Chapter 2 : The Man Behind The Mask
338 Words
Elena hated being watched.
Yet for three days after the gala, she felt Lucian Moretti's presence everywhere.
Not physically.
Strategically.
The invitation she hadn't requested waiting outside her apartment.
The luxury car that seemed to appear a little too often in her neighborhood.
The feeling that invisible eyes were studying her every move.
Most people would have been frightened.
Elena was annoyed.
She stood on the balcony of her apartment as the city lights glittered beneath her.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
**Dinner tomorrow. Eight o'clock.**
No greeting.
No signature.
Just a location.
A private restaurant overlooking the harbor.
Arrogant.
Assuming.
Very Lucian Moretti.
Elena smirked before deleting the message.
Then she spent the next ten minutes wondering why her pulse had quickened.
The following evening, she arrived precisely at eight.
The restaurant was nearly empty.
Of course it was.
Men like Lucian didn't share space with strangers.
He was already waiting.
Dark suit.
Perfect posture.
The same unreadable expression that made politicians nervous and criminals obedient.
His gaze lifted as she approached.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Taking in every detail.
Not enough to be insulting.
Just enough to be unsettling.
"Miss Vasquez."
His voice was smooth.
Dangerously calm.
Elena slid into the seat opposite him.
"You seem very confident that I'd come."
A faint smile appeared.
"I wasn't confident."
His eyes held hers.
"I was hopeful."
The unexpected answer caught her off guard.
Only briefly.
Still, it was enough for Lucian to notice.
He noticed everything.
The silence stretched between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Charged.
Like the moment before a storm breaks over the ocean.
Neither looked away.
Neither surrendered an inch.
And for reasons Elena couldn't explain, she suddenly understood something terrifying.
Lucian Moretti wasn't interested in controlling the conversation.
He was studying her.
Learning her.
The same way a hunter studies a target.
The same way she studied hers.
The realization should have frightened her.
Instead, it sparked something far more dangerous.
Curiosity.
And curiosity, Elena knew, was often the first step toward disaster.
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.
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Enjoyy!!!
- Writer
