I stood frozen, the storm of emotions still raging inside me. Luca's words echoed in my mind - "You are the only thing that matters to me right now." But the doubt lingered, fueled by the image of him with Victoria. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just a pawn in his game, a game I didn't fully understand.
As I watched him stride away, I felt a surge of determination. I needed to take control of my life, to focus on myself. I couldn't let Luca's charms distract me from my goals. I took a deep breath and turned to leave, but my feet felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
The sound of Luca's phone buzzing still lingered in the air, a reminder of the world he inhabited - a world of power, wealth, and danger. I didn't know if I was ready to be a part of that world.
I finally managed to tear my gaze away from the door, my eyes scanning the room. The remnants of the confrontation still lingered - the shattered glass, the scent of gunpowder. But I was alone now, left to pick up the pieces of my own emotions.
As I made my way back to the elevator, I felt a sense of resolve growing inside me. I would not let Luca's pull consume me. I would focus on myself, on my own goals and desires. The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, feeling a sense of freedom wash over me.
But as the doors closed, I caught a glimpse of Luca's face, his eyes locked on mine. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of desperation, of longing. But it was quickly replaced by a mask of indifference.
The doors slid shut, and I was left with more questions than answers. What did Luca want from me? And what did I want from him?
The drive back to my apartment was a blur. I barely registered the city lights streaking past the car window, my mind consumed by thoughts of Luca and Victoria. I knew I needed to talk to him, to clear the air and understand what was going on.
But as I stepped out of the car and into the cool night air, I felt a sense of trepidation. What if Luca didn't want to talk? What if he was done with me?
I pushed the thoughts aside and walked into my apartment, feeling a sense of uncertainty wash over me. I knew I needed to focus on myself, to take control of my life. But as I looked around my empty apartment, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in over my head.
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of my own breathing. I felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown.
And then, my phone buzzed. A text from Luca. "We need to talk."
My heart skipped a beat. What did he want to talk about? Was he going to explain himself, or was he going to try to win me back?
I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen. Part of me wanted to ignore him, to focus on myself. But another part of me, a part that I couldn't ignore, wanted to know what he had to say.
I took a deep breath and chose to ignore him.
The words sent a shiver down my spine. I knew I was taking a risk, but I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to Luca, despite the danger and uncertainty that surrounded him.
I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Would I emerge from this storm unscathed, or would I be forever changed by the experience?
It was agonizing, my mind racing with possibilities. But I knew one thing - I would not be swayed by Luca's charms. I would stand my ground, no matter what.
The phone buzzed again. But as I looked at the screen, my heart sank. It was Ryan, not Luca.
"Bella, we need to talk."
The words sent a shiver down my spine. What did Ryan want to talk about? Was he going to warn me away from Luca again?
I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen. But as I looked at the words, I knew I had to respond.
"What's going on, Ryan?"
The response was immediate. "Meet me at the coffee shop tomorrow. We need to talk about Luca."
I felt a sense of trepidation. What did Ryan know that I didn't? And what did he want to tell me?
But as I looked at the screen, I knew I had to go. I had to know what Ryan was going to say.
And so, I thought to meet him though but my heart kept racing with anticipation.
I asked myself if I was doing the right thing, and I came to the conclusion that;
I needed to put distance between us.
And this time, I needed to mean it.
---
I barely slept.
The events of yesterday played over and over in my mind like a cruel, looping nightmare. Every detail was etched into my brain—the sharp clang of breaking glass, the cold steel of the gun pressed against my ribs, the way Luca had moved like a predator, like something lethal and unstoppable. And then, after all of that, the way his voice had softened just enough to wreck me when he said I was the only thing that mattered.
But I wasn't stupid.
Luca Valencia was danger wrapped in the illusion of control, and last night had proven just how deep I was sinking.
So, when I walked into Valencia Enterprises that morning, my head held high and my heart barricaded behind steel walls, I told myself it was time.
Time to walk away.
---
I stepped off the elevator, my heels clicking against the marble floors, each step measured, controlled.
The moment I entered the office, the air shifted.
Luca was already there, standing behind his desk, his dark suit crisp, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—they were something else entirely.
They darkened the second they landed on me, flickering with something dangerous.
I ignored the way my clenched stomach. Not now buddy!
I ignored the way my pulse spiked. I had to. I needed for him to see that I was serious, that I actually mean whatever I am going to say. I needed for him to take me seriously.
"Close the door." His voice was low, rough, carrying the weight of something unspoken.
I hesitated for only a second before doing as he said, but I didn't move closer. I kept my distance, arms crossed over my chest.
Luca studied me for a long moment, his gaze sharp, dissecting.
"You didn't answer my calls."
"I didn't feel like talking," I said evenly.
A muscle in his jaw ticked.
"After what happened last night, you think ignoring me was a good idea?"
I swallowed hard, but I held my ground.
"I needed to think." And then I muttered "it's not everyday someone almost gets shot". He seemed to be a bit lost because he didn't hear me clearly but instead of asking what I said he cleared his throat, flexing his fingers on the desk, and let out an outward sign of tension. And the he spoke.
"And?"
I took a breath. Whew!! I really didn't want to do this. I wanted to continue my Internship here but I can't. It seems this place is not cut out for me. In this short time I've spent here, around him and with him, I've had Ariana the heels lady breathe vigorously on my neck, I've had Victoria sending me pictures of them both to ascertain and claim him, Ryan on the other hand, hasn't made things better.
Matteo. My brother still doesn't know I work for Luca Valencia. He doesn't know for the past two weeks I have been interning at Valencia Enterprises.
Two weeks! And all of this had occured. That just made it easier to say what I came here to say. And I said it, sitting upright and finally raising my head up, facing Luca.
"And I can't do this."
Silence. Heavy, suffocating silence!
His head tilted slightly, his expression still unreadable, but the shift in the air between us was palpable.
"You can't do what, Bella?"
"This," I said, gesturing vaguely between us. "Whatever this is. It's consuming me, and I—" I exhaled, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I can't let it."
His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You think you have a choice?" That single sentence sent a shiver down my spine.
I forced myself to hold his gaze.
"I do, yes"
Luca's lips curved, but it wasn't a smile. It was something sharper, something lethal.
"You think walking away will make me forget you?" His voice was quiet, but there was a slow-building storm beneath it. "You think saying 'no' will erase everything between us?"
I straightened, my nails digging into my palms.
"I think it's the only way to keep myself from drowning in you."
The words hung between us, heavy and raw, and for the first time, Luca actually looked… startled, I must say.
But only for a second and then, the mask was back.
He stepped around the desk, slow and deliberate, closing the distance between us.
I should have moved. I should have stepped back. But I didn't.
"Let me make something very clear, Bella." His voice dropped, a velvety whisper against my skin. "You were mine the second you walked into my world. And no matter how many times you try to run, you will always end up right back here."
I swallowed hard, my breath hitching as he lifted a hand, fingers skimming just barely along my jaw.
Heat flared between us, thick and suffocating. But I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus.
"I'm not running," I whispered. "I'm choosing myself." Something flashed in his eyes—something almost like betrayal. I'm sorry Luca but this is a whole lot for me. I need this.
Then, just like that, it was gone. His hand dropped. His gaze cooled.
Luca stepped back, slipping his hands into his pockets, his posture deceptively relaxed.
"Alright, Bella," he murmured. "Have it your way."
Something inside me twisted painfully at the way he said it. As if I had just made a mistake. As if this wasn't over.
And deep down, I knew…
It wasn't.
Because he is Luca Valencia and Luca Valencia doesn't take NO for an answer.