Chapter 149 New Meeting

Chapter 149 New Meeting
She blinked at the sudden change in his mood. “I just assumed they were empty threats. What could she possibly do?”
Massimo bit back the surge of worry and anger rising in his chest. “No,” he said firmly, cupping her face with both hands. “You tell me everything, Eloise. Everything.”
Eloise nodded, softening under his intense gaze. “Yeah… I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
He kissed her softly, tenderly. “It’s okay, baby. Don’t apologize.” His thumb stroked her cheek. “Promise me you’ll be careful around her. You call me immediately at the slightest suspicion.”
“I promise,” she whispered, kissing him back.
But really, Eloise thought as she rested her head against his chest, what could Rose possibly do?
\---
The front door slammed hard enough to make the picture frames rattle. Rose stormed into the house and flung her bag onto the couch.
"I can't stand her!" she exploded, her voice trembling with fury. "I can't fucking stand her!"
Amelia, who had been sitting cross-legged on the living room rug painting her toenails a bright shade of red, looked up in surprise.
"What is it now?" she asked.
"I saw Eloise."
The name alone soured Rose's expression.
"I saw her in college today." She laughed bitterly. "She was with a couple of friends, laughing and acting like she belonged there."
She tossed her hair back in disgust. "The dud. The bitch thinks she's so cool now."
Amelia immediately frowned. "Oh, God. She must've been so annoying." She screwed the cap back onto her nail polish bottle. "I don't even know why Mum made you transfer there."
"Because your mother knows what's best."
Both girls looked up.
Camille was descending the staircase with all the poise of a queen entering her court. She wore a cream blouse and black trousers, her dark hair pinned elegantly away from her face. There was something calm about her.
"Mum," both girls greeted immediately.
Rose's face crumpled. She crossed the room and dropped heavily onto the couch.
"I don't want to go there anymore." Her voice cracked. "I don't want to see her."
Amelia immediately moved beside her.
"Oh, poor Rosie."
She wrapped an arm around her sister and wiped at the tears beginning to gather in her eyes. Rose looked miserable. She looked angry, humiliated.
"She stole my life and she gets to keep it." Her words came out in a rush. "She gets to be happy. She gets to be married." Her voice turned bitter. "And I'm here." Her jaw tightened. "I'm fucking here."
The room went very quiet then Camille spoke.
"That's it." Both girls looked at her. "Anger will serve you better than tears."
Amelia frowned. Rose looked confused. Then Amelia glanced around. "Wait." She sat up straighter. "Where's Chloe?"
Camille didn't even blink. "Chloe won't be home anytime soon today."
Both girls looked at their mother. "But why?" Rose asked immediately. "She doesn't have drama rehearsals after school."
"Yeah." Amelia checked the time on her phone. "It's already after two."
Camille silenced them both with a look. "Don't get distracted now."
The girls immediately quieted. Neither of them knew that Camille had personally suggested to Chloe that she spend the evening with one of her friends. She had even encouraged it. The younger girl had been delighted. 
Camille smiled inwardly. Perfect. Because tonight was not for Chloe's ears. 
Rose crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "I can't continue like this." Her eyes filled with fresh tears. "I don't want to see her."
She looked at her mother desperately. "Why did you make me transfer there, Mum?"
Camille looked at her youngest daughter for a long moment. Then she asked softly, "What did I tell you before?"
Rose frowned, thinking hard. Then she sniffed.
"You said..." She paused. "You said there are other ways to get what should've been mine."
Camille smiled. "Exactly." She walked further into the living room. "So dry your tears and stop behaving like you've already lost."
Rose looked unconvinced. "But when?" she demanded. "When, Mum?" Her voice broke. "It's been months." She looked utterly defeated.
"And nothing has come to me." Her eyes filled again. "You made me go to her house." The hurt returned.
"You made me see all those things." She shook her head. "The mansion." Her voice became small. "The servants, the riches." Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Everything that should've been mine."
Her expression twisted. "And the bitch had the guts to look me in my face and gloat."
Amelia's face darkened. "She did?" Rose nodded miserably. Camille watched her daughter carefully.
Then... Slowly... Very slowly... A smile spread across her face.
Rose noticed. "Mum?"
Camille sat gracefully on the armchair opposite them. "Now, Rose."
Her voice was soft, almost gentle. "What are you willing to do to get what's yours?"
Rose looked at her. For a long time, she said nothing, then her face changed. The tears remained. But something darker appeared beneath them. Something ugly.
Hatred.
"I'll do anything."
Camille's smile widened and Rose sat forward.
"I mean it." She looked almost feverish. "I'll do anything to wipe that smirk off her face."
Camille simply watched her. "You hate seeing her happy, don't you?"
Rose's eyes immediately hardened. "Yes."
"You hate seeing her loved?"
"Yes."
"You hate seeing her get everything you've ever wanted?"
"Yes!" The word exploded out of her.
Camille nodded once as if satisfied. She rose to her feet while neither daughter understood.
"Mum?" Amelia asked.
Camille ignored her.
She walked calmly toward the front door as Rose watched her in confusion.
"Mum?"
Camille stopped, her hand settling on the doorknob. Then she turned, her gaze resting solely on Rose. 
"My darling girl." She smiled. "Your mistake is thinking fate arrives by itself."
Rose frowned while Camille's eyes glittered.
"No." She shook her head. "Sometimes... sometimes you have to open the door for it."
A knock sounded and Rose jumped. Amelia nearly dropped her phone.
Camille's smile only deepened. And suddenly... Rose realised something. Her mother wasn't surprised, she'd been expecting someone.
"Mum..." she whispered.
Camille looked at her. Then she said, "Your time has come."
She opened the door and a man stood there.
A Tall, broad-shouldered man dressed entirely in black. He has jet-black hair. Dark eyes. Handsome in a way that felt dangerous rather than beautiful.
There was something cold about him. Something that made the air in the room feel heavier. He stepped inside with effortless confidence. His gaze moved lazily over the room, over Amelia. Then he looked at Rose and smiled.
It was charming. Yet somehow... it sent a chill down her spine. Camille stepped aside, and the stranger entered completely.
Then he extended his hand. "Good evening." 
His voice was smooth, deep and cultured. Rose could only stare. He looked familiar, like she'd seen him somewhere. 
The man looked directly into her eyes. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Rose."
Amelia blinked. Rose's heart gave a strange thud. She looked at her mother who was smiling. That same knowing smile. The man followed her gaze.
Then he spoke again.
"My name..."
His eyes never left Rose's.
"...is Luca Caputo."