He extended my bag toward me, his veins subtly visible beneath the smooth skin of his outstretched hand.
"Take it," he said, his voice deep, controlled.
For a moment, I just stared, stunned.he is here saving me once more.
"H-how did you get it?" I stammered, hastily wiping my tears.
His sharp gaze didn't waver. "I was in my car when I saw what happened. I sent one of my men after him." Then he raised a brow, as if assessing me. "Are you okay?"
I exhaled, gripping my bag tightly. "I'm more than okay. Thank you," I said, offering him a small, grateful smile.
Liam stood beside me, his posture stiff with jealousy. He reached out to help me up, but I hesitated before taking his hand. Instead, I turned back to my mysterious rescuer.
"Liam, you should thank him too," I said to Liam.
Liam clenched his jaw slightly before forcing a smile. "Thanks, man."
The stranger nodded, turning to leave. But I wasn't letting him slip away this time.
"Wait," I blurted out. He paused, glancing at me.
"Let me buy you a drink. You've saved me twice now."
He looked at me, then at Liam, he fully understood Liam was uncomfortable before arching a brow. "Wouldn't want to interrupt your date."
I waved it off. "It's no big deal. Right, Liam?" I nudged him.
Liam exhaled through his nose. "Yeah… sure."
But the man only smirked, his green eyes holding a flicker of amusement.he could read the atmosphere. "No, thank you," he said smoothly. "Some other time."
I frowned, unwilling to let him go so easily. Acting fast, I pulled out a pen and scribbled my number on a piece of paper. Then, stepping in front of him, I held it out.
"Call me," I said, flashing a playful smile.
His pulled out a deceiving smile . "Definitely."
Without another word, he slid into his sleek black car, and his driver pulled away. I stood there, watching as he disappeared down the street, my stomach flipping in a way I wasn't ready to admit. Butterflies in my belly.
Then I turned back to Liam, grinning like an idiot. "Oh my God," I screamed bouncing on my feet before launching myself onto him.
Liam groaned. "Oh shit, Camila. Really? You were about to buy him a drink while I'm standing right here?"
I laughed, dragging him by his collars, "Come on, I said a drink, not a lunch. There's a difference." I nudged him playfully. "I'm sorry, my baby."
He rolled his eyes but let out a dramatic sigh. "You're impossible."
I giggled, looping my arm through his.
"Now, let's go get some ice cream."
Two days passed
Camila POV
The evening air was chilling, slipping through the open window, resting on my skin. The city buzzed faintly, a distant sound beneath the silence of my apartment. I swiped my paintbrush over the canvas, lost in the strokes of deep blues and fiery reds, while sipping cold orange juice. The clock read 6 PM.
I hesitated. Should I visit my mother or keep painting? I was scanning the ceiling lost in my decision, Before I could decide, my phone vibrated against the table, an unknown number flashing on the screen.
My heart skipped . Could he be the one? I've been waiting on his call for two days.
Trying not to appear too forward, I answered and placed on the table, turned on the speaker of the call, my hands still busy with my painting.
"Who's this?" I asked, curious at the same time feigning indifference.
Silence.
"Helloooo?"
Then came that voice—deep, rich, and unmistakable.
"Hi."
I hesitated. I knew exactly who it was. But pretending not to recognize him seemed that's the safer way.
"Sorry, who's this?" Acting confused, knowing fully well he's the one.
"Alessandro," he said, his tone filled with amusement. "The man you wanted to ditch your date for."
I rolled my eyes. What a clown
I chuckled. "Oh. How are you? You finally called. Oh sorry should have introduced myself..I'm Camila, by the way."
"Okay." His response was short, unreadable.
An awkward silence curled the space between us, I didn't want to end the conversation without seeing him, At the same time didn't know what to say.
"Can I buy you a drink tomorrow?" I finally blurted. "I'd like to thank you properly."
"What time?"
"Around 4 PM?"
He sighed. "I'll be busy, Sorry, Would have loved to."
Rejection. It stung more than I wanted to admit. Did he call just to hear my voice? Was he bored?
Letting the thoughts aside, I forced a light tone. "Alright. Thanks for calling, though. I appreciate your help. Would've appreciated it more if I could buy you dinner."
"It's fine" he was silent for few seconds "Camila. Take care."
"Yeah… bye."
I hung up and groaned, throwing myself to the bed in embarrassment. "Okay, okay. I am never picking up his call again."
As if on cue, my phone rang. His number flashed on my screen again.
I took a deep breathe, battling the urge to answer. But I finally gave in.
"Hey."
His voice was calm this time. "How about 6 PM?"
"Where?"
"The same club. There's a restaurant upstairs."
"No prob—" before I could complete my sentence.
He hung up.
I let out a small scream of excitement, giggling like a kid. Throwing myself onto my bed, I grabbed my phone, plugged it in, and went back to painting—this time, with a ridiculous grin on my face.
Alessandro POV.
The evening sky stretched very deeply as indigo, as I leaned back in the car seat, the low hun of my car engine soothing the trauma I was feeling in my head, The city flights were glittering like scattered diamonds while my driver Damian maneuvered the traffic, few inches to my home.
I finally got to my home, A penthouse screaming luxury and power, I wasn't in the mood to be accompanied.
When the elevator doors opened and I stepped into the penthouse, silence greeted me—cold, thick, suffocating. Just how I liked it. But then I felt it—that soft, familiar grip around my waist. The familiar expensive cologne curled the air".
"I missed you," Emilia whispered, her cheek pressing against my back like we were lovers.
I was silent
I pulled out a smirk as I swayed away from her touch and walked towards the dining table. There , a full spread dish steaming out deliciously, perfect and untouched. Just like every other night she tried .
But this time, I pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Thank you, dearie," I said calmly picking up the fork.
From the corner of my eye, I saw shocked as she blinked "You're actually eating?"
"You didn't drown it in salt this time."
She laughed her eyes were filled with over excitement, very hopeful,. "I tried, Alessandro. I didn't want to spoil it this time."
I took a few bites, and the taste suddenly turned sour in my mouth not because of the food but her expectations suddenly went high.
I pushed the plate away and called out our maid "Laura."
She ran hastily instantly. "Yes, boss?"
"Take the dishes away."
Emilia's face lifted in anger "Stop."
Laura froze.
"I cooked this meal with love," she snapped. "I wanted us to talk, to have a moment. Is that too much to ask?"
I stood up from the dining slowly and walked towards her, she wasn't frightened, I continued staring into eyes with anger as she flinched. I raised one hand in the wall beside her head.
"You know I hate it when you act like a wife," I said angrily . "Don't push me, Emilia."
She stared up at me, trembling but didn't want to give into it, "We've been married for two years, Alessandro. Two years. And I can count on one hand how many times you've touched me."
She let out a loud laugh.
"You think I don't know about your affairs? You think I don't see how you disguise them as business trips? I—"
I raised my fist.
She froze.
But I didn't hit her. I can never do such, My hands dropped, my voice came low almost like a whisper.
"You know I hate it.. hate coming home because of you Emilia, I'm trying I'm fucking trying my best not to destroy this home too ..And trust me, Emilia—if you push me too far, I will kill you."
Her eyes widened, filling with fear, her jaw dropped down. as I walked away, leaving her rooted in place.
A shattering crash echoed behind me.
But I didn't turn back.