Chapter 11 – The First Time Her Heart Raced
1488 Words
That gaze…
Selena froze. Her breath caught in her throat when Leonardo’s face leaned so close, almost touching her skin. His words still echoed in her ears, too intimate, too pressing, too… dangerous for her racing heart.
“Don’t let anyone touch you. Except me.”
Selena swallowed, her body stiff. The jazz music, the guests’ laughter, the clinking of glasses—all of it faded away. It felt like the world left only the two of them in that dim corner of the ballroom.
“M… Mr…” her voice trembled, almost a whisper. “Why… why would you say something like that to me?”
Leonardo’s sharp gaze locked onto her. There was fire hidden inside those cold grey eyes. But when he saw Selena’s face turning red with confusion and nervousness, that fire slowly dimmed. Reality hit him—he had lost control.
Damn it. I shouldn’t have said that.
He turned his face away, releasing her hand that still carried his warmth. Straightening his posture, he inhaled deeply as if forcing himself to calm down.
“Forget it,” he said shortly, his voice cold again. “You don’t need to ask more.”
Selena blinked, shocked. “How can I forget words like that, Sir?”
Leonardo turned to her again, his gaze piercing. “If you’re wise, you’ll forget.”
Selena fell silent. Her heart pounded wildly—not just from fear or confusion, but from something else she dared not name. Something pressing against her chest, heating her cheeks.
From afar, some guests had already begun whispering, clearly noticing the strange tension between them. Matteo, who had been watching from near the door, quickly stepped closer. He knew—moments like this, his boss could easily become the center of dangerous attention.
“Sir,” Matteo bowed slightly, his voice low but firm. “The car is ready. We can leave anytime.”
Leonardo gave him a short glance, then a small nod. He looked back at Selena, calmer this time. “We’ve stayed long enough. Let’s go.”
Selena nodded, still clutching her little clutch bag tightly. She walked behind Leonardo, trying to steady her breathing, though her heart refused to calm. His words kept ringing in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to shake them away.
As they walked through the crowd, several pairs of eyes followed them with curiosity. A woman in a red dress even smirked, whispering to her friend, “Looks like Valente finally has a weakness.”
Selena felt those stares stabbing her back. She wanted to disappear. Yet, a tiny part of her couldn’t stop remembering Leonardo’s intense look—like, for that moment, she was the only one in his world.
At the ballroom’s exit, Leonardo paused. His voice was low. “Keep your distance from those people. They’re not as clean as they look.”
Selena nodded softly. “Yes, Sir.”
That was all. Leonardo walked ahead again, with Matteo leading the way.
And Selena, her heart still racing wildly, followed behind—without realizing that tonight, for the first time, she felt a different kind of heartbeat whenever she stood beside Leonardo Valente.
---
The Milan night air was sharp and cool as they stepped outside the grand building. Black cars lined up neatly, bodyguards opening the door for Leonardo and Selena.
Leonardo entered first, his movements stiff. Selena hesitated for a few seconds before finally sliding in beside him. The car moved slowly, leaving the glowing hotel behind. Streetlights reflected on the windows, casting soft shadows across their faces.
Inside the car, silence pressed down heavily. Only the engine’s hum could be heard. Selena kept her head low, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. She wanted to speak, but fear of saying the wrong thing held her back. Leonardo leaned against the seat, face calm—or at least pretending to be.
Selena finally whispered, “Sir… about earlier, at the party…”
Leonardo cut her off immediately. “I told you. Forget it.”
“But I can’t just forget,” Selena glanced at him quickly before looking away again. “Your words were too… strange to say to an ordinary secretary.”
Leonardo turned slowly, his grey eyes piercing. “You are my secretary. That’s why I don’t want anyone touching you carelessly.”
Selena froze. She heard the protective note in his tone, though he wrapped it with professionalism. “So… you only said that because I’m your secretary?”
Leonardo didn’t answer right away. He looked out the window, at the endless lights of the city. After a long pause, he finally said, “Yes. Think of it that way.”
His reply made Selena’s chest tighten. Part of her felt relieved, but at the same time… disappointed.
Silence fell again. The car glided smoothly along the wet road after rain. Selena tried to distract herself, but each time she closed her eyes, she saw Leonardo’s intense gaze all over again.
Leonardo, on the other hand, clenched his hands over his knees, fighting emotions he shouldn’t feel. He regretted letting his jealousy show so clearly. Yet, deep down, he knew the truth—he couldn’t stand seeing another man touch Selena. Not even a handshake.
“Why do you look restless?” his deep voice suddenly broke the silence.
Selena jumped a little. “Ah, no… just tired, Sir.”
“Tired?” Leonardo raised a brow. “Or is your mind still stuck back at the party?”
Her cheeks warmed. She quickly turned to the window. “I was just… shocked, Sir. I’m not used to such crowds. And also…” She stopped, unsure if she should continue.
“And also what?” Leonardo pressed, his voice low.
“…and also your words.”
Silence again.
Leonardo stared at her for a long moment, as if searching her face for something. He wanted to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Pride and tangled feelings stopped him.
At last, he exhaled slowly. “Don’t think too much about it.”
Selena bit her lip. “It’s hard, Sir. Those words… keep echoing.”
Leonardo closed his eyes briefly, holding himself back. He almost reached out to touch her hand, but stopped halfway. His whole body stiffened, as if a battle raged inside him.
The car sped through the night. From the driver’s seat, Matteo glanced at them through the rearview mirror, reading the tension in silence. He knew something had shifted between his boss and the secretary. Something dangerous if left alone.
Selena clutched her bag tighter, trying to steady her breath. But she knew—this night would not be easy to forget.
The car stopped in front of Selena’s apartment. Rain began to fall lightly, tapping the glass windows. Leonardo leaned back, his face unreadable.
The bodyguard opened the door, but Selena hesitated before stepping out. After a pause, she whispered, “Thank you for bringing me home, Sir.”
Leonardo only gave a small nod. “Get some rest.”
His tone was cold, but there was something hidden beneath it. Selena felt it but didn’t dare ask. She lowered her head and stepped out. The night air hit her skin, cold and sharp.
She walked toward the lobby doors, her steps slow and uncertain. She wanted so badly to turn around, to check if Leonardo was still watching. But she held herself back. With a deep breath, she went inside, the glass doors closing behind her.
---
Her apartment was quiet when she entered. Selena dropped her clutch on the table, slipped off her heels, and stood in the dim living room. The silence only made her thoughts louder.
She walked to her room and switched on the small lamp. The mirror reflected her tired, restless face. Touching her warm cheeks, she sighed.
“Why am I like this…?” she whispered.
Her fingers brushed over the navy dress she still wore. Slowly, she changed into simple pajamas. But even then, the rapid beating of her heart didn’t stop.
Lying down on the bed, she stared at the ceiling. Her chest pounded wildly, without reason she could admit.
Leonardo’s words replayed, clearer, sharper:
“Don’t let anyone touch you. Except me.”
Selena curled into herself, biting her lip. “Why can’t I stop thinking about it?” she murmured.
Her eyes slowly closed, but her mind kept replaying the scene—Leonardo’s grey eyes, his warm grip, his demanding voice.
She knew she should feel angry. Or at least offended. But instead… she felt something new. Something strange. Something frightening.
For the first time, she realized—her heart wasn’t beating from fear.
And at that very moment, a loud knock echoed on her apartment door.
Selena sat up, startled, her heart leaping in panic. The night was late—who would come at this hour?
- Writer
