Chapter 10 Unwelcome Presence
1011 Words
The next few days in New York passed with an uneasy calm.
To anyone looking from the outside, Lorenzo De Luca’s life appeared perfect. His company continued to grow, the media praised his leadership, and his marriage to Isabella seemed stable.
But beneath that polished surface, something had begun to shift.
Something small.
Something dangerous.
And Lorenzo didn’t fully realize it yet.
Monday morning arrived with the usual rush at De Luca Enterprises.
Employees hurried through the tall glass doors, assistants carried files between departments, and the atmosphere buzzed with quiet tension.
Lorenzo walked through the main lobby like he always did—confident, calm, and intimidating.
The moment he entered, the receptionist immediately straightened.
“Good morning, Mr. De Luca.”
He nodded slightly and continued toward the elevator.
Inside the elevator, his phone buzzed.
A new message appeared.
Victoria:
Coffee today?
Lorenzo stared at the screen.
For a few seconds, he didn’t respond.
He should ignore it.
That would be the smart thing to do.
But instead, his fingers typed a short reply.
Lorenzo:
I’m busy.
A reply came almost immediately.
Victoria:
You’ve always been busy.
He sighed quietly.
The elevator doors opened to his floor, and he stepped out.
Another message appeared.
Victoria:
Lunch then.
He didn’t reply this time.
But he also didn’t block her.
That afternoon, Lorenzo sat in his office reviewing documents when his assistant knocked.
“Sir?”
“Yes.”
“There’s a visitor asking to see you.”
“I don’t have any appointments.”
“She says you’ll want to see her.”
Lorenzo frowned slightly.
“Name?”
The assistant hesitated.
“Victoria Hayes.”
Lorenzo’s expression darkened.
He stood up slowly.
“Send her in.”
Seconds later, the door opened.
Victoria walked in confidently, dressed in a sleek black blazer and heels.
She looked perfectly comfortable walking into his office as if she had never left his life.
“Well,” she said with a smile, “this office is even more impressive than I imagined.”
Lorenzo crossed his arms.
“You didn’t have an appointment.”
“You didn’t reply to my message.”
“That doesn’t mean you can just walk in here.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“You’re still dramatic.”
“I’m serious.”
She walked around the office slowly, examining the large windows and modern décor.
“You’ve done well for yourself.”
“You didn’t come here to admire the furniture.”
“No,” she admitted.
She stopped in front of his desk.
“I came to see you.”
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Victoria studied him carefully before answering.
“Because I don’t like unfinished stories.”
“Whatever story we had ended six years ago.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Did it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you meet me the other night?”
Lorenzo didn’t respond.
Victoria smiled faintly.
“That’s what I thought.”
He sighed.
“What do you want, Victoria?”
“For now?”
She shrugged casually.
“Lunch.”
“I’m working.”
“You always are.”
She leaned against the desk.
“Come on, Lorenzo. It’s just lunch.”
He stared at her silently for a moment.
Then he said something he would later regret.
“Fine.”
Victoria’s smile widened.
“Perfect.”
Across the city, Isabella stood inside a small bookstore near Central Park.
It had become one of her favorite places since moving to New York.
The quiet atmosphere reminded her of the bookstore where she used to work before meeting Lorenzo.
She picked up a novel from the shelf and flipped through the pages.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Lorenzo.
Lorenzo:
Working late today.
Isabella smiled softly and typed back.
Isabella:
Don’t forget dinner tonight.
A moment passed.
Then his reply came.
Lorenzo:
I’ll try.
She frowned slightly.
I’ll try?
That wasn’t like him.
Normally he would say yes or apologize if he couldn’t come.
She pushed the thought away.
He’s just busy, she told herself.
Still…
Something felt slightly wrong.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo and Victoria sat at an upscale restaurant.
Victoria sipped her wine while watching him carefully.
“You still hate long lunches,” she said.
“I have work.”
“You always had work.”
“And you always had patience.”
“Not anymore,” she said lightly.
He looked at her.
“What changed?”
“Life.”
There was a brief silence.
Then Victoria asked casually,
“Does your wife cook?”
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“That’s sweet.”
“She likes it.”
“Does she know how dangerous your world is?”
His expression hardened.
“That’s not your concern.”
Victoria raised her hands slightly.
“Relax. I was just asking.”
She leaned forward slightly.
“You know… I always thought you’d end up with someone powerful.”
“Isabella is strong.”
“I’m sure she is.”
But something about the way Victoria said it felt dismissive.
Lorenzo didn’t like that.
“She’s the best thing in my life.”
Victoria watched his face carefully.
Then she smiled.
“I’m glad.”
But deep inside, she wasn’t glad at all.
Because Victoria Hayes had not returned to New York simply to reconnect with an old acquaintance.
She had returned for something else.
And she wasn’t planning to leave until she got it.
That evening, Isabella finished preparing dinner.
She placed two plates on the table.
The food slowly began to cool.
She checked the time.
9:15 PM.
Still no sign of Lorenzo.
Her phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
Lorenzo:
Running late.
Isabella stared at the screen for a moment.
Then she replied.
Isabella:
Okay. I’ll wait.
She sat down quietly at the table.
But deep inside, a small uneasy feeling began to grow.
Because sometimes the biggest storms begin with the smallest changes.
And Victoria Hayes had just taken the first step into Lorenzo and Isabella’s marriage.
- Writer
