Chapter 4. The Engagement Announcement
499 Words
“Elena! Hurry up and clean the living room before the guests arrive!”
Bianca’s sharp voice rang through the mansion early that morning.
Elena quietly nodded while carrying a bucket and cleaning cloth. Her body felt weak from barely sleeping the night before. Adrian’s face had stayed in her mind all night long.
The same Adrian who once held her hand like she was precious now looked at her like she was invisible.
“Move faster!” Sofia snapped while scrolling through pictures of wedding dresses on her phone. “The De Luca family is announcing our engagement tonight.”
Elena’s chest tightened painfully, but she forced herself to remain silent.
She had no right to feel hurt.
Not anymore.
Hours later, the mansion became lively again with expensive decorations, flowers, and luxury cars filling the compound.
Bianca smiled proudly while supervising the servants.
“Everything must be perfect,” she warned. “The media will be present tonight.”
Elena quietly adjusted the flower arrangements near the staircase when she suddenly heard familiar footsteps entering the mansion.
Her fingers froze instantly.
Adrian.
He walked inside wearing a black suit that perfectly matched his cold expression. Reporters immediately surrounded him with cameras flashing nonstop.
“Mr. De Luca! How do you feel about the engagement?”
“Is it true you’re deeply in love with Miss Sofia?”
“Will the wedding happen this year?”
Adrian ignored every question without emotion.
Sofia quickly rushed toward him dramatically and wrapped her arm around his.
“You’re finally here,” she said sweetly.
Adrian gently removed her hand almost immediately.
The small action didn’t go unnoticed by Elena.
Neither did the irritation in his eyes.
During dinner preparations, Elena remained hidden in the kitchen helping the chefs serve drinks and desserts.
But fate seemed determined to keep pushing her toward Adrian.
As she carried wine upstairs, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist near the hallway corner.
Elena gasped softly.
Adrian.
His sharp gaze remained fixed on her face again.
“You.”
Elena’s heartbeat became uneven.
“Sir…”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Adrian slowly narrowed his eyes.
“Why do you keep looking at me like you know me?”
The question made her throat tighten emotionally.
Because I loved you.
Because you once loved me too.
But Elena swallowed the words painfully.
“I don’t, sir.”
Adrian stared at her silently like he was trying to read through her.
Before he could say another word, Sofia suddenly appeared.
“There you are!” she complained while glaring at Elena suspiciously. “Why are you always around my fiancé?”
Fiancé.
The word stabbed Elena deeply.
Adrian released her wrist immediately.
Sofia wrapped herself around his arm possessively.
“Mother is waiting for us downstairs.”
As they walked away together, Adrian glanced back once more at Elena standing alone in the hallway.
And strangely…
For the first time in years, his heart felt unsettled.
- Writer
