Chapter 9: An unexpected Visitor

Regina had built Reine Studio from the ground up.

Every chair in the reception area, every painting on the walls, every carefully chosen light fixture carried a piece of her. She had spent years convincing clients that luxury wasn't about spending the most money. It was about making a space feel alive.

It was the one place where she wasn't known as Mrs. Kingston.

Here, she was simply Regina.

She gestured toward the conference room.

"Please, have a seat."

Daniel Virelli smiled politely and followed her inside.

The room faced the city, rolls of architectural drawings covered one side of the table, while miniature models of unfinished projects occupied the other.

Daniel paused to study them.

"I've visited dozens of design firms."

Regina looked up from the coffee machine.

"And?"

"You're the first owner who actually displays unfinished work."

She handed him a cup.

"I like people to see the process."

He accepted it with a nod.

"It tells me you're confident."

She smiled faintly.

"It tells my staff perfection doesn't happen overnight."

Daniel chuckled.

"I can see why your clients keep recommending you."

Regina sat opposite him.

"So... tell me about your hotel."

Daniel reached into his leather briefcase and slid a folder across the table.

"It's a waterfront property ."

She opened it.

The first page revealed breathtaking architectural renders.

The project was massive.

Luxury suites.

Private villas.

A rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic.

Conference halls.

Restaurants.

A private marina.

Even Regina, who had worked on high-end projects for years, couldn't hide her surprise.

"This isn't just a hotel."

Daniel leaned back.

"No."

"It's the biggest project my company has ever undertaken."

She slowly turned another page.

"Why not use your in-house designers?"

"They're excellent."

"But?"

"They design hotels."

He met her eyes.

"You design homes."

She frowned.

"I don't understand."

"I don't want guests to feel like they're sleeping in another luxury hotel."

He tapped one of the drawings.

"I want them to feel like they've been invited into someone's dream."

For a brief moment, Regina forgot she was speaking to one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country.

She was speaking to someone who genuinely cared about design.

"I like that."

Daniel smiled.

"I hoped you would."

There was a knock at the door.

Regina's assistant peeked inside.

"Sorry to interrupt."

"What is it?"

"Someone's asking for you."

"I told you I wasn't taking any more meetings."

The assistant looked uncomfortable.

"I did."

"He insisted."

Regina sighed.

"Who?"

Before the assistant could answer, another voice came from the hallway.

"I'll only take a minute."

Regina's heart skipped.

She knew that voice.

Alexander.

He appeared in the doorway moments later, still dressed in the charcoal suit he'd worn to the office. His tie had been loosened, and his sleeves were rolled to his forearms, making him look less like the untouchable CEO the world feared and more like a man who had walked out of a difficult day without noticing how exhausted he looked.

His eyes landed on Daniel.

Daniel rose smoothly.

"So..."

He smiled politely.

"I was wondering how long it would take before we met again."

Alexander's expression remained unreadable.

"Mr. Virelli."

"Mr. Kingston."

The air inside the room changed.

Neither man raised his voice.

Neither offered a handshake.

Yet Regina suddenly felt as though the temperature had dropped.

"You know each other?" she asked.

Daniel looked at her first.

"We've crossed paths."

Alexander corrected him.

"We're competitors."

Daniel laughed softly.

"That's a much colder way of putting it."

"It happens to be true."

Regina looked between them.

Something told her their history ran much deeper than business.

Alexander finally turned to her.

"I came to pick you up."

She blinked.

"Pick me up?"

"You said your meeting ended at noon."

She glanced at the clock.

It was twelve-ten.

"I can drive myself."

"I know."

His answer was calm.

"I was already nearby."

Daniel watched the exchange with quiet interest.

"I hope I'm not stealing too much of your wife's time."

The word wife lingered in the room.

Alexander didn't take his eyes off Daniel.

"You've had enough."

Regina frowned.

"Alexander..."

Daniel raised a hand.

"It's fine."

He picked up his briefcase.

"Our meeting is practically over anyway."

He looked at Regina.

"I'll have my office send the contract this afternoon."

She stood.

"I'll review it and get back to you."

"I look forward to it."

Daniel walked toward the door before stopping beside Alexander.

For a second, neither man spoke.

Then Daniel said quietly enough that only Alexander could hear,

"Don't make the same mistake twice."

Alexander's jaw tightened.

Daniel gave Regina a courteous nod and left.

The room remained silent for several moments after the door closed.

Regina folded her arms.

"What was that about?"

Alexander looked toward the window.

"Business."

She laughed once.

"I may not know what that was..."

She stepped closer.

"...but it wasn't just business."

Alexander finally looked at her.

"He approached you for a reason."

"He approached my company."

"He approached you."

She held his gaze.

"And if he did?"

Alexander's expression hardened.

"Be careful."

She frowned.

"Why?"

"Because Daniel Virelli never does anything without a reason."

Regina picked up the project file from the table.

"Maybe the reason is that he likes my work."

Alexander looked at the folder.

"No."

His voice was quiet.

"The reason is me."

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

Regina stared after him, equal parts annoyed and confused.

She looked down at the folder in her hands.

For the first time since opening Reine Studio...

A project no longer felt like just another project.

Outside, Daniel settled into the back seat of his car.

His driver started the engine.

"Home, sir?"

Daniel looked up at the glass windows of Reine Studio.

A slow smile touched his lips.

"No."

He continued watching the building.

"Let's see how long Alexander Kingston can pretend he isn't afraid of losing his wife."