Chapter 2 The Man Who Kept Coming Back
805 Words
The first time Lorenzo De Luca entered Isabella’s bookstore, she assumed she would never see him again.
Men like him didn’t belong in places like this.
Men like him had lives full of luxury dinners, private meetings, and powerful connections.
Not quiet mornings surrounded by books.
But the next afternoon, the bell above the bookstore door rang again.
Isabella looked up automatically.
And nearly dropped the book she was holding.
Lorenzo De Luca was standing there.
Again.
Lily noticed her frozen expression and immediately followed her gaze.
“Oh my God,” Lily whispered excitedly. “Your rich boyfriend is back.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Isabella muttered.
Yet for some reason, her heart started beating a little faster as Lorenzo walked toward the counter.
He looked just as composed as the day before.
Black suit.
Perfect posture.
That calm, powerful presence that made people instinctively move out of his way.
But when his dark eyes landed on Isabella…
Something softened.
“Good afternoon,” he said.
“Hello,” she replied, trying to sound normal.
Lily quietly disappeared to the back of the store, clearly trying not to interrupt.
Lorenzo placed yesterday’s book on the counter.
“I finished it.”
Isabella blinked.
“You finished it already?”
“Yes.”
“That was a three-hundred-page novel.”
“I read fast.”
She crossed her arms suspiciously.
“So… what did you think?”
Lorenzo looked thoughtful.
“The ending was unrealistic.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Excuse me?”
“The man waited ten years for the woman he loved,” he explained calmly. “No one waits that long.”
Isabella frowned.
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. When people truly love someone, they wait.”
Lorenzo studied her face carefully.
“And would you wait?” he asked quietly.
The question caught her off guard.
She hesitated.
“I… think I would.”
“Even if the person hurt you?”
“Yes.”
“Even if they chose someone else?”
Her expression faltered slightly.
“That would hurt,” she admitted. “But love isn’t always easy.”
For a moment, Lorenzo didn’t speak.
His gaze lingered on her face longer than usual.
As if her words meant more to him than they should.
Finally, he pushed the book toward her.
“Then I need another recommendation.”
She sighed dramatically.
“You’re very demanding for a customer.”
“Only with you.”
Her cheeks turned pink before she could stop herself.
Isabella quickly turned around and walked toward the shelves, pretending to search for a book.
But she could feel his eyes following her.
Watching her every movement.
For a man like Lorenzo De Luca…
Watching people was second nature.
He had spent years reading enemies, partners, liars, and traitors.
But Isabella Hart was different.
She was honest.
Pure.
Uncomplicated.
And somehow…
That made her fascinating.
When she returned to the counter, she handed him another novel.
“This one has a better ending,” she said.
“Good.”
He paid again but didn’t leave.
Instead, he asked casually,
“Do you always work here?”
“Yes.”
“Every day?”
“Mostly.”
“Then I suppose I’ll be seeing you often.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Do you read this much?”
“No.”
“Then why come here every day?”
Lorenzo leaned slightly closer.
His voice lowered just enough to make her heart skip.
“Maybe I’m not coming for the books.”
For the first time since meeting him…
Isabella didn’t know what to say.
Because something in his eyes told her he meant exactly what he said.
Lorenzo straightened and walked toward the door again.
But before leaving, he turned around.
“Dinner tonight.”
Isabella blinked in surprise.
“Was that a question?”
“No.”
Her lips slowly curved into a smile.
“You’re very confident.”
“I’m usually right.”
She pretended to think about it for a moment.
Then finally said,
“Fine.”
Lorenzo’s eyebrow lifted slightly.
“You’re agreeing?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Isabella shrugged.
“Because I’m curious.”
“About what?”
She met his gaze directly.
“About the man who reads romance novels but doesn’t believe in love.”
For the first time in years…
Lorenzo De Luca felt something unfamiliar.
Excitement.
And as he stepped outside the bookstore, a small smile touched his lips.
Because he already knew something Isabella didn’t.
This wasn’t going to be just dinner.
This girl…
This ordinary girl with bright eyes and stubborn beliefs…
Was about to become the most important person in his life.
For the next six years.
Until the day everything fell apart.
- Writer
