Seven
1195 Words
Chapter 7 — Unfinished Feelings
Lorenzo
I had faced men with guns pointed at my head without blinking. I had negotiated billion-
dollar deals while knowing that the person sitting across from me wanted me 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. I exhaled slowly.
"Yes.
"
Her 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. I stepped closer.
"I never wanted to
lie to you.
"
"But you did.
"
Silence stretched between us. The busy lobby continued around us, but I barely heard any
of it. All I could see was the little girl from my memories. Eight years old. Yellow dress.
Cookie crumbs on her cheeks. A smile that had made me forget the world.
I had been nine when I met her. And for one summer, Victoria had been my entire world.
Then everything changed.
"You deserve the truth,
" I said.
She folded her arms.
"Then give it to me.
"
I looked around the lobby.
"Not here.
"
She hesitated. Then she nodded.
We moved into a private conference room upstairs. Once the door closed, Victoria turned
toward me.
"Start talking.
"
I 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.
"
She nodded slowly.
"I remember.
"
"You remember the garden.
"
"And the cookies.
"
A faint smile touched my lips.
"Of course you remember the cookies.
"
Her expression softened for half a second before becoming guarded again.
"You said
something happened.
"
"It did.
" I walked toward the window.
"I was supposed to leave America with my parents
earlier than planned.
"
She frowned.
"But you stayed.
"
"For you.
"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You stayed because of me?"
"I didn't want to leave.
" I looked back at her.
"You were the first person who ever made me
feel like I could simply be a child.
"
Her expression changed. I continued.
"Then, one evening, I overheard my father on the phone with his business partner. They
were arguing about a shipping contract that had gone wrong — money that couldn't be
accounted for, a partner on the American side who'd been cut out of a deal and wanted
blood for it.
"
"What did you hear?"
"A name. Daniel Cross. He represented the American interests my father had crossed.
He'd lost a great deal of money, and he blamed my family for it personally, not just
professionally.
"
She went pale.
"The man downstairs?"
"Yes.
"
I nodded.
"My father pulled us out of the country within a day, before Cross could
retaliate, legally or otherwise. There wasn't time for goodbyes.
"
Victoria slowly sat down.
"Why don't I remember any of this?"
"Because you were eight. Your family wasn't part of the dispute — you were simply caught
in the middle of it, the way children of business partners sometimes are.
"
"And you?"
"I remembered enough.
" I paused.
"The next morning, my father told me we were leaving
immediately.
"
She stared at me.
"Without saying goodbye?"
"I tried.
" My voice became quieter.
"I went to find you. You weren't there.
"
She looked down.
"My parents had taken me somewhere?"
"Yes.
"
"And then?"
"I waited.
" My eyes hardened at the memory.
"But we left before I could see you again.
"
Her eyes filled with confusion.
"So that's why you disappeared?"
"Yes.
"
She looked toward the window.
"For years, I thought you simply forgot me.
"
I shook my head.
"Never.
"
The single word carried more emotion than a long explanation could have.
She turned back toward me.
"Then why did you search for me now?"
"Because I saw your picture.
"
She blinked.
"In a business magazine.
"
I smiled faintly.
"You were standing in front of your company. Powerful. Beautiful.
Completely different from the little girl who used to steal cookies.
"
Her lips curved despite herself.
"You still think about that?"
"Every time I see a cookie.
"
She laughed softly. It was the first time I had heard that laugh in years. And it nearly broke
me.
Then her smile faded.
"Lorenzo… Daniel said someone is paying him. Who?"
I hesitated. This was the part I had been avoiding.
"Her name is Isabella. We were together,
years ago, when my family was rebuilding ties with American investors after the Cross
dispute. It ended badly — I ended it badly, if I'm honest. I was never as careful with her
feelings as I should have been, because mine were never fully hers to begin with.
"
Victoria's eyes sharpened.
"And she's still involved with you?"
"Involved in my world, yes. Our families still cross paths. I thought it was finished years
ago. I don't think she agrees.
"
"And Daniel?"
"Daniel never forgave my family for what the dispute cost him. I think Isabella found that
out, and found him useful.
" My jaw tightened.
"I don't know yet what she wants. But I
intend to find out.
"
Victoria stood.
"So this isn't just about an old business dispute.
"
"No.
" I moved toward her.
"I won't let either of them frighten you.
"
She looked up at me.
"That's not what I'm afraid of.
"
"What are you afraid of?"
Victoria swallowed.
"You. 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.
"
I stepped closer, but stopped before touching her.
"You don't have to lose control.
"
"Then what do I do?"
"Trust me.
"
She looked into my eyes. For a moment, neither of us moved. Something passed between
us. Something unfinished. Something that had survived childhood, distance, and years of
silence.
I slowly lifted my hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. She didn't move.
My voice dropped to a whisper.
"Maybe we didn't get to finish our story when we were children.
"
Her breath caught.
"Maybe,
" she whispered.
My phone suddenly rang. I glanced at the screen. My security chief. I answered.
"Speak.
"
The man's voice was urgent.
"Sir, we've found something. We traced Daniel Cross's
movements from the gala. He wasn't following Ms. Hayes.
"
My eyes narrowed.
"Then who was he following?"
The answer came quietly.
"You. And sir — the payments into his account trace back to a
shell company. We're still confirming, but the name on the holding account is Conti.
Isabella Conti.
"
I looked at Victoria. And for the first time, I understood exactly what I was going to have to
face.
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