CHRISTIAN POV:
I leaned back in my seat, my voice steady yet commanding as I spoke to Mr. Luo, my driver. "Take me back to the villa."
The city outside was quiet, its streets bathed in the dim glow of streetlights. As the car smoothly navigated through the empty roads, I pulled out my phone and dialed Zoris.
"I've reviewed the documents on Patrick and his illegal activities. Send them to the FBI immediately. As for the tax evasion records, make them public spread them across every platform possible. And one more thing, ensure the women we rescued are safely returned home. File an FIR against Patrick's brother."
Zoris confirmed my instructions without hesitation. I ended the call, barely taking a breath before dialing another number. Mr. Evan, the financial director of Romano & Co., answered almost instantly.
"Evan, once Patrick's company shares begin to plummet, I want them acquired all of them. Whatever remains in the market, buy it but discreetly."
"Understood," Evan replied before I hung up.
I exhaled, my fingers drumming lightly against the car's armrest. Everything was falling into place. Soon, Patrick would be ruined.
The car slowed to a stop at a red light, and my gaze drifted outside. That's when I saw her.
Lina.
She was in a nearby car, the soft glow of passing headlights casting a golden hue over her face. Even in the dimness, she looked breathtaking serene, yet effortlessly captivating. She was engaged in conversation with someone in the passenger seat, unaware of my presence. Then, as if sensing my gaze, she turned.
Our eyes met.
For a fleeting moment, it was just the two of us in a world that had paused around us. I lifted a hand slightly in acknowledgment, but Lina, ever composed, offered only a brief, distant nod before the light changed, and she drove away in another direction.
I checked my watch 2:30 AM.
"Why is she out so late?" The question formed in my mind before I could stop it.
The city stretched before me, beautiful and timeless, yet it all seemed to fade in comparison to her.
Mr. Luo, perceptive as always, noticed my shift in demeanor. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror but said nothing. Instead, he continued driving, steering us toward my private villa.
By the time we arrived, the estate was cloaked in silence. Nestled between mountains and a serene river, the villa was my sanctuary, a place of solitude that few had the privilege of stepping into.
Mr. Luo parked, stepping out to open my door. I exited, my footsteps echoing against the stone driveway. The housekeeper stood by the entrance, waiting for instructions.
"Do you need anything, sir? A meal, perhaps?" he inquired.
"No, that will be all," I dismissed him, heading straight upstairs.
The first thing I did was take a shower. The warm water cascaded over my tense muscles, washing away the remnants of the long night. When I stepped out, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were sharp, focused but there was something else lurking beneath the surface. Something unsettled.
Wrapping a robe around myself, I ran a towel through my hair before moving to my study. The night wasn't over yet. There was still work to do.
Sitting at my desk, I opened my laptop and resumed reviewing the documents on Louis' kidnapping. Hacking into the hotel's security system took only a few minutes. Soon, I had retrieved a short surveillance clip from the parking lot. Louis stepping out of his car and embracing a man.
I zoomed in on the figure's face, running an online search. Nothing. Whoever he was, his identity had been thoroughly erased from public records.
Just as I was about to dig deeper, my phone buzzed. A single message from Louis appeared on the screen:
Stop looking for information about my friend.
I exhaled sharply. If Louis wanted to keep this secret, I wouldn't push further. Shutting my laptop, I turned to my inbox another message, this time from Luca:
Be at my villa by 9 AM.
I glanced at the time. 4:30 AM.
Setting my phone aside, I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes. Sleep wasn't a luxury I could often afford, but tonight, exhaustion pulled me under.
The morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, rousing me from sleep. My body was trained to wake early, my internal clock never failing. It was 6:30 AM.
Changing into jogging attire, I stepped outside for a morning run, the crisp air filling my lungs. An hour later, I returned, my mind sharper, my focus realigned.
"Would you like breakfast, sir? Or should I pack something for you and Kate?" the housekeeper asked as I entered the villa.
"An English breakfast," I replied before heading for another shower.
Dressing in loose black pants, a fitted T-shirt, and a black cardigan, I glanced at my wardrobe rows of dark, tailored suits. I rarely wore casual clothes. Today, however, felt different.
Slipping my phone into my pocket, I descended for breakfast. The housekeeper hesitated for a moment, surprised by my informal attire, but wisely kept silent. I finished my meal and walked to the garage.
"I'll drive," I told Mr. Luo before getting into my sleek black Bugatti La Voiture and heading toward Luca's villa.
Upon arrival, Luca greeted me with a smirk. "Christian Romano in casual clothes? Who are you trying to impress?"
I ignored him, stepping inside and settling onto the couch. Moments later, Ashley descended the stairs, offering a warm smile. "Good morning, Christian. How are you?"
"I'm fine," I replied evenly.
Luca chuckled. "Lina will be here by 10 AM. In the meantime, here's the report on Patrick's company you requested."
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "Ray is upstairs in her playroom. You don't need to worry about her, the nanny is still here. But remember, this is your chance to make an impression. If you don't take this opportunity, Lina will never agree to a date."
He glanced at Ashley, who gave him a knowing nod. I exhaled, speechless.
Taking the documents, I headed upstairs. Opening the door, I found Ray playing on a plush rug with her dog, Elle. She beamed upon seeing me.
"Christian Uncle! Why don't you smile more? You look so handsome when you do!"
I ruffled her hair. "Ray, what do you like most about Aunt Lina?"
Her eyes sparkled. "She's beautiful and kind! She gave me Elle, made me apple pie when we visited Grandma, and tells me bedtime stories. Her hands are so soft! You should try her apple pie...it's the best!"
I chuckled. "Then tell your aunt to bake one for you today."
Ray nodded eagerly and resumed playing. However, as I attempted to read the documents, I found my mind wandering.
Just then, the door opened, and Lina stepped in dressed in all black, exuding quiet mystery. "Lina," I greeted.
She merely nodded. "Good morning." Hugging Ray, she led her downstairs.
My phone buzzed. Kate.
"Where are you? Louis and his friend are at the hospital. They're fine now."
"I'm at Luca's, babysitting Ray."
Kate sounded stunned. "Babysitting? You? Do you even know how to take care of a kid? Wait!! Lina is there, isn't she?"
I said nothing.
Kate laughed. "Finally ditching your monk life, huh?"
I hung up and descended the stairs just as Lina headed to the kitchen.
"Mr. Romano," she paused, "Can you watch Ray for a moment?" she asked.1
"Of course."
Our eyes met. Her hazel brown gaze had always been my undoing. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't look away. The longer I stared, the stronger the pull an unspoken gravity between us. My heartbeat stuttered. Then Ray's toy hit the floor, breaking the moment. Lina turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
But I kept watching her. The way she moved, her hands graceful, every little motion entrancing. When she glanced back, I quickly looked away, but not before she caught my lingering stare.
Thirty minutes later, the scent of freshly baked apple pie filled the house. Ray ran up to me, tugging my hand. "Uncle, take me to the kitchen!"
Lifting her, he carried her in.
"Is it ready?" Ray asked excitedly.
Lina smiled. "Let it cool a little first, or you'll burn your mouth." I settled Ray down on the chair beside the serving table.
"You have flour here," I said, noticing a smudge on her cheek.
Before she could check a mirror, I stepped closer and gently wiped it away. Our eyes met, a charged silence stretching between us.
Lina quickly turned to Ray. I lowered my hand, but the warmth of her skin lingered on my fingertips...