The rain fell steadily over Naples, turning the cobblestone paths of the cemetery slick and dark. Valeria Caruso had never been close to her classmate, Adrian Vitale. She barely spoke to him in school—only knew his name because long ago, her father and his father had once worked together. But that was before her father walked away from that world and built his empire of glass towers and glowing screens, far from blood and smoke.
When word came that Adrian's mother had died, Valeria's family went to the funeral. Out of respect, her father said. Out of old debts, she suspected.
The ceremony was already underway when they arrived, black umbrellas crowding around the grave. Words of condolence were exchanged, hands were shaken, but soon the mourners began to scatter, drifting away into the rain. Her father urged them toward the car.
But Valeria lingered.
That was when she saw him.
A lone figure sat at the fresh grave, dressed entirely in black. Rain slid down his shoulders, soaking through his shirt, yet he didn't move. He didn't care. His gaze was fixed on the stone, his silence heavier than the storm.
She knew instantly—it was him. Adrian Vitale.
Something in her chest tightened. She hesitated, then opened her umbrella. The black canopy bloomed above her, and she stepped away from her family, toward him.
She stopped at his side and raised the umbrella, shielding him from the downpour.
Slowly, he lifted his head. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, locked on hers.
For the first time, Adrian Vitale looked at Valeria Caruso.
Adrian's eyes lingered on Valeria for a heartbeat before he returned to the grave. His voice was low, rough, and cold.
"Get lost."
Valeria blinked but didn't move the umbrella. "Why? I don't think your mother would want you to catch a cold."
His head snapped toward her, fury flashing in his eyes. But Valeria didn't flinch. Instead, she spoke softly, her voice carrying the weight of memory.
"You know… I lost my mother too. She was killed by someone. So I know how it feels."
Sadness settled across her face, dimming the stubborn light in her eyes. Adrian opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came. He turned away again, jaw tight, silence swallowing his anger.
"Valeria."
The voice came from behind. She turned to see her brother, Leonardo, waiting a few steps away, his expression wary.
Valeria hesitated only a moment before closing the umbrella and placing it in Adrian's hand.
"See you at school," she murmured.
Then she walked away, leaving Adrian sitting in the rain, staring after her.
A week passed after the funeral.
When Adrian Vitale returned to school, the air seemed to shift. Whispers followed him down the hall, and every glance carried either awe or fear. He had always been that way—someone who couldn't be ignored. Fights clung to his reputation like shadows, and though no one dared confront him, everyone knew better than to get too close.
Valeria Caruso, on the other hand, was admired for different reasons. She was popular without even trying—sharp, beautiful, and part of a circle of friends who dominated the school's sports competitions. Yet she was never the type to meddle in others' business. She minded her own world, her laughter and charm always kept at arm's length from drama.
Her path and Adrian's hardly crossed. At most, a glance in the hallway, a silent acknowledgement in class. He was the storm; she was the calm after it.
But ever since that night at the cemetery, something had changed.
Adrian noticed her now—whether he wanted to or not.
And Valeria… she found herself remembering the look in his eyes beneath the rain.
It was a usual day at school.
When the bell rang for lunch, Valeria and her friends made their way to their usual spot in the courtyard. Laughter, chatter, and the clatter of trays filled the air. But today, Valeria hesitated.
"I'll have lunch with someone else," she told her friends.
They exchanged a look, but no one questioned her. She had told them about Adrian's mother, and they understood. With quiet nods, they left her behind.
Taking a breath, Valeria walked across the courtyard. The hum of voices seemed to dim with each step, curiosity trailing her as she made her way toward a table set apart from the others.
Adrian Vitale sat alone, as always. His presence was enough to keep the table empty—no one dared to share it. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, expression unreadable as if daring the world to bother him.
Valeria set her tray down and sat across from him.
Adrian's dark eyes flicked up to her, just for a second, before returning to his food. His face gave nothing away. No surprise. No curiosity. No welcome.
Only silence.
Days passed quietly.
Adrian remained his usual self—silent, distant, almost untouchable. Valeria, true to her nature, didn't concern herself with him. She didn't overthink his presence or his reputation; he was simply another student in her world.
Then the volleyball competition arrived. Valeria threw herself into it completely, training hard with her friends, planning strategies, and practicing relentlessly. The days became a blur of serves, spikes, and teamwork, leaving little room for anything else.
Even Adrian, as always, lingered on the edges of her world—seen but not approached, noticed but not acknowledged.
Yet, somewhere in the back of her mind, she couldn't quite forget that rainy day at the cemetery, the look in his eyes beneath the black umbrella.
It was during this hectic period that Adrian finally snapped.
A fight broke out in the school courtyard—one of those rare moments when his fury couldn't be contained. It escalated quickly, and by the time it ended, the other student was being carried off to the hospital. Whispers spread like wildfire: Adrian Vitale had gone too far this time. Expulsion seemed inevitable.
The principal summoned him to the office, eyes heavy with disappointment. "This is serious, Adrian. You could be expelled."
But then, unexpectedly, Valeria stepped forward. She met the principal's gaze firmly. "Sir… I think you should reconsider. He's part of our school sports team. Without him—and the others—our teams wouldn't have brought home so many awards. He made a mistake, yes… but he deserves another chance."
Her friends, standing nearby, nodded in agreement, adding their voices. "We support her, sir."
The principal sighed, caught between rules and practicality. There was no denying the truth. Adrian and the other athletes were the backbone of the school's success.
Finally, he relented. "One month detention. No exceptions. That's your punishment."
Adrian stood silently, mask of indifference in place. But when his eyes met Valeria's, there was a flicker—a hint of gratitude buried deep beneath his anger.