Engaged
934 Words
{…DANTE’S VILLA…}
The dinner scene was unusually lively, filled with conversation flowing between both powerful families.
Business dominated the atmosphere, but beneath it lay something else—expectation.
The long dining table was covered in an extravagant spread of food, crystal glasses shimmering under the chandelier light. At the head sat Old Mr. Dante, calm and authoritative.
Beside him, Reginald Dante observed everything in silence, while Lucia Dante occasionally exchanged polite smiles with the Suarez family.
The rest of the family occupied their seats—
Except one.
The seat at the center remained empty.
Reserved for him.
They had been waiting for over an hour.
Still no sign of Xavier.
“Where the hell is your son?” Old Mr. Dante muttered under his breath.
Lucia sighed softly, already reaching for her phone. “I don’t know. Let me call him.”
She stood just as—
The doors opened.
Silence fell instantly.
Xavier Dante stepped in.
No greeting.
No acknowledgment.
Just presence.
He walked straight to his seat as if the entire room existed only to serve his convenience.
Black trousers.
Ash-colored shirt.
Top buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of his toned abs.
Marissa’s breath hitched slightly as her eyes lingered too long.
“You’re very good at keeping people waiting,” Old Mr. Dante said dryly.
Xavier didn’t even look at him.
He sat down.
Calmly.
Coldly.
“Ten minutes,” he said flatly.
The atmosphere tightened immediately.
Even the Suarez family stiffened under his presence.
The name DEVIL suited him too well.
“Let’s get straight to the point,” Reginald said, breaking the tension.
There had always been concerns about Xavier.
At twenty-eight, he had never shown interest in any woman.
Not once.
Lucia had even wondered silently if he was gay—.
Now, however, things were different.
A marriage alliance with the Suarez family would solve everything.
Business.
Reputation.
Pressure.
A perfect arrangement.
Old Mr. Dante cleared his throat.
“Then the engagement ceremony will be in three months.”
Marissa smiled immediately, though it didn’t fully reach her eyes.
Excited… but nervous.
This was Xavier Dante.
Not a man anyone could easily reach.
“So, Xavier?” Reginald prompted.
Xavier didn’t respond.
He was looking at his phone.
Expression unreadable.
Detached.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Reginald said finally, filling the silence.
Then—
BEEP.
A notification lit up Xavier’s screen.
His eyes darkened instantly.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Even without words, everyone felt it.
Something dangerous had shifted.
On his screen—
A photo.
Alita.
And Antonio Vicente.
Hugging.
Close.
Too close.
Xavier stared at it for a long second.
Then slowly—
His jaw tightened.
“Time’s up,” he said.
He stood.
And without another word—
He walked out.
The door shut behind him with final finality.
Silence followed.
A FEW HOURS EARLIER
“Shall we?” Antonio asked gently, offering his arm.
Alita hesitated.
Her eyes flickered to the side.
Bianca.
Watching.
Burning.
Smirking faintly.
A slow, dangerous idea formed in Alita’s mind.
If Bianca wanted a reaction…
She would give her one.
So Alita slipped her hand into Antonio’s arm.
Firm.
Deliberate.
Perfect for the cameras.
Flashes exploded instantly.
Reporters screamed questions.
Bianca’s expression twisted instantly.
“B*tch…” she muttered under her breath.
Her nails dug into her palm.
That woman never stopped.
Always stealing attention.
Always ruining everything.
“I swear…” Bianca whispered, eyes darkening. “You’ll regret this.”
ON SET – LATER
The cameras clicked relentlessly.
Alita stood under the studio lights in a deep red gown covered with ruby embellishments.
It shimmered with every movement.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Irresistible.
The dress hugged her perfectly, highlighting her silhouette while the soft V-neckline added controlled allure rather than exposure.
Her makeup was subtle—enhancing rather than masking.
Every lens in the room was on her.
Even other actresses couldn’t hide their envy.
Bianca included.
Her jaw clenched tightly.
Antonio, however, couldn’t look away.
His gaze lingered too long.
Too openly.
Too dangerously.
“So perfect…” he murmured under his breath.
His eyes darkened slightly as imagination betrayed him.
“She’ll be mine,” he thought.
“And all mine.”
***
Throughout the so-called discussion, Xavier didn’t listen to a single word. He hadn’t said anything for or against the wedding. His cold, azure eyes stayed locked on his phone as if the entire room didn’t exist.
“Then I guess the wedding will be in three months,” Mr. Dante said at last.
Marissa grinned shapelessly.
“So, what do you say, Xavier?” his father asked again, trying to pull him back into the conversation.
Xavier didn’t respond.
Not a glance.
Not a sound.
Only silence.
After a long pause, Reginald exhaled, already interpreting the quiet in his own way.
“Then I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, settling the matter himself.
The room eased slightly, as though a fragile decision had finally been made.
Then—
BEEP.
Xavier’s phone lit up.
Everything changed in an instant.
His expression darkened so sharply the atmosphere seemed to freeze. The temperature in the room dropped under the weight of his silence.
Even without speaking, his anger was unmistakable.
Something had crossed a line.
Ocean-blue eyes locked onto the screen.
A photo.
Alita.
And Antonio Vicente.
Hugging.
Too close.
Too familiar.
A slow tightening formed in his jaw.
The glass in his hand didn’t move. His body didn’t move.
But the air around him turned heavy—dangerously still.
“Time’s up,” he said.
Cold.
Final.
- Writer
