Seven
1085 Words
Chapter 7 — Unfinished Feelings
Lorenzo’s POV
Lorenzo had faced men with guns pointed at his head without blinking.
He had negotiated billion-dollar deals while knowing that the person sitting across from him wanted him ruined.
But standing in front of Victoria Hayes and watching disappointment settle into her eyes was different.
Far worse.
She pulled her hand away.
“You knew there was something dangerous about that summer.”
It wasn't a question.
Lorenzo exhaled slowly.
“Yes.”
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
“And you didn't tell me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“That's what everyone says when they're hiding something.”
Her words struck deeper than she probably intended.
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“I never wanted to lie to you.”
“But you did.”
Silence stretched between them.
The busy lobby continued around them, but Lorenzo barely heard anything.
All he could see was the little girl from his memories.
Eight years old.
Yellow dress.
Cookie crumbs on her cheeks.
A smile that had made him forget the world.
He had been nine when he met her.
And for one summer, Victoria had been his entire world.
Then everything changed.
“You deserve the truth,” he said.
Victoria folded her arms.
“Then give it to me.”
Lorenzo looked around the lobby.
“Not here.”
She hesitated.
Then she nodded.
They moved into a private conference room upstairs.
Once the door closed, Victoria turned toward him.
“Start talking.”
Lorenzo remained standing.
“That summer, our families were staying in America for several weeks. Your family and mine had business connections. That was how we met.”
Victoria nodded slowly.
“I remember.”
“You remember the garden.”
“And the cookies.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Of course you remember the cookies.”
Her expression softened for half a second before becoming guarded again.
“You said something happened.”
“It did.”
Lorenzo walked toward the window.
“I was supposed to leave America with my parents earlier than planned.”
Victoria frowned.
“But you stayed.”
“For you.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You stayed because of me?”
“I didn't want to leave.”
He looked back at her.
“You were the first person who ever made me feel like I could simply be a child.”
Victoria's expression changed.
Lorenzo continued.
“Then, one evening, I overheard my father speaking with someone. They were arguing about a business dispute. I didn't understand everything.”
“What did you hear?”
“A name.”
Victoria waited.
“Daniel Cross.”
Her face went pale.
“The man downstairs?”
“Yes.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“He was connected to people who wanted leverage over our families.”
Victoria slowly sat down.
“Why don't I remember any of this?”
“Because you were eight.”
“And you?”
“I remembered enough.”
He paused.
“The next morning, my father told me we were leaving immediately.”
Victoria stared at him.
“Without saying goodbye?”
“I tried.”
Her brows knitted.
“What do you mean?”
“I went to find you.”
Lorenzo's voice became quieter.
“You weren't there.”
Victoria looked down.
“My parents had taken me somewhere?”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“I waited.”
His eyes hardened at the memory.
“But we left before I could see you again.”
Victoria's eyes filled with confusion.
“So that's why you disappeared?”
“Yes.”
She looked toward the window.
“For years, I thought you simply forgot me.”
Lorenzo shook his head.
“Never.”
The single word carried more emotion than a long explanation could have.
Victoria turned back toward him.
“Then why did you search for me now?”
“Because I saw your picture.”
She blinked.
“In a business magazine.”
He smiled faintly.
“You were standing in front of your company. Powerful. Beautiful. Completely different from the little girl who used to steal cookies.”
Victoria's lips curved despite herself.
“You still think about that?”
“Every time I see a cookie.”
She laughed softly.
It was the first time he had heard that laugh in years.
And it nearly broke him.
Then her smile faded.
“Lorenzo…”
“Yes?”
“Are you saying Daniel is responsible for what happened?”
“I don't know yet.”
“But you think he is.”
“I think he's connected.”
Victoria stood.
“And now he's warning me to stay away from you.”
Lorenzo moved toward her.
“I won't let him frighten you.”
She looked up at him.
“That's not what I'm afraid of.”
“What are you afraid of?”
Victoria swallowed.
“You.”
Lorenzo went still.
“Me?”
“You walked back into my life, reminded me of a part of myself I'd buried, and now I'm standing here wondering why I feel like I've known you forever.”
Her voice trembled.
“I don't like losing control.”
He stepped closer, but stopped before touching her.
“You don't have to lose control.”
“Then what do I do?”
“Trust me.”
Victoria looked into his eyes.
For a moment, neither moved.
Something passed between them.
Something unfinished.
Something that had survived childhood, distance, and years of silence.
Lorenzo slowly lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Victoria didn't move.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“Maybe we didn't get to finish our story when we were children.”
Her breath caught.
“Maybe,” she whispered.
His phone suddenly rang.
Lorenzo glanced at the screen.
His security chief.
He answered.
“Speak.”
The man's voice was urgent.
“Sir, we've found something.”
Lorenzo's expression changed.
“What?”
“We traced Daniel Cross's movements from the gala.”
“And?”
A pause.
“He wasn't following Victoria.”
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.
“Then who was he following?”
The answer came quietly.
“You.”
Lorenzo looked at Victoria.
And for the first time, he understood.
Daniel hadn't come to warn Victoria about him.
He had come to warn Lorenzo about what was coming.
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