3 Zero attention
The rich aroma of sandalwood and the sharp tang of grapes filled the air….
It was unmistakable and nearly overwhelming. Luca was waiting for me in the lobby, his scent announcing his presence long before I saw him. It seemed he was here for another one of his ‘makeup‘ visits.
I wrinkled my nose slightly. Did he not feel any embarrassment, flaunting his scent so boldly in such a public space?
I glanced around, surprised by the absence. of Luca‘ s usual entourage of loyal enforcers and admirers. Instead, only a few of my colleagues were nervously peeking around corners, trying to hide their curiosity.
I was slightly curious if he had arranged for extra security to keep the usual crowd from entering the office building. The
90% 14:52
1/15
92
3 Zero attention
thought crossed my mind as I descended the stairs, my steps measured, until I stopped just short of him.
I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow.
“What’s this about?”
Luca frowned slightly, then walked over to the passenger side of his car, opening the door with the practiced ease of a bodyguard.
If it weren’t for his impeccably tailored suit and the jet–black hair streaked with a single golden strand–a mark of the Marcelli family–he could easily be mistaken for one of his own men.
“Alessandro invited us to his dinner celebration tonight,” he began, his voice cool. “He’s celebrating a successful deal involving some new shipments-”
I placed a hand on my hip, cutting him off.
“And?”
A deeper crease formed between hist eyebrows. “Get in.”
90% 14:52
2/15
3 Zero attention
I crossed my arms, not missing a beat. “I never said I wanted to go with you, did I?
“Elena…” His voice dropped, taking on a warning tone.
Yet, I didn’t care. I turned on my heel and started walking toward my apartment, leaving him standing by the open door.
There was a time when I would‘ ve rushed to him, urged him to get back in the car, worried that his reputation might attract unwanted attention. Luca, with his imposing presence and striking features, was the epitome of the Marcelli family’s ideal. Back then, I would‘ ve done anything to shield him from prying eyes.
But now? Now, I no longer cared. Let the world have its fill of him. I wasn‘ t his partner anymore, and I had no obligation to protect what wasn’t mine.
Beep!
“Elena!”
90% 14:52
3/16
3 Zero attention.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Luca. slowly following me in his car, keeping pace with my steps.
I turned my head back and kept walking, refusing to be swayed. “Stop following me, Luca. We’re done-”
Beep!
“Luca!” I spun around, frustration flaring in my voice.
The car came to a stop with a low screech, sharp enough to make me instinctively cover my sensitive ears. The sound set off a surge of irritation, every nerve in my body. heightened. When I finally uncovered my ears, I saw that Luca was still in the
driver’s seat, reaching over to open the front passenger door from inside.
Just as I was about to snap at him, a voice. rang out from the distance.
“Hey! Isn’t that Luca Marcelli car?!”
My heart plummeted at the realization. Oh
X00% 14:52
4/15
92
3 Zero attention:
no, I was SO not ready to face Luca‘ s admirers right now!
“Drive!” I hurriedly jumped into the car, slamming the door shut and locking it. My eyes widened as I watched his fans swarm the car with alarming speed.
Where did they even come from?!
“You really want to go with me now?” Luca asked, amusement lacing his tone.
I bared my fangs at him, the remnants of my anger still bristling with the urge to survive. “Just drive!”
Luca chuckled softly, shifting the car into. gear. We edged out of the growing crowd, leaving his eager admirers behind as we sped away.
It was then that a thick scent of strawberry hit me, almost cloying in its sweetness.
My eyes scanned the dashboard, searching for a perfume bottle or some kind of air freshener. But as I inhaled again,
90% 14:52
5/15
3 Zero attention
realization dawned on me–this wasn‘ ta manufactured scent. It was Isobella‘ s. Her presence lingered in the car, like an unwanted guest.
I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly she had done in here for her scent to be so strong, so pervasive.
Suppressing a scoff, I shot a sideways glare at Luca. “Well, well, I didn’t know you were so fond of strawberry.”
