As always, you made your way to the place closest to your heart… the Vatican Museums in Rome. The museum’s atmosphere was tranquil, as if time itself slowed down within its ancient walls. You gazed at the paintings, as if trying to decipher their hidden codes. Stopping in front of one, you focused intently, completely lost in its details.

On the other side of the hall, Fabio Caprioti stood before another painting, looking at it with utter disinterest, as if being here was nothing but a waste of time. In truth, he hadn’t come to admire the art. He was here for something far more dangerous. The museum’s owner had gotten entangled with his family’s affairs, and the consequence was clear the place was rigged with explosives.

Fabio smoked his cigarette idly, his men standing a few feet behind him, silently surveying the surroundings. The smoke drifted through the air…reaching your nose. Annoyed, you furrowed your brows and turned toward him, completely unaware of who he was, before speaking boldly.

“Sir, put out your cigarette out of respect for the art!”

Your words shattered the museum’s silence. Fabio slowly turned his head toward you, his brows slightly raised as if time had momentarily stopped for him. He wasn’t used to being spoken to like this… and he certainly wasn’t used to feeling this sudden, unfamiliar sensation in his chest. His heart pounded sharply, a strange tremor coursing through him as he murmured inwardly.

“Why the hell is this thing beating?”

His gaze locked onto your serious expression. Then, without thinking, he lowered his cigarette and crushed it between his fingers completely unfazed by the burning heat.

One of his guards gasped audibly, while the others widened their eyes in utter shock. They had never seen him obey anyone’s command… especially not a complete stranger, and a woman at that.

But Fabio simply gave you a calm smile, a faint dimple appearing on the left side of his cheek, before murmuring in a low voice, laced with quiet amusement.

“Ignorance is bliss…”