Chapter 13 - Rome
1960 Words
The morning sky over northern Italy was painted in soft shades of gold as the De Luca Holdings jet taxied across the runway.
Inside the cabin, silence reigned.
Not the awkward kind.
The comfortable kind born from years of working together.
Sienna sat beside the window, one leg crossed over the other, a tablet resting neatly on her lap. A pair of wireless earbuds blocked out the low hum of the engines as she reviewed the final financial projections for the France Expansion Project.
Even while traveling...
She worked.
Across from her, Zara sighed dramatically before closing the fashion magazine she'd been pretending to read.
"I give up."
Kai looked up from his laptop.
"About what?"
"Her."
She pointed accusingly at Sienna.
"We're flying to Rome, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and she's reading profit margins."
Without looking up, Sienna replied,
"They're interesting."
"They're numbers."
"They become money."
Kai chuckled.
"I can't argue with that."
Zara groaned.
"I swear, one day she'll calculate our wedding budget before accepting a proposal."
Sienna finally removed one earbud.
"...That assumes I'd accept one."
Kai coughed to hide his laughter.
Zara threw her hands into the air.
"Exactly!"
"You hear that?"
"This woman doesn't even reject men anymore."
"She rejects hypothetical proposals."
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Sienna's lips before she returned to her tablet.
Kai noticed.
He always noticed.
"You smiled."
"No, I didn't."
"You definitely did."
"I breathed."
"You smiled while breathing."
"I'll avoid both next time."
Even the flight attendant couldn't hide her laugh as she walked past.
---
Two hours later...
Rome greeted them beneath a bright afternoon sun.
Historic buildings stretched across the skyline, their terracotta rooftops glowing warmly beneath the light.
Ancient architecture stood proudly beside sleek modern towers.
The city felt timeless.
Elegant.
Alive.
The Bellucci International team had arranged transportation for every invited guest.
Luxury sedans lined the private terminal.
A young coordinator stepped forward the moment the De Luca delegation entered the arrival lounge.
"Miss De Luca?"
"Yes."
"Welcome to Rome."
He bowed respectfully before handing her a leather folder.
"Your summit credentials."
"The conference begins tomorrow morning."
"We've also arranged accommodation at the Grand Imperiale Hotel."
Kai whistled softly.
"The Grand Imperiale?"
"I've heard it's impossible to book."
"It usually is," the coordinator replied politely.
"Mr. Bellucci reserved the entire executive floor for summit guests."
Zara leaned toward Kai and whispered,
"Casual billionaire behavior."
Kai smirked.
"I suppose."
Sienna remained expressionless.
"Thank you."
---
The Grand Imperiale Hotel overlooked the Tiber River.
Marble columns towered above the entrance.
Fresh flowers decorated every hallway.
Crystal chandeliers reflected across polished floors.
Everything spoke of quiet luxury rather than excessive wealth.
As they entered the lobby, Zara slowly turned in a circle.
"I could live here."
Kai looked around.
"You'd bankrupt yourself in three days."
"Worth it."
Sienna approached the reception desk.
The receptionist smiled warmly.
"Miss De Luca."
"We've been expecting you."
She handed over three room cards.
"Mr. Bellucci asked that every executive guest receive our premium suites."
Sienna paused.
"...He did?"
"Yes, Miss."
"He insisted every delegation feel at home."
Professional.
Nothing personal.
She accepted the key cards without another question.
---
An hour later...
Sienna stood alone on the balcony of her suite.
Rome stretched endlessly before her.
The city's rooftops shimmered beneath the setting sun.
Church bells echoed faintly through the evening air.
For the first time in weeks...
She wasn't thinking about Adrian.
Or the France proposal.
Or board meetings.
She simply...
Watched.
A soft knock interrupted the silence.
"Come in."
Kai entered carrying two takeaway cups.
"I guessed you'd be out here."
"You guessed correctly."
He handed her one.
She looked inside.
Hot chocolate.
"...You remembered."
"You still don't like coffee."
"No."
"I probably never will."
They stood quietly beside one another overlooking the city.
After several minutes...
Kai spoke.
"Can I ask something?"
