---
Kara's POV
Kara woke to the soft light filtering through the large windows of the villa. The world outside seemed serene, peaceful, but inside, her mind raced. It had been an unexpected turn last night-letting herself feel something real with Alessandro. The kiss had been tender, meaningful even, but she was still on edge, not knowing how this would all unfold.
She could hear movement downstairs as she pulled herself out of bed. Alessandro's deep voice filtered through the villa as he spoke on the phone with someone, likely a business associate. Even now, in this moment of connection, his professional life seemed to loom over them.
She dressed quickly, the casual attire she'd chosen an attempt to keep things light. She found him in the kitchen, a briefcase open on the table, his attention entirely absorbed by the papers in front of him. He didn't notice her at first, and Kara couldn't help but observe him.
Alessandro De Luca was a man who commanded the room, whether it was through his charisma or his undeniable presence. But right now, he seemed like a man who was constantly balancing two worlds-one of family legacy and business expectations, and another that he wasn't sure how to navigate.
She hesitated before speaking. "Busy day?"
His eyes lifted from the papers, and his lips curled into a smile. "Always. I'm meeting with some of the board members from the De Luca Group later. We've got some expansion plans in the works, and the investors are... demanding."
Kara could hear the tension in his voice. She had never seen this side of him-the businessman who had the weight of an empire on his shoulders. She had seen him in gala suits and casual wear, but she hadn't seen him sweat under the pressure of making decisions that would affect so many people's lives.
"I'll be busy with my work too," she said, shifting her attention to the coffee brewing on the counter. "The restoration project needs more attention, and I need to review some of the acquisitions."
Alessandro nodded, his mind already drifting back to the board meeting. He seemed more at ease when he was in control, his sharp business mind always three steps ahead. It was clear he had worked hard to build and maintain the De Luca legacy.
"I'm sure you'll find some time to relax," he said, though it didn't sound like he fully believed it. He'd been pushing himself endlessly-her, too, perhaps-always running toward something.
"Maybe," she replied, her eyes meeting his. "But the art world waits for no one."
---
Alessandro's POV
The brief moment of peace in the villa was fleeting, as usual. Alessandro had long ago learned that there was no such thing as a real "day off." Even when he spent time with Kara, his mind was still consumed by the work that never ended. The De Luca Group needed his focus, and the demands from his family weighed heavily on him.
He stood up and walked toward the windows overlooking the Tuscan hills, the landscape stretching endlessly in front of him. His thoughts briefly turned to the upcoming board meeting. Investors were eager to see the De Luca brand expand into international markets, and it was all on his shoulders to make it happen.
His phone buzzed, breaking him from his reverie. It was a message from his assistant, a reminder about the meeting in two hours. Kara's voice broke through his thoughts again.
"Do you think they'll approve the merger with the Caruso group?" Kara asked, her voice light but inquisitive. She was fully aware of his position, having heard him speak about the business ventures enough times.
Alessandro turned back to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "I'm not sure. There's still a lot of pushback from some of the family members about it. It's a huge decision-it could mean losing part of the legacy, but it also could open doors we can't ignore."
Kara studied him carefully, a soft expression on her face. "You don't have to carry all of this alone, you know."
The words, though kind, stirred something in him. He had never been good at delegating, never able to trust anyone else with the magnitude of his responsibilities. His family's business, his reputation-it all rested on his shoulders.
"I'm not sure who else to trust with it, Kara. You've seen how my family operates. The board is divided, and every decision feels like it's under a microscope."
She walked over to him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Maybe you don't need to solve it all at once. Maybe it's okay to let someone in. It's okay to lean on people you trust."
He met her gaze, an unspoken understanding passing between them. In that moment, Alessandro realized how much of his world he had kept locked away, refusing to allow anyone-especially Kara-to see the weight he carried. But it was becoming harder to keep those walls up.
---
Later That Afternoon: Kara's POV
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Kara spent hours going over the restoration project, her mind focused on the art she was working to preserve. It was a familiar comfort, a world she knew how to navigate. But as the afternoon wore on, she found herself thinking more and more about Alessandro.
She had learned to admire his ambition, the way he balanced his professional life with the family pressure. But there was also a part of her that saw how much it cost him, how it chipped away at him slowly. The man who always seemed so sure of himself was, in reality, a man who was constantly struggling with the weight of his responsibilities.
As she glanced at the clock, she noticed it was nearly time for Alessandro's board meeting. She wasn't sure why, but a part of her felt the urge to be there for him-somehow.
---
The Board Meeting: Both POVs
Kara arrived at the conference room just as the meeting was about to start. She had managed to slip in unnoticed, lingering in the back. She didn't want to intrude, but seeing Alessandro in his element, his authoritative voice commanding the room, made her realize how much of himself he had yet to show her.
He stood at the head of the table, presenting a detailed report on the merger. His confidence was evident, but there was an edge to him-something she couldn't quite place. She watched closely as he answered questions, as the board members debated fiercely over the potential risks.
It was a world that was far from the one they had shared in Tuscany. This world was cutthroat, demanding, and unforgiving. Yet, Alessandro handled it with precision, masking the inner turmoil she could see brewing beneath the surface.
As the meeting drew to a close, Kara's heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to tell him that everything would be okay-that he didn't have to carry all of this by himself. But she knew he wasn't ready to hear that yet.
---
Kara's POV: Later That Night
That evening, Kara found herself sitting on the terrace once more, the cool air brushing against her skin. Alessandro joined her, his tie loosened and his jacket removed, his expression weary but resolute.
"How did it go?" she asked, her voice tentative.
"Better than expected," he replied, though there was a faraway look in his eyes. "But the real work is just beginning."
She reached over, touching his hand gently. "You don't have to carry it all alone, you know."
He smiled, a faint, tired curve of his lips. "I know. But sometimes it feels like I have to."
Kara squeezed his hand, offering a quiet but meaningful support. This wasn't just about their temporary arrangement anymore. It was about both of them learning to navigate their worlds-together.
As Alessandro leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, Kara felt a new kind of certainty settle in her heart. There was still a long road ahead, full of challenges, but for the first time, it didn't feel like she had to face it alone.
---