MILO

5. Between the Lines

"Mi scusi, Kiara?" A gentle knock on the door draws my attention away from the oval mirror. Good timing. I put down the blush brush and turn my head. "It is Luisa, may I come in?"

"Yes, come in," I say, standing up and adjusting the black chiffon blouse, making sure it's even on both shoulders.

There's no lock on the door, she could've barged in but instead, she knocked. Interesting. I like her already. So polite. A rarity, I'm thinking.

I give Luisa a careful once-over as she enters my room, not at all surprised by her striking beauty; a petite figure, long thick caramel hair, doe-like brown eyes, slender nose.

Objectively speaking, she's gorgeous, maybe more so than I am. I've always envied short women, there's a certain dainty quality to them that I think I'm missing.

Luisa smiles as she approaches me, her youthful eyes scanning my outfit with pride. "Do you like the clothes I bought for you?" she asks. "I think it suits you very well, no?"

"Yes," I say, running my hands down the curves of my hips, my fingers gliding along the satin texture of the mini pencil skirt. "They're very nice, thank you."

"It's my pleasure," she says, passing me a cellphone. "Milo told me to give this to you. There are some numbers programmed into the phone, mine, his, a few others you might need. I can go over them later."

"I already have a phone," I say, taking the cell from her hand and twisting it in between my fingers. "Why do I need another one?"

"I'm not sure, I was just told to bring it to you." Luisa lifts her shoulders into an unbothered shrug. I suck in a sharp breath. Ask no questions. Of course. "Are you ready to go? Dr. Giardini is expecting you."

I blink. "Doctor? I thought I was meeting with Milo?"

"After the doctor," she states. "Milo has requested a comprehensive physical. It is standard for all his...employees."

I expel an airy scoff. What a caring employer. "I have no choice but to go, correct?"

Luisa's lips curve up into an apologetic smile. "It will be quick, he is a good doctor."

I'm sure he is. I doubt the mafia would hire incompetent physicians.

"Fine," I state in a flat tone, placing the phone on the vanity table next to my grandmother's necklace before following Luisa out of the door and down the dim hallways of Milo's grand estate.

This villa is nothing like I've seen before; distressed faded white walls with grey bricks shining through, blood-red carpeting, gold detailing on every picture frame hanging on the walls, refurbished sconces from the nineteenth century. It's like an ancient castle that got a modern facelift, a twenty-first-century homage to The Palazzo Medici. It's mesmerizing like I'm walking through the halls of history.

"How long have you worked for Milo?" I ask as we make our way down the stairs, my hand sweeping along the ornate railings, Luisa's high heels echoing through the vast emptiness of the house. "Are you his assistant?"

"Assistant? Me?" Luisa lets out a soft laugh as if the idea is simply preposterous. "No, I manage the estate for Milo," she explains. "My father, Marchello, is Milo's...assistant. We grew up together. My father has been the advisor to the Di Vaio family since his youth. He previously worked for Milo's father and brother before they—" She pauses, rounding a corner. "This way."

"Oh," I hum with a nod, trying to make out the similarities in features between Luisa and Marchello, taking a mental note to ask Milo about his family. I doubt Luisa will elaborate any further if I ask.  "And do you enjoy managing the estate?"