Venice’s Secrets
1043 Words
Scene 1: The Flight to Venice
Maya sat beside Ryan on the private jet, arms crossed.
After last night’s events, things between them felt… complicated.
Ryan, on the other hand, was the picture of calm arrogance, sipping his whiskey like he hadn’t almost kissed her, protected her, and pulled her deeper into his dangerous world all in one night.
Maya shifted in her seat. “So, what exactly is this Venice trip about?”
Ryan didn’t even look at her. “A meeting.”
Maya scoffed. “You always say that, and yet, somehow, I end up in the middle of something insane.”
Ryan smirked. “Then maybe you should stop following me.”
Maya leaned in. “Then maybe you should stop pulling me in.”
Ryan’s smirk vanished.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, as if sensing the shift, the flight attendant approached. “Mr. Carter, we’ll be landing soon.”
Ryan nodded, his gaze still locked on Maya. “Good. We wouldn’t want to keep our host waiting.”
Maya frowned. “Host?”
Ryan’s jaw tightened. “Matteo Ricci.”
Maya froze.
Matteo Ricci—the rival CEO rumored to play dirty in business and beyond. The man Ryan had refused to partner with.
Maya’s stomach knotted. This wasn’t just a meeting. This was a warning.
And somehow, she was caught in the middle of it.
Scene 2: Welcome to the Lion’s Den
The moment they arrived in Venice, Maya sensed the tension in the air.
The meeting was being held in Matteo Ricci’s private villa—a stunning mansion overlooking the Grand Canal.
But Maya wasn’t fooled. Beneath all the elegance was a trap waiting to be sprung.
As they stepped inside, Matteo Ricci greeted them with a slick smile. “Ah, Carter. And this must be the famous Maya.”
Maya stiffened. “Famous?”
Matteo chuckled. “You’ve been by his side for weeks. People are starting to wonder if you’re more than just his assistant.”
Ryan’s expression didn’t change, but his hand brushed the small of her back—a silent warning.
“Let’s get to business,” Ryan said coldly.
Matteo led them into a dimly lit study. The air was thick with power plays and unspoken threats.
“I’ll be blunt,” Matteo said, swirling his wine. “You rejected my deal, and now my investors are nervous. That’s bad for both of us.”
Ryan leaned back, unimpressed. “I don’t do business with people I don’t trust.”
Matteo’s smirk sharpened. “And yet, you trust her?”
His eyes flicked to Maya.
A chill ran down her spine.
Ryan’s voice was like steel. “Maya isn’t part of this.”
Matteo chuckled. “Oh, but she is. You dragged her into your world, Carter. And the moment you did, she became your greatest weakness.”
Maya’s breath caught.
Ryan’s jaw clenched, but Matteo wasn’t done.
“I wonder,” Matteo mused. “How well do you really know the people closest to you?”
Before Maya could react, a door opened—
And a familiar face stepped inside.
Lisa.
Maya’s best friend.
Standing beside Matteo Ricci.
Maya felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
No.
This wasn’t happening.
Scene 3: The Betrayal
Maya stared in horror as Lisa smirked.
Ryan’s hand on the table curled into a fist.
Lisa—her best friend since college—was working with Matteo Ricci?
Maya forced herself to breathe. “Lisa… what are you doing here?”
Lisa sighed. “Oh, Maya. Always so naive.”
Maya’s heart cracked.
Ryan spoke first, his voice dangerously low. “How much did he pay you?”
Lisa laughed softly. “You think this is about money?” She turned to Maya. “You really don’t get it, do you?”
Maya’s stomach twisted. “Get what?”
Lisa’s expression darkened. “You stole everything from me.”
Maya’s mouth went dry. “What?”
Lisa leaned in, her voice dripping with resentment. “That promotion in New York? That was supposed to be mine. But you walked in, all perfect and charming, and suddenly I was invisible.”
Maya shook her head. “Lisa, that’s not true—”
Lisa cut her off. “And then, when I finally got a chance to be part of something big, Ryan Carter comes along and destroys the deal.”
Maya looked at Ryan, realization dawning.
Lisa had been involved in Matteo’s failed deal.
And Ryan had ruined her biggest opportunity.
Lisa’s voice trembled. “I lost everything because of you two.”
Matteo smirked. “So, I gave her a new chance. One where she wouldn’t be your shadow anymore.”
Maya’s heart pounded.
Ryan’s voice was ice. “And what’s your plan now?”
Lisa’s smirk widened. “Oh, Carter. You’re not leaving this meeting in one piece.”
The doors slammed shut.
And suddenly, they weren’t alone.
Armed men stepped into the room.
Ryan was already moving.
“Maya, run!”
Scene 4: The Escape
Chaos erupted.
Ryan lunged forward, knocking one of Matteo’s men unconscious with a brutal punch.
Maya barely had time to react before Lisa grabbed her wrist.
Maya twisted free. “You’re making a mistake, Lisa.”
Lisa’s eyes burned with anger. “No, Maya. For the first time, I’m finally making the right choice.”
Maya’s chest ached.
Lisa had been her friend.
And now, she was her enemy.
Gunshots rang out.
Ryan grabbed Maya’s hand, yanking her toward the back exit. They sprinted through the villa, dodging Matteo’s men.
Maya’s breath came in ragged gasps. “We’re not getting out of this, are we?”
Ryan looked at her then—really looked at her.
And then, to her utter shock, he smirked.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled her closer, voice low. “You should know by now—I always have a way out.”
And then—
He pressed a button on his watch.
BOOM.
An explosion rocked the villa.
Maya’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?!”
Ryan winked. “I like to be prepared.”
Smoke filled the air. Chaos exploded around them.
And together, they vanished into the night.
- Writer
