THE DEVIL'S HEIRESS

Chapter 9 - One More Day

The drive back to Bellucci International headquarters was unusually quiet.

Alex sat in the back seat, his elbow resting against the window as Milan blurred past.

His bodyguard glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

"You seem to be in a good mood today, sir."

"Am I?"

"You've smiled four times."

Alex looked out the window again.

"I wasn't counting."

"...We were."

A faint chuckle escaped him.

"I'll try to disappoint you tomorrow."

"I'm afraid that may be difficult."

Alex shook his head.

"...She's interesting."

The bodyguard smiled knowingly but wisely kept the rest of his thoughts to himself.

...

Back at the hotel...

Kai and Zara followed Sienna into the elevator.

The silence lasted exactly five seconds.

Zara turned dramatically.

"Alright."

"No."

"I haven't even asked."

"I already know."

Kai laughed quietly.

"She's right."

Zara folded her arms.

"Fine."

She pointed at Sienna.

"What exactly did he mean by 'my tip'?"

"I don't know."

"Liar."

"I genuinely don't know what interpretation he wants you to have."

Kai raised an eyebrow.

"So there is a story."

"No."

"There definitely is."

The elevator doors opened.

Sienna stepped out first.

"I'm taking a nap."

"It isn't even noon."

"I'm exhausted."

"From rejecting billionaires?"

Sienna looked back over her shoulder.

"...Surprisingly."

Kai burst into laughter.

Even Sienna smiled before disappearing into her room.

Zara stared after her.

"Did you see that?"

Kai nodded.

"She smiled twice today."

"I'm documenting this."

...

The following morning...

The final business review with Bellucci International was scheduled for ten o'clock.

Unlike the previous meeting, today's agenda was simple.

Review the implementation schedule.

Assign liaison teams.

Finalize communication channels.

Then De Luca Holdings would return to Italy.

Kai adjusted his tie as they entered the conference room.

"One more meeting."

Zara stretched.

"And then home."

"I miss my bed."

Sienna simply nodded.

"So do I."

Executives gradually took their seats.

Several greeted the De Luca delegation warmly.

The atmosphere was noticeably lighter than before.

Ten minutes later...

The doors opened.

Alex entered.

Professional.

Composed.

As though yesterday's conversation in the hotel lobby had never happened.

He greeted everyone before taking his seat.

The meeting began immediately.

For nearly two hours, everything proceeded without interruption.

No teasing.

No jokes.

No unnecessary conversations.

Just business.

Exactly the way Sienna preferred.

When the final document was signed, one of Bellucci's senior directors smiled.

"It has been a pleasure working with De Luca Holdings."

"The feeling is mutual," Kai replied.

The executives began filing out of the room.

Sienna gathered her laptop.

Just as she was about to leave...

"Miss De Luca."

She looked up.

Alex stood a few steps away.

"I have one final question."

Kai looked between them.

"I'll wait outside."

Sienna nodded.

Once the room was empty, Alex spoke.

"You're leaving this afternoon."

"Yes."

"I see."

Silence settled between them.

Sienna waited.

"...Was that your question?"

"No."

He reached into his jacket pocket.

For a brief moment, Sienna thought he was about to produce another dinner invitation.

Instead...

He placed a sleek black business card on the table.

"My direct number."

She looked at it.

Then back at him.

"I already have your office contact."

"This one isn't for business."

"I know."

She made no move to pick it up.

"If you ever need anything..."

He said quietly.

"...Call me."

Sienna tilted her head slightly.

"Anything?"

"Within reason."

She considered his words.

Then...

To Alex's surprise...

She picked up the card.

He tried not to look pleased.

"I'll keep it."

His eyes brightened just a little.

"So you'll call?"

"No."

"...Then why keep it?"

She slipped the card into her handbag.

"I dislike wasting paper."

Alex laughed.

"You almost had me."

"I know."

She turned toward the door.

Halfway there, she paused.

Without looking back, she asked,

"Do you chase every woman this much?"

Alex answered honestly.

"No."

"Then why me?"

He thought about it.

Longer than she expected.

Finally...

"Because you never once cared who I was."

Sienna remained still.

He continued.

"When we met..."

"You spoke to me like I was just another man."

"I liked that."

She smiled faintly.

"I thought you were a gigolo."

"I know."

"I was wrong."

"You were."

A brief silence followed.

Then she added,

"...You were an expensive gigolo."

Alex rubbed a hand over his face, trying—and failing—not to laugh.

"I suppose that's progress."

"It is."

She finally looked back at him.

"For what it's worth..."

"Thank you."

His smile softened.

"For what?"

"For helping me that night."

"It was nothing."

"It wasn't."

Their eyes met.

For the first time since they'd met...

Neither of them joked.

Neither of them teased.

The moment was quiet.

Honest.

Then Sienna gave a small nod.

"Goodbye, Mr. Bellucci."

She walked away.

Alex watched until the conference room door closed behind her.

Only then did he quietly murmur to himself,

"...Until next time, Sienna."

Outside the room...

Kai was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

He glanced at Sienna as she approached.

"Everything alright?"

"Yes."

"What did he want?"

Sienna looked ahead as they walked toward the elevator.

"He gave me his number."

Kai stopped walking.

"...You accepted it?"

"I accepted the card."

"And?"

"I never promised to use it."

Kai smiled.

"That sounds more like you."

As they entered the elevator, neither of them noticed a pair of eyes watching from the opposite end of the hallway.

Alex stood alone.

A small smile rested on his face.

For the first time in a very long time...

He wasn't looking forward to another business deal.

He was looking forward...

To seeing one particular woman again.

________

The private jet landed just after noon.

As the cabin door opened, a cool breeze greeted the three travelers.

"It feels good to be home," Zara sighed, stretching her arms.

