☆Chapter 19: Seraphina’s First Friend and Lorenzo’s New Headache☆

Seraphina's First Day of Chaos Continues…

By midday, Seraphina had already memorized the layout of the school.

Classrooms.

Cafeteria.

Library.

And…

Potential hideouts.

"Boring."

Seraphina muttered to herself, standing by the window of an empty corridor.

She had finished her work ahead of time—thanks to her matured memories. But being the new kid meant no one talked to her.

Whispers followed her.

"She's a De Luca."

"Don't mess with her."

"Her family controls the city."

Seraphina sighed.

"Great. I'm a mafia princess now."

She wasn't used to this kind of isolation.

☆☆☆

Wanting a break, Seraphina wandered off to one of the hidden back areas she had discovered earlier.

"Perfect hideout." She smirked.

But as she turned the corner…

Voices.

"Give it back."

A timid voice.

"You think you can sit with us because your family's rich? You're pathetic."

Seraphina's brows furrowed.

Bullies.

"Hey!"

Her voice rang out.

Three boys froze as Seraphina stepped forward, her presence commanding.

"What's going on?"

The tallest of the bullies, probably the leader, sneered.

"Who are you?"

Seraphina tilted her head.

"I'm someone who hates bullies."

They laughed.

"And what's a dimwit like you gonna do?"

"Me? Nothing." Seraphina smirked.

"But if my father finds out…"

The color drained from their faces.

"H-hey... isn't she the new De Luca?"

Seraphina's smile widened.

"You know me? Good."

The bullies stumbled backward.

"W-We were just kidding!"

"Run."

They didn't hesitate.

☆☆☆

"Are you okay?"

Seraphina turned to the boy, who was hunched over on the ground.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?"

The boy shook his head, but his eyes were brimming with tears.

"Thank you…"

"What's your name?"

"Lucian."

"Lucian, huh?"

The boy nodded shyly.

Seraphina tilted her head.

"Why didn't you fight back?"

"I… I don't like fighting."

Seraphina raised a brow.

"Then stick with me."

"Huh?"

"No one messes with me."

"Really?"

"Really."

And just like that…

Seraphina had her first friend.

☆☆☆

From that moment on…

Lucian followed Seraphina everywhere.

"Sera! Wait for me!"

"Sera, do you want to sit together?"

"Sera, I brought snacks!"

"Sera—"

"Lucian…" Seraphina sighed.

"What?"

"You're like a puppy."

Lucian's eyes widened.

"I'm not!"

"You kinda are."

Seraphina smirked.

"Fine… but I'm a cool puppy."

"Sure."

But deep down…

Seraphina didn't mind.

For the first time… she had someone.

☆☆☆

That evening, Seraphina returned home, where Lorenzo, Mateo, and Nonno were waiting.

Lorenzo's gaze softened the moment he saw her.

"How was school?"

Seraphina shrugged.

"Boring."

Lorenzo's brow lifted.

"Nothing happened?"

"Well…"

Seraphina grinned.

"I made a friend."

Nonno's face lit up.

"A friend? That's wonderful!"

Mateo nodded approvingly.

"What's his name?"

"Lucian!"

Lorenzo's expression darkened.

"Lucian?"

"Yeah." Seraphina nodded.

"I saved him from some bullies."

Silence.

"What?"

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's overprotective mode: Activated

Lorenzo's expression shifted.

"Mateo."

"Yes, Boss?"

"Background check."

Seraphina's eyes widened.

"Sir—"

"Now."

"Seriously?!" Seraphina groaned.

"He's just a kid!"

"No one is just a kid, Serafina."

Lorenzo's voice was cold.

"Especially around you."

☆☆☆

The Investigation Begins

Within an hour…

Mateo returned.

And he was laughing.

"What's so funny?" Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"You're not gonna believe this, Boss."

"Spit it out."

"Lucian… is the third son of the Romano family."

Silence.

Seraphina blinked.

"Romano?"

"As in… one of our allied family?"

"Yup."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's annoyance level: Rising

"So you're telling me…" Lorenzo's voice was dangerously calm.

"That she befriended a Romano?"

"Yes."

"On her first day?"

"Yes."

"And I spent the last hour doing a background check… on an ally's son?"

"Exactly."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"Wonderful."

☆☆☆

Mateo grinned.

"You know, Boss…"

"Don't."

"Looks like she's already making connections."

"Mateo."

"What?"

"Get out."

☆☆☆

Seraphina smirked.

"Told you he's just a kid."

Lorenzo pinched the bridge of his nose.

"We're not done with this conversation."

Seraphina grinned.

"Sure, sir."

But deep down…

Seraphina was content.

For the first time in this new life…

She wasn't alone.

And Lorenzo?

He was already regretting agreeing to let her go to school.