Chapter 11 The First Meeting
1113 Words
The following weekend arrived quietly.
For the first time in several days, Lorenzo had decided to spend the afternoon at home. His schedule had been unusually busy all week, and Isabella had barely seen him except late at night.
Isabella didn’t complain.
She never did.
But Lorenzo had noticed the small change in her behavior — the way she sometimes looked at him as if she wanted to ask something but chose not to.
It bothered him more than he expected.
So that Saturday morning, he canceled his meetings.
For once, work could wait.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the penthouse as Isabella stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
She was humming softly to herself while flipping pancakes.
The peaceful sound filled the quiet space.
Lorenzo leaned against the doorway, watching her silently.
This had become his favorite habit lately — observing the small moments that made their house feel like a home.
Isabella suddenly turned and noticed him.
“Good morning,” she said with a warm smile.
“Good morning.”
“You’re awake early.”
“I smelled food.”
She laughed softly.
“Is that the only reason?”
“Yes.”
She placed a plate on the counter.
“Liar.”
Lorenzo walked closer and wrapped an arm around her waist from behind.
“You caught me.”
She leaned back slightly against him.
“You should sleep more,” she said gently. “You’ve been working too much.”
“Someone has to run the company.”
“You don’t have to do everything alone.”
“I know.”
For a moment, they stood there quietly.
Then Isabella turned toward him.
“Sit down. Breakfast is ready.”
Lorenzo obeyed without arguing.
That alone made Isabella smile.
After breakfast, they moved to the living room.
Isabella curled up on the couch while Lorenzo checked a few emails on his phone.
Everything felt calm again.
Almost normal.
Until the doorbell rang.
Isabella looked toward the entrance.
“Are we expecting someone?”
“No.”
Lorenzo frowned slightly and stood up.
“I’ll check.”
He walked toward the door and opened it.
For a moment, he froze.
Standing on the other side was Victoria Hayes.
She looked effortlessly elegant in a white dress and sunglasses.
“Hello, Lorenzo,” she said with a smile.
His expression immediately darkened.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
“You don’t live anywhere near here.”
“Details,” she replied casually.
“Victoria—”
Before he could finish, Isabella’s voice came from behind.
“Lorenzo, who is it?”
She walked toward the door.
And then she saw her.
Victoria slowly removed her sunglasses.
For a moment, both women simply looked at each other.
Isabella was the first to speak.
“Hello.”
Victoria smiled politely.
“You must be Isabella.”
Isabella blinked in surprise.
“Yes.”
Victoria extended her hand.
“Victoria Hayes.”
Isabella shook it.
“Nice to meet you.”
Lorenzo looked irritated.
“Victoria was just leaving.”
Victoria ignored him.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said to Isabella.
“Really?” Isabella asked curiously.
“Yes.”
“From Lorenzo?”
Victoria glanced at him briefly.
“Something like that.”
Isabella smiled warmly.
“Well, it’s nice to meet Lorenzo’s friends.”
Lorenzo immediately spoke.
“She’s not—”
But Victoria interrupted smoothly.
“We used to know each other a long time ago.”
Isabella didn’t notice the tension between them.
“Would you like to come in for coffee?”
Lorenzo turned sharply toward her.
“That’s not necessary.”
Victoria smiled sweetly.
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“It’s not an intrusion,” Isabella insisted.
She stepped aside from the doorway.
“Please come in.”
Victoria looked at Lorenzo with quiet amusement before walking inside.
“Thank you.”
Lorenzo closed the door with clear frustration.
A few minutes later, the three of them sat in the living room.
Isabella served coffee while Victoria casually looked around the penthouse.
“This place is beautiful,” she commented.
“Thank you,” Isabella replied.
“Did you decorate it?”
“A little.”
“You have good taste.”
Lorenzo remained silent.
Victoria sipped her coffee and turned toward Isabella.
“So… how did you two meet?”
Isabella smiled.
“In a bookstore.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
“That’s romantic.”
“It was unexpected,” Isabella said shyly.
“And you’ve been together long?”
“Six years.”
Victoria’s eyes flickered briefly toward Lorenzo.
“That’s a long time.”
“Yes,” Isabella said happily.
“We just got married three months ago.”
“Congratulations.”
But something about Victoria’s smile felt… strange.
Almost forced.
Isabella didn’t notice.
She continued chatting casually.
But Victoria had already begun studying her carefully.
The soft personality.
The warm smile.
The innocent trust in her eyes.
Victoria leaned back slightly.
“So Isabella,” she said calmly,
“do you know everything about Lorenzo?”
The question caught Isabella off guard.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh,” Victoria replied smoothly, “I just mean his past.”
Lorenzo’s voice suddenly cut through the room.
“That’s enough.”
Victoria looked at him innocently.
“I was just asking.”
“Don’t.”
Isabella looked between them, confused.
“Did I miss something?”
Victoria smiled sweetly.
“No.”
But then she added quietly,
“Lorenzo and I used to be very close.”
The room suddenly felt heavier.
Isabella looked at Lorenzo.
He didn’t say anything.
Victoria finished her coffee and stood up.
“Well, I should go.”
Isabella stood as well.
“It was nice meeting you.”
Victoria smiled again.
“Likewise.”
Then she turned to Lorenzo.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Before he could respond, she walked toward the door and left.
Silence filled the penthouse.
Isabella turned toward Lorenzo slowly.
“Who was she?”
He hesitated.
Then he answered quietly.
“My ex.”
Isabella blinked.
“Your… ex?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It never seemed important.”
She studied his face carefully.
“Does she still matter to you?”
Lorenzo looked at her immediately.
“No.”
But for the first time in their marriage…
Isabella felt a small c***k appear in the perfect image she had built of their life.
And she didn’t yet know how deep that c***k would become.
- Writer
