CHAPTER 6

Elena woke up feeling drained, the remnants of yesterday's conversation lingering in her mind like an unwelcome shadow. She stared at the ceiling, her eyes dull, as though sleep had eluded her for days. Her thoughts, all over the place that she couldn't even process even just one of the so many questions bugging her mind.

How were they supposed to deal with the DeLucas, a family known for their ruthless business tactics? She had even heard from Rafael that all those from the family are very ruthless in their dealings. No matter which way she turned the situation in her head, there was no easy answer.

Letting out a shaky breath, she finally pushed herself out of bed. She quickly washed up, choosing to skip makeup to conceal the exhaustion evident on her face. As she descended the stairs, the muffled voices of her parents and Rafael caught her attention.

They were speaking in hushed tones and this ignited her curiosity as she slowed her steps, pressing her back against the cold railing as she eavesdroped on the subtle, whispered undertones of their conversation.

"…it's as if unseen forces are constantly thwarting my efforts," Rafael muttered, frustration clear in his tone. "Every single time I try to negotiate, to even get a lead on settling the debt, something or someone interferes."

Her father sighed. "You think it's Lorenzo?"

Rafael scoffed. "Who else? He has the power to make every door slam shut before we even reach it."

Elena's fingers tightened around the railing. It's Lorenzo again. It seems he wasn't just collecting debt—he was playing with them.

"I'll keep trying though," Rafael said after a pause. "There has to be a way of repaying them without selling our souls to the DeLucas."

The conversation topic shifted to her, but before Elena could eavesdrop on that too, Rafael's sharp voice cut through the air, catching her off guard. "How long will you continue to stand there, Elena?"

Elena stiffened, her grip slipping. She turned her head to find Rafael smirking at her, arms crossed over his chest.

"You should've at least tried to hide better," he teased, stepping toward her.

"I-I wasn't—"

Rafael raised his brows questioningly and grinned, nodding his head with a serious expression on his face as if agreeing with her. He took another step, lowering his voice ominously. "Who knows? Maybe the DeLucas punishes for spying…"

A cold shiver immediately ran down her spine hearing this, already wondering the kind of punishment Lorenzo would bestow on those spying on him coupled with the horror she witnessed the night she had met him before she realized that Rafael was teasing her.

She scowled. "That's not funny."

"Depends on who you ask." He chuckled, ruffling her hair like she was still a child. "Now come on, let's get breakfast before you pass out from overthinking." Their parents smiling as they witnessed this rambling.

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♠︎THE DEVIL'S ROSE♠︎

Lorenzo DeLuca sat in a dimly lit private section of The Devil's Rose, the city's most exclusive and dangerous club. Here, the rich indulged in forbidden pleasures, and behind closed doors, secrets darker than the night were exchanged. Even those in the government were often sighted there, everything has a price in the club. Lorenzo's eyes scanned the room, aware that in this den, every glance could be a threat.

The air was thick with smoke, the scent of expensive cigars clinging to every surface. Lorenzo took a slow drag, his lips parting slightly as he exhaled, watching the smoke curl into delicate rings before dissipating into nothingness.

Across from him, Mateo stood with his usual unwavering stance, hands clasped behind his back.

Lorenzo's deep voice cut through the low hum of music from the club outside. "How is the monitoring of Elena going?"

Mateo nodded. "As expected. She's restless, and with every attempt of theirs thwarted by us, she gets more tangled in our web."

Lorenzo smirked. "Good."

After a brief pause, he leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the table. "And the Delacroix debt?"

Mateo's lips curled faintly, as if anticipating the question. "It was confirmed through a former servant, an old nanny. She revealed the details before I...." he hesitated, "ensured her silence." Mateo recalled how he had stumbled upon the debt knowledge while he was investigating the reason why the Delacroix didn't stay in the mafia to get revenge for their sons death but the decided to pack up while cleaning all their traces. His boss believed the death of their sons was just face level of the whole matter and asked him to investigate. Although, he didn't get anything noteworthy in relation to their retreat, he had gotten something that served his master well as a weapon—the debt.

Lorenzo exhaled slowly, savoring the weight of this newfound knowledge.

"Even the servants knew the secrets of their masters," he mused darkly. "Pathetic."

Mateo's eyes glinted with amusement. "Information is only as valuable as the price someone is willing to pay for it."

Lorenzo leaned back, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "I had no idea my father was that generous… giving them such immense resources. But, thanks to that, I'll have my repayment." He let out a dark chuckle. "I'll have my Elena."

Before Mateo could respond, movement to the side caught their attention.

A woman in a glittering dress with a dangerously high slit sauntered over. Her beauty was a weapon, with eyes that pierced like daggers and lips painted with the promise of peril, exuding a confidence that could make weaker men beg.

This woman was no one other than Giulia. She's like the female version of Lorenzo, with her sharp instincts and polished demeanor minus the intimidating scowl known only to Lorenzo. She helps with Lorenzo's club The Devil's Rose and is even crazier than a rabid dog when annoyed.

Guila walked up to them, trailing her well manicured hand down Lorenzo's shoulder before attempting to slide onto his lap. That was a big mistake on her path because the temperature in the room seemed to drop as Lorenzo's sharp gaze locked onto her.

Giulia froze, the playfulness in her expression vanishing instantly.

Without a word, Lorenzo stood, forcing her hand to fall away. He left without a backward glance, the sound of his polished shoes echoing against the floor.

The second he was gone, Giulia let out an irritated huff, stomping her heel against the ground. Mateo chuckled from where he stood, moving to sit while shaking his head. "You should know better by now."

Giulia crossed her arms. "Tch." And here I thought the boss had some weaknesses."

Mateo leaned back, his smirk deepening. "He does. But you're not just one of them."

Giulia flipped her hair over her shoulder, scoffing. "So what? You're saying he's finally fallen for someone?"

Mateo's expression turned knowing. "Not someone, his long-lost beloved."

Giulia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Beloved? Hah! How poetic." Then, with a sultry smile, she turned on her heel, swaying her hips deliberately. "Well, let's see how long that lasts."

Mateo chuckled under his breath, watching her disappear into the crowd.

Lorenzo might have found his obsession, but that didn't mean the wolves wouldn't still circle.