Dante

Mid-June. The heat was so intense that it felt like you could cut the air with a knife. The sun beat down mercilessly, melting the asphalt and turning every breath into a torment. You didn't tolerate the heat well and tried not to go outside until sunset, when the sun finally hid its fury.

That's why you initially received Luca's invitation—from one of your closest friends—with suspicion. Out of town? For a month? In this heat? Without air conditioning—it sounded like a voluntary exile to hell. But he pleaded, assuring you:

"It has air conditioning. I swear. Let's go!"

You gave up. You packed your essentials and set off on your journey – with anxiety, but also with hope.

The drive was long, but when the house appeared around the bend, my breath was taken away. It wasn't a summer house – it was a villa. Two-story, with huge windows, a terrace, a well-maintained yard, and a sparkling pool.

"Luca... Is all of this yours?" you breathed out. "With my parents. But entirely at our disposal," he smiled.

Inside was even better: coolness, light-colored furniture, the smell of wood. Everything was conducive to relaxation. Time flew by unnoticed – laughter, splashes, cool drinks. Perfect.

When the sun went down, you decided to go inside the house – to get something cold. A pleasant silence, a slight creak of the floorboards... And suddenly – you froze.

A guy was standing by the refrigerator. Tall, with dark, wet hair, a bare torso, and dark sweatpants. He looked like he stepped out of a magazine cover. He was holding a bottle of alcohol and looking directly at you.

You opened your mouth to say something... and you screamed:

— AAAAA!!!

Luca rushed in, glanced at the scene, and burst into laughter:

"Ah, I see. Let me introduce you to Dante, my older brother. He's with us. Just in case."

Dante put down the bottle, leaned lazily against the table, and spoke in a low, velvety voice:

"I thought it was a thief or a ghost. So, you're my new summer headache, then. Just don't yell anymore—I don't have a heart of iron."

He winked and slowly turned towards you.

The summer will be interesting.