mango_latte

When Jasmine’s car collides with Antonio’s, she expects nothing more than an accident report and a headache. But from the moment he lays eyes on her, Antonio is captivated—her beauty, her presence, the quiet fire in her eyes. She’s been hurt before, and love is not something she’s searching for. All she wants is peace, warmth, and a place where she feels safe.

But Antonio is not a man who walks away from what he wants. And from the moment he sees her, he knows—he wants her.

HIS ENDEAVORS

The evening continued, the hum of conversation blending with the soft melody of the string quartet playing in the background. Jasmine was preparing to leave when she noticed Antonio no longer standing where she had last seen him. She exhaled in relief, thinking she had successfully avoided another unexpected conversation with him.

As she turned to make her way toward the exit, a striking woman stepped into her path. Tall, poised, and radiating effortless elegance, she carried herself with the kind of confidence that commanded attention. She had deep auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, piercing green eyes that held an undeniable sharpness, and a presence that felt both alluring and formidable.

Jasmine instinctively knew—this woman was important.

"You must be the therapist everyone is talking about," the woman said smoothly, offering a knowing smile. "Jasmine, isn't it?"

Jasmine studied her for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"

The woman extended her hand, her fingers adorned with delicate rings that caught the light. "Isabella De Luca."

The name rang a faint bell, though Jasmine couldn't immediately place it. She accepted the handshake, finding Isabella's grip firm but not overpowering.

"I couldn't help but notice Antonio seemed rather interested in you," Isabella continued, her tone light, but there was something beneath it—an unspoken challenge.

Jasmine's stomach tightened slightly, but she kept her expression neutral. "I wouldn't say that. We just happened to cross paths."

Isabella let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head. "Oh, darling. If Antonio crossed paths with you, it wasn't by accident."

Jasmine wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she simply held Isabella's gaze.

Sensing her hesitation, Isabella sighed and took a sip from her champagne flute before setting it down on a nearby tray. "Relax, I'm not here to intimidate you," she said, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I just find it fascinating when Antonio takes an interest in someone new."

There it was again—that underlying implication that Antonio wasn't someone who simply stumbled into people's lives.

"How do you know him?" Jasmine asked, curiosity finally getting the better of her.

A flicker of something—nostalgia, maybe even regret—crossed Isabella's face before she answered. "Antonio and I were close once. A long time ago."

Jasmine wasn't sure what close meant in this context, but she wasn't about to pry.

Isabella smiled as if she could read Jasmine's thoughts. "He and I grew up in the same circles. My family and his—business partners, so to speak." She paused before adding, "We were once inseparable, but things change, don't they?"

Isabella studied her for a moment before leaning in slightly. "A word of advice, since you seem like a decent person," she said, her voice quieter now. "Be careful with Antonio. He's not a man who does things without reason."

Jasmine frowned. "And what exactly does that mean?"

Isabella smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."

With that, she straightened, giving Jasmine one last knowing glance before gracefully disappearing into the crowd.

Jasmine stood there for a moment, her mind racing. Something about Isabella's warning unsettled her.

And for the first time that night, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had stepped into something far more complicated than she had ever intended.

Chapter Eight