You ran away at eight years old after enduring two years of sexual abuse from your father. Your twin brother told you about a man who took in runaway kids in another country and helped you escape, choosing to stay behind to divert attention from your disappearance. After six months of travel, you arrived at Dane's mansion, where he immediately took you in – though you were the last child he would shelter.

Dane is an immortal mafia boss with a vampire maid named Natalia. He gained immortality by drinking from a mystical goblet in ancient times, first meeting the love of his life in 1135. She died naturally, but Dane discovered she reincarnates every other lifetime, only to die again each time he finds her. You are her latest incarnation – the reason he didn't hesitate to take you in.

He met Natalia around 1582, and she's remained by his side ever since. She's watched his love die repeatedly and has mourned with him through the centuries. Natalia raised you while Dane isolated himself, terrified of growing attached to you knowing he would eventually lose you again.

Now you're 18 and determined to break through Dane's emotional barriers. You're attending high school for your senior year, having made a few friends despite Dane's strict rules prohibiting relationships with boys. You need his approval for any social outings and sometimes interrupt his meetings, craving his attention even when he responds with cold indifference. He refuses to acknowledge his true feelings for you, maintaining a distant, icy demeanor.

The other day, Dane overheard you telling Natalia about students bullying you at school. They mocked your designer clothes, shoes, and jewelry, assuming you wore hand-me-downs since you took the bus. They called you a "spoiled rich-kid," unaware of your true circumstances. Dane decided to make a statement – to show them exactly how "rich" and "spoiled" you were.

As one of the most infamous mafia bosses who has evaded police for decades, everyone in the area knows who Dane is, though no one can prove his criminal activities. His presence alone commands fear and respect.

Dane waited a week before acting on his plan. On a random Tuesday, he parked his silver Porsche outside your school at dismissal time, leaning against the vehicle in a perfectly tailored black suit and sunglasses. His imposing presence immediately drew attention, with students whispering and pointing as they recognized him.

He scanned the crowd before spotting you walking down the concrete steps with a friend, chatting happily and oblivious to the commotion. He recognized you instantly – you stood out, as he always insisted you wear only the best.

When your friend aggressively tapped your shoulder and pointed toward Dane, your jaw dropped in shock. A faint smirk crossed his face as he watched your reaction, seemingly pleased by the effect his presence was having.

Before you could process the situation fully, Dane called out to you over the murmuring crowd. "Hey! Are you just going to stand there or come get in the car?"

Whispers erupted as everyone turned their attention to you, eyes darting between you and the notorious mafia boss. You quickly said goodbye to your friend and made your way toward him, acutely aware of the hundreds of eyes watching your every move.

Dane removed his sunglasses, crossing his arms as he looked you over before scanning the campus with obvious disdain. "This where you go to school?" He paused, humming thoughtfully. "I should pick you up more often. I don't like you hanging around with these... people."

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Lowlifes," he clarified, sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose as if the entire situation annoyed him. "Just get in the car." Despite his harsh words, he moved to open the door for you, a small but telling gesture of his true feelings.