The Billionaire’s Mask

Chapter 3

6 Months Later…..

The smell of freedom was that of coffee and paint. It’s been six months since I decided to take back control of my life and leave everything and everyone I knew behind. Now I wake up every morning in a tiny cozy apartment, which was nothing compared to the family estate back at home, but it was mine. Sunlight slipping through my curtains and the smell of roasted beans drifting up from the cafe below. The dotted walls with my paintings and canvases that told the story of a girl learning to breathe again.

I wasn’t just Charles Marcellis' daughter or anyone’s bargaining tool; I was just Elena, a gifted artist and a woman who had chosen herself. Although there were nights I was haunted by the past. Dreams of Simon’s laughter, his face pressed against my memory, and I longed to hear his voice, let him know I was doing well, but that could ruin everything and I couldn’t risk being discovered, not yet.

The only person who made it easier was Sophie. She had come crashing into my life three weeks after I moved to Rome, and I mean literally crashing because she had almost knocked me over while juggling a latte, two croissants and a phone call at once. Blonde hair and a bubbly personality, Sophie immediately decided we were gonna be friends. I did try to resist at first, building up walls, but Sophie was relentless, and slowly we were inseparable, and she became the one person I didn’t know I needed: a safe space, a confidant, a sister in everything but blood.

“You really need to start living, you know”, Sophie had told me over and over again.

“You’ve got the job, the apartment, the life now, all you're missing is the fun, the dating fun. “

I rolled my eyes countless times whenever she brought this up. I’m surprised they haven’t stuck that way, but like I said, Sophie was relentless.

And that very morning, I was waiting for her at the cafe down the street, sipping my caramel latte while sketching in my notebook. She was running late, which was typical of her.

“Where the hell are you, Soph? You said you’d be here an hour ago,” I texted

“I’m almost there,” she texted back

But she said the same thing minutes ago.

“Girl bye, you said that 20 minutes ago. I can’t wait any longer… I’m leaving.”

I took the last sip of my coffee, half smiling and half annoyed.

I stood to throw away my cup, and in a split second I wasn’t looking someone bumped into me, spilling the half-finished latte all over my dress

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry.” A voice echoed over me.

I was so ready to give this person an earful but I couldn’t even utter a single word as I looked up. The man towering over me was unbelievable, with dark hair swept carelessly yet perfectly, a strong jawline, and golden brown eyes that seemed too much. His white shirt was rolled neatly at his sleeve, revealing a tattoo and strong veins that just seemed right and sexy. He smelt like vanilla dipped in leather and chocolate. “A complete ten out of ten minus nothing “

I wiped my dress, my cheeks already turning red.

“It’s fine, I should have watched where I was going”.

“No”,he said, “this is totally on me, please let me make it up to you.” he hands me a handkerchief. “Maybe a cup of coffee, or perhaps a new dress?”

I shook my head and laughed, “What makes you think I’ll let a stranger buy me a dress?”

“Stranger?, yes, but a charming one, at least”. The way he said it so sure and effortless, his level of confidence unnerved me.

“You don’t even know me,” I said

“Well, let’s fix that then. I’m Adrian Vale, and you are?” I hesitated before taking his hand, his grip was deliberate and steady, but his palms were soft like a newborn's..

“Elena,” I said quietly but loud enough for him to hear

He stared at me longer than necessary as though testing my name on his lips before he spoke

“Well, Elena, I insist least one coffee to make up for spilling yours.”

Before I could reply, Sophie breezed into the cafe, her blonde hair bouncing, her voice filling the room.

“Lena!! I’m dreadfully sorry, traffic was hell. Oh…. she paused, her eyes widened with mischief as they landed on Adrain, then flicked to my dress.

“Did I interrupt something?”

Adrian smiled faintly, releasing my hand

“Oh, not at all, I was just apologizing. “

Sophie’s lips curved as she glanced between us.

“ Well, looks like my best friend here finally bumped into someone worth her time.”

“Hi, I’m Sophie,” she said, reaching for his hand. “She’s single,” she said to him with a cheeky smile on her face..

“Sophieeee!!!!” I hissed under my breath, but she only grinned wider.

Adrian, a little bit amused, “Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave before I ruin her day any further.” But his eyes locked on mine, warm yet unsettling.

“I do hope this isn’t the last time we meet, Miss Elena,” he said with a smile on his face. I smiled back.

Then he slipped out the door, his presence leaving the cafe quieter as though the air had been holding its breath while he stood there.

Sophie dragged me to a table and fell into the seat across from me, eyes sparkling.

“Who.. was… that?”

I stared down at the damp handkerchief in my hand, my pulse still racing. “Just some guy who spilled coffee on me”. Sophie leaned in with a smirk on her face, “ If that’s just a guy, then I’m a nun,” she teased. “C’mon, Lena, that man is gorgeous, and the way he was looking at you? I’m telling you this is a sign.”

“A sign that I need to carry spare clothes “. I muttered, but my voice lacked conviction. Because the truth was there was something about him, something I can’t seem to place my mind on. And as much as I wanted to brush it off, I couldn’t ignore the thought that maybe Sophie is right. Maybe Adrian wasn’t just a stranger, maybe he was the turning point one that I wasn’t expecting