizontal. Perfectly peaceful. Snoring softly.
Lucien froze mid-step, staring. "Huh…"
I didn't even stir.
He approached slowly, like a predator observing prey. Reached toward me… then stopped midway, hand hovering, indecision flashing in his eyes.
Finally, with a small grunt, he gave my leg a gentle kick. "Heyyy… wake up. You still alive?"
I mumbled in my sleep, half-awake: "Leave me alone… I just want to sleep…"
Lucien's jaw tightened. He rolled his eyes.
"Get me a water bottle," he barked at one of the guards.
A guard scurried off. A few seconds later, Lucien had the bottle in his hand. He popped it open, water sloshing ominously, and delivered the second kick.
"Heyyy wake up!"
I stirred, voice muffled: "Go tell your insane boss I'm too tired…"
Lucien's gray eyes darkened. Insane? He boiled.
In one swift, shocking motion, he poured the water over me. Cold, drenching, instant shock.
"Aria Reyes! Wake up!"
Eyes snapping open, I bolted upright, gasping, hair plastered to my face. I stared at him. My sane, human brain registered the water. My survival brain registered the Mafia CEO standing in front of me, dripping fury in human form.
"You… you…" I stammered, shaking the water from my hair. "What is wrong with you?"
"Sleeping. Too much. Nearly ruined the morning." He crossed his arms, dripping, glaring.
I glared back, shivering but indignant. "You… you insane lunatic!"
Lucien didn't say anything, eyes widened.
And I realized… I was never going to get a normal life again.
Not with him.