THE DEVIL'S HEIRESS

Chapter 7 - Curiosity Is Dangerous

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.

Sienna stepped inside without looking back.

The doors were already closing when a familiar hand slipped between them.

They opened again.

Alex Bellucci walked in.

Sienna stared at the glowing floor numbers.

"...You're following me."

"I work here."

"I wasn't talking about the building."

Alex smiled to himself.

"I figured."

The elevator began its descent.

Neither spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It was... entertaining.

Alex finally broke it.

"You're unusually calm."

"I've been told."

"I expected you to be embarrassed."

She looked at him.

"Why?"

"Most women would be."

"I'm not most women."

"No."

His eyes met hers.

"You certainly aren't."

The elevator stopped on the executive floor.

The doors opened.

Neither moved.

One of Alex's assistants stood outside holding several folders.

The poor man froze.

"...Sir?"

Alex looked at him.

"What is it?"

"The... um..."

His eyes shifted toward Sienna.

"We've prepared the luncheon with the board members."

"I'll be there shortly."

"Yes, sir."

The assistant hurried away.

Sienna stepped out of the elevator.

"So."

Alex said.

"I'll see you at lunch."

"You won't."

"Oh?"

"I'm eating elsewhere."

"Already made plans?"

"No."

"Then why refuse?"

She adjusted the strap of her handbag.

"Because you asked."

Alex laughed quietly.

"You enjoy making things difficult."

"I enjoy peace."

"You've had very little since meeting me."

"Exactly."

She walked away.

Alex watched her disappear around the corner before shaking his head.

"...She's impossible."

"No, sir."

One of his guards suddenly appeared beside him.

"She's interesting."

Alex glanced sideways.

"You've become quite talkative."

"My apologies, sir."

"...But you're right."

...

Meanwhile...

Kai and Zara were already seated inside a nearby Italian restaurant.

Kai checked his watch.

"She's late."

"That's unlike her."

Five minutes later...

Sienna arrived.

She took her seat as though nothing unusual had happened.

Kai narrowed his eyes.

"So..."

"So?"

"Care to explain?"

"Explain what?"

"The CEO."

"What about him?"

Zara leaned forward dramatically.

"The man was laughing."

"And?"

"He laughed."

"I heard."

Kai nodded seriously.

"We heard it too."

"So?"

Zara blinked.

"Sienna..."

She lowered her voice.

"...Do you know Alex Bellucci?"

"No."

Kai frowned.

"Then why did he look at you like he'd known you for years?"

"He has expressive eyes."

"Sienna."

"What?"

"Don't 'what' me."

She calmly unfolded her napkin.

"You're imagining things."

Kai sighed.

"I've known you for twelve years."

Zara crossed her arms.

"I've known you for ten."

The two spoke together.

"You're hiding something."

Sienna looked from one to the other.

"...You two spend too much time together."

"So that's a yes?"

"No."

"Then tell us."

"I have nothing to tell."

Their food arrived.

Perfect timing.

Sienna immediately picked up her fork.

Kai groaned.

"She's escaping again."

"It works every time."

...

Across the city...

Alex sat inside his office overlooking Milan.

His assistant entered.

"You asked for Miss Sienna De Luca's profile."

Alex looked up.

"So?"

The assistant handed him a folder.

"Age, twenty-seven."

"Daughter of Lorenzo De Luca."

"Managing Director of De Luca Holdings."

"Graduated top of her class."

"No scandals."

"No public relationships."

"No engagements."

"No dating history we could verify."

Alex flipped through the pages.

"Hm."

The assistant hesitated.

"There is something unusual, sir."

"What?"

"Everyone we interviewed described her the same way."

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"'Cold.'"

"'Untouchable.'"

"'Impossible to approach.'"

"'Married to her work.'"

Alex smiled faintly.

"They're wrong."

"Sir?"

"She laughs."

The assistant blinked.

"...I'm sorry?"

"Never mind."

Alex closed the file.

"What about her friends?"

"The blonde woman is Zara Romano."

"Public Relations Director."

"The gentleman accompanying them is Kai Bennett."

