Angela stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the black dress that clung to her form, the fabric simple yet elegant, perfect for blending in yet drawing just enough attention. The tight bun she had styled her hair into pulled her face sharp, the sleek look giving her a sense of control, though deep down, her nerves were already fraying.
Her mind raced with thoughts of the previous night. The conversation with the man who had paid her brother's medical bills was still fresh, the weight of his expectations pressing on her. Get close to him, he had said. Make an impression.
Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress as she exhaled slowly. No matter how much she tried to keep her emotions in check, she couldn't help the flutter of anxiety in her chest. She wasn't just about to meet Matteo again, she was about to play this game.
A car pulled up outside, and Angela's heart skipped. The black sedan was there to pick her up. The driver opened the door for her, his face impassive as she climbed in.
"Matteo de Luca's estate," she told him, her voice steady, even if her insides were anything but.
The ride was smooth, the silence of the car amplifying the thoughts swirling in her mind. As they drove, she thought back to the previous night, to the way Matteo's eyes had locked onto hers at the charity event. His gaze was powerful, cutting through the room, piercing her like a blade. And that smile… the smile that made her feel both like prey and something more dangerous. He hadn't just noticed me. He had spoken to me, she thought again.
When the car finally slowed to a stop, Angela blinked, momentarily dazed as she gazed at the large, imposing mansion in front of her. Matteo's house. It was far more extravagant than anything she'd ever imagined. Tall iron gates guarded the entrance, the building itself looming like something out of a fairy tale, dark and intimidating.
The driver opened the door, and Angela stepped out, the heel of her shoes clicking on the stone pathway. The cold night air hit her skin, and she shivered despite herself. She straightened her back and walked toward the door with a practiced grace, doing everything she could to suppress the butterflies in her stomach.
A butler opened the door before she could knock, giving her a polite but distant nod as he ushered her in. "Miss Angela, right on time. Please, follow me."
She followed him through the long, ornate hallways, the mansion's opulence almost suffocating. They passed framed portraits of generations of de Luca men, their eyes cold and disapproving even in painted form. The air inside was thick with history and something darker.
The ballroom was already filled with guests, the sound of laughter and soft music echoing through the halls. Angela took a deep breath before stepping into the room. She was no longer just a waitress, no longer just a woman who had come to serve drinks. Tonight, the game had changed.
As she made her way toward the service station, her eyes scanned the crowd. There he was, Matteo de Luca, standing near the edge of the room, isolated from the others. His tall frame made him stand out among the crowd, his black hair swept back in a way that looked effortless. But it wasn't the height that made him intimidating. It was the way he held himself, the quiet dominance that emanated from him even in the most casual of poses.
Matteo's piercing blue eyes flicked over the crowd, his gaze narrowing as if searching for something or someone. When his eyes landed on her, she felt it immediately. The weight of his attention.
Their eyes locked across the room, and her heart stuttered in her chest. He wasn't smiling, not the way people did when they were simply acknowledging someone. No, his stare was far more intense, calculating. She could feel the pull of it, like a magnet, drawing her in despite the warning bells ringing in her head.
Angela forced herself to look away, focusing on the tray of drinks in her hands as she moved through the crowd. But she knew he was watching her. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her, even through the noise of the party.
The minutes stretched on, each passing second feeling like an eternity. She continued to serve drinks, but every so often, her gaze would flicker to where he stood, and she would find his eyes still locked on her. Then, just as she had begun to think he might be toying with her, he moved.
Matteo de Luca made his way toward her, cutting through the crowd effortlessly, his eyes never leaving her. Angela's pulse quickened as he drew closer, and when he stopped in front of her, there was no mistaking the force of his presence.
"It's nice to see you again Principessa" he said, his voice low and smooth, sending a ripple of heat through her.