Chapter 7. The Public Announcement
472 Words
“Breaking News! Italy’s billionaire CEO and mafia king, Adrian De Luca, officially announces his upcoming wedding with Sofia Romano!”
Elena froze immediately.
The tray in her hands nearly slipped as she stared at the television inside the living room.
On the screen, Adrian stood beside Sofia during a luxurious press conference outside De Luca Holdings. Sofia smiled brightly at the cameras while Adrian remained cold and unreadable as usual.
Still…
His arm rested around Sofia’s waist possessively while reporters screamed excitedly around them.
“They look perfect together!”
“Power couple of the year!”
“The wedding everyone has been waiting for!”
Elena felt her chest ache painfully.
Sofia leaned closer to Adrian for the cameras while flashing the expensive engagement ring proudly.
“We’re very happy together,” she lied sweetly.
Adrian said nothing.
Not even a smile.
But the public didn’t care.
They were already obsessed with the wedding.
“Elena!” Bianca suddenly shouted from upstairs. “Stop standing there uselessly and clean the kitchen!”
Elena quickly turned off the television before hurrying away.
A few hours later, her phone vibrated quietly inside her apron pocket.
It was her best friend.
Nina.
Elena smiled softly for the first time that day before answering.
“Hello?”
“You sound terrible,” Nina immediately said. “Come out with us.”
“I can’t—”
“You can and you will,” another familiar voice interrupted dramatically.
Camilla.
Elena laughed weakly.
Camilla Moretti was the daughter of wealthy fashion business owners and currently owned a small luxury beauty and fashion house called Bellissima House. Despite being rich, she hated arrogant people and remained Elena’s closest friend.
Meanwhile Nina worked at Camilla’s coffee shop because she never completed school like the others. Still, the three girls stayed inseparable.
“Please?” Nina begged softly. “We miss you.”
After a long pause, Elena finally agreed.
Later that evening, Elena arrived quietly at Bellissima Café.
The moment she entered, Nina rushed over and hugged her tightly.
“You look exhausted!”
Camilla walked over dramatically while sipping iced coffee.
“Of course she looks exhausted. Living with witches will do that.”
Elena laughed softly.
For a moment, all her pain disappeared.
The girls sat together near the window while chatting and eating pastries.
“So…” Camilla leaned forward carefully. “I saw the engagement news.”
Elena’s smile faded slightly.
Nina immediately glared at Camilla.
“What? I’m just saying.”
“It’s okay,” Elena whispered.
But it wasn’t okay.
Not at all.
Outside the café television, Adrian’s face appeared once again on the news.
Cold.
Untouchable.
The same boy who once sang love songs for her now belonged to someone else publicly.
And somehow…
That hurt more than she expected.
- Writer
