Chapter Six

A few days had passed since the brief, unexpected meeting with Antonio Romano. Life had returned to its usual rhythm for Jasmine. The steady hum of her work at the clinic, the constant flow of patients, the occasional dinner with Penelope, and the occasional text from Luka. Everything seemed perfectly normal—until it wasn't.

The memory of Antonio and the business card he had handed her had faded into the background. She had honestly tried to push it out of her mind. What was the point of dwelling on a brief encounter with a stranger, especially one as mysterious as Antonio? He had been polite, but there had been something about the way he'd looked at her, something that had unsettled her. But she couldn't focus on that now.

At least, not until today.

Jasmine had been invited to a small gathering hosted by one of the prominent figures in the city's social scene—a charity event for the wealthiest in the area. She was initially hesitant to attend. These events often felt like a blend of superficiality and social obligation, but Penelope had convinced her to go.

"It'll be fun, trust me. Besides, I know you love a good opportunity to get out of your own head for a bit!" Penelope had insisted, sending her a picture of the venue—a glamorous mansion nestled in the hills of the city, surrounded by sprawling gardens and an air of exclusivity. Jasmine wasn't the type to go to such events, but something in Penelope's voice made her agree.

So, here she was, standing in the grand entryway of the mansion, an ornate glass chandelier casting a warm, golden glow across the marble floors. Laughter and chatter filled the air as people in tailored suits and designer dresses mingled, some holding flutes of champagne, others deep in conversation about business or the latest social gossip. Jasmine felt slightly out of place, but she smiled politely as she greeted a few familiar faces.

She was just starting to make her way to the bar when she heard a voice that made her freeze.

"Jasmine?"

It was Antonio.

She turned slowly, her heart skipping a beat, and there he stood—dressed in a sleek, black suit, his dark hair neatly combed, his presence just as imposing as it had been the other day. His gaze softened as his eyes met hers, and for a moment, she couldn't tell if he was surprised to see her or if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her.

"Antonio," she said, forcing a smile, even though her heart was pounding. She hadn't expected to see him here, of all places. The last thing she wanted was for their brief interaction to turn into something more.

"I wasn't sure you'd remember me," he continued, his voice smooth but tinged with curiosity. He glanced down at his hand, pulling out the business card he'd given her that day. "I figured I'd give you some space to decide whether you wanted to reach out or not."

Jasmine's eyes lingered on the card for a moment, and she felt a twinge of guilt. She had forgotten about it entirely, tucked it away in the bottom of her bag without a second thought. The thought of him and his invitation had slipped from her mind as quickly as it had arrived.

"I—" She started to speak, but then caught herself. There was no need to apologize. "I'm sorry. It's just been... busy," she said, offering a small shrug. The explanation was half-truth. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

His smile deepened, as if he found her reaction amusing. "I could say the same thing. This is a bit of a... different crowd for someone in your field, isn't it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She couldn't help but laugh softly. He wasn't wrong. She was more accustomed to the world of therapy, to quiet conversations in private rooms. A gathering like this, with its champagne flutes and elegant conversations, was definitely not her scene. But here she was.

"I guess you could say that," she replied with a touch of humor. "I don't usually attend these kinds of events."

"Well," Antonio said, taking a step closer, "I'm glad you decided to show up. It's not often I get the chance to meet someone who doesn't care about the glitter and glam of it all."

The way he spoke, so direct yet charming, made her feel both flattered and wary at the same time. Was he being sincere, or was this just part of his charisma?

"I'm just here to support a friend," she said, glancing around the room for Penelope, who was nowhere to be seen. "But I appreciate the compliment."

Antonio's gaze didn't leave her face. "Well, I'm sure your friend is lucky to have you here. You're... refreshing."

The word hit her harder than she expected. Refreshing. It felt like an odd compliment, but something about it felt genuine. Still, she couldn't afford to get too caught up in any of this.

"I think I'll just grab a drink," she said, quickly shifting the conversation. "But it's good to see you again, Antonio."

Before he could say anything else, she offered a quick smile and turned toward the bar. She wasn't sure what had compelled her to walk away so abruptly, but there was something about him, something about the way he watched her, that felt unsettling in a way she couldn't explain.

As she ordered her drink, Jasmine couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter—this chance meeting—wasn't as accidental as it seemed.

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