Lucifer
1423 Words
Chapter Two
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains of the Valenti mansion, painting soft golden lines across Serena’s bedroom.
She woke slowly, blinking at the familiar ceiling above her.
For a few quiet seconds, everything felt normal.
The familiar room. The peaceful mansion. The distant sound of footsteps from the staff downstairs.
Serena smiled.
Today was going to be a good day.
She got out of bed, changed into a simple dress, and headed downstairs.
The dining room was still being prepared when she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Miss Serena.”
She smiled and tied her hair back.
“I’ll help.”
One of the workers immediately shook her head.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.” Serena reached for a bowl. “But I want to.”
She enjoyed mornings like this.
There was something comforting about preparing breakfast for the people she loved.
Her parents.
Her younger sister.
Her family.
For a while, there were no worries, nothing beyond the warm smell of freshly prepared food and her sister’s laughter echoing through the mansion.
By the time everyone gathered around the dining table, Serena was smiling.
Her father, Mr. Valenti, sat at the head of the table while her mother sat beside him. Her younger sister was already talking excitedly about something that had happened at school.
Serena listened, laughing occasionally.
It was an ordinary morning.
Or at least, it should have been.
The doorbell rang.
One of the workers excused himself and left the dining room.
A few moments later, he returned carrying a small, elegantly wrapped package.
“Mr. Valenti,” he said, holding it out. “This was delivered for you.”
Her father frowned.
“For me?”
“Yes, sir.”
Serena watched as he accepted it.
There was no sender’s name.
Her father carefully removed the wrapping.
Inside was a small silver pocket watch.
The moment he saw it, his expression changed.
Only for a second.
But Serena noticed.
Her mother did too.
She stared at the watch as though she had seen something she desperately wished she could forget.
“Where did this come from?” she asked quietly.
“I don't know.”
Her father turned the watch over in his hand.
Something was engraved on the back.
Serena leaned forward slightly.
“What is it?”
Her father immediately closed his hand around it.
“Nothing.”
Serena frowned.
“It doesn't look like nothing.”
Her mother forced a small smile.
“It’s just something from a long time ago.”
“A memory?”
“Yes.”
Her father placed the watch back inside the box.
“Nothing you need to worry about, Serena.”
She looked from him to her mother.
Neither looked comfortable.
Something about the package had unsettled them.
But whatever it was, they clearly didn't want to talk about it.
Serena decided not to push.
Not yet.
Breakfast continued.
Her father barely touched his food.
His eyes kept drifting toward the small box beside him.
When he finally thought nobody was watching, he slipped the pocket watch into his jacket.
His wife noticed.
Their eyes met.
Neither said a word.
There was something about that watch neither of them wanted to remember.
Something buried so deeply in their past that they had convinced themselves it was gone forever.
But someone had found it.
Someone had found them.
And neither of them knew how.
By afternoon, Serena had decided she needed to leave the mansion.
She needed something normal.
Something familiar.
So she called Xavier.
Her oldest friend.
He worked in a large corporate office in the heart of the city and immediately insisted she come by.
When Serena arrived, Xavier nearly knocked over his chair getting up to greet her.
“Serena!”
She laughed as he pulled her into a hug.
“It’s been too long.”
“Way too long.”
He looked at her.
“You haven't changed.”
“You have.”
Xavier placed a hand over his chest.
“That’s hurtful.”
“You’re still dramatic.”
“And you’re still rude.”
They both laughed.
For the next hour, everything felt easy.
They talked about old memories, mutual friends, work, and all the things they had missed while they were apart.
Eventually, Xavier brought her coffee.
Serena thanked him and moved toward the large windows overlooking the busy street.
She watched the traffic below, completely relaxed.
Then the elevator dinged.
The atmosphere changed.
The laughter disappeared.
Conversations died.
One by one, people stood.
Some employees quickly straightened their clothes.
Others lowered their heads.
Serena slowly turned from the window.
“What happened?”
Xavier didn't answer.
He was staring toward the elevator.
The doors opened.
A man stepped out.
Serena had never seen him before.
Yet the entire office seemed to recognize him.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved unnecessarily.
Nobody dared make a sound.
The man walked forward with calm, measured steps.
Lucian Moretti.
He looked younger than Serena had expected.
Young.
Powerful.
Dangerously composed.
His black hair was slightly tousled, his sharp features framed by a perfectly fitted black suit. A dark tattoo was visible along his hand and wrist, disappearing beneath his sleeve.
But it wasn't his appearance that made the room feel different.
It was his presence.
Cold.
Heavy.
Controlled.
He didn't have to raise his voice.
He didn't have to threaten anyone.
His silence was enough.
Serena watched him approach.
He walked past several employees who immediately lowered their heads.
Then he came closer to where she stood.
For some reason, he looked at her.
Not casually.
He studied her.
His dark eyes moved over her face for a brief moment before settling directly on hers.
Serena held his gaze.
Something about the way everyone reacted to him irritated her.
She glanced around at the terrified employees and muttered under her breath,
“What is this? Are they looking at some kind of king?”
Lucian stopped.
Serena's eyes widened slightly.
The entire office seemed to freeze even further.
He slowly turned his head toward her.
His gaze landed on her.
“What did you say?”
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
Serena's confidence faltered for half a second.
Then she lifted her chin.
“I said…”
She looked him straight in the eyes.
“You're just a man. I don't understand why everyone is acting like you've come to sentence them to death.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Lucian stared at her.
For a moment, Serena wondered if she had gone too far.
Then something changed in his expression.
The faintest smirk touched his lips.
“Hmm.”
His eyes remained on hers.
“Too brave for a Valenti.”
Serena froze.
A Valenti?
How did he know her name?
Before she could ask, Lucian turned and continued walking.
His guards followed behind him.
The elevator doors opened.
He stepped inside without looking back.
The doors closed.
Serena continued staring at them.
“What just happened?”
Xavier finally exhaled.
“You…”
He looked at her in disbelief.
“You actually spoke to him like that?”
Serena turned toward him.
“Why? Who exactly is he?”
Xavier glanced around before lowering his voice.
“That was Lucian Moretti.”
Serena frowned.
“I know his name.”
“No. You don't understand.”
Xavier looked toward the elevator.
“That man owns companies across the city. He controls businesses, people, connections… things most people don't even realize he controls.”
Serena remained quiet.
“But why was everyone so scared?”
Xavier's expression became serious.
“Because Lucian doesn't need to shout to make people afraid.”
He paused.
“His silence is worse.”
“People say he doesn't forgive.”
Xavier's voice dropped.
“He doesn't forget either.”
“And when someone betrays him?”
Xavier looked toward the elevator.
“They don't get a second chance.”
Serena swallowed.
“Then why do they call him Lucifer?”
Xavier's expression tightened.
“Because of what follows him.”
“Meaning?”
“Anger. Punishment. Fear.”
He looked directly at her.
“Lucian Moretti doesn't love. He doesn't forgive. And he never forgets.”
Serena stared at the elevator doors.
His words echoed in her mind.
Too brave for a Valenti.
Why had he said that?
And what did he know about her family?
She looked toward the elevator one last time.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Lucifer.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD