Chapter 52 Chapter 52 The Dinner
Luke’s POV
I arrived at Gabriel’s house at exactly 7:57 PM. I was supposed to pick her up at 8 PM, but I wanted to be that gentleman who arrived earlier than agreed.
I walked up to the door and knocked immediately, just as I checked my watch.
“Oh! My love, I’m coming!” she called out, her voice almost too eager, as though she knew exactly who it was at the door. There was something about the way she said it that made me smirk—she sounded like she was trying to spite Gabriel with our date tonight.
Scoff.
Women. Always so dramatic—so shallow-minded. If only she knew this was all Gabriel’s doing. She’d run ten miles away from me if she understood the danger she was really in. But no, she was walking straight into her death, completely unaware.
The door creaked open, and before I could say another word, she pulled me in for a tight hug. Right in front of Gabriel. It was almost too perfect. She wanted to make a point, but she didn’t realize how much she was playing into my hands.
Gabriel didn’t say a word. Of course, I’d already instructed him to keep quiet. He understood the situation better than she did.
He simply rose to his feet, his face a mask of indifference, and walked upstairs without a word. I watched him go, a sense of satisfaction growing within me.
Emmanuella, however, stood there for a moment, watching Gabriel’s retreating back. Her face twisted in a way that showed just how much she hated the way he treated her. It was almost pitiful to watch.
But deep down, I could see it—she still loved him. It was only desperation driving her now, trying to do everything to him, even if it meant accepting another man's offer just to spite him so he'd know that she did him a favour by marrying him.
Scoff.
I cleared my throat and turned to her. “Shall we?” I asked, my voice smooth and calm, like we hadn’t just had that little exchange.
She snapped out of her daze and turned to me. “Yes, we can,” she said with a small smile, though her eyes still held that confusion, that hint of longing for Gabriel.
I took her hand gently, leading her outside. As we walked to the car, I noticed her glancing around, her eyes flickering nervously. But I wasn’t concerned. I was in control.
I opened the front door for her like a true gentleman, letting her slide into the car as though she were some kind of royalty.
Once she was settled, I hurried to the driver’s side and slid into my seat, the leather creaking beneath me. I pressed the start button, and the engine roared to life, the sound echoing through the night. The car was expensive, and I could feel its weight in my hands as I shifted into gear.
In the side mirror, I saw Emmanuella’s eyes darting around the car. She was staring at the interior like she’d never seen anything like it before. I caught the way her gaze lingered on the sleek leather seats and the polished dashboard. Her eyes flickered in every direction, as though searching for something—anything.
Scoff.
This car was prestige. If I hadn’t rented it, a guy like me wouldn’t be caught dead driving it. It was so expensive that only the richest people could afford it. But I wasn’t going to tell her that, of course.
“You like my car?” I asked, my voice casual.
She quickly stammered, caught off guard. “Ehm… yes… I mean no. I’ve been in cars like this too many times.”
Of course, she wouldn’t admit it. Women never do. They like to pretend that the things they’re fascinated by don’t affect them. But I could tell—she was impressed. Emmanuella was exactly the kind of woman who craved luxury just like Gabriel had pin pointed before even if she was too proud to admit it.
I chuckled to myself, the sound low and almost menacing.
We arrived at the restaurant, and I quickly got out of the car and went around to open her door. She smiled at me again, that same sweet, almost childlike smile that I knew she’d throw around to manipulate anyone who would let her.
I held her hand tightly, leading her inside the restaurant. Her fingers were warm, but there was a tremor in them, just barely noticeable. She was nervous. She had no idea what was going to happen tonight.
The restaurant was upscale, the kind of place that made you feel important just by walking through the door. There was a group of people on a stage, singing a love song. The atmosphere was intimate, the soft lighting casting long shadows against the walls. Emmanuella’s eyes lit up, and I knew I had her right where I wanted her.
We found a table quickly, and as we sat, I watched her take in the surroundings. She was like a little girl in a candy shop, her gaze darting from the singers to the décor to the expensive-looking dishes being served around us.
The song playing was by Bob, a love ballad. I could see her getting lost in the music, her fingers curling tighter around mine. She was slipping away from reality, and I was right there, keeping her close.
“Would you like anything?” I asked out of the blue, watching her snap back to awareness. My voice had pulled her from whatever fantasy she was lost in.
“Certainly, yes!” she said, a smile creeping up on her face. She was playing the part well. She always did.
I smiled back, then waved the waiter over to take our order. While we waited for the food, I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice just enough so only she could hear.
“You know, I really love you, Emmanuella. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” I said, letting the words fall smoothly from my lips, though every part of me knew it was a lie.
She blinked, clearly taken aback. “How can you love me when you just met me?” Her voice was full of curiosity, her eyes wide and vulnerable. It was as if she was hoping I would say the right thing—the thing she needed to hear.
I leaned in closer, maintaining eye contact. “A person doesn’t choose who they love, Emmanuella. The heart does. And ever since I saw your case file, my heart chose you. I had to find you, to help you, so we could be together.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and she looked down for a moment, almost shy. But I saw the way her fingers tightened around mine. She was falling for it. For me.
“So you’ll marry me?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
I leaned back slightly, just enough to make sure she could see the amused glint in my eyes.
“But you know I’m already married. Won’t that be a problem for you?” She said again even before I said anything else.
She hesitated, but only for a moment. That was when I knew she was truly mine.
I chuckled, my voice low. Scoff.
When a woman is falling, that’s when they start voicing their concerns. And tonight, I was going to help Gabriel fuck his wife, even before I eventually took her life.