LUNCH WITH THE PREDATOR
947 Words
The morning dragged.
Matteo tried to focus on spreadsheets, contracts, emails anything that could drown out the anticipation sitting heavily in his chest.
It didn’t work.
His mind kept replaying the call.
See you later.
Around noon, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Then his office door burst open.
Sophia stood there, wide-eyed, slightly breathless.
“Boss!”
Matteo looked up sharply. “What happened?”
“There’s a group of guys in suits outside,” she whispered urgently. “They said they want to meet you.”
His stomach dropped.
“They look like mafia.”
His heart began to panic.
No!
Not here!
Not in front of everyone.
He stood up slowly, trying to steady himself.
“Stay here,” he told her.
“But
“Stay.”
He stepped out into the main office area.
And there they were.
Black suits. Earpieces. Silent. Alert.
And in the center
Luca.
Calm.
Perfectly dressed.
Their eyes met instantly.
Matteo walked toward him, jaw tight.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded in a low voice. “Why do you keep following me around?”
Luca’s expression didn’t shift.
“I told you,” he said evenly. “I’m taking you for lunch. Remember?”
“This is not funny.”
“I’m not here to force you.”
The words were smooth. Measured.
“But it’s just lunch.”
The office staff watched nervously from a distance.
Matteo felt trapped between embarrassment and frustration.
“You can’t just show up with with an army,” he hissed.
Luca’s lips curved slightly.
“They’re precaution.”
“Precaution for what?”
For you.!
Matteo’s breath faltered for a second.
“I don’t need protection,” he said quickly.
Luca stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“In my world, everyone needs protection.”
Matteo swallowed.
Why does he talk like that?
Why does he sound so certain?
“Just lunch,” Luca repeated quietly.
Something in his tone was different this time.
Less commanding.
Almost patient.
Matteo hesitated.
If he refused, Luca might escalate.
If he agreed… maybe this would end it.
“Fine,” Matteo muttered. “Just lunch.”
Luca’s gaze softened just slightly.
“Good.”
The ride was silent.
Matteo sat in the back seat, staring out the window, trying to ignore Luca’s presence beside him.
He could feel him.
Even without looking.
Strong. Steady. Watching.
The car finally stopped.
Matteo stepped out and froze.
This was his favorite restaurant.
The best in town.
Elegant. Private. Intimate.
“How did you know I like this place?” he asked slowly.
Luca looked at him calmly.
“Because I’m truly interested in you.”
The simplicity of the answer unsettled him.
Whatever!!!
He hissed and made his way inside
They were ushered inside immediately.
A private table had already been prepared.
Of course it had.
They sat across from each other.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Matteo felt exposed under Luca’s gaze.
“Matteo,” Luca began quietly. “I want us to talk.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m really interested in you.”
The words were steady. Not playful. Not teasing.
Serious.
Matteo looked down at the table.
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.”
Silence stretched between them.
“Have you thought about my proposal?” Luca asked.
Matteo’s jaw tightened.
“You mean about coming to live at your place?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not coming to live at your place.”
His voice was firm.
No hesitation.
Luca studied him carefully.
“Why?”
“Because I have my own life. My own home. My own space.”
“And?”
“And I don’t belong to you.”
A flicker of something dark crossed Luca’s eyes.
“I never said you belonged to me,” he replied calmly.
“But you act like it.”
The waiter arrived briefly with their food, breaking the tension.
They ate in near silence.
Matteo’s appetite was weak.
His mind kept racing.
This is too much.
Too fast.
Too intense.
“Please excuse me,” Matteo said suddenly. “I want to use the bathroom.”
Luca nodded once.
As Matteo stood
“Dan.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Follow him.”
Matteo stopped mid-step.
He turned sharply.
“Don’t you dare follow me,” he snapped. “I don’t want anyone following me. Or else I’ll leave here immediately.”
The firmness in his tone surprised even himself.
Dan glanced at Luca.
Luca held Matteo’s gaze for a long second.
Then
“Dan, allow him.”
Dan nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“But please be careful,” Luca added quietly.
Matteo frowned.
“Careful of what?” he muttered under his breath.
Luca didn’t answer.
Matteo let out a soft hiss of frustration and walked toward the hallway leading to the restrooms.
The corridor was quieter.
Dimmer.
The noise of the restaurant faded behind him.
He pushed open the washroom door and stepped inside.
Cool air hit his face.
He walked to the sink and gripped its edge.
Why is my life turning into this?
He stared at his reflection.
You need to end this.
Firmly.
Clearly.
Before it gets worse.
Water ran as he splashed his face lightly.
But something felt..off.
A shift in the air.
A presence.
He slowly looked up at the mirror.
And in the reflection!
Behind him
The bathroom door creaked open.
A man stepped in.
Tall.
Broad.
Face covered with a black mask.
Matteo’s heart stopped.
The door suddenly locked
The man’s eyes locked onto his in the mirror.
Cold.
Focused.
And moving closer…
- Writer