“Hm.” Luca gave a noncommittal grunt as he subtly adjusted the steering wheel.
What was that supposed to mean? The ambiguity gnawed at me, the unanswered question hanging in the air like Isobel‘ s lingering scent.
After that, silence settled between us. Luca took me first to his favorite tailor, where I changed into a navy–blue dress before we headed to Vito‘ s for Alessandro‘ s private celebration.
We were led to a reserved VIP room on the
90% 14:52
6/15
3 Zoro attention
second floor. As the staff opened the door, I noticed Alessandro and Isabella already seated inside. Isabella’s expression flickered with surprise for the briefest moment when she saw me.
“Hey, you two!” Alessandro beamed, waving enthusiastically from his seat.
Isabella pulled her hands off the table and crossed them over her chest. “Hello, Elena, Luca. What took you so long? Traffic?”
I gave a simple shrug, offering her a polite. smile before turning to Alessandro.
“It was a last–minute invite, Alessandro. Sorry I didn’t bring a gift, but
congratulations on your successful deal!”
Alessandro “Sandro” Vitale was an eccentric with a vibrant personality. In the underworld, he was often hailed as a prodigy. Last year, he embarked on an unexpected deal with a carefully selected team and a hefty budget, leaving many
1 JOK RE52
7/15
3 Zero attention
puzzled by his abrupt decision.
However, Alessandro was nothing if not determined. He simply ignored all media talk about his ambition going too far and how the young prodigy might finally lose
his title and be considered reckless instead.
I had become acquainted with him throught Luca, who often brought me along to his regular meetings with his closest circle- Alessandro and Isabella. It was through these gatherings that I got to know Isabella as well.
“Don’t worry. Sandro found a gem worth millions–literally. He’s got more than enough gifts,” Luca quipped as he guided. me to the table.
“Hey,” Sandro retorted, feigning annoyance. “I’d appreciate any gift from a good friend, especially a lovely lady like. Elena here. Unlike some picky mob boss!”
Lies. My gaze snapped back to Sandro,
90% 14.52
8/15
3 Zero attention
narrowing slightly.
I had never seen him use or even acknowledge any of the gifts I’d given. him. Not like that gold–framed pair of sunglasses from Isobella that he carried everywhere, even when he didn’t wear them. Or that ridiculous trinket Luca had given him as a joke, which he often brought up for laughs.
It was only then that I fully grasped the truth–Isobella was the same. She and Sandro never really used my gifts, except for the occasional social media post.
A sinking realization settled in my gut. Maybe my suspicions weren’t so far- fetched after all. Perhaps they had never truly accepted me, merely tolerating my presence to save face for Luca.
They had never approved of our
relationship, and their coldness toward me was always just beneath the surface.
“I’m not picky!” Luca’s voice rose
1.90% 14:520
9/15
3 Zero attention
slightly in defense as he stopped. “I just
don’t see the point in using certain things. That’s why-”
And there it was–the start of Luca and Sandro’s usual banter. Normally, I would have found their back–and–forth amusing, but tonight, I had no desire to linger. My eyes scanned the room for a seat.
The remaining chairs were opposite one another, with Sandro on one side and
Isabella on the other.
“Since we’re late, let’s not keep Sandro and Isobella waiting any longer,” I said, settling into my seat, eager to get this over
with.
A heavy silence settled over the table. I didn’t bother to glance at Luca to see his
reaction.
“Alrighty! Let’s eat!” Sandro‘ s
exuberant voice cut through the quiet as he waved over the waiter.
Soon, the table was filled with a set of
90% 14.52
10/15
3 Zero attention
slightly in defense as he stopped. “I just don’t see the point in using certain things. That’s why-”
And there it was–the start of Luca and Sandro s usual banter. Normally, I would have found their back–and–forth amusing, but tonight, I had no desire to linger. My eyes scanned the room for a seat.
The remaining chairs were opposite one another, with Sandro on one side and
Isabella on the other.
