Emma Johnson stirred, pushing herself upright in the hotel bed.
"It's fine. I was going to wake up anyway. Call down and have them bring breakfast up to the room. We'll eat, then head over to the Aurora Band's company."
Emilia Clark nodded, picking up the bedside phone to order from the front desk.
After they finished eating, they gathered their things and made their way to the agency representing the Aurora Band. Since they had scheduled a meeting in advance, the band's manager was already waiting at the entrance, greeting them with a gracious smile.
Watching the Italian's polite expression, Emma felt a wave of optimism. This might go smoothly after all.
And it did. When Emma laid out her invitation, the manager agreed without hesitation. After all, China's market now held massive global influence, and having the Aurora Band gain traction there would be excellent publicity. Emma hadn't even needed to offer an inflated price. The manager accepted readily.
Emma promised to handle all the flight arrangements and accommodations personally. Two hours later, they had signed the performance contract. Everything was moving a full day faster than she had anticipated.
That left her feeling incredibly pleased. It meant she had the rest of the afternoon and all of tomorrow free. She knew Elijah Clark was preparing for his surgery tomorrow, so she decided it would be best to visit him afterward, once he had recovered. For now, she took Emilia on a long, leisurely stroll through Milan. By the time their feet were aching and the sky had darkened, they finally headed back.
Back at the hotel, Emma collapsed into bed after a quick shower, falling asleep almost instantly. When Emilia stepped out of the bathroom, she found Emma already fast asleep.
"Emma? Emma?"
Emilia sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to gently shake Emma's shoulder. She whispered her name softly, but Emma was in such a deep slumber that she didn't stir at all. Emilia waited a moment longer, making sure she was truly unconscious, before getting up.
She changed her clothes quietly and slipped out of the room. She made her way to a small café on the corner just outside the hotel. Scanning the room, she finally spotted the person she was looking for, tucked away in a dim corner.
Her heart hammered in her chest. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Once she had steadied her nerves, she walked slowly to the corner table and sat down.
Adrian Frost lifted his gaze. His blue eyes were as deep and unfathomable as the sea, with a hidden whirlpool in their depths that made him impossible to read.
"You're here. No one followed you?"
His tone was as cold as ice water.
"No. That man doesn't suspect me at all. Even if I came out, he wouldn't think twice about it."
Emilia knew the man Adrian was referring to was Alexander Wilson, who was keeping watch near the hotel.
"Good. Tomorrow, make sure you take Emma to pray at Saint Mark's Cathedral. The third row, by the side door. Then, at the right moment, make sure her eyes land on me. Remember, don't give her any reason to be suspicious."
Adrian laid out his plan in a commanding tone.
"I understand. Don't worry. I won't make a mistake."
Emilia looked at the dangerously handsome man before her, suppressing the flutter in her chest.
"Good. You've been gone too long. Take this coffee back with you. Alexander is cautious and sharp. We can't take any chances."
Adrian pushed a takeout cup of coffee toward her. Emilia took it, her eyes filled with reluctance, but she knew how cold-blooded and impatient this man could be. To avoid earning his disdain, she said a quick goodbye and left the café.
She walked back to the hotel, her hands wrapped around the warm cup. But her heart felt as if it had been branded, burning hot.
She suddenly remembered the conversation she'd had with Emma on the plane. Her heart had already been captured, but she knew this secret crush was nothing more than a fantasy. Even so, she cherished it carefully. After all, it was the sweetest thought she had.
The next day, Emma didn't wake up until almost noon. She had been so busy yesterday afternoon that she had completely overslept. Luckily, there was nothing on the schedule for today, so she decided to give herself a little vacation.
"Emma, you're finally awake!"
Emilia brought a steaming cup of coffee to her bedside, her face bright with joy.
"What's up? You look like you have something to say."
Emma couldn't help but ask, seeing Emilia's expression.
Emilia nodded eagerly.
"I want to go pray at Saint Mark's Cathedral. Emma, will you come with me?"
Hearing this, Emma guessed that Emilia probably wanted to pray for a way to pay off her medical debts as quickly as possible. So she agreed.
"Emilia, you're the best to me."
Emilia hugged Emma affectionately, rubbing her cheek against Emma's shoulder. Emma couldn't help but smile, then drank the coffee Emilia had made for her. They went downstairs for a late lunch and then headed straight for the cathedral.
Emilia led her to the third row, right by the side door, and then began to pray with earnest devotion. Emma looked at the priest at the altar but didn't join in the prayer. She didn't believe in any religion. In her opinion, it was far better to control your own destiny than to leave it in someone else's hands.
Of course, you had to be strong enough to seize that control.
But she wouldn't say that to Emilia.
When the prayer finally ended, Emilia opened her eyes. She seemed to turn her head casually, then pointed toward the door.
"Emma, look at that man. He's so handsome. Do you think he's half-Italian?"
Emma followed her gaze. She almost wished she hadn't. It was the same man who had sent her to the hotel to pick up the medicine. She had been agonizing over how to find him again. Now, here he was. It was like fate had delivered him right to her doorstep just when she was about to give up.
"Emilia, go back to the hotel first. I have to leave early."
Before her voice had even faded, Emma was already out the door, chasing after the enigmatic man.
Emilia watched her go but didn't leave immediately. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. She wondered why Adrian's eyes had looked brown today.
It was so strange.
Alexander Wilson had been following them from a distance. He had assumed Emma would return to the hotel with her assistant after the prayer.