"Chief Strategy Officer."

"They've both worked with Miss De Luca for years."

Alex nodded.

"Good."

The assistant waited.

"...Is there anything else?"

Alex looked out the window.

"Yes."

"Sir?"

"I'd like tonight's charity gala guest list."

The assistant looked confused.

"The Bellucci Foundation Gala?"

"Yes."

"We've already confirmed your attendance."

"I know."

Alex smiled.

"...Now tell me whether Sienna De Luca has."

...

That evening...

Inside their hotel suite...

Zara burst through the door carrying a gold envelope.

"You are not going to believe this!"

Kai looked up from his laptop.

"What happened?"

She waved the envelope excitedly.

"We've been invited to the Bellucci Foundation Charity Gala tonight!"

Kai whistled.

"That's... unexpected."

Sienna looked away from the documents she was reading.

"A gala?"

Zara nodded repeatedly.

"The biggest charity event in Milan."

"Business leaders."

"Politicians."

"Investors."

"Fashion icons."

"And apparently..."

She looked directly at Sienna.

"...The CEO himself requested that the De Luca delegation attend."

Kai slowly turned toward Sienna.

"...Requested?"

Zara smirked.

"Interesting."

Sienna calmly closed her folder.

"We're here for business."

"Exactly!"

Zara grinned.

"So we'll attend."

Sienna sighed.

"I dislike parties."

Kai smiled.

"I know."

"I dislike crowds."

"I know."

"I dislike dressing up."

Zara threw a garment bag onto the sofa.

"Too late."

Sienna looked at it.

"...What's that?"

"A dress."

"I have dresses."

"Not like this one."

"You bought it?"

"I rented it."

"When?"

"This afternoon."

"You planned this?"

"I had hope."

Sienna rubbed her forehead.

"...You're exhausting."

Zara wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"But you love me."

"I tolerate you."

"I'll take it."

Kai laughed.

"I've heard that somewhere before."

Sienna couldn't help the tiny smile that escaped her lips.

Neither Zara nor Kai missed it.

"There."

Zara pointed dramatically.

"She smiled!"

"It was an accident."

"We witnessed it."

"It won't happen again."

Kai chuckled.

"I wouldn't make promises."

Outside the hotel, a sleek black car pulled to the curb.

Inside, Alex Bellucci looked up at the illuminated windows of the hotel.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Let's see..."

He murmured quietly.

"...whether you'll say no to me a third time."

_______

The Bellucci Foundation Charity Gala was the definition of luxury.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the grand ballroom. A live orchestra filled the air with soft music while waiters moved gracefully through the crowd carrying silver trays of champagne and appetizers.

Europe's most influential businessmen, politicians, celebrities and investors filled the hall, exchanging smiles and handshakes beneath the glittering lights.

Outside the entrance, a sleek black sedan came to a stop.

Kai stepped out first, adjusting the cuff of his midnight-blue suit before opening the rear door.

Zara emerged with a grin.

"You clean up nicely."

Kai rolled his eyes.

"You've told me that three times."

"Because it's true."

Before Kai could reply, another pair of elegant heels touched the red carpet.

Sienna stepped out.

For a brief second...

The entrance fell silent.

She wore a simple black evening gown that perfectly complemented her figure. There were no unnecessary jewels or flashy accessories. Her hair rested neatly over one shoulder while a pair of diamond earrings caught the light with every movement.

Elegant.

Confident.

Untouchable.

Several cameras immediately turned toward her.

"That's Sienna De Luca."

"The Devil's Heiress?"

"I heard she's the next successor."

"She's even more beautiful in person."

Sienna ignored every whisper.

Kai walked beside her.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"I hate cameras."

"I know."

"If one flashes in my face again, I'm breaking it."

Kai chuckled.

"I believe you."

Without thinking, he gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her shoulder.

"There."

"You had something on you."

Sienna looked at him.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching from the top of the staircase.

Alex Bellucci.

He had been greeting guests when the De Luca delegation arrived.

His attention wasn't on the cameras.

It wasn't even on Sienna.

It was on Kai's hand.

His expression remained calm.