“Since we re late, let’s not keep Sandro and Isobella waiting any longer,” I said, settling into my seat, eager to get this over
with.
A heavy silence settled over the table. I didn’t bother to glance at Luca to see his
reaction.
“Alrighty! Let’s eat!” Sandro s
exuberant voice cut through the quiet as he waved over the waiter.
Soon, the table was filled with a set of
0901 14:52
10/15
3 Zero attention
dishes and conversation started to flow. I made occasional comments but otherwise remained silent, content to sip my drink and savor the food.
As the evening progressed, I watched Luca peeling shrimps with meticulous care, placing them on a plate beside Isobella. I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Luca had always despised shrimps, claiming that peeling them was too much hassle.
Yet here he was, serving them to Isobella without a word of complaint.
The sight made me frown. The effort he put into catering to her was starkly different from how he treated me. Luca simply moved on instinct when it came to Isobella.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Sandro suddenly shot a sidelong glance at me before nudging Luca with a playful
shove.
90% 14 52
11/15
- Zero attention.
“Look at you, Mr. Mob Boss! Don’t just pile all the prawns on Isobella s plate. Can’t you see this plate over here needs some shrimp love too?” He gestured with his thumb toward the empty plate beside
- me.
Luca blinked, momentarily dazed as if he had just realized his oversight.
He paused, looking down at the prawns in his hand with an unreadable expression, before he looked at me again.
Luca’s gaze flicked toward me briefly before shifting to the heavily guarded private entrance of the upscale restaurant. His expression was as unreadable as ever, though there was something lurking beneath the surface that unsettled me.
“Another bottle of the house wine,” he
ordered calmly, wiping his hands with a linen napkin, his movements deliberate, cold, and precise.
“There’s no need.” I raised a hand,
0903% 14:52
12/15
3 Zero attention
stopping the server before they could comply, as I reached for my glass of water. The coolness of it steadied my nerves.
“I’m not in the mood for more drinks.”
Luca‘ s brows pulled together slightly, the faintest hint of irritation flickering across his otherwise stoic features. “We can try something else. How about the veal?”
“I said no,” I repeated, my tone firmer this time.
His brows knit tighter, his dark eyes locking on mine. “What about the steak? It’s your favorite, Elena.”
“No,” I replied sharply, leaving no room for argument.
Luca froze for a moment, clearly surprised by my sudden defiance. The tension between us hung thick in the air, heavy with unsaid words and pent–up frustration. It was palpable, suffocating.
I broke eye contact first, dabbing at my lips. with my napkin as though the simple.
> 90% 14:52
13/15
92
3 Zero attention
action could hide the whirlwind of emotions storming inside me.
Turning to Alessandro, I forced my voice to remain steady despite the slight buzz of the wine still lingering in my system. “Sorry, Alessandro, but I need to be at the office early tomorrow. There’s a meeting with a client I can’t miss.”
I pushed back my chair and stood, feeling the weight of Luca’s gaze on me as I tried to maintain my composure. My steps were slow, deliberate, though my heart pounded in my chest.
“Leaving already?” Isobel‘ s voice, soft yet sharp, cut through the thick silence of the room. “Is this because of me, Elena? You seem upset.”
Her doe–eyed innocence was laced with guilt, but it was the practiced kind–too rehearsed to be real. “Please, don‘ t be angry, Elena, we really didn’t mean to upset you.‘
90% 14:52
14/15
3 Zero attention
She always had a way of twisting the situation to make me seem unreasonable, the villain in whatever unspoken narrative she was weaving. I raised an eyebrow, barely hiding my contempt.
“Me? Upset?” I let out a small laugh, the sarcasm dripping from my words. “Don‘ t flatter yourself, Isobel. I just need some sleep.”
I forced a smile, sliding my chair neatly back into place before turning to leave. Just as I took a step, a firm hand clamped around my wrist.
“You‘ ve got to stop with this attitude, Elena.”
90% 14:52
