Chapter 26 DINNER MEETING
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ADELINE
I stepped out of my bedroom all dolled up to meet a guy who was invited for the dinner at the house. I was dressed up in a short floral white dress that reached above my thighs.
My hairs were messily braided going with my look and a little bit of make up helped me hide my dark circles and tiredness.
I blinked tiredly and my face showed my weariness but I could not help. I was tired and just wanted to sleep but everyone had gathered in the backyard. The guy whom I was meeting was someone they all knew.
He was involved in the same work my family did so it was nothing to think about much. I took a deep breath and started walking towards the grand stairs of the mansion to walk down when I heard ……… his voice.
I turned my head back to see him walking out of his room and his phone near his ear, talking on the phone. I quickly snapped my head forward and started climbing the stairs fast.
Run, Adeline.
I did not want to interact him in any way. I quickly rushed out and made my way towards the door and out towards the backyard but suddenly…… I bumped into someone and gasped.
Something hit me like a rock and I stumbled backwards.
“ I apologize “
The manly voice made me jump and I quickly looked up and noticed a man…… I did not recognize. My eyebrows scrunched together as I tried to recognize but he was nowhere in my list of remembrance.
“ I-I’m sorry- “
I quickly walked away. My heart pounding in my chest like a drum. Stepping into the backyard, I noticed everyone seated on the couches. I walked towards them and greeted with a low good afternoon to which everyone replied.
“ come sit “
Alessandra ordered and I quickly took a place next to aurora at the end of the couch. I did not want to be the Centre of attention but I knew this meeting was for her.
Before anyone could say anything, I noticed the man I bumped into just now walking with Luciano and towards us. I lowered my gaze and fidgeted with the hem of my dress.
“ Luciano, Valentino come “
Leonardo said to which I raised my gaze and my eyes met …… the manly voice made next to Luciano. Valentino was it? He kept his gaze on me and my heart started beating fast at the unknown feeling.
I looked away not wanting to keep up the eye contact but maybe he did not want to end it and continued to stare making me uncomfortable.
Everyone finally settled down and Bianca smiled before looking at me lovingly. It made me think whether it was love or satisfaction.
“ Adeline. Meet Valentino Cross. And Valentino, she’s my beautiful daughter, Adeline Cavallaro “
I looked at him and smiled softly. He passed me a smile that he seemed to be trying to hold back.
“ you both can talk alone now that you know what we have decided for you both “
I looked at Bianca as she quickly wanted me to just talk to that person. Why was she pushing me to just get married but it was also better to get married than stay here.
“ Adeline. Sweetheart go “
My eyes met Luciano’s for a second and he looked away as if, if he did, he would have done something. I gulped the lump formed in my throat and looked at Christian who smiled and gave my back a comforting hand.
He slowly leaned closer and whispered.
“ its fine. If he did something, just tell “
I nodded and stood up before walking towards the other side of the garden while he followed.
“ Adeline “
I stopped hearing my name and slowly turned around to look at him. He stepped closer and he was tall enough to tower my body.
“ Are you nervous ? “
His question pushed me over the edge. Heck yeah, I was nervous. I was nervous of coming this close to any other man except for the ones I knew.
I slowly nodded my head and he stepped back giving me space which made me look at him stunned.
“ did someone pressurize you ? “
My head shot up at him. A look of surprise on my face. I did not expect him to ask me such questions. The work they did and my family was involved in was …… something that made them heartless but someone taking care-
I slowly shook my head and he smiled.
“ don’t you talk? “
“ I- do- “
I stammered and mentally slapped myself making him chuckle. I passed a smile too trying to lighten up the mood.
“ you look beautiful “
I smiled and looked back at everyone sitting when my eyes met …… Luciano and I quickly looked away before my heart skipped its beat.
No Adeline. It’s over.
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LUCIANO
“ you look disturbed ? “
I turned my head and looked at Christian who passed me a small smile making me want to hit him so bad. I knew the reason why he came just to ask me such thing.
My eyes returned back to her and never left Adeline. I watched the way her lips curved into a smile, the way she tilted her head slightly as she listened to Valentino.
My chest tightened with every passing second, and the sight of her laughing at something Valentino said was like salt in an open wound.
I clenched my hand around the whiskey glass and tried to hold my anger back.
Christian stepped closer, his brow furrowed as he followed my gaze to where Adeline and Valentino stood.
“You’ve been staring at them for a while now,”
Christian said, keeping his tone light but probing.
I didn’t respond, my jaw tightening as I took a slow sip from his glass.
Christian smirked, crossing his arms.
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous, Luciano.”
At that, I turned to face him, my dark eyes flashing with anger.
“Jealous?”
I repeated, my voice low and dangerous.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Christian raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
“Then why do you look like you’re about to throw that glass across the garden? Admit it—you don’t like seeing her with him.”
My grip on the glass tightened, my knuckles white against the amber liquid. What was Christian doing? First he wanted me to stay away and deny whatever I felt for Adeline and now-
I turned my gaze back to Adeline, my chest rising and falling with shallow breaths as I watched Valentino lean slightly closer to her, his hand brushing hers as he handed her a drink.
“I don’t care who she talks to,”
I muttered, though my voice lacked conviction.
Christian chuckled, shaking his head.
“Sure you don’t.”
He leaned against the railing beside me, his tone growing more serious.
“You’ve never been good at hiding it, you know. The way you look at her… it’s obvious. Even to her.”
My jaw tightened further, and I finally tore my gaze away from Adeline, my eyes blazing as I turned to Christian.
“Obvious to her?”
I said, my voice sharp.
“She doesn’t see anything. She’s too busy laughing with him.”
Christian opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, I set my glass down with a sharp clink and turned on my heel.
“Luciano,”
Christian called after me, his voice calm but insistent.
“You’re not doing yourself any favors by running away from this. But its good that you are trying to protect her ”
I paused, my back to Christian, my fists clenched at my sides. After a long moment, I mumbled something under my breath, so quiet that Christian almost didn’t catch it.
But the words were clear enough to make him stop in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise.
“She was never supposed to matter this much.”
Before Christian could respond, I strode off into the shadows, leaving Christian standing alone, his thoughts racing.
Adeline had started mattering much more than she was supposed to be. I was not supposed to be feeling like this for her but I could not control it but what I could control was …… letting her affect me more.