ed at the restaurant. It was an outdoor Michelin-starred place, every inch of it oozing exclusivity. The restaurant itself was a combination of sleek modern architecture and elegant,

w meticulous it all was-every detail perf

ed the door with a silent bow, and I took a deep breath before stepping out. The moment

way to get into a place like this. I glanced at the table number printed

case you finish early,"

made my way to the restaurant's entrance. The security guard stationed there eyed me for a moment before I

ing to keep my voice steady despi

ick nod, he returned the card and bowed sli

just influence. It carried fear. This was the man Alecia had run from, the man whose very name could silence ro

ly dropped the tray she was holding before scurrying off to fetch another attend

tched before me, meticulously arranged, and illuminated by hidden lights that made the petals glow softly in the morning air. There was even a sm

sions were unreadable, but their presence alone made my stomach tighten with unease. The waitress paused briefly. "He'

of the guards. His eyes met mine, hard and cold, like he co

see Mr. Car

essing every inch of me. "Who are you?" he aske

answered. "I'm a De Luc

climbing the small stairs, disappearing into the open space. I could just make out the roofed

rembling slightly as I clutched my bag

r. One year and I

ow long a year would feel under the

Luca Caruso, the man I'd heard so many whispers about but had never seen. The contract hadn't mentioned his age, but I'd made

ad t

der man with too much influence and not enough warmth, someone looking for a wife for reasons I couldn't even begin to guess. Maybe heirs, maybe control.

owing dread that twisted in my stomach. Could I really live like that? Could I

uard returned. His expression was the same as before-c

go in now

ng. But the moment I stepped inside, and walked to the figure near the table

not the man I'd pr