4
1315 Words
The De Luca building always looked like it was holding its breath.
Tall, sleek, glass that reflected the city in cold silver. The kind of structure built by someone who didn’t just want to be seen he wanted to be remembered. Which, said too much about the man who ran it.
My heels clicked against marble as I stepped into the lobby. The air smelled faintly of espresso and expensive perfumes. I adjusted the strap of my bag, spine straightening by habit.
Even if the memory of last week’s elevator incident had no business replaying itself in my mind.
His hand had been braced on the railing behind me, mine holding a stack of documents. The elevator jerked slightly, just enough to throw my balance not much, barely anything and he’d reached out, fingers curling around my wrist.
Just long enough for me to feel the weight of him.
Just long enough for him to know I felt it.
I had pulled back but it did something in me
He had let me.
No words exchanged.
But the silence afterward had not been empty.
I didn’t plan on acknowledging it. Ever.
I scanned my badge, walked past security, and rode the elevator up alone this time, thank God.
The twentieth floor buzzed with quiet productivity. People typing, hushed conversations, coffee machines hissing in the corner. A place where appearance mattered, ambition mattered, power mattered.
And I had walked right into the lion’s den willingly.
My office overlooked the city. I slipped off my coat, set my laptop down, rolled my shoulders back, and exhaled.
Focus.
Work was neutral,was manageable,Work made sense.
I was organizing a presentation deck when a shadow fell across my doorway.
Of course it was the devil himself,Lorenzo leaned against the frame, one hand casually in his pocket. Black suit. White shirt. No tie. The top button undone like temptation had a dress code.
He didn’t speak immediately. He just looked.
Which was worse.
“Good morning, Sophia.”
His voice was smooth warm in tone, cold in intention. Like he enjoyed watching how people reacted to him.
I didn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Mr.De Luca.”
A flick of amusement touched his expression.
“We’re not at a board introduction. You can call me Lorenzo.”
“I could,” I said, meeting his gaze, “but I don’t want to.”
His smile wasn’t really a smile, just the suggestion of one at the corner of his mouth. “Still determined to keep distance.”
“Someone has to,” I said. “We can’t both be reckless.”
The air shifted.
He stepped into the office not close, but closer than most people would dare and set a folder I hadn’t seen him holding on my desk.
“I want your notes on Benson’s restructuring proposal. The executive team meets tomorrow.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“I know,” he said simply.
There was something about the way he said it that made my pulse kick not because of the confidence, but because it wasn’t the hollow kind.
He meant it.
He trusted my competence.
He saw it.
“By the way,” he added, turning to go, “see you on at the party.”
I raised a brow thinking about what party he is on about and then it clicked my mother’s birthday at our estate.
“Who gave you an invitation ?”
He paused, hand on the doorframe.
Looked over his shoulder.
Eyes dark, focused, unreadable.
“Your Father you know we are business partners right?.”
“Oh yeah totally forgot”.
The thought of seeing him at the party excited me when it shouldn’t have but I can’t help it.
By the time I got home, I was already exhausted.
I was halfway through microwaving leftover pasta when the door opened and Maya breezed in like a storm made of lip gloss and opinions.
“You look like you need wine,” she announced.
“I always need wine.”
We curled up on the couch, plates balanced on our laps.
“So,” she said casually, stabbing pasta like it had offended her, “your boss did you talk to him?.”
I didn’t look up. “What is there to talk about?”
“Soph. I have a hunch,I’m shipping you both even though there’s no ship yet”.
“Maya—”
“No. Uh-uh. Don’t do the ice princess routine with me. I know your real face and I think you might like your hot shot boss despite working for him and I believe he has it for you too,I mean who wouldn’t.”
A blush crept up my face, head dropping back against the cushion I don’t believe what Maya is saying but Lorenzo isn’t that bad. “It’s nothing. He’s just—”
“Annoyingly attractive?”
“Sometimes,but I meant distracting and he’s going to be at mom’s birthday party.”
“Same thing oh my gosh you better look good girl.”
She wasn’t wrong.
But it wasn’t that simple.
“It’s like he knows exactly how much to say,” I admitted slowly, “and not say. Like he’s constantly… calculating.”
Maya’s brows rose. “Watching you?”
I didn’t answer.
Which was an answer.
Her grin was wicked. “You like him.”
“No,” I said instantly.
She waited.
I exhaled. “I just happen to notice him and what he does sometimes.”
“There it is.” She clinked her glass against mine. “You’re so done.”
Saturday night meant returning to the estate I grew up in a house with chandeliers big enough to crush someone and hallways that held memories.
My mother greeted me with a kiss on the cheek that didn’t quite land. My father hugged me warm, but heavy.
“Sophia,” he said, hand resting on my shoulder, “I hear you’ve been busy.”
“Work,” I said simply.
“At De Luca Enterprises,” he added, tone neutral in a way that was not neutral at all.
“Yes.”
He studied me. Quiet. Searching. “If it gets too much there know there’s a place for you at Hawthorne Global.”
“I know.”
I held his gaze. “But I don’t want something just because it’s available. I want to earn what I build.”
A pause.
Pride flickered. Quickly chased by concern.
“Be careful around that family,” he said. “Power with no accountability is dangerous.”
“I can handle myself,” I said softly.
“Even so,” he murmured, squeezing my shoulder, “be careful.”
The D-day came so quickly everywhere was bubbly the decorators were at work,the chefs and everyone was just setting up.I watched from the front balcony as guests trooped in the ballroom soon the room was already warm with chatters and soft laughters when I came in I could recognize some of dad’s business partners and their wives,some even came with their mistresses urghh.
After the party was over I was scrolling through my phone when I came across a message friend request,no profile picture,no posts.
Unknown:
You looked beautiful tonight.
My blood ran cold,only one person came to mind and I hated that I thought of Lorenzo first.
I typed back:
Me:
Who is this?
Three dots……
Unknown:
Someone who pays attention.
Another message before I could overthink.
Unknown:
He pays attention too, you know.
My pulse stilled.
He.
There was only one person that could really really mean.
Lorenzo.
I locked my phone.
Stared at the dark ceiling.
Listened to my heartbeat.
This wasn’t just tension anymore.
This was movement.
A shift.
Something beginning.
Something I wasn’t sure I could stop.
Something I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
- Writer
