CHAPTER 3

The bell above the door chimed once more, signaling the entrance of another customer. Elena's heart skipped a beat as she turned, still grappling with the shock of Lorenzo's sudden appearance. Torn between the urge to run and the magnetic pull towards him, she hesitated, her mind racing with possibilities. Before she could make a decision, a familiar voice called out, pulling her attention away.

"Elena?"

Rafael stepped into the shop, his brow furrowed as he glanced between her and the tall figure with looming presence. His eyes flicked to Lorenzo's cold, dark gaze, a flash of recognition passing through them. He was wondering how Lorenzo got to know about their hiding place when Elena took a step closer to him, using him as shield that blocked the man's intense gaze from her. This subtle movement didn't go unnoticed by Lorenzo. His lips twitched in a faint, amused smile, though it was anything but friendly.

Rafael's posture remained casual, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as he glanced at Elena. "You're making quite the impression on our guests today, sis," he said, patting Elena's head, his tone light yet strained, as if masking a deeper tension he struggled to suppress.

Lorenzo observed the exchange, his eyes narrowing slightly at the way Elena clung to Rafael. It was a small act, but it spoke volumes of the two closeness. His mood shifted, becoming colder and darker, as if calculating his next move. The air around him grew tense, the unspoken danger in his presence palpable. Both Elena and Rafael noticed this change and they unconsciously separated, distancing each other.

"Rafael, was it?" Lorenzo's voice was smooth, like velvet, but there was something sharp as blade beneath it. "I didn't realize I'd be meeting the family today."

Rafael's eyes narrowed, his attempt to play the part of the ignorant stranger faltering for a fraction of a second. He really do not want to play the pretend game but he had to, protecting himself from questions he could not give answers to from Elena. "And you are?" He asked, leaning against the counter with feigned disinterest. But the glint in his eyes betrayed him—he knew exactly who Lorenzo was. He could sense the power radiating from the man, the unmistakable aura of someone who belonged to the underworld.

Lorenzo smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. His eyes flickered to Elena, his expression unreadable. "Let's just say I'm someone who's known your family for quite some time, Lorenzo DeLuca."

Rafael's fist in his pocket clenched, but he didn't react out. He learned to be calm over the years and he played his part well. "Your name doesn't ring any bells. But if you're a friend of Elena's, you must be welcome here."

Elena looked up at Rafael, confusion and uncertainty clouding her features. The tension between the two men was palpable, a silent storm brewing in the room. She couldn't understand why Rafael seemed so guarded when he was just meeting this man who could be a customer for the first time or why Lorenzo's presence sent chills down her spine. The air felt heavy, charged with an unspoken danger that made her heart race.

Lorenzo's gaze sharpened as he studied them both. "Is that so?" he murmured. "Well, it's good to meet you, then."

A beat of silence passed before Lorenzo's attention shifted back to Elena. His expression softened, just for a moment, before he asked, "Tell me, Elena, how are your parents?"

The question hung in the air like a knife, sharp and precise, cutting through the facade of casual conversation. Rafael stiffened, his smile slipping as he met Lorenzo's gaze with thinly veiled wariness. "Our parents are… fine," he replied, his tone edged with defensiveness. "They're away on a trip. I'm sure they'll be back soon."

Lorenzo's eyes flicked to Elena, then back to Rafael, a knowing look passing between them. "A trip," he repeated, his voice laced with a dangerous undertone. "I see. How charming. I hope it's an enjoyable one."

There was something in his voice that made Elena's stomach twist. She could feel the shift in energy, the subtle change in Lorenzo's demeanor. It wasn't a question anymore—it was a statement.

Rafael forced a smile, but it was tight. "I don't believe we're acquainted, Mr. DeLuca," he said, his voice polite but laced with warning. "I'd appreciate it if you'd clarify how you know our family."

Lorenzo chuckled softly, the sound almost predatory. "I believe that's a conversation best saved for another time," he said, his gaze locking with Rafael's. "But rest assured, I know your family well enough."

Elena felt a chill run down her spine. The air between them crackled with tension, and she could sense a silent battle of wills unfolding before her. She couldn't make sense of it—couldn't understand what was happening—but the unspoken words in the room were clear.

Lorenzo's gaze softened for a moment as it landed back on Elena, and he flashed her a smile—a dangerous, knowing smile that sent a jolt through her chest, her heart thumping wildly.

"Give this message to your parents," Lorenzo said, his voice dropping to a quiet whisper, "tell them… the time had come. When they return, I'll be waiting."

Elena blinked, confused. "What do you mean?" She asked, her voice trembling despite herself. Rafael, however, kept his composure. He said nothing in reply, but his eyes darkened, and he nodded slowly. Elena could feel the weight of the message, but the words were too cryptic for her to fully grasp. She couldn't help look to Rafael for clarification but all she could see was his broad back.

Lorenzo turned to leave, his every movement calculated and smooth. As he reached the door, he glanced back over his shoulder, his voice cold. "Tell them, Rafael. They'll understand." The bell above the door chimed as he stepped outside, leaving a charged silence in his wake.

---

Rafael stood there for a moment, still processing the conversation, before turning to Elena. His eyes softened, though the tension still lingered in his posture. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Elena blinked, her mind racing. "What did he mean? Who is he?" Her questions kept on flowing out alongside her doubt.

Rafael hesitated for a moment before answering, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of unease that made Elena uneasy. "You don't need to worry about him. Just… forget about it for now, okay? Let's not dig into things you might not want to remember." Murmuring the rest while avoiding eye contact.

"What do you, mean?" Elena frowned, confusion clouding her thoughts. "Rafael, you're not telling me something."

Rafael shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's better you don't remember, Elena."

---

Later that night in DeLuca Penthouse, Lorenzo sat in the shadows of his study, the city lights casting a dim glow across the room. Mateo stood by his side, a quiet observer of the turmoil that flickered in Lorenzo's eyes.

"So, you decided to pay her a visit after all," Mateo remarked, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of curiosity.

Lorenzo's lips curled into a smile. "I just wanted to make an introduction," he replied, his voice smooth, though there was an edge to it now. "She's… a very beautiful woman."

The smile faded as he thought back to the moment in the florist shop—the way Rafael had held her, the boy's hands on her—like he had any right to shield her from him. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with an unspoken fury. She was his.

"Do you really think it's time?" Mateo asked cautiously.

Lorenzo turned to him, his gaze steely. "Not yet. We'll wait. At least until their parents are back from their trip and have received the message."

He paused, thinking back to the Delacroix family's attempts to bury their past. "Even though they cleaned their tracks, I had still found them. And when the time comes… the Delacroixs won't be able to stop what's coming."

His voice was laced with a dangerous promise.