Chapter 39. Dinner With the Devil
580 Words
The news of Belléna partnering with De Luca Holdings spread across Italy within hours.
Business blogs.
Luxury magazines.
Even television stations discussed nothing else.
And at the center of it all—
Elena Moretti.
The mysterious billionaire woman everyone suddenly admired.
Meanwhile inside the De Luca mansion, Sofia angrily threw a fashion magazine onto the table after seeing Elena’s face on the cover again.
“She’s everywhere!”
Mrs. De Luca frowned slightly.
“You’re overreacting.”
“How can I not?” Sofia snapped. “That woman suddenly returns and steals everyone’s attention!”
Upstairs, little Leonardo quietly played alone in his massive room while listening to the argument downstairs.
No one noticed him.
No one asked about his day.
He simply continued building toy towers silently.
Meanwhile across Milan, Elena stood inside her luxurious dressing room preparing for dinner with Adrian.
Nina watched nervously nearby.
“Are you sure about this?”
Elena calmly adjusted the diamond earrings on her ears.
“It’s business.”
“But it’s Adrian.”
For one second—
Elena paused.
Yes.
It was Adrian.
The same man who once shattered her heart without hesitation.
Yet now…
He looked at her differently.
Like something about her disturbed his peace.
And strangely—
That gave Elena satisfaction.
Soon, Elena arrived at one of Milan’s most exclusive rooftop restaurants reserved completely for the private meeting.
The entire restaurant had been cleared for them alone.
Luxury candles glowed softly beneath the night sky while violin music played quietly.
Adrian was already there waiting.
Wearing a black tailored suit with his usual cold expression.
But the moment Elena walked in—
His eyes darkened slightly again.
Tonight she wore a breathtaking black silk dress with silver details hugging her figure elegantly.
Beautiful.
Dangerously beautiful.
“You’re late,” Adrian said calmly.
Elena sat across him gracefully.
“I don’t remember agreeing to be punctual for you.”
For a second—
Matteo’s words echoed again inside Adrian’s head.
She’s dangerous.
The dinner soon began professionally enough.
Business discussions.
Luxury market expansion.
European partnerships.
But slowly…
The conversation shifted naturally.
“You’ve done well for yourself,” Adrian suddenly said.
Elena calmly sipped her wine.
“I had no choice.”
Something about her answer felt heavier than it should.
Adrian studied her quietly.
“You changed.”
Elena finally looked directly at him.
“So did you.”
Silence settled briefly between them.
Then Adrian unexpectedly asked,
“Where’s Isabella’s father?”
Elena’s fingers paused slightly around her wine glass.
There it was.
The question she expected eventually.
Still calm, Elena leaned back elegantly.
“Why does it matter to you?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened faintly.
“It doesn’t.”
But even he knew that was a lie.
Because for some strange reason—
The thought of another man touching Elena irritated him deeply.
Meanwhile Elena noticed the jealousy hidden behind his coldness instantly.
And secretly…
She enjoyed it.
Before Adrian could speak again, Elena’s phone suddenly rang.
A soft smile immediately appeared on her face.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
Adrian watched silently as Elena’s entire expression softened hearing Isabella’s tiny voice from the phone.
“Mama, are you coming home soon?”
“Yes, Bella.”
“Can you bring cake?”
Elena laughed softly.
“Of course.”
And somehow—
Watching her smile like that made something unfamiliar ache inside Adrian’s chest.
Because he had never once seen Sofia smile at Leonardo that warmly.
- Writer