But his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

One of his directors approached.

"Mr. Bellucci?"

Alex didn't answer immediately.

"...Who is that man beside Miss De Luca?"

"The gentleman?"

"Yes."

"That's Kai Bennett. Chief Strategy Officer of De Luca Holdings."

Alex's eyes remained fixed on Kai.

"They're close."

"So I've heard."

"...Friends?"

The director nodded.

"Very close friends."

Alex hummed quietly.

"I see."

He looked away.

"I don't like him."

The director blinked.

"Sir?"

"Nothing."

Alex descended the staircase.

Almost immediately, several guests surrounded him.

"Mr. Bellucci!"

"It's an honor."

"Congratulations on the partnership."

He acknowledged each greeting politely before his eyes found Sienna once more.

She was already talking with a few investors.

One elderly businessman smiled warmly.

"Miss De Luca, your presentation yesterday was exceptional."

"Thank you."

"I hope we'll work together someday."

"I look forward to it."

Before the conversation could continue, another man approached.

He was young.

Well-dressed.

Confident.

Perhaps too confident.

"Miss De Luca."

He bowed slightly.

"My name is Victor Romano."

Sienna nodded politely.

"Good evening."

"I've been hoping to meet you."

"I'm here now."

Victor smiled.

"I was wondering if you'd honor me with a dance later."

"No."

He laughed as though she'd made a joke.

"I haven't finished asking."

"You already did."

"...And?"

"My answer remains no."

Several nearby guests tried not to laugh.

Victor cleared his throat.

"Perhaps after we get to know each other."

"I'm not interested."

"I'm sure you'll change your mind."

"I rarely do."

His smile became strained.

"You know..."

He leaned slightly closer.

"...People say you're difficult."

"They're correct."

Alex watched everything from across the ballroom.

He made no move to interfere.

Instead...

He watched.

Victor wasn't giving up.

"I believe every woman eventually says yes."

Sienna calmly took a sip of her champagne.

Then looked him directly in the eyes.

"Then perhaps you've never met a woman capable of meaning no."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Victor's face turned red.

Around them, several guests exchanged amused glances.

One elderly woman smiled into her wine glass.

Alex couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on his lips.

She hadn't needed rescuing.

She never had.

Victor forced a laugh before awkwardly excusing himself.

The moment he disappeared into the crowd, Zara appeared beside Sienna.

"You killed that poor man."

"He'll recover."

Kai walked over carrying two glasses of sparkling water.

"I figured you'd want this instead."

He handed one to Sienna.

She accepted it.

"You know me too well."

"I've had enough years of practice."

Alex noticed the exchange.

Again.

Kai anticipating what Sienna wanted before she asked.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Moments later, the orchestra changed melodies.

The announcer stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"For our next dance..."

"We invite everyone to the ballroom."

Couples slowly made their way toward the center.

Kai looked at Sienna.

"Would you like to dance?"

Before she could answer—

"May I borrow your partner?"

A deep voice interrupted.

Kai turned.

Alex Bellucci stood before them.

His expression was polite.

His eyes were fixed on Sienna.

Kai smiled professionally.

"I'm afraid that decision isn't mine."

Alex shifted his gaze to Sienna.

"Miss De Luca."

He extended his hand.

"May I have this dance?"

The ballroom seemed to grow quieter.

Every nearby guest looked in their direction.

Sienna stared at his outstretched hand.

Then...

Without the slightest hesitation...

She smiled politely.

"No."

The silence that followed was almost painful.

Someone nearly dropped a champagne glass.

Zara's eyes widened.

Kai coughed into his fist to hide a laugh.

Alex looked at his rejected hand.

Then back at Sienna.

"...Rejected."

"I warned you yesterday."

"You did."

"I don't dance with strangers."

Alex slowly lowered his hand.

A faint smile spread across his face.

"Then perhaps..."

He stepped just a little closer.

"...we should stop being strangers."

Sienna met his gaze without blinking.

"I'm not convinced."

For the first time in years...

Alex Bellucci found himself looking forward to a challenge.

And Sienna De Luca had just become his favorite one.