Chapter 5. The Notorious Mafia
566 Words
The grand engagement party continued late into the night.
Luxury chandeliers sparkled above the guests while reporters and wealthy businessmen filled the mansion with endless conversations. Everyone admired Adrian De Luca — the cold billionaire who controlled both the business world and the dangerous underground world nobody dared to mention openly.
Because behind De Luca Holdings…
Adrian was known as Italy’s most feared mafia lord.
Even after waking from his coma ten years ago, his name only became more terrifying. Ruthless. Untouchable. Merciless.
People feared him more than they respected him.
“Elena! Bring more wine for the guests!” Bianca ordered harshly.
Elena quietly nodded and lifted the tray carefully despite the pain in her chest.
As she walked through the crowded hall, whispers followed Adrian everywhere.
“That’s Adrian De Luca…”
“They said he destroyed an entire mafia family in one night.”
“Even politicians fear him.”
“And yet he’s unbelievably handsome.”
Elena lowered her eyes sadly.
The Adrian she once knew hated violence. Back then, he only cared about music, dreams, and her.
Now he looked like a completely different person.
At the center of the room, Sofia laughed sweetly beside him while showing off the expensive diamond ring on her finger.
“Adrian bought it specially for me,” she bragged proudly.
Adrian remained silent beside her, clearly uninterested.
Yet to everyone else, they looked perfect together.
Suddenly, one of Adrian’s men approached him carefully and whispered something into his ear.
Adrian’s expression darkened instantly.
“Handle it,” he said coldly.
“The traitor refuses to talk.”
Adrian slowly stood up.
“Then make him talk.”
His deep voice carried dangerous calmness that immediately sent fear through the room.
The bodyguard nodded quickly before leaving.
Elena watched everything quietly from afar.
The darkness surrounding Adrian frightened her now.
But somehow…
Her heart still remembered the boy who once sang beside her beneath the rain.
Later that night, after most guests left, Elena stepped outside to throw away empty bottles near the backyard.
The cold breeze brushed softly against her skin.
She was exhausted.
Emotionally and physically.
As she turned the corner, she suddenly froze.
Adrian stood there alone beneath the dim garden lights while smoking silently.
His suit jacket hung loosely over his broad shoulders, and his cold eyes stared into the darkness.
For a moment, he looked lonely.
Adrian noticed her immediately.
“What are you doing here?” he asked flatly.
“I came to throw these away, sir.”
Sir again.
Something about the word irritated him strangely.
Elena quickly bent down to pick up a fallen bottle, but the sharp glass suddenly cut her finger.
“Ouch…”
Blood slowly dripped down her hand.
Adrian’s eyes instantly landed on it.
Before Elena could react, he grabbed her wrist firmly.
The sudden touch made her heart race painfully.
“You’re bleeding.”
His voice sounded lower now.
Closer.
For one dangerous second, Adrian’s fingers remained wrapped around her hand while unfamiliar emotions flashed inside him again.
A blurry memory.
Rain.
Music.
A girl crying.
Adrian suddenly released her coldly and stepped back.
His expression hardened immediately.
“Be more careful.”
Without another word, he walked away into the darkness.
Elena stood there frozen while tears slowly filled her eyes again.
Even after forgetting her…
Her pain still affected him.
- Writer