"You usually do."
He smiled.
"When Milan ended..."
"You thanked him."
Sienna looked toward the horizon.
"Yes."
"Why?"
She thought carefully before answering.
"Because gratitude shouldn't be difficult."
Kai nodded.
"I agree."
Another silence followed.
Then he asked quietly,
"Do you think you'll see him tomorrow?"
"I imagine so."
"And..."
She looked at him.
"What?"
Kai hesitated.
"...Nothing."
He smiled instead.
"Forget it."
But he couldn't forget it.
Because for the first time since they'd become friends...
He wasn't sure where he stood in Sienna's life.
---
Elsewhere...
On the top floor of Bellucci International's Rome headquarters...
Alex stood alone inside the dark conference hall.
Workers adjusted lights.
Technicians tested microphones.
Security teams coordinated tomorrow's event.
Marco approached quietly.
"The summit preparations are complete, sir."
Alex nodded.
"The De Luca delegation arrived?"
"About an hour ago."
Alex looked toward the panoramic windows overlooking Rome.
"Good."
Marco smiled knowingly.
"I thought you'd like to know."
Alex said nothing.
But the faint smile that crossed his face was answer enough.
_______
The next morning...
Rome awoke beneath a sky painted in shades of pale blue and gold.
Sunlight spilled over ancient rooftops, illuminating fountains, narrow streets, and historic cathedrals that had stood for centuries.
From the window of her suite, Sienna watched the city slowly come alive.
People hurried to cafés.
Tourists filled the sidewalks.
The scent of freshly baked pastries drifted through the open balcony doors.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Then her phone vibrated.
Kai.
"I'm downstairs."
She smiled faintly.
"I'll be there."
...
Twenty minutes later...
The three of them sat together in the hotel's breakfast lounge.
Unlike every other morning...
Sienna was actually eating.
Zara stared at her plate in complete disbelief.
"Wait..."
Kai looked equally shocked.
"She's eating before nine?"
Zara dramatically touched Sienna's forehead.
"Are you sick?"
Sienna calmly moved her hand away.
"I'm hungry."
Kai exchanged a look with Zara.
"This feels suspicious."
"It really does."
Sienna ignored them and took another bite of her croissant.
Kai smiled to himself.
"Good."
"What?"
"I'm glad."
She looked up.
"You've been sleeping better."
Sienna blinked.
"How do you know?"
"You stopped answering emails at three in the morning."
"...You noticed?"
"I notice a lot."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of one of the summit coordinators.
"Good morning, everyone."
"The vehicles are ready."
"The summit begins in forty-five minutes."
...
The European Investors' Summit was being held inside the Palazzo Bellucci Convention Centre.
The building itself was breathtaking.
Massive marble staircases curved toward a ceiling covered in Renaissance-style paintings.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.
International flags lined the entrance hall.
Business leaders from more than thirty countries moved through the corridors, speaking dozens of different languages.
Everywhere Sienna looked...
Influence.
Power.
Opportunity.
"Now this..."
Zara whispered.
"...is a conference."
Kai adjusted his tie.
"I suddenly feel underdressed."
"You've worn that suit twice."
"It has emotional value."
"It has wrinkles."
They laughed quietly.
Sienna simply looked around.
She wasn't intimidated.
She was observing.
Every company logo.
Every executive.
Every conversation.
She'd always believed that people revealed themselves when they thought no one was watching.
...
Inside the main ballroom...
Nearly a thousand guests took their seats.
Rows upon rows of executives, investors, diplomats, and journalists filled the hall.
Large digital screens lit up across the stage.
A woman stepped to the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
"Welcome to the Annual European Investors' Summit."
Polite applause followed.
"For over twenty years..."
"This summit has brought together the brightest minds in global business."
She smiled.
"And today..."
"We continue that tradition."
The lights dimmed.
A short presentation began.
Images of Bellucci International's projects appeared across the massive screens.
Renewable energy.
Luxury real estate.
Artificial intelligence.
Shipping.
Healthcare.
Finance.
The audience watched attentively.
When the presentation ended...
The announcer returned.
"It is now my honor..."
"...to welcome the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bellucci International."
The room erupted into applause.
Alex Bellucci walked onto the stage.
He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit.
No tie.
Just a crisp white shirt beneath his jacket.
Confident.
Calm.
Commanding.
He didn't rush.
He simply walked to the podium as though the room naturally belonged to him.
The applause gradually faded.
"Good morning."
His voice carried effortlessly through the hall.
"Thank you all for joining us."
No dramatic gestures.
No unnecessary enthusiasm.
Just quiet confidence.
As he spoke about international cooperation, innovation, and responsible investment...
Sienna listened.
Not because he was Alex Bellucci.
But because...
He knew exactly what he was talking about.
He wasn't reciting words prepared by public relations.
He believed them.
Kai leaned closer.
"I'll admit..."
"He's a better speaker than I expected."
Sienna nodded slightly.
"He doesn't waste words."
Much like her.
Alex continued.
"The future of business..."
"...doesn't belong to the largest companies."
"It belongs to the companies willing to adapt."
The audience applauded.
He accepted it with a polite nod before continuing.
Halfway through his speech...
His eyes swept across the audience.
Only briefly.
Then...
They found her.
Sienna.
She sat three rows from the front, notebook open, listening with the same composed expression she wore during board meetings.
Their eyes met.
Barely two seconds.
Then she calmly looked back down at her notes.
As though nothing had happened.
Alex almost smiled.
Still impossible to read.
Still impossible to impress.
...
After the opening ceremony...
Guests moved into the networking hall.
Clusters of executives formed almost instantly.
Business cards exchanged hands.
Conversations filled the room.
Kai was quickly approached by representatives from two logistics companies.
"Excuse us."
"We'd like a word."
Kai looked at Sienna.
"I'll catch up."
She nodded.
"Go."
Almost immediately...
Zara was dragged away by a marketing director she'd met during the Milan gala.
Within seconds...
Sienna found herself standing alone near one of the exhibition displays.
She didn't mind.
Peace rarely lasted long.
"Miss De Luca."
She turned.
An elderly gentleman with silver hair approached, extending his hand.
"I'm Richard Hawthorne."
"Hawthorne Capital."
She shook his hand politely.
"A pleasure."
"I've heard remarkable things about you."
"I hope they're true."
He laughed warmly.
"So do I."
They spent several minutes discussing European investment strategies.
The conversation was engaging.
Professional.
Interesting.
Unnoticed by Sienna...
Someone watched from across the hall.
Alex.
Marco appeared beside him.
"Sir."
"The French delegation is waiting."
Alex didn't move.
"They can wait another minute."
Marco followed his gaze.
Miss De Luca.
He smiled to himself.
Without another word...
Alex straightened his jacket and finally began walking across the ballroom.
Not hurriedly.
Not dramatically.
Just steadily.
Toward her.
Sienna had just finished her conversation with Mr. Hawthorne when she sensed someone approaching.
She turned.
Alex stopped a respectful distance away.
"Miss De Luca."
"Mr. Bellucci."
"I trust Rome is treating you well."
"So far."
"I'm glad."
A brief silence settled between them.
Neither seemed uncomfortable.
Alex glanced at the untouched glass of sparkling water in her hand.
"No coffee today?"
She looked at the glass.
"I've been informed that coffee isn't breakfast."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She nodded toward Kai, who was talking animatedly with another executive across the room.
"My friends are persistent."
Alex smiled.
"I know the feeling."
For the first time that morning...
A genuine smile reached Sienna's eyes.
Small.
Almost invisible.
But it was there.
Alex noticed.
And somehow...
That tiny smile felt like a much greater victory than any business deal he'd signed that year.
Across the ballroom...
Adrian watched the exchange from behind a marble column.
His expression remained calm.
But his fingers tightened around the champagne glass in his hand.
"So..."
He murmured quietly.
"This may become useful after all."
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared on the screen.
**Everything is ready. Just give the order.**
Adrian locked his phone.
His eyes never left Sienna.
"Not yet."
He whispered.
"Let them get comfortable first."
Then...
A slow smile spread across his face.
- Writer