Kai smiled.

"I never thought I'd miss traffic."

"I never thought I'd miss my own bed."

Sienna adjusted the strap of her handbag.

"Let's hope home is quieter than Milan."

Kai and Zara exchanged a glance.

Neither of them believed that.

...

An hour later...

The black company sedan rolled through the towering gates of the De Luca Estate.

The mansion stood proudly against the afternoon sky, as elegant as ever.

Beautiful.

Cold.

Sienna stared at it through the car window.

"It still feels the same."

Kai looked at her.

"You don't sound happy."

"It isn't happiness."

"It's familiarity."

The car stopped.

A servant hurried over and opened the door.

"Welcome home, Miss Sienna."

She gave a small nod before stepping out.

Kai and Zara followed behind.

Before they could enter the mansion...

The front doors opened.

Lorenzo De Luca walked out.

Tall.

Distinguished.

Still carrying the commanding presence that had made De Luca Holdings one of the most respected companies in Italy.

For the first time in days...

A genuine smile appeared on his face.

"Sienna."

She walked over.

"Father."

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I heard the partnership was successful."

"It was."

"I knew it would be."

His voice carried unmistakable pride.

"You've done well."

Sienna simply nodded.

"Thank you."

Kai smiled to himself.

Lorenzo rarely praised anyone.

The fact that he'd come outside personally to welcome Sienna spoke volumes.

"Mr. Bennett."

Lorenzo turned to Kai.

"Thank you for looking after her."

Kai smiled politely.

"It's always a pleasure, sir."

"And Miss Zara."

Zara bowed her head slightly.

"Welcome back."

"Thank you, Mr. De Luca."

Before anyone could say another word...

Another voice interrupted.

"So..."

"I suppose congratulations are in order."

Adrian descended the marble staircase leading from the front entrance.

He wore an expensive gray suit, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.

A polite smile rested on his lips.

But his eyes...

Held no warmth.

"Sienna."

She met his gaze.

"Adrian."

"I heard you impressed Bellucci International."

"We completed our assignment."

"I'm sure Father is thrilled."

Lorenzo's expression hardened ever so slightly.

"It wasn't only Sienna."

He looked at Kai and Zara.

"The entire team performed well."

Adrian nodded.

"Of course."

His smile never faltered.

"I look forward to hearing all about it."

Sienna already knew that tone.

It wasn't curiosity.

It was calculation.

...

That evening...

Dinner was held in the estate's grand dining room.

The long table easily seated twenty people.

Tonight...

Only six occupied it.

Lorenzo.

Sienna.

Adrian.

Isabella.

Beatrice.

And Damien.

Conversation remained polite.

Almost too polite.

"So..."

Isabella smiled sweetly.

"I heard Milan was beautiful."

"It was."

"You must've enjoyed yourself."

"It was a business trip."

"Business can still be enjoyable."

"It wasn't."

Beatrice giggled softly.

"I saw pictures online."

She looked at Sienna innocently.

"You and Mr. Bellucci looked quite close."

The room became noticeably quieter.

Adrian casually reached for his wine.

"I saw those too."

Lorenzo looked at Sienna.

"I assume they're exaggerated."

"They are."

She answered without hesitation.

"We attended the same charity gala."

"Nothing more."

Lorenzo nodded once.

"I expected as much."

Isabella smiled gently.

"People online seem convinced there's something between you."

"There isn't."

"That's good."

She sipped her wine.

"It would be unfortunate if personal matters affected business."

Sienna calmly placed her fork down.

"I don't mix the two."

"No."

Adrian smiled.

"You never have."

His words sounded complimentary.

But Sienna knew better.

Everything Adrian said had a second meaning.

Everything.

...

After dinner...

Kai was preparing to leave when Sienna walked him to the front entrance.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

They stood beneath the soft glow of the porch lights.

Kai looked at her carefully.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You always say that."

"Because I usually am."

He smiled.

"I'll believe you."

She nodded.

"Drive safely."

Kai turned toward his car before stopping.

"Oh."

"What?"

"If Europe's richest CEO suddenly appears outside your office..."

Sienna sighed.

"I'm moving countries."

Kai laughed.

"I'd pay to see that."

She shook her head.

"Goodnight, Kai."

"Goodnight, Sienna."

He drove away, leaving her standing alone.

From the second-floor balcony...

Someone had watched the entire exchange.

Adrian.

He leaned against the railing, his expression unreadable.

"So..."

He murmured to himself.

"Kai Bennett."

"I've always wondered..."

His eyes narrowed.

"...whether you're merely her friend."

A slow smile spread across his face.

"If not..."

"Perhaps I can make use of that."

...

The next morning...

De Luca Holdings buzzed with its usual energy.

Employees greeted Sienna respectfully as she walked through the executive floor.

"Good morning, Miss De Luca."

"Welcome back, Miss De Luca."

She acknowledged each greeting with a nod before entering her office.

Her assistant followed close behind.

"Miss De Luca."

"Yes?"

"Mr. Lorenzo has called for an executive board meeting in thirty minutes."

"What for?"

"I'm not sure."

She placed several files on Sienna's desk.

"And..."

"There was another delivery."

Sienna looked up.

"...Another?"

Her assistant smiled awkwardly.

"Yes."

Outside her office door...

Sat a modest white box tied with a navy ribbon.

No giant bouquet.

No extravagant display.

Just a neatly wrapped package.

Attached to it was a small handwritten card.

Sienna opened it.

Inside were only seven words.

**You skipped breakfast again, didn't you?**

No signature.

She didn't need one.

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"...Persistent."

Her assistant blinked.

"Miss?"

Sienna closed the card.

"Nothing."

She picked up the box.

Inside...

Were freshly baked croissants from the café she had visited every morning in Milan.

Still warm.