LORENZO: Fate

Something's wrong. Something's definitely wrong.

Why is Zuri here? In France with Darius Rassais, of all people. He's leering at me, his hostility undisguised, while my eyes are fixed on my ex-wife.

She's staring at me like she's won the lottery or something. There's no surprise on her face, just a smug, drop-dead gorgeous expression that's downright terrifying.

Alexandra tugs on my arm, her discomfort with Zuri's presence evident, especially after last night. "Let's leave, Lorenzo."

But Zuri rises to her feet, a cold smile spreading across her lips. "Why?" she asks, her voice dripping with mischief. "We all know each other here, don't we? Why don't we make it a double date?"

Yes, she's definitely still insane.

"What you're proposing will lead to a bloodbath one way or another, Ms. King," Darius says, his tone hard and inflexible. His words draw my attention, and I glare at him, my animosity seething beneath the calm.

Our families, the Rassais and mine, have been sworn enemies for centuries, endlessly jostling for power among the seven ruling families. Even after my long absence, the hatred between us remains palpable.

The Rassais are notorious for their ruthlessness – psychopaths, every last one of them.

My own family isn't innocent, but that's beside the point.

Darius and I have been at odds for sometime now, our families' centuries-long feud boiling down to a personal vendetta between us. So, why is he on a date with my ex-wife, of all people?

The sight of them together enrages me.

Zuri's lips purse in disappointment as she looks at Darius. "But it may help our families become acquaintances."

Yeah... Something's wrong.

"Are you kidding me?" Alexandra scoffs, her voice heavy with disdain, as she glares at Zuri, who looks completely unfazed. "We are not acquaintances. We will never be acquaintances."

She tugs harder on my arm. "Let's go, Lorenzo. We can always go to another restaurant, right?"

Zuri settles back into her chair, crossing one leg over the other. "So, you two are just going to neglect fate?"

I raise an eyebrow, my tone incredulous. "Fate?"

Zuri throws her head back, her onyx eyes locking onto mine, sparkling with intense mischief. "Fate, Enzo. Of all the places in the world, we meet here, in France, in the same restaurant. What do you think it is?"

"A coincidence." I shrug.

Zuri rolls her eyes. "Well, I call it fate."

She sits up straight, pouring herself a glass of wine. As she takes a sip, her tongue slowly licks her glossy lips, sending heat coursing through my entire being.

Fuck! I feel like I've been punched in the gut, struggling to breathe.

"Let's go!" Alexandra's voice cuts through the tension, her rage palpable.

I follow her lead, turning to exit the VIP area, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

Alexandra reprimands the concierge, demanding to know why we weren't informed that the VIP area was occupied. As the concierge apologizes profusely, my gaze drifts back to the VIP section. I can hear the faint murmurs of Zuri's and Darius' voices, their conversation hushed but unmistakable.

My fists clench involuntarily, but Alexandra's gentle touch on my arm breaks the spell. She looks up at me with her big, blue eyes. "Can we have the main space all to ourselves, Lorenzo?"

I nod slightly, and for a moment, Alexandra's face lights up with a warm smile. But it vanishes in an instant.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." A lazy breath escapes my lips.

Before I know it, the entire restaurant is cleared with me and Alexandra occupying the main space.

Alexandra chats about her day, sharing how her older sister Olivia has been breathing down her neck due to their company's soaring stocks following yesterday's announcement. She confesses that being with me helps alleviate her stress.

As I gaze at her, I'm reminded of her stunning beauty. Her shiny blonde hair, those captivating blue eyes, and smooth, pale skin. She's the epitome of elegance, an heiress every man desires. Her family, the Van Der Meers, is a dynasty built on gold, with a legacy that spans generations.

Despite their impressive wealth, the Kings are on the same level, with a fortune that originated from Alemu King, Zuri's grandfather, who amassed vast riches from his numerous diamond mines. The King family's wealth subsequently expanded exponentially when Zuri inherited the power and legacy of her father and uncle.

It's the reason why the Van Der Meers are so keen on our union. To merge their wealth with my family's ancient lineage.

On the other hand, my father wants this marriage to secure a powerful alliance, trading protection and prestige for their vast fortune.

Alexandra, however, seems oblivious to the strategic motivations behind our engagement. She genuinely believes she's in love with me, and that's almost... endearing.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Alexandra asks, her brows arching with slight anxiety. She's still visibly shaken by Zuri's presence.

"I'm not really hungry," I reply, pushing my food around my plate.

Alexandra lets out a deep sigh, dropping her fork and knife. "Is it because of her?" she presses.

I cock my head to the side, a small smile curling on my lips. "Why do you think it's because of her?"

Alexandra's eyes lock onto mine. "Look, Lorenzo, I was drunk last night, but I remember everything. You chased me off because of your ex-wife, and she was sitting on your lap."

I try to reassure her. "It doesn't matter. You're my fiancée, not her."

Alexandra's expression turns hesitant. "She's your ex-wife. I knew you back then, when you were with her. You were just a normal, up-and-coming chef, and then you... died." Her voice trails off.

I sense a mix of emotions in her tone. Confusion, curiosity, and a hint of accusation.

"Then, suddenly, my parents called me home one night, a year ago, to tell me I was getting engaged to Lorenzo Salvatore. You. I was shocked, but I agreed. I mean.. Why not? But I have questions, okay? So many questions, just like the media and everyone else." She continues, her words spilling out in a rush.

"Answering your questions won't change the fact that you'll be my bride, Alex," I grab my fork, shoving it into the steak.

Alexandra flinches, her wide eyes fixed on me. "I—" she starts, but I cut her off.

"It also won't change the fact that I am a Salvatore," I drag the fork through the steak, the sound filling the tense silence. "And I will always be a Salvatore."

Alexandra nods slowly, swallowing hard. "I... I understand."

"Good," I say, my voice clipped. I set my knife down, push back my chair, and rise to my feet. "I'm going to the bathroom."

I walk away, leaving Alexandra behind. As I stroll through the hall, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I'm being followed, but there are no footsteps echoing through the silence.

My heart is racing. I adjust my tie, trying to calm the excitement coursing through my veins.

Quickly, I push open the nearest door, expecting a quiet bathroom, but instead, I'm met with two masked men. And... they're pulling knives from their pockets.

Disappointment washes over me. "I was expecting my ex-wife!"

Without hesitation, I grab the first guy by his arm and slam his head against the tiled wall with tremendous force. He crumples to the ground, knocked out cold.

I turn to face the second guy, my chest heaving with rage. "You're going to be very unrecognizable, buddy,"