The gala was winding down, some of the had gone some guests still laughing and swirling under the chandeliers, but Elena's heart still raced. Every second she had spent near Adrian DeLuca felt like walking on a knife's edge. One wrong move, one slip, and her carefully constructed lie would crumble.
And yet… she couldn't deny the thrill.
Adrian had been watching her since the moment she entered. There was something in the way his dark eyes lingered — not just curiosity, but something deeper, sharper. He wasn't the kind of man who looked at women and let it end at admiration. No, he studied, measured, assessed. And she had no doubt she had captured his attention completely.
A soft cough drew her attention. She turned to see him stepping closer, the faint click of his designer shoes echoing against the marble.
"Iasabella," he said — the name slipping from his lips effortlessly. It was a test, a claim, and a tease all at once. "Ohh please call me Elena my middle name". It was intentional at least she should call me by my name she thought. She wasn't Isabella , he then called her again " Elena" she loved how it sounded coming out from him.
"Yes?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even, though her pulse was racing.
"You've managed to survive tonight without anyone noticing your… uniqueness," he said, his dark gaze scanning her from head to toe. There was an edge in his tone, one that suggested amusement and challenge all at once.
She swallowed. "I suppose I've had good teachers," she replied smoothly, hoping her sarcasm sounded playful rather than nervous.
He smirked, the corners of his mouth curving just enough to make her stomach twist. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you're simply more dangerous than you appear."
The words sent a shiver down her spine. Dangerous. To him, perhaps she was playing a game. To her, every step she had taken tonight had been a risk.
Before she could respond, his hand brushed against hers — accidental, deliberate, she couldn't tell. The touch was brief, but it sent sparks racing along her skin, igniting a warmth she couldn't control.
"I'd like to continue this conversation," he said suddenly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Somewhere quieter."
Her chest tightened. She had no idea what he meant, and the idea of being alone with him — one-on-one — was both thrilling and terrifying.
"Somewhere… quieter?" she repeated cautiously.
"Yes." He tilted his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Follow me."
Before she could protest, he turned, moving through the remaining guests with the kind of commanding presence that made even the wealthiest socialites step aside. Elena followed, heart hammering in her chest. Every step felt surreal — she, a fake heiress, walking beside Italy's most feared and desired CEO.
They entered a smaller, dimly lit lounge adjoining the main ballroom. The chandeliers here were fewer, their light softer, golden. The air smelled faintly of expensive wood polish and rich leather — Adrian's domain, and now, temporarily, hers too.
He gestured to a plush velvet chair. "Sit," he said, voice low and calm.
Elena obeyed, keeping her posture straight, trying to appear composed. Her legs felt like jelly.
Adrian sat across from her, leaning forward slightly. "So tell me," he said, his dark gaze unwavering, "what do you want out of tonight? What's your goal?"
She blinked, caught off guard. The question was loaded, probing. She forced a smile, hoping it looked natural. "I… I just wanted to experience it," she said lightly, "to see a world I've only ever read about."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "Experience, or… escape?"
The question was sharper, more personal than she expected. She hesitated, then shook her head. "Maybe a little of both," she admitted, surprising herself.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "I see," he murmured. "And what if I offered you something… more than an evening?"
Her heart skipped. More? The possibilities swirled in her mind — an offer, an opportunity, or a trap. With Adrian, it was impossible to know.
"I'm listening," she said cautiously, her voice steady despite the rapid thump of her heart.
He leaned forward, the shadows highlighting the sharp angles of his face."I want you to join me in my Company, I need you to work by my side for sometime to make my enterprise rise more" Elena paused, you want me to work for you?
Yes he said it just plain. She thought "okay this is an opportunity I have been waiting for" I will think about it she said.
He asked again "Join me for dinner tomorrow. Just you and me. No guests. No lies. Well… fewer lies."
Elena's pulse thundered. Dinner? Alone? With him? The thought both terrified and thrilled her. She wanted to refuse, to run, to escape before the truth of her identity was discovered.
But a part of her — a reckless, foolish part — wanted to see where this could go.
"I… I'll think about both," she managed to say, buying herself a moment of composure.
His smirk deepened, satisfied with her response. "Do that. But know this — I don't often wait."
Before she could respond, he rose, leaving her seated, heart racing, mind spinning. The pull between them was undeniable. The danger of being discovered mingled with desire, and for the first time, Elena realized she wasn't just playing a role tonight — she was stepping into a life she could almost want to live.
As she watched him return to the gala, moving like a shadow among the glittering crowd, Elena knew one thing: this was far from over.
And neither was the temptation